Improving the guest experience
We have always been incredibly proud of the investment that our clients make in ensuring that their camps and lodges maintain the highest standards for your guests to enjoy. This month’s newsletter highlights this.
Routine maintenance can never be under-valued out in the bush. The challenges of the environment (and in particular the elephants!) takes its toll. This year River Sands has been closed to enable the entire roof on the main building to be rethatched. Not sexy but incredibly important!
Rattray’s Camp, the jewel in the MalaMala crown, reopened following an extensive renovation completed early in May 2023.
The purpose of the renovation was to rejuvenate and breathe renewed life into the suites, facilities and hospitality of the camp, while still maintaining the essence of timeless, old-world charm for which Rattray’s Camp is so cherished.
The humble, understated elegance that has always underpinned the character of Rattray’s Camp has been carefully preserved, while a subtle, updated safari touch has been introduced throughout the camp.
The detail in the design has been inspired by the rich colour pallet of the South African bushveld. Warm and welcoming colours, with accents of rose gold, copper sunsets and delicate greens carry some of the gentle textures and elements of the surrounding environment indoors.
The camps at Garonga Safari Co do not maintain their pristine appearance without a lot of dedication and hard work. Once a year, Bernie closes one of his camps and gives it a full overhaul. This year it is Safari Camp.
The overhaul this year will include thatch brushing, resealing all floors, revarnishing all balustrade posts, and maintenance of the water plant system. Critical is also the opportunity to run a full deep clean of all soft furnishings and back-of-house equipment and stores. It is also critical to use this opportunity to ensure that everything is still compliant and in tip-top order (cables, electricals, gas systems, and fire extinguishers).
At the end of this annual closure, Garonga Safari Camp will be in perfect shape to receive guests once again.
SAFARI CAMP CLOSURE
1ST – 31ST March 2024
Gomoti Plains, situated in the Okavango Delta, has recently undergone a refurbishment to elevate the guest experience. The main area now welcomes visitors with a revamped reception and a curated curio shop. A highlight of the upgrade is the introduction of an interactive kitchen, allowing guests to engage with chefs and savor the flavors of local cuisine.
Noteworthy improvements extend to all kitchen facilities, ensuring top-notch functionality and aesthetics. Family rooms now feature two bathrooms, enhancing convenience and privacy for guests traveling with loved ones. With these enhancements, Gomoti Plains continues to be a premier safari destination, seamlessly blending wildlife adventure with modern comfort and luxury.
As a relatively new lodge, there is very little that needs carrying out in terms of refurbishments, however Konkamoya are going to be strengthening their kitchen team with a new Chef. Currently Caterina weaves her magic creating flavours and dishes reminiscent of her and Andrea’s heritage. She will still oversee the catering but will be out of the kitchen concentrating more on sales, marketing and reservations.
This video taken by Jaco at MalaMala shows what happens when a millipede visits a hyena den.
Every little effort counts.
Did you know that at Garonga we monitor our water usage, track our carbon impact, and treat greywater?
Weekly reports help us minimise waste and continuously improve our conservation of resources.
Little Garonga and MCH both have good availability still for May 2024.
Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area
If you don’t know the name, you will undoubtedly know many of its top drawcards: world-famous national parks such as Chobe, Moremi, Hwange and Kafue; jaw-dropping natural wonders such as the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls. Together, these parks and wilderness areas, together with the contiguous parcels and corridors of protected land that connect and surround them, comprise a staggering 520,000 square kilometres. This makes Kavango Zambezi today the second largest conservation area in the world. Learn more from our webinar.
