A brand new year has arrived and with it comes optimism and joy and the possibility of new beginnings. After months of drought the summer rains have arrived - the bush is lush and green and guests on safari have experienced some fantastic wildlife sightings.

Each of Sabi Sabi’s four fabulous lodges designed their own festivities, planning their personalised individual touches to the celebrations over Christmas and New Year. Holiday surprises were plentiful and our philosophy of creating a “home away from home” was felt by each guest. As is our tradition, the Christmas Eve safaris included “unplanned” stops and events. A feast of a dinner followed, the tables festooned with traditional and bushveld adornments and of course, Christmas crackers being snapped and shared with much laughter under the spectacular African night sky. On returning to their suites, our guests were delighted to find their Christmas turn-down treats, some of which were aromatic home-baked gingerbread men and milk.

The fun, festivities and gourmet meals continued on Christmas Day with everyone enjoying the camaraderie of this joyous season in the bushveld.

Just a week later, New Year’s Eve had its own wonderful occasions in store, with dinner starting just a little later than normal so that everyone would still be awake at midnight to usher in 2017. And they were!!!!!! The countdown began, followed by a happy clinking of champagne glasses and an overall merry atmosphere of good wishes. Of course the safaris on the morning of the very first day of 2017 started just a little later, allowing everyone to have a more leisurely start, with time to reflect for one last time on the past year and the new one which had just begun.

The Sabi Sabi family wishes all our friends and family, those we have known for many years and those we have just recently met, a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2017.

Meet one of our management couples, Terry Ennever and Taryn Kemp – Assistant Managers at Selati Camp. Terry is gregarious, irrepressible and loves the bush, which is why he also forms part of our intrepid social media team, ensuring that our guests are kept up to date with happenings on the reserve. Taryn’s warm and gentle personality immediately draws people to her, and with her calm nature Selati Camp is always in the best of care.