Three months and no newsletters! You must be champing at the bit (ummm!). Horrific earthquake and tsunami in Japan. How they suffered and then the consequences of the nuclear reactors. But how stoic they are, repairing roads so quickly and life just getting back to normal. Then there’s the mad colonel in Libya massacring his very own people, and the same in Syria.

OK, let’s send a few million pounds worth of hardware down his throat. Unfortunately he’s just one of those survivors. Talking of which; what fantastic news about OBL (One B….rd Less) being scattered amongst the fishes. A pity they didn’t drop him out of an aircraft over the Atlantic and see what it’s like dropping from a height like a number of his victims had to on 9/11.

Certainly some embarrassed faces though in Pakistan and many questions unanswered. We all know there are a number of people high up in the echelons of power sheltering his cause, yet we still pour billions into their coffers.

Recently some excellent news with Mladic being nabbed after so long on the run; again being sheltered by those extreme orthodox nutters. Another monster taken down.

Slight embarrassment in the IMF – DSK. Sure, innocent until proven guilty, but hasn’t he “been there before”?

What about some good news for once. A brilliant royal wedding putting aside all those “moaners and groaners” who thought it not right to be having such a celebration in these difficult times.

It’s called “boosting morale”; we need something happy now and again and not all doom and gloom. Well, at least they came to “Africa” for their honeymoon. What a fantastic couple they look. However… some of those “hats”.

The Queen in Ireland – that is really something. How she keeps going and also how she is so unassuming, but grand at the same time. She was magnificent and long may it continue. So HMQ goes, and so BO has to go as well! Finding his roots!! It seems everybody wants to come from Ireland.

Great sports with a fantastic Cricket World Cup. I thought the semi-final between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was the best game and the most entertaining. Then the sub-continent winning it; even better – they thoroughly deserved it. Twitter and Ryan Giggs (how funny!); although Sir Alex doesn’t see the funny side it would appear. What a ridiculous situation with Injunctions etc – Ha! The sad sad news about Seve. An impeccable sportsmen and a huge loss for “sport” in general.

Yes, more coming! Local elections here in SA and UK. The alternative vote in UK not getting anywhere, and Labour not doing well at all. Keep it going DC (Nick – just move on and out). Here in SA the ANC were given a “warning shot”. The DA held on to the Cape as expected – The only province in SA which has passed their audit.

Down here we closed down for most of March for our annual clean up. The guides have done magnificently finding the game with some spectacular sightings. One of the best being a lioness and leopard scrapping over a kill. Then a lioness chasing the 2 male cheetah away.

Numerous lion sightings now as the big males have established their territory firmly on Garonga; almost every evening and morning you can hear them calling. This has also resulted in Cubs (3 of them). A great sighting of them walking down the airstrip following mum. Walks are proving ever more popular now that winter is setting in. Sleep outs carrying on regular as ever.

US Navy Video… Hilarious!

In April it was a pleasure to welcome back Mike and Sue, Andrew and Charlotte, Philip and Gerti with the 7th Cavalry, and finally Bea and Olivia. Also a warm welcome to Carolyn from New Frontiers and Sally from Sally and Alice Travel. In May we had the big event of Peter and Tina’s wedding with 16 other family and friends taking out both Camps for 5 nights. The wedding itself was held at Fig Tree Pools on the Makhutsi River; a truly spectacular venue should anybody wish to try it. They had choir and dancers performing; so all in all a really spectacular day. Well done to all the staff for making it so special. Kehnsani (chef) had a huge smile on her face as she was chosen to be a witness with CJ. A warm welcome back to Yolanda, Roland and Hella, Martyn and Carolyn, and last but by no means least Juliette and Magali for 18 nights. Thank you both for the video footage which we will place on our “You Tube” (I know, we are really getting “with it”!). Facebook next!

Well we are now in winter mode with no more lunches, but replaced with a high tea. This is due to the game drives returning at about 1015 hrs for a late breakfast. The chefs have produced some amazing cakes, and delicious baguettes etc. Debby has come twice now to spruce up the chefs and their food and so her training has really been a winner with the Chefettes. Look out for next recipe. For dinners, as it is getting colder, coal braziers are going out, and a lot of hugging of the fireplace. On that note, I do try and alternate dinners by some being private, boma, or round table dinners with a variation of plated dinners, curry, and carvery. I don’t get it right all of the time, and so please do specify if you want private dinners.

What else? May is the month for the main Africa Travel Show held in Durban. Before attending that Classic Safari Camps of Africa has their AGM, where all owners get a chance to see each other again (normally only around this time when all together). 3 days AGM held at Robin Pope Safaris in the Luangwa valley in Zambia. What a beautiful setting and of course raucous great fun. Serious stuff also done – HONEST! The trade show – much the same, but always worth going to meeting your supporters from the trade and also some new openings. Also great fun to be at the sea!

The rest of the year is looking pretty quiet at the moment, and so in order to try and reverse that am offering an “early bird special” – “book before the end of July and if staying 4 nights then you only pay for 3 nights at both camps”. This is valid until 20th December 11. We still offer a “stay 5 pay 4″ throughout the year. Check it out with your favourite tour operator! Nope, I didn’t have to say that!

It’s great to touch base again with you; apologies for the delay but too much going on. Facebook, and that damn webcam; need to get it sorted urgently. Have a great summer if you’re in that part of the world. Great time to come here – crystal clear nights, fires, excellent food and wine, and of course those “cats!”

Keep well and all the best.

Bernie

What a disastrous start to the year. Almost like someone up there giving us a warning saying “just remember I’m here and things can change at the flick of a button”. Chaotic and dreadful scenes in Australia, South America, and now New Zealand. What can you do!

Now the Arabs are revolting. Could be very interesting as to how it all pans out, but also interesting to see how quick the Yanks dumped Mubarak; their greatest ally in the area. Gaddafi – well he’s lost a few marbles anyway, and so no loss there. The rest of them I suppose are warming up their Gulf streams as we speak. Probably bump into them at the Connaught for a Bloody Mary or three in London!

Sport: England didn’t want to drub the Aussies too much and so gave them a consolation prize of winning the 50 over series in cricket after their humiliating defeat in the Ashes. Now it’s all to play for in the cricket world cup although somehow it sort of pales into insignificance after the Ashes series. Before anyone says it – Ireland, we let you!! It’s to smooth you over for the Queen’s visit this year; that’s all! Rugby – 6 nations already started and looking promising. Football – still paid far too much!

Down here we’ve had our moments. In January great to welcome Jenny back. Many congratulations to Patrick and Veronica for their wedding here at Garonga. It didn’t go exactly to plan as we had a torrent of rain the day before and the river was in full torrent with all the crossing impassable; so it was plan b in Little Garonga main area which we turned into a mini chapel with candles and all. It was a great day especially as they had all family there taking out the whole camp. Then a warm welcome for the first time to Inspect us was Michael, Kevin from Ethos marketing (At last Kevin; you’ve been set free!), and last but no means least Brigitte from Dertours and Lehandra from Welcome Tours. In February we wish Mark and Alison, and Russell and Clara all the very best in their futures together and thanks for choosing Garonga for your very special day. Also great fun as family also shared the special day with them. Makes a big difference. Also a very warm welcome back to Brian and Gail who came back after a few years and stayed for 4 nights and then went back to UK; great to see you both again! Also Christine – no nasty people this time at dinner! Will always remember that last time!

Winner being presented with the Classic safari Camps of Africa Book

South Africa was hit by floods but nothing in comparison to the others above. We had over 180mm in one night (the rain gauges overflowed and so no real accurate reading). Hence to say the drainage lines etc all became impassable torrent of water. We couldn’t reach the camp for 10 hours; It was quite amazing – never seen it as bad as that since the 2000 floods. It kept on raining. But at least the rivers subsided. As Zele kindly pointed out to me (In the way she does) that this always happens when I am away, and it just so happens that I was going away that day for a weeks leave! Guests missed their connections but we laid on transport that afternoon to get them out to Johannesburg just in case we got caught again. I must say here that some guests are not very obliging here, and when asked to pay for additional transfers refused. Not quite sure here. Travel Insurance covers this, and not much else we can do. Some people suddenly turn very strange. Please do check with your Travel Companies regarding this sort of eventuality as it is bound to occur more often now. Those who refused to pay – well, you obviously need it more than I do and… don’t come back!

School Kids departing after their day learning about Conservation and The Tourism Industry.

As you can imagine the bush is very thick but the guys are getting there with the sightings. What has been a problem have been the 2 young male lions (brothers) and female who have been getting out of the reserve on a number of occasions due to the big bad boy of the reserve hunting them. It was great to experience Ross (the game warden) recapture these guys (3 of them) at night. (They had walked 18 kms into a completely different reserve!) I went along with him. One of them was across another side of the fence so he had to crawl underneath the electric fence and with assistance from a student drag the lion back (after it had been darted of course). The other two had already been darted by the vet and were on the back of the vehicle already. So eventually I drove back with Ross with 3 sedated lions on the back of the cruiser along a normal public road. We both chuckled at the thought of someone wanting to hitch a lift along the way, and would have said “sure, mate, jump in the back!” Ha! That didn’t happen. Anyway lions recaptured and are now POW’s in the boma! Will be trying to change them with some other males.

Lights out. Jump aboard mate.

The ellies have been busy as ever and the bulls just knocking those trees down. Sleep outs, walks etc have still proven very popular even with the changeable weather. Just in January alone we had 317mm of rains. To date for this season 509 mm. So over the average now and they still reckon (THEY? I don’t know who) more to come. Last year in April we had over 200mm! So let’s wait and see.

As we always do in January we invited a whole load of school kids over for a day to learn about conservation and tourism. They were split into 5 groups and each group had a member of staff whether it be a waiter, chef, housekeeper, safari guide etc. 20 minutes round robin, a BBQ lunch and then a 3 hour game drive. The competition prize being awarded at the end. It was a great fun day and all the staff performed magnificently. Some real Hollywood actors amongst our lot. Must look into that!

Staff movement always around this time! Farewell to Zele who was offered a once in a lifetime opportunity in New Zealand. We wish her all the best. Then to Denille (therapist) who returned to Johannesburg, and finally to Obie (tracker) who “disappeared”. Wherever you are Obie drop us a line! So on that note welcome to Nicole who has taken over as manageress (last place she was in Islandwana in the KZN battlefields area), and to Geraldine as therapist after 2 years on the boats. Two trackers will be joining us very soon; Ruel and Patrick to join Rebel who’s feeling a bit left out!

We are now in the first week of the closedown, cleaning, dusting, sealing, varnishing, painting, repairing and so on. Reopen on the 24th March. Plenty of space available and for April as well.

Finally the winner of the photo competition for 2010 is Amanda Jennings. Four nights complimentary at the Hambleden Suite (excepting 20 Dec – 10 Jan). Available from now until end of February 12. If you don’t think you can take it let me know and I’ll sort out a very nice dinner for 2 with voucher. Many congratulations Amanda. Please RSVP before June 11 in order to qualify for the prize, otherwise I will ask the judge to reselect. Many thanks to all those who took part, and we will continue this for 2011. Keep those pictures coming. Not pleasant to finish on a sad note, but our commiserations go out to Judith and family for the tragic loss of Roger Diski. A very well-known, kind and respected figure in the tourism Industry in UK who had a passion for the future of South Africa and Africa in general.

Keep safe and well out there.

Bernie

PS: That B….y webcam will be sorted soon. Sledgehammer on its way!