Honour Way News
I cannot quite believe we have already come to the end of 2008. I think
I might have been left behind in May somewhere. BUT WHAT A YEAR! It
has been fantastic with so many exciting developments in my own life
with the start of Honour Way as well as in the lodges and camps I am
lucky enough to represent.
So where have I been these last months? A whirlwind tour of Africa,
hosting educational trips to Zambia and Uganda as well as a quick visit
to Botswana visiting Okuti and Edo's and a weekend break at Sioma Falls
in Zambia too. Then back to Europe for a whistle stop tour of WTM,
Holland, Belgium, Scandinavia, Paris finishing off at ILTM last week.
All went brilliantly..
The Educational trips to Zambia and Uganda were a huge success with 4
operators accompanying me to Zambia and 5 operators to Uganda. You all
know how much I love both countries so I asked the tour operators to
give me a paragraph of their own to pass on to you.
"Zambia Educational" by Kate Turner from African Pride in Cape Town.
The heading says it all. Having lived in Africa for over 30 years
(Cape Town) this was my first visit to Zambia. Having heard the
expression "See the true Africa" I can now finally say "I have seen
the true Africa". What a marvellous experience to be privileged to enjoy
such wonderful friendly hospitality. From basic Bush camps to luxurious
Lodges everyone I come into contact with was very helpful, friendly and
knowledgeable. I was most impressed with the guides' knowledge and
ability to convey this knowledge to each of us with such enthusiasm.
Bush walks are probably the best way to experience Africa. The smells,
the heat and all the amazing signs and tracks come alive to you.
Wonderful contrasts from the dry areas to the wonderful Zambezi.
Victoria Falls, even at low water has such an aura, a truly memorable
experience.
Hoping to return in the not too distant future.
Botswana
I am happy to announce that I will be helping Nicky out on the marketing
side of things especially in Europe but will also be holding brochures
for anyone who needs to replenish their stocks. Nicky's email is
nickyk@kerdowney.bw and she is also
available on skype - Nicky Keyes.
I made a whistle stop tour to Botswana and spent one night at
Okuti, one
night at Edo's and one night in Maun catching up with Nicky and family
with a quick stop at our usual haunt the Sports Bar which is becoming a
bit of a tradition for Nicky and me. I have to be honest and say that
the experiences I had in those 3 days were out of this world and equated
to a 10 day safari. We saw a beautiful pride of lion and a leopard
hunting a jackal in the Moremi. In the Kalahari at
Edo's
Camp,
the rhino came in for sundowners and if that wasn't
enough also popped by for breakfast! BUT the totally
unexpected highlight was after having tracked a
Mummy Rhino and her young we were heading back to
camp for brunch when all of a sudden we saw a group
of vultures flying around. We stopped to investigate
and found kudu remains which looked like it had been
taken by a cheetah... Already very exciting but then
as we got back in the car to continue on our way, we
suddenly came across 9 cheetah on a freshly killed
Kudu. They were quite skittish and ran off straight
away to hide in the bushes so sadly I have but my
memories and a couple of witnesses to prove this
moment happened; it most certainly was unbelievable.
The kudu was still warm so we must have missed the
kill literally by minutes. What a treat - so on we
headed knowing the cheetah would head back to their
brunch themselves . What can I say - I was utterly
and totally blown away.
In addition, the last month at Kanana has been
quite an eventful one. It started off with the wild
dogs paying a visit to the camp, almost as if they
had been for an early morning jog and couldn't be
bothered with us. They went past the swimming pool,
along camp and through the staff village. Guests
have been so lucky with these sightings as it is not
often they pop into camp for breakfast like this.
BUT watch out next month for more. Tongabezi and Ker
& Downey are also putting together a special offer
for the New Year!
www.kerdowneybotswana.com
South Africa
We continue to pay attention to our efforts in contributing to a greener
healthier environment. We use "beautiful Earth" products in our rooms as
guest amenities - they are made using natural oils and have just been
certified by PETA as cruelty free and vegan. And the company will be
listed on the cruelty free company guide. The logo will be incorporated
onto all products when labeling is next updated, so that customers will
know these top quality products are made with respect for animals, our
environment and all users.
Safari Lodge has a new children's playroom full of fun activities (no tv
or videos though!), close to the main lodge. Safari Suite has been
extended and now has 2 main bedrooms and 2 children's rooms, with great
views over the Marico River where I saw ele's playing around when I was
there in September. In the Staff village we have added 4 en-suite rooms
especially for the reservation office staff - so if they don't get back
to you, you know where they are!
At Jaci's Tree Lodge the hide overlooking the wetland now has the most
romantic bed on this planet sleep out under the stars and listen to the
night sounds.
www.madikwe.com
Zambia
Jason and Kellie are now in Australia for the last week's before the
arrival of a new addition to the Mott Bush Clan.
2008 was a brilliant season for Sausage Tree Camp, with the design and
creation of the new luxury standard tents, through to the very luxurious
and well appointed Honeymoon Suites. Feedback has been tremendous. This
has probably also been one of the best years for game viewing, with a
huge number of lion kills witnessed by our guests, not to mention the
mating pair of leopards viewed whilst enjoying dessert on the deck of
the new Honeymoon Suite overlooking the Zambezi - amazing!
A new Family Suite has been planned and designed and construction begins
on the 1st February 2009, in time for the next season. It will be
amazing, so watch this space and I will keep you up to date on
developments.
Alan and Nicci return for another season to manage the camp, along with
the extremely knowledgeable guiding team. We are already looking
forward to the rains disappearing so we can return to the Lower Zambezi
for yet another exciting season in 2009.
www.sausagetreecamp.com
New Citizens of Livingstone
I recently learnt to my amusement that Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park has
had three new additions and nobody knows where they came from. "Wild
dogs", and it seems they are still learning to find their feet. An
hilarious eyewitness account from our staff members Hessah, Gary and
Chande saw a couple of Zebras give chase to our trio of wild dogs!
According to these witnesses, the Zebras had never seen wild dogs before
and clearly didn't have a clue as to what they were pursuing!
We are delighted to also welcome the arrival of four new white rhino who
were released into the park at the start of the rains. They are settling
into their new home ground very well and we are thrilled to see that our
lonely white rhino who survived the terrible poaching attack last year
has already made friends with them.
TUJATANE December 5, an end of year Christmas party for the Tujatane Trust School
was hosted in the Tongabezi grounds overlooking the Zambezi River. The
weather was welcomingly cool and the event turned out beautifully!! We
had a Santa Clause, a bouncy castle for the children and each child
received an individually wrapped gift. The children all looked so happy
and they absolutely loved the burgers that were part of the menu!! Our
staff showed great support organizing the event and the children (even
the tiniest of them all) were so well behaved!
In addition, during my visit back to Tongabezi in October - I was lucky
enough to arrive at the same time as 13 removal boxes filled with school
uniforms collected by my mother and very kindly donated by the
Cuddington Church of England first school and their families. It was a
pleasure seeing the children being given their uniforms and the delight
on their faces.. There was enough for every single child to take home
several items of clothing and a bag. THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO ALL FOR THIS
VERY GENEROUS DONATION. I will never forget the joy I felt being a part
of the distribution of these uniforms.
Tongabezi is racing towards 2009. Although the recession is affecting
everyone Tongabezi, Sindabezi and Livingstone Island management is
taking the opportunity to make a whole bunch of improvements to all our
products.
LIVINGSTONE ISLAND is feeling the pressure on a number of fronts;
We have now got the go-ahead to accommodate increased numbers on the island - 16 at any one time (due to popular demand!)- and the staff are learning to cope with 4 extra clients.
It is important to note that due to very high rainfall in Livingstone, the power station has had to divert some of the water making swimming temporarily impossible.
The first foundations are now going up at SINDABEZI and we continue to
deliver supplies in tandem boat trips all day long. Our project manager
Momo is very excited about the progress which is currently still running
on schedule. (While building is always stressful "on schedule" is
unheard of in Africa!) Momo's enthusiasm and commitment did, however,
earn him the wrath of our GM Rudy when he refused to take time off for a
nasty case of malaria!
At TONGABEZI we have had new roofs put on a number of our houses and
cottages. The Garden Cottage has acquired an extended second room on the
outside of the structure. We are just waiting for a lull in occupation
to break it through. Next Garden Cottage project is a plunge pool!
www.tongabezi.com
Uganda
The Uganda Safari Company and Wildplaces are one and the same company.
The Uganda Safari Company deals with all ground handling for Uganda and
Wildplaces comprises Emin Pasha Hotel, Clouds, Semliki and Apoka.
2008 has been an extremely exciting year for the Uganda Safari Company
with the opening of Clouds, expansion of the sales department as well as
the marriage of Zara and Mike in November at Apoka Safari Lodge. Zara
and Mike met 8 years ago and have worked together in South Africa and
Tanzania and have now been with the Uganda Safari Company for just over
2 years. There they held the formal wedding in Kampala and then left for
Apoka with close family and friends where they had a beautiful blessing
on the rocks by the pool overlooking the beautiful views of Kidepo
National Park. Having been there I don't think there are many places in
the world which could beat this spectacular backdrop. I think the
pictures show us how wonderful it was and we wish them all the happiness
in the world for their future together.
Clouds has had a fantastic start since opening in August 2008. A lot of
attention has gone into the lodge and Gary is doing a fantastic job both
at the lodge but also getting involved with local community projects
which I had the privilege of going to visit during my stay at Clouds in
October. It was a very moving day and I cannot wait to return in 2009 to
see all the developments taking place. The Nkuringo Gorilla Family are
doing very well and have now grown to 20 in number with the recent
addition of twins to the family - both healthy and happy and settling in
very well. Onzi was lucky enough to see them only a few days after they
were born. What a magical sight.
www.safariuganda.com
www.wildplacesafrica.com
Fact of the Day – Animal groupings
September newsletter answer - An exclamation of swallows! . - Well done
and thank you to those who sent in their answers.
Next month - What do we call a group of Gorilla?
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