What the Sabi Sabi team gets up to when not looking after guests

Even though this is our passion and we love guiding every second of every day we sometimes get a break in between the 6 week cycles we work. The days that we are not driving guests, we try and organise as many guys and girls together to do some team building. This could involve going to town together, going for a game of golf or even just going for a fun “Staff drive” as we call it. On the drives or general activites we are able to share information between the guides, trackers, spa therapists, kitchen staff and receptionists. Do you think you know everything about a rhino midden? Try and sit between a group of rangers!

Everyone always asks how the Rangers stay in such ‘good shape’ when we eat like Kings every night with our guests, now for some there is a really good excuse... One of the most regular team building activities happens at the back of Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge’s door step, where we are fortunate enough to have a full sized soccer field.

This is where we try to practise almost every day (rugby or soccer) from about 1pm until 2pm, some days even in 30+ degrees Celsius. It doesn’t matter whether you are a ranger, tracker, barman, chef, gardener or any other position within the lodge environment, when you step onto that field you get placed into a team, that team is now your team, your family for the next hour. Now with all that practising we need to show off our skills from time to time and challenge some of the neighbouring lodges!

This always turns out to be a great day, staff from all the lodges will come together to support their Sabi Sabi team! Even though we are tough rangers and trackers, having all those people around you cheering when you have the ball makes you super nervous. I’m sure my heart doesn’t even pump that much encountering a big bull elephant on a walk!

Being part of the Sabi Sabi team means you are one big family and there nothing better when playing against different teams and knowing your “Bush Brother” is next to you on the battle field, supporting every move you make!

For those who dont know how to play soccer, we play a game of touch rugby every now and then. As a rugby player I must admit that in soccer you run around like crazy so fitness is a very important thing. Don’t be so shocked when your ranger sits and drinks water at the dinner table, he might have a soccer or rugby mach the next day!

And one last thing when visiting Sabi Sabi again you are more than welcome to come join us for a game every day just ask your ranger about it!