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News From The Camps
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SAVUTE
'Eddie set the standard for the best guide';'all the guides and staff seemed to mix very well, a genuine warmth';'Eddie was very service oriented always accommodating our schedule and a joy to be around';'thank you so much';'Energy did a very good of keeping us filled with information, very knowledgeable about knowing the animals but geology, geography, history etc we like it very much';'Eddie was a great guide';'it has been better than expected';'Fred was very friendly and knowledgeable thank you for visiting paradise';'Energy the best guide of Botswana';'Ofentse really nice and cool';'our first experience in Botswana not in Africa SSL is the best location and service we meet we thank you for our wonderful stay';'we loved the hot water bottles thanks' 'Energy thanks for his responsibility';'wish to come back one day!!';'Katia and James were extremely friendly and obliging and hospitable';'very comfortable and warm';'Energy very obliging, helpful, knowledgeable and cautious';'everything was great little touches were greatly appreciated the acacia seed pods and hot water bottles';'the food like in the other lodges was excellent we all made hogs our ourselves!';'Eddie was very knowledgeable we really enjoyed his jokes and are still looking for a Leopard walking backwards';'hot water bottles for the kids on the game drives was a great idea the cave paintings were wonderful we did not realize they were so easy to see the choir singing was memorable and wonderful' CAMP MOREMI
'on our first trip to Africa our guides did their utmost to ensure we saw all the was to be seen and we did- fantastic!';'we enjoyed the entire experience at Camp Moremi all involved could not have been made our holiday any better, special thanks go to everyone who took part in the informative concert around the fire on our last night with you, the singing and dancing were superb words cannot describe, the scene will remain in our memories forever thank you once again';'beyond belief the most professional and friendly staff we've ever met anywhere';'beautiful';'food was also another beyond belief better than home and everywhere else! Benson was the best! it was a never ending learning experience he taught us so much more than we could ever learn from a book';'thank you not only did we have one of the best experience of a different way of life we all learned how beautiful the land of the people of Botswana are we will never forget your kindness and we will hold you dear to our hearts forever thank you';'it is a beautiful lovely and friendly place the food and entertainment was exceptional thank so much';'we enjoyed Willy's experience';'wonderful camp atmosphere and staff especially liked the fact that game drives were at our pace';'everything has exceeded our expectation thank you';'beautiful';'wonderful service the best meals we've had on the safari';'Ngande excellent guide' 'great cook! excellent and knowledgeable managers, very friendly managers with lots of information they shared with us very friendly';'very comfortable atmosphere';'we liked the bathroom this close to the tent no problems going outside in the dark this is the most luxurious camping we've ever done';'the perfect food was presented on a wonderful way';'we were lucky having Lucky as a guide';'unforgettable experiences great skills';'we've done plenty of game drives during our stay in southern Africa but the ones we did here were so stunningly perfect that we will never forget them great thanks to our really excellent guide Lucky';'we will recommend your camp in Germany wherever and whenever we have the possibility and we do promise to come back again next year';'though the accommodation, the food and the service were outstanding we would like to state that it were the game drives which made our stay here that unforgettable';'absolutely delightful';'excellent';'your staff in the kitchen and servers need to be congratulated!';'Hannah was wonderful and even the ones who prepared our tent';'Grant, Sandra and Limbo you were a very wonderful, hospitable, knowledgeable place of hospitality';'may those who follow us have much joy''Camp Moremi exceeds the limits of service, friendliness and attitude, you are exceptionally class-one! Fantastic';'Benson was very knowledgeable and friendly and a good sense of humour';'on our stay here was only one night but one day we will return we couldn't been happier with the accommodation, food, entertainment, grounds etc we both were overwhelmed with the service bestowed on us';'thank you so very much the dance and the singing after dinner was my favourite! I love their pride in their heritage';'excellent I will be back with another group';'everything was absolutely awesome actually exceeded our expectations well done';'everything was prompt and the meals were fabulous!';'Kagiso very friendly and a great tracker very helpful and had a great deal of hospitality';'the accommodation, food, service exceeded my expectations';'Willy had excellent knowledge of the animals and great ability to spot birds for us he was very warm and friendly''Limbo's laugh and smile are infectious he does a great job of explaining everything and making you feel relaxed and comfortable, he also has excellent knowledge about Africa and Botswana political, geological, geographical and historical';'level of comfort and hospitality was fabulous';'I've never had oxtail before and the portions and sizes of servings were perfect';'I'd follow Willie anywhere';'we absolutely loved our stay you couldn't possibly have done better for us we lacked for nothing';'our guide Ngande was wonderful a most excellent adventure';'the food was superb';'super';'thank you Willie';'thank you Sandra, Grant and Limbo it is good having you as hosts!';'wonderful camp again thank you so much';'management and staff were friendly relaxed and informed' News from March/April 2005: Management conference 4 & 5 February 2005Service Excellence trophy - Mark and Lizette Carlsen have won the trophy for the second year (Xugana won it in 2003 when they were there). Photo is with Keesie their Assistant Manager.Guide of the year - Moruti at XuganaChoir competition - Camp OkavangoBest curio sales - Camp Moremi Other DDS newsCongratulations to Tshupo at CO for being Employee of the Month for March.
Hello from Birger in Norway congrats to MC on his promotion and acceptance for Disney, congrats to Mark, Lizette and Keesie on winning the elephant trophy, congrats to Rob and Tammy on getting Camp O and finally to Moruti for Guide of the Year
He writes 'in Norway we are in the middle of winter, have gotten some decent snow so skiing is great and both the dog and I are happy. I will be going to Argentina next week as well as Peru and Mexico. Then my next African adventure will be to Kenya in August to the Masai Mara it will not be like Botswana but it will be interesting would love to return in 2006.'News from March/April 2005:News from Savute Safari Lodge:The lodge was closed for renovations until 15/3 during which time new new pathway lights and palelo privacy screens were set up. There was also a lot of sanding and varnishing.
Savute choir has new t-shirts!
SIGHTINGS: Highlights this month have been: Leopard at lodge waterhole, two male cheetah, female cheetah, klipspringer, female Leopard and two cubs, female Lion feeding on Kudu, Stanley's bustard at Pump Pan, 21 Lion stalking Giraffe, two Bat eared Foxes hunting on marsh. An extract from the Savute Safari Lodge guestbookGuest questionnaires:
I didn't expect the accommodation to be so nice
The food was very good and served attractively
We really enjoyed our stay at Savute, wish we could have stayed longer
I have really enjoyed my stay and I hope to come back in October
Friendly reception, outstanding food, beautiful surroundingsWe had a Lioness on our deck one morning!
A fantastic place, the quintessential African safari lodge. Beautiful and wild, this place made the end of our trip to Africa extra memorable. Nothing was too much trouble, food was fabulous. Savute is fantastic, we got engaged here so we will remember this place for ever. Very well organized, excellent food, thank you so much for a wonderful end to our African adventure.
Garden of Eden in the middle of nowhere, lovely staff, excellent fresh food, unforgettable, the staff sang, danced and touched our hearts. We are writing this in number 1, it is quite thrilling to see the Lions come down to the waterhole, but the most thrilling was seeing one of the male Lions come up and walk past our door we were inside but it was up close and personal!!What's new at Xugana Island Lodge:There has been a lot of rain during the month and much work has been done on the gardens. Guests are enjoying the deck dinners and the new room decorations.
SIGHTINGS Buffalo, Hippo, Elephant, Lions, warthog, honeybadger, sitatunga, kudu, side-striped jackal, giraffe and a big male lion have been sighted on the activities. A highlight was the lion that was sighted from a mokoro.
WE HAVE NEWS OF THE CROCODILE FAT ALBERT he is happy and settled in his new home up in the panhandle which is wonderful news, he is being tracked with a radio collar and had gone missing for a few months we thought he was swimming home!!Fat Albert - the transfer by M.C.We had a resident Crocodile which has been living around Xugana area for more than 30 years. His name is Fat Albert and well he has been part of the family since the lodge was built in 1968. To distinguish him from other Crocodiles in the area one could see he was missing a toe on his right front foot, also a pink scar on his back and a pink snout (probably from all the fighting with other Crocodiles to defend his territory). Crocodiles are very territorial especially the males but females also defend their nesting sites.
Yaah! Fat Albert started to get out of control. Read the rest of the saga on the last page.What a visitor had to say about Xugana Island Lodge:MC was extremely helpful and always in good humour Jo is very knowledgeable, strong emphasis on safety, excellent service
Everything perfect, brilliant guides, staff was very friendly and knowledgeable, will definitely recommend Xugana and the delta
Impressive reception by MC at the airstrip, made to feel welcome from the beginning, including a warm welcome by Pinkie at the lodge.
The food was presented and explained nicely, we really enjoyed dining and conversation with Amanda. Rarely does one find the knowledge and enthusiasm as found with MC.
You have a rare and fascinating Management staff, Pinkie showed true compassion and concern, Amanda was absolutely great, making us feel at home, she gave us a unique perspective, guiding by MC doesn't come any better talk about knowledge and communication skills he is the best.
Xugana will be very high at the top of our recommend list
Attention to detail outstanding, nothing was too much trouble
Everyone went out of their way to make sure we had a wonderful stay, a special dinner on the first night was unforgettable
Clearly exceeded our expectations.The latest happenings at Camp Okavango:The camp was closed until 15/3 and much sanding and varnishing took place.
Suite bathroom has had a face-lift
There has been a great deal of rain during the month.
Rob and Tammy took over as Managers.
A problem Buffalo in camp had to be shot by wildlife department.
SIGHTINGS Lion, Elephant and Buffalo have been sighted on the activities. During the time that camp was closed for renovations four Lions wandered into the staff village. What the guests thought:It was very impressive to be guided by a man who is born on these islands and knows everything like the back of his hand
Partner was very good
Superb accommodation of dietary needs. Camp Moremi news:The rains have been good during the last month.
New electric pathway lights have replaced the flares and new 'ZZZ' [do not disturb] signs, made by Fred and Sikiri, are being put up at tent entrances
SIGHTINGS Sightings this month have been excellent as usual with Elephants, Hyena, Ground Hornbill, Cheetah, Giant Eagle Owls, Leopard, Sitatunga in camp, two Leopard on Impala kill, Leopard cub, Wildebeest, and Hippo.
Sightings of great interest included Alison the Croc spotted in camp, genet and kitten in camp, a bull Elephant charging a Lion and big Croc eating another dead Croc.Quotes from guests at Moremi:All the staff are very nice, we are feeling part of a family
It is very kind the way they present the menu, everything was delicious, congratulations to the kitchen team
A very high standard of management, service and staff inclusion/development a model of its kind
Excellent to see staff creativity being encouraged and ownership of menu design, very high standard of guiding.
I don't normally fill out questionnaires, but Moremi was such a strong model of management, that I feel it deserves recognition
Many thanks for excellent vegetarian options
Warm family atmosphere, very well kept surroundings, nice clean pool, perhaps too much to eat, presented in a very happy way.
Everyone in the camp was great from the Managers to the serving staff. It is amazing to find such a wonderful place in the jungle, thank you for everything I liked it all very much, good food.Fat Albert Relocation (story by MC at Xugana)We had a resident Crocodile which has been living around Xugana area for more than 30 years. His name is Fat Albert and well he has been part of the family since the lodge was built in 1968. To distinguish him from other Crocodiles in the area one could see he was missing a toe on his right front foot, also a pink scar on his back and a pink snout (probably from all the fighting with other Crocodiles to defend his territory). Crocodiles are very territorial especially the males but females also defend their nesting sites. Yaah! Fat Albert started to get out of control, he was coming during the night to the boats and stealing life jackets off the boats, also a blanket and he broke a chair this is very strange! I witnessed the last time he took a life jacket at about 8pm at night, this surprised me because it is in the middle of winter which is very cold and reptiles are hibernating and not feeding.
Well we decided that since safety is our first concern to our guests and staff we must report this behaviour to the Dept of Wildlife and National Parks. As we are not in the national park we got permission to shoot him. But since we are conservationists, we didn't want to shoot Fat Albert. Our GM did a wonderful job of organizing the Crocodile research people (staying in the panhandle studying Crocodiles near Sepopa) to come on the 5 August with a licence to capture and relocate our old friend. Thanks also to Mr Boatlhogile from the Dept of Wildlife who supervised everything.
Okay, so on arrival they set up 2 different traps. The first night a small Spotted Genet stole the bait but luckily didn't get caught in the trap and then another resident Crocodile Blackie (3m in length) came into the other trap and swam out again quickly without pulling the bait. He then hung around until Fat Albert came and chased Blackie away. But Fat Albert was too clever he stayed next to the trap the whole night!!!So the next day another plan was made, we put lethaka around the trap so that the Genet couldn't get to the bait and the angle of the bait in the other trap was changed. Just after sunset Fat Albert came to visit but would not go near the traps and just stayed in the water near the fire place! We decided to 'snout' him with a noose and once he got tired after fighting and fighting I drove the boat around so we could pull him out of the trees. I was so scared!! The research people told me to drive fast so that he didn't attack the boat! I put the 50hp into full throttle but it was a battle, Fat Albert is very heavy, eventually he co-operated.
Okay so then we pulled it out onto the shore, closed his mouth, covered his eyes, it took 8 strong guys to pull him out of the water. Sperm and blood samples were taken for research purposes, they measured him and tied his legs together, wrapping him in a net. The research people stayed with him (undrugged) all night to protect him from other Crocodiles and Hyenas.The next morning he was drugged then loaded into our cargo boat Modjei at 6am and taken to Xakanaxa. He was then loaded very carefully into the research truck and driven to Sepopa, loaded onto another boat and finally released at 10pm that night. He probably travelled a distance of 600-700km what a lucky boy!
Before they released him they put a radio collar around his neck and a tag on his back so he can be monitored. He was released in an area where there is a very limited human population. These guys have already captured and relocated about 430 Crocodiles in the Delta. They were thrilled to have Fat Albert's genes for breeding.
Fat Albert was number 435 and the biggest of all 4,5m and about 600kg!! The adult Crocodile can grow up to 6m and 1000kg weight, living up to 80 years in the wild and 120 years in captivity.Fat Albert UpdateThis is just a short note to update you all on Fat Albert. Sven from Crocodile Research has just popped in to let me know that they have located Fat Albert. Tico McNutt (from Wild Dog Research) set up his radio tracking equipment with the frequencies used by Crocodile Research and flew over the panhandle area to assist in locating tagged animals. Fat Albert was located in Phillipa's Channel about 10km from where he was released.
This means that he has spent a breeding season in that area and has obviously claimed an area for himself. Sven is of the opinion that this is an indication that he has settled and is comfortable with the territory that he has claimed, and will not move again. Sven has said that now that they know where he is it will be a lot easier to monitor his movements and keep an eye on him. He has also promised an update as soon as he has seen Fat Albert, and will then let us know if he is healthy and in good condition. I will keep you updated as soon as I hear from Sven. |
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