Morukuru Family De Hoop joins the Relais & Châteaux family

We are thrilled to announce that Morukuru Family De Hoop has been welcomed into the Relais & Châteaux family, which is an association of individually owned and operated luxury hotels and restaurants. This means that our beautiful coastal property is now one of only six establishments in South Africa.

Since 1954, Relais & Châteaux has invited guests to discover the world in a discerning way and has a presence on five continents supporting 65 properties. The Relais & Châteaux is recognised as a brand that upholds standards of subtle sophistication, allowing guests to delight in their travel experience.

This year’s annual Relais & Châteaux Congress was held in Venice from 13 – 15  November. Philippe Gombert, President, Relais & Châteaux, carried out the honours and presented Morukuru Family De Hoop with their official plaque. Grommet says, “More than a brand, Relais & Châteaux represents a profound philosophy: to make a better world through cuisine and hospitality.

Relais & Châteaux members are committed to hospitality inspired by personality and passion and are dedicated to forging warm, lasting relationships with their guests.

The French call this philosophy  “l’Art de vivre”, which means “ the art of living”.

We call this idea, simply, Morukuru Family De Hoop

 

Our Marine Guides share some of their Frequently Asked Questions

Every guest who checks into Morukuru Family De Hoop ( Ocean House and Beach Lodge) is a unique personality. At Morukuru Ocean House we choose to celebrate individuality with our Freedom Concept, which means our visitors can handpick how they want to spend their holiday. Every activity, meal or experience decision is fluid and can be tailor-made to personal preferences.

Something that is not as one-of-a-kind is the Frequently Asked Questions that Marine Guides are quizzed on. It seems that some topics are extremely popular, and similar questions pop up all the time. Our team at Morukuru Family De Hoop share their list of FAQs:

How big is the nature reserve?  We count ourselves super-lucky to have a backyard of 36 000 hectares as well as the Southern Cape Coast, which is a designated  Marine Protected Area.  The De Hoop Nature reserve is a beautiful year-round destination ideal for nature lovers, and the uninterrupted space allows for four seasons of nature walks, dune boarding, mountain biking and game-viewing from a safari vehicle. During our Winter (June – August), it is home to migrating Southern Right Whales visiting from Antarctica to mate and calve. This means land-based whale watching is on the agenda, as well as the chance to tackle the Whale Trail and De Hoop Camino, which are both famous for delivering profound experiences.

Is the Paper Nautilus shell plastic?  No, it is made from calcium secreted by the female octopus to lay her eggs in. This is quite a tricky one – although it is called a “nautilus”, it is actually an octopus. A nautilus is a mollusc that uses jet propulsion to roam the ocean deep. The primary function of the paper nautilus’ thin shell is to protect eggs! Unlike other octopuses, who hide their eggs in protective nooks on the ocean floor, paper nautiluses secrete a thin calcite shell in which they lay their eggs. The mother then carries her eggs—up to 170,000 of them—around with her until they hatch.

How many eggs does a female Ostrich lay? Ostriches make use of communal nests. This means a single nest could have up to 60 eggs in it!  Ostrich flocks are made up of a dominant male and a dominant female. Breeding season is between March and September, and this is when you might see the dominant male performing a ritualised courtship dance. The male gets to strut his stuff, shaking his wings and tail feathers in the hope that the dominant female will be impressed. If his efforts are acknowledged, the two will mate. Other hens in the group may also mate with the dominant male or with other subordinate males.

The dominant male takes responsibility for establishing the nest, and he scratches out a shallow pit in the dirt. The dominant female will lay around 7-10 eggs in the centre of the nest, and the other females place their eggs on the outside.

How fast does an ostrich run? These flightless birds can get up to 70km/h. They are like rockets and are known to be the fastest two-legged creature on the planet.  Ostriches’ speed is down to having just two toes on each foot (most birds have four), with the large nail on the larger inner toe looking similar to a hoof. These design features allow an ostrich to cover up to 5m in a single stride.

Ostriches do have a reputation for being a bit silly and for burying their heads in the sand. This is actually not true. But what is factual is that ostriches are pretty vicious, and if they are threatened, they use their powerful legs to kick. Those large talons on each foot can cause serious harm to potential predators.

Why do the whales come here? The Southern right whales move up to the warmer waters to give birth in the winter months. Ewe start seeing the whale from as early as June until November. The calving season is in August and September. Southern Right whales have a gestation period of 12 – 13 months and prefer calm bays to give birth. You can often spot a “midwife” helping during the birth and bringing the new calf to the surface for its first breath. Calves are born tail first and can swim 30 minutes after birth.

Is a Starfish alive, and can I keep it? It is still alive, and we must put it back in its natural environment. Starfish are actually not fish but belong to a large group of marine mammals known as echinoderms.

Are there dolphins and sharks here? The Southern Cape Coast is populated by dolphins and sharks. Dolphins are one of the most loved animals in the world and are also known for their jumps near the beach or on the side of ships. Dolphins are famous for being energetic and having fun with each other, and these lovely mammals also play with whales. Morukuru Family De Hoop is the perfect location, giving guests extraordinary dolphin-watching opportunities. If you see lots of fish, dolphins and birds feeding, it is a very good indication that there will also be sharks feeding in the area. We monitor all kinds of marine activity at the beach and are well-trained and experienced in advising guests.

Do sharks lay eggs? Remember that there are over 500 shark species. Most sharks – including the great white shark – don’t lay eggs and give birth to live young. The remainder are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. A shark’s egg is also referred to as a mermaid’s purse.

What does Fynbos mean? Fynbos originates from an old Dutch word translating to “fine bush” most of the plants in this biome are characterised by small, fine leaves similar to heather-like trees and shrubs. Fynbos is only found in a small belt of South Africa, where it thrives in coastal, mountainous areas with winter rainfall and a Mediterranean climate. De Hoop Nature Reserve has the largest conserved area of lowland fynbos in the Western Cape, with an estimated 1 500 species. These hardy plants are floral superheroes, which withstand low nutrient soils, heavy downpours, strong winds and even droughts.

What predators are in the reserve? We have four predators in the reserve, namely the Cape Leopard, the Caracal, the Honeybadger and the Mongoose. We understand that there are fewer than 500 Cape leopard left in the Western Cape. The Cape leopard is the stuff of legends. They are highly elusive and seldom seen. They enjoy the rugged, low-nutritional fynbos biome of De Hoop, and we do record rare sightings. The Caracal is an exceptional climber and jumper. These skills make it a brilliant hunter that is literally able to “snatch” a bird out of the air. Honey badgers look adorable, but they are As fearless predators who won’t hesitate to take down scorpions or venomous snakes for dinner. The mongoose is also a hunter and enjoys feeding on small animals such as rodents, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, and worms.

What snakes are there in the reserve?  With 36 000 hectares of protected reserve – you will definitely find snakes here in De Hoop. We have regular sightings of the Berg adder, Puff adder, Cape cobra, mole snakes, boomslang, spotted harlequin snake, and cross-marked grass snake, to name a few.  Don’t worry if you have Ophidiophobia (extreme, overwhelming fear of snakes) because venomous and nonvenomous snakes are extremely wary of humans. Simply leaving a snake to do its job in the landscape is the best way to avoid a bad encounter.

Is the Vlei salt water or fresh water, can the animals drink this water and are there fish there? It is brack water which means that is saltier than freshwater but not as salty as seawater. Animals do drink from the vlei, but only when the salt content is low. There are many fish in the vlei, which is important as they provide a food source for a number of waterbirds.

Why is it called Hippo Pools? That name has a funny origin. Back when De Hoop was inhabited as farmland, this is where the farmers’ wives used to swim, so they christened it Hippo Pools. It wasn’t meant to be unkind – it was just a funny expression that has stuck.

Do the animals go on the dunes? The white sand of our dunes is perfect for Dune boarding! This is one of the most exciting outdoor adventure sports, with plenty of opportunities for daring tricks and high speeds. Dune boarding is exhilarating, fast, fun, and super-safe, with sit-down options on offer. The only animals you might spot are the baboons and eland. 

A day in the life of Ranger Dean

For many enthusiastic conservationists and wildlife lovers,  a career in the bush is a dream job. On the surface, it appears to be such a glamorous job  – wearing khaki uniforms, driving guests around in game- vehicles in search of the big 5 animals. Field guides pursue careers in the bush because they love nature, have a passion for animals, enjoy the outdoors and fresh air and have a keen interest in conservation.  Our Ranger Dean Pieters confirmed all of the above influenced his career choice – but with 10 of years of experience he is well positioned to say that field guiding is actually not only about the animals but also all about our guests and creating unforgettable experiences. Having a strong understanding of the environment and wildlife is crucial, but excellent people skills, communication and a passion for sharing the best that Madikwe has to offer are what make all our rangers and guides extra special. No day is the same at Morukuru Family Madikwe, but this is how Dean’s day generally unfolds.

Normally a day would start around 4 am. I wake up and head off to the house for wake-up calls and coffee with my guests.

 

 

Although, in line with the Morukuru Freedom Concept, our guests are in charge and they can decide what time they prefer to wake up and start their game drive, I like to get going at 5.30 am. This is the best time to start the game drive, as we normally find the best animal sightings possible. I stop for a short coffee break out in the reserve. Nothing beats freshly brewed coffee and some of our homemade rusks and muffins!

Then it is back to the house for breakfast at about 10:00. We also like to “wow” guests with our bush breakfast which is cooked in a potjie pot, which is a traditional cooking pot used to make stews.

After breakfast, we sometimes go fishing with guests and hopefully catch some prize-worthy catfish or paper mouths. All catch and release.

During the heat of the day, the guests take a break, which gives us a chance to clean our game viewers and get ready for the afternoon safari.

In the afternoon, depending on the guests’ preference, we depart for our afternoon game drive around 4pm. We like surprise to our guests with sundowners on the mountain whenever possible.

 

After dinner, I normally head out on the third and final drive for the day, which is a night drive where we would look for nocturnal animals such as leopard, porcupine, and aardvark, to name a few.

I aim to be back at the lodge around 9:30 in the evening. This is where I discuss the plans for tomorrow morning.

 The next morning it’s up again early for more searching and exploring the African bush.

A day in the Life of a Marine Guide – Nothing would happen without a plan.

A Marine Walk is a highlight of any stay at Morukuru Family De Hoop. We sat down with Marine Guide Corné Lamprecht to hear all about what goes into the planning of a Marine Walk and what guests can expects to see and learn.

I start planning a Marine Walk the night before our walk. That’s because I have a look at the  weather websites and the tide charts to check for the ideal time to go to our rock pools. I can’t take a group of guests during Neap Tide as the water is not low enough. I have to select the time when the tide is at its lowest so that we can spend enough time looking for marine life. I need time to show off what’s available and to talk about that with guests. So once I have done my research, I’m able to meet with guests at dinner and take them through the plan for the next morning.

On the morning of the walk, the guests meet in the boot room. This is where we collect our water shoes for the walk. De Hoop has a rocky shoreline, so everyone needs appropriate gear to protect their feet against the rocks and sea urchins alike.

When out on a Marine Walk, I always hope to spot a wide selection of marine life. Common species we generally see include:

Sea anemone

Cape sea urchin

Spiny starfish

Cushion Starfish

 

 

Flatworms

Giant periwinkle

 

Octopus (on a lucky day)

Abalone

And other interesting sea creatures such as limpets, mussels, barnacles, sea cucumbers.

Part of the programme for a Marine Walk is going into the nitty gritty of our lovely rock formations that include limestone and sandstone. I enjoy explaining a bit about the geography and the features of the De Hoop coastline. We often find beautiful bee hives in between some of the rock formations. These hives are from the Cape Honeybee.

Kids are like sponges and love learning about interesting shells that wash up on our beaches. I take time to spot exciting specimens like Limpet shells, mussel shells, abalone shells and even the internal bone of the cuttlefish. These are all winners, and children are intrigued by the variety.

 

Of course, De Hoop is a famous bird-watching location – the reserve is home to over 260 bird species. I expect to get in some good sightings of coastal species, especially  the:

Black Oystercatcher

Kelp Gull

Variety of Cormorants

And many others too!

 

Where there’s the ocean, there is fish! So I also keep my eyes peeled for different types of fish to show to our guests. I often spot: Cape moonies, Klipvis, Kolstert, Zebra fish (Wille perd). During High tide, we often get a good eyeful of  Musselcrackers!

The fresh air and exercise mean guests are ready to head back to the lodge in time for lunch or for snacks & drinks in the bar and to freshen up for dinner.  The Marine Walk is a highlight   experience at Morukuru De Hoop. We always get very positive feedback, and guests really enjoy finding out about what the ocean has to offer. But don’t take my word for it … come and experience it yourself and learn all about life in our rock pools.

 

 

Meet Meadow, our first Morukuru Goodwill Foundation Ambassador!

All teenagers are different. But many are obsessed with shopping, going to parties, hanging out with friends, gaming and using social media. Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg’s favourite pastimes are hanging out at home with her dogs or her family and walking and hiking. At 19 years old, she is still a teenager  but is known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action against climate change. In one of her inspirational speeches, Greta said, “We live in very dark times in many different ways, and it feels like the situation in our society is getting worse at the same time as the planet is getting worse. Everything is moving in the wrong direction, and we cannot fix the climate without fixing all these other issues — they have to be combined.”

Meadow Timmermans (11 years old) visited Morukuru Family Madikwe with her family, who was celebrating a special milestone in their grandparents’ life. Meadow, too recognised that things are “moving in the wrong direction”. Just like Greta, Meadow decided to take action to make a difference. Read about Meadow’s trip to Morukuru Family and how this life-changing experience sparked her sense of social justice. Motivated by her experience at Morukuru Family Madikwe, Meadow set in motion her own project for change.

Tell us about your visit to South Africa and Madikwe Game Reserve.  What was special about it?  I loved visiting Madikwe Game Reserve with my family for my grandparents’ anniversary. We had a great time. I loved the game drives and seeing all the beautiful wild animals in their own environment!! That is something different from going to the zoo. You never know what animal you will see. We also saw a Lion that killed and then ate a zebra. Sad, but also cool to watch. We also assisted the rangers to collect the DNA of a rhino! That was a great experience!! We helped to take blood samples of the rhino. We even were allowed to pick a name for the rhino, we called her Dolly!! So now she is registered in Madikwe Game Reserve as Dolly.

You spent time with the kids from the local community – how did that make you feel?  That was really nice! My grandparents bought presents for the children, like pencils and notebooks. They were so happy with these. This made me a bit sad because they were so happy with very basic things like pencils and a notebook. In Holland, we consider stationery something normal and nothing special. We played games together. That was really fun! We taught them some typical Dutch games, and they taught us African games. And though we could not really understand each other, we had a lovely afternoon.

Why did you decide to raise money and do a collection for the school kids? When I got back to Holland, I found out that my friend Sophie wanted to do a school project, but she did not know which foundation to support. So I told my classmates my story about our visit to Madikwe. That’s when Sophie and I planned to do this project together. We started brainstorming about what we could do to help and how we could keep the costs as low as possible. We decided to do something nice for children who are economically disadvantaged. We wanted to make a difference and make them happy.

How did you go about raising money and selecting the goods to donate? We decided to collect school stuff for the children in South Africa. We walked around our neighbourhood and went door to door, asking people if they had some school supplies they would like to donate for our school project. Lots of people gave us nice stuff. We collected a huge box. Then we researched what it would cost to ship it to South Africa. Because that was a lot of money for such a big box, we asked our teacher if we could write something in our school newsletter. So we did and asked the parents of the children of our school if they would like to donate some money for our project. Luckily we collected more than enough money! So our box could be sent to you!!

We are so grateful for your efforts – what would you like to say to other kids your age about trying to make a difference in the world? Try to make a difference! We had a lot of fun figuring out this project. It was a good lesson to see what it takes before our project was finished. Our teacher made us figure it out all by ourselves. That was not easy sometimes, but we were proud that we managed to work it all out. It is nice to make other kids happy when they are less fortunate.

What would you like to be when you grow up?  I would really love to be a veterinarian! Maybe even a zoo veterinarian! Because I love animals! And I am not scared of any of them. When we helped the rangers to collect the DNA of that rhino, I felt so great. It was nice to help the rhino and made her a bit more safe from poachers.

We would like to make you our first official Morukuru Goodwill Ambassador – how do you feel about that? I would be honoured! And I hope to be able to visit Madikwe Game Reserve again in the future.

 

Ranger Dean – a personal passion for birdwatching

If you allow them, birds will give you a window to secrets from another world. A fresh vision that could give you a new perspective on life –  in the bush and moving ahead.

Ranger Dean – shares his personal passion for birdwatching in his own words.

It is reported that Fidel Castro and Agatha Christie were devoted birdwatchers. And that Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney don’t travel with their birding- binoculars. Even Albert Einstein was fond of planning a morning of birdwatching. As intriguing as famous birdwatchers are – the good news is that you don’t have to be a millionaire rockstar or a rocket scientist to enjoy the simple miracle of nature and birds.

Morukuru Family Madikwe is recognised as a premium destination for big-five game viewing, and many guests come for the thrill of outstanding wildlife sightings. However, you might not know that The Madikwe Game Reserve is home to some 350 species of birds, making it a real birding paradise for experienced “twitchers’, bird-nerds or those who are keen observers of our feathered friends. Our backyard of 75 000 hectares of wilderness includes the Marico River basin, open grasslands, dense bushveld, rocky outcrops and mountain ranges offering a varied bird-friendly habitat.

 

Imagine waking up, taking a breath of crisp summer air and tuning into a wonderous chorus of our little avian friends. If you are a newfound birder or a knowledgeable pro, Madikwe presents fabulous bird sighting opportunities.

  

As the seasons change from one to another, different species come to the fore. When birdwatching on the reserve, you need to be watching keenly not to miss the action. Now that winter is behind us, look out for small flashes of colour, sounds, speed, nest building and egg laying

Some of my favourites to look out for are:

  • Crimson-Breasted Shrike
  • Meyers Parrot
  • Green-winged Patilla
  • Grey-headed Bush Shrike
  • White-throated Robin Chat
  • Blue Waxbill
  • Kori bustard
  • Pale Chanting Goshawk
  • Various vulture species
  • Tawny Eagle
  • Sand Grouse species

These are just a selection. I could add many pages to this list.

The best birding opportunities present themselves early in the morning. I advise guests to  avoid the midday heat but to try again in the afternoon. There are endless possibilities, and patience is key. If spotting nocturnal birds such as owls, nightjars, and thick knees is what you’re after, night time birding can also be very rewarding. The highlight for me is always the Pearl-spotted owlets.

Although spotting and watching birds can be done with the naked eye, a pair of binoculars is a great advantage. For those just getting started, a pair of 10×40 Bushnell Forex will be more than sufficient to help find new species. A good bird book will also be of great value, and two recommendations are the Roberts Birds of Southern Africa or Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa. Either is an excellent resource to have in your backpack.

As we head towards November, I’m excited about the migration many species set out on. This time, in particular, is productive and busy for the avian world. One such exodus that I look out for is that of Red-billed Quelea, which make their voyage in the thousand. I count myself lucky to have had the privilege of watching the flight of a couple of hundred to maybe even a thousand fly over a large open plain. Having the chance to see something like this is a lifetime memory.

Something else to note is the sighting of rare species that don’t normally occur in our region of Southern Africa.  Unfortunately, some species from around the world stray far away from their normal migratory routes. For example, rare species like Great White Pelicans, Flamingo, Lizard Buzzard, African Skimmer, Open-Bill Yellow Morph and Crimson Breasted Shrike have all been spotted in the Madikwe, and down at the Eastern Cape coast near Gqeberha, there have been reports of sightings of American Golden Plovers  – which is very unusual.

Every bird has unique traits. Every bird makes me smile. I embrace every chance to catch sight of any of my little feathered friends – especially the Speckled Mousebird, the Arrow-Marked Babbler, the Short-billed Crombec, the Natal Spurfowl, the Mocking Cliff Chat and the Meyers Parrot. All of these make for a fun day out in the bush.

Besides your binoculars and your bird books – don’t forget a good hat and sunscreen!

 

No one needs a rhino horn but a rhino!

On September 22, wildlife lovers worldwide join in solidarity to mark World Rhino Day! Morukuru Family is allied with conservation organisations and individuals to pledge our commitment to rhino protection. After more than a decade of relentless poaching and habitat degradation and loss, our fears are confirmed. The global rhino numbers are still declining.

World Rhino Day advocates for the protection of all five species of Rhino. These are The Sumatran rhino (Sumatra and Borneo), Javan rhino (Indonesia), Greater one-horned rhino (India and Nepal, Black rhino (Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, eSwatini, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi) and the  White rhino (South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, eSwatini, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda).

World Rhino Day was established in response to the rhino poaching crisis. Rhinos have been constantly under threat since the poaching emergency began in 2008. However, despite rangers working round-the-clock in extremely dangerous situations to try and keep rhinos safe; rhinos are still vulnerable. Today the numbers of black rhinos and Greater one-horned rhinos have increased. But the massive drop in the white rhino population has brought down the global total. And numbers of Javan and Sumatran rhinos in Indonesia remain critically low.

Our Morukuru Goodwill Foundation (MGWF) invests substantially in combating rhino poaching within the Madikwe Game Reserve by supporting and assisting with many vital initiatives. For example, all rhinos in the park are notched, which gives each animal an identity. Notching involves marking the rhino ears and inserting a chip into the horn, which allows conservationists to record information about individual animals such as territory, age and birth rate. In addition, DNA samples are taken and recorded during the notching operation, which can be used as evidence in criminal proceedings of rhino poaching.

If you are looking for an incredible adventure as well as the chance to make a real impact, then a luxury safari holiday offering wildlife conservation and interaction with local communities should be on your bucket list. The owners of Morukuru Family established the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation (MGWF) back in 2007. The MGWF aims to support conservation in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve and spearhead various community initiatives in the adjacent Molatedi village. We’ve christened our commitment to both of these strategies Safari with a Purpose.

Guests at Morukuru Family Madikwe have the unique opportunity of making a personal contribution to the war against rhino poaching by sponsoring a rhino notching operation and joining the rangers on their conservation missions.  Guests can join a team of conservation professionals and get up close to endangered animals. MGWF is specifically interested in rhino conservation but also assists with other conservation efforts such as elephant collaring, cheetah collaring, lion collaring/contraception and wild dog collaring.

Supporting the anti-poaching teams is crucial, and funds from the MGWF, as well as generous donations from guests, go towards helping these teams with training and essential equipment. Rhino poachers are highly trained and heavily armed, so it is important that the anti-poaching rangers have the skills and equipment to tackle these guerrillas and be qualified in armed combat as well as bush survival.

Rachel Louise Carson, a celebrated American marine biologist, author, and conservationist, said, “No one needs a Rhino horn but a rhino”. The entire Morukuru Family couldn’t agree more, and we fully support all conservation efforts to end rhino poaching today and every day.

Our rangers share their frequently asked questions

No day is the same at Morukuru Family Madikwe. When our team of rangers are out on game drives with guests, they cannot predict what animals will be spotted, what unusual sightings will come into view or even what is around the next corner. However, Shane, Armand, Dean & Evan expect lots of keen questions from our curious guests. We have compiled some of the most frequently asked questions and our team’s reactions.

 

“Do elephants sleep lying down?” 

Elephants can sleep both standing and lying down. However, mature elephants in the wild prefer to sleep standing up because it is easier. Elephants are so giant, so getting up and down takes effort. Young elephants are often seen sleeping stretched out because they are more mobile.

“Do Giraffe eat meat?”

Most certainly not! Giraffe are herbivores and have a plant-based diet. The leaves of the Vachellia “acacia” tree are their favourite food, but they will also eat other leaves, seeds, buds, branches of trees, and occasionally grass. Sometimes you see Giraffe and antelope species chewing on Bones, but this isn’t because they eat meat. Instead, they are carrying out a practice which we refer to as Osteophagy. This is when animals that are usually herbivores consume bones. The reason for this is that most vegetation around the world lacks enough phosphate, specifically in dry winter months. Phosphorus is an essential mineral for all animals, as it plays a significant role in the formation of the skeletal system and is necessary for many biological processes.

“How strong is a Hyena’s bite?”

A Hyena may look significantly smaller than many other predatory mammals, but their jaws are one of the strongest. With a vice-like grip and teeth that can tear through bone and tough meat, hyenas have a bite force of around 1,100 psi (pound-force per square inch). To put it in perspective, a human bite force sits at about 162 psi.

 How much water do elephants drink?

Typically, on a scorching day, elephants will frequent water holes all over the reserve, each time consuming small amounts of water to quench their thirst. An elephant’s trunk is basically a massive straw, and each pull allows 4 Litres of water to be taken and then squirted into their mouths. Sometimes as much as 7 Litres is sucked up. Elephants, on average, require about 100 Litres of water a day, but it isn’t unheard of for big elephant bulls to drink more than 200 Litres of water in the space of 5min.

How many lion are there in Madikwe Game Reserve?

The park averages around 38-45 lions at any given time. The Reserves Lion Conservationist monitors our Lion population, so we get regular updates. We have about nine large males (territorial males) broken into four coalitions.

What is your favourite animal?

This question can be a bit of a head-scratcher for our rangers. Working in the bush means they have a massive appreciation for all animals. Each species is special and unique. Choosing one favourite would be unfair – but the Wild Dog and Leopard have a special place in our hearts.

Where are most of your guests from?

Most of our guests are from Europe, as we have a strong marketing presence on the continent. Our owners are based there, which means close ties and strong relationships exist in those territories. We have recently tapped into the US market, and we are seeing more and more guests from the US also travelling to us.

Which side of a zebra has the most stripes?

The outside 😊.LOL!

Are zebras black with white or white with black?

In general, Zebras are born with mainly brown stripes. As foals grow, the brown tends to disappear to reveal the black and white colouration. What’s important about zebras is that their white fur represents an absence of melanin; white is not its own pigment. Because white stripes only exist because of a lack of pigment, black is understood to be a zebra’s “default” colour.  Zebra skin is black under their black-and-white striped coats. The definitive answer is that Zebras are black with white stripes.

What are the big 5?

The Big 5 are five animal species found throughout the African continent and can be seen in various game reserves like Madikwe. The term Big 5 has nothing to do with size, as the name suggests. Instead, hunters created and used the term to describe the five most dangerous animals to hunt in Africa. It was considered a feat if all five they could be brought down. The big 5 are : Lion,  Leopard,  Elephant,  Rhino, Buffalo

How far are we away from Botswana?                                                                               

Madikwe game reserve is approximately 43,6km from Botswana.

Why is the male elephant all alone?

When they reach an age of around 12 – 15 years, sometimes even older, they are pushed out of the herd. Elephant males are often found walking alone as young teenagers. This solo journey allows them to reach full maturity. Don’t assume they are just loners. Daily they associate with other bulls. All of this is the process of working towards becoming a dominant breeding bull in the future.

How long do hippos stay underwater for?

Hippos have a very dense skeletal structure which acts like a diver’s weight. This allows them to sink and stand firmly on the bottom, where they consume oxygen at a steady pace, allowing them to stay submerged for roughly 8 min before coming back up for a fresh breath of air.

Wamkelekile – we are ready to welcome you!

It’s September, meaning Tourism Month here in South Africa. This campaign aims to heighten awareness of the importance of the tourism industry to the South African economy. Coinciding with South Africa’s Tourism Month is World Tourism Day, which is on the 27th of September. This is the United Nations World Tourism Organisation  (UNWTO) Day to celebrate the global tourism sector’s cultural, social, and economic value.

The theme of World Tourism Day 2022 is #rethinktourism. We love this message as Morukuru Family is always figuring out how to reimagine the Morukuru Family guest experience. For us, this is not a one-day event but part of our ongoing purpose to perfect tourism every day! We love what we do and are excited each time we create experiences for our guests. Tourism month coincides with Spring here in South Africa; the weather is warming up, and it is a great time for all of us to re-energise and rethink how important tourism is and why South Africa is the perfect destination, whatever type of holiday you are planning.

 

Tourism Month is an excellent time for international and local travellers to explore our beautiful country. Morukuru Family is unique because we have three exclusive use locations for guests to choose from. If you are looking for the ultimate beach holiday, an unforgettable African safari or a city break, Morukuru Family has the perfect property for you. Morukuru Family has become the specialist for exclusive use stays in South Africa. We pioneered the fully serviced and fully inclusive exclusive-use safari house experience in Madikwe Game Reserve; we later added Morukuru Ocean House and Morukuru Beach Lodge in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Our portfolio is rounded off with AtholPlace House & Villa, our two exclusive-use properties in Johannesburg.

This Tourism Month, we again recognise the opportunities tourism has given to our Morukuru Family. Our Family is made up of our guests, our founders, our suppliers and our staff. We believe Tourism will continue to change the lives of all family members, especially as we #rethinktourism.

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary General of UNWTO, has commented: “The potential of tourism is enormous, and we have a shared responsibility to make sure it is fully realized. On World Tourism Day 2022, UNWTO calls on both tourism leaders and everyone at the base of the broad and diverse tourism pyramid to pause, reflect and rethink what we do and how we do it. The future of tourism starts today.”

UNWTO has come up with three actions to take to #rethinktourism. Spread the word. Join the celebration. Share your story. We will adopt these action points during Tourism Month 2022 (and beyond) by continuing to tell you about the Morukuru Family Experience. Our story can be told chapter by chapter, each one showcasing the personality, identity and spirit of our guest experiences, our staff stories and our conservation message. Tourism’s relevance has never been more evident. Now is the time to #rethinktourism, this wild adventure we call tourism.

 

 

 

Look at life from different perspectives

“The treasured vistas of our solo journeys are not always about the landscape.”  (Gina Greenlee, Postcards and Pearls: Life Lessons from Solo Moments on the Road)

There is something very powerful about a magnificent vista. Here at Morukuru Family, we have an advantage in the scenery department because we are wrapped up in jaw-dropping scenic surroundings. Take a trip with us as we share some of our favourite views from Morukuru Family Madikwe, Morukuru Family Ocean House & Beach Lodge and AtholPlace House & Villa. Let’s dive into a captivating carousel of images and appreciate life at Morukuru Family from different perspectives.

 Taking it all in…

Dinner with a view

Waking up to this….

Cheers to a sundowner with a view! 

Look through our window…

A place to think, relax and look….

Starting the day right – breakfast with a view

Celebrating the Women of Morukuru – Meet Mmasabata & Yvonne

It has been a beautiful August – celebrating Women’s Month. We have had such fun sharing our amazing female colleagues’ personal stories, anecdotes, memories, dreams, and achievements.  The month is almost over, but we will continue to appreciate and celebrate the fabulous women who make up our Morukuru Family.

We sign Women’s Month off by sounding out  Mmasabata Afrika, our Chef at AtholPlace House & Villa and Yvonne Tshuma who works her magic in the scullery at Morukuru Family Madikwe.

Here’s what Mmasabata shared with us.

Tell us about your training to become a Pastry Chef. My training to become a pastry chef was quite challenging. I was starting from scratch, and I knew nothing about pastry. I wanted to throw in the towel at one point because I had almost lost my drive to learn this specialist craft. The pressure was just too much, but I’ve learned to be patient with myself.

Tell us about the favourite recipe that you learnt from your mum. Mouth-watering scones! The recipe has been passed down from my grandmother to my mum and now to me. So it is really special to me, and I consider it a kind of family tradition.

What’s next – what skills do you want to learn in the future? I’m focussed on more creativity in the kitchen and am channelling my  “Michelin star” vibe. I’m also working hard at developing my very own recipes.

Tell us what your name means.  Mmasabata means a female child born on the Sabbath (day of rest).

Which special talents do you think women bring to the kitchen?  That’s a no-brainer! Women have an in-built ability to multitask.

Food is a huge part of your life – what’s your favourite dessert to share with your family? I never go wrong with a South African classic – a traditional milk tart. They love it

Working in the kitchen can get pressured – what tips do you have to handle stressful situations?  Take a deep breath, Be organised and remember that you can always ask for help.

Meet Yvonne Tshuma who makes magic behind the scenes at Morukuru Family Madikwe 

Where were you born? I was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

 How many years have you been at Morukuru Family? I’m a fairly new hire. I have been here for ten months and am learning every day.

 Are you into music – can you tell us about some of your favourite artists or the type of music you like to listen to? Yes!  Gospel music is my go-to, and my favourite artist is Rebecca Malope

What’s the most important advice you have been given, and who gave it to you? I must credit my husband for sharing this advice: The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit be patient and humble, keep moving forward and know that all this hard work you’re putting in day in and day out will produce the result you have been looking for and remember your time is coming, do not give up.

When you get some time off from the lodge – what do you like to do? The first thing I do is schedule a visit to my family in Kwazulu Natal and spend some quality time. And I also like to catch up on my studies when I have any spare moments.

What are you grateful for today? I am grateful for my husband, my kids, and my job.

What’s something you want to get better at/or a skill you want to learn?  I’m very interested in the Beauty Industry and am determined to work and study hard to learn those skills.

Celebrating the Women of Morukuru Family – Meet Finance Manager Simoné

“Feminism isn’t about making women strong. Women are already strong. It’s about changing the way the world perceives that strength” – G.D. Anderson.  

As we start to wrap up our month-long celebration of the Women of Morukuru we sat down with Finance Manger Simoné van der Elst to hear her thoughts on Women’s Day and her love of spring in Johannesburg, especially at AtholPlace House & Villa.

What does Women’s Day mean to you, and do you think it is important to commemorate Women’s Month?  I do think it is important to commemorate Women’s month to remind us all that other women have paved the way for us to get where we are today. That said, we should always celebrate and acknowledge all women every day. Especially since I am about to become a mother, it is even more clear to me how important women are in their role of bringing up the new generation and showing children a world where everyone has equal rights.

August is Women’s month – and then it is downhill to Spring. What are you most looking forward to with the change of season? How will AtholPlace House & Villa emerge from winter?  I love Spring in Johannesburg, especially when all the flowers start to bloom and the trees grow new leaves. It reminds me that sometimes a change is needed in life to survive. At AtholPlace House & Villa there is a beautiful Jacaranda tree. When that’s in season – in October, the drive down to the Villa is breathtaking. That tree creates the perfect outdoor setting – and I look forward to that, especially since during winter, we have all been indoors.

Your job in finance means you are affectionately known as a “bean counter” Did you always want to work with numbers, figures and charts? I always knew that I was good with numbers it makes me feel great when the “books balance”, but finance in hospitality, especially with Morukuru Family, is exciting. You get to use your skills in a working environment which suits my bubbly personality.

What three items are always in your fridge? In the freezer – Ice Cream always! Milk (for tea – I love my tea) and eggs for baking ( I love to bake over the weekends)

You’ve got an hour to kill – where will you spend it at AtholPlace House & Villa  – the library/next to the pool or in the garden? By the Villa pool! The garden surrounding the Villa is really beautiful, and I could just sit on a lounge chair and relax.

 What’s the best advice another woman gave you? It would definitely be from my Mom. She always used to tell me that if you really want something, don’t ever give up…keep your eyes on the prize. She gave me a strong sense of self-worth. She never gave up on anything …  her career or her family life. I always saw my Mom as this wonder Woman.

Morukuru Family is all about connection – can you share any special family traditions your family hold dear? Our family is big in the sense that I am 1 of 4 girls. All my sisters have children. My husband is also 1 of 4 children with many nieces and nephews. When I was a child, Christmas was a family time – everyone got together. Our house was filled with “Christmas spirit”. This is something that has remained important in our family and something I will do with my children.

Celebrating the Women of Morukuru – Meet Nomsa and Nonny

Throughout August, we are putting the flags out for all the Women of Morukuru. Why? Well, because it is Women’s month and the perfect time to showcase all our female colleagues who create magic at Morukuru family.

Meet Nomsa Gwente, part of our housekeeping team at Morukuru Family De Hoop.

 

Tell us where you were born. I was born on a farm in Port Alfred.

What’s the most important lesson you learned from your mum? My mum taught me not to depend on anyone – especially financially.

Housekeeping can be a challenge – what tips do you have for cleaning and organising? Don’t let things get out of control –  keep all areas clean at all times. This is something I practice also at my home.

When you were growing up – which women did you look up to? I always looked up to my mother.

In your spare time – what do you like to do? I like to exercise and watch gospel music shows.

How did you celebrate Women’s Day? I celebrated with my family over a special meal.

Nontembiso (Nonny) Melane is our superstar heading up our laundry. Nonny says having an empty laundry basket is the best feeling in the world!

What does Women’s Day mean to you? Women’s day means liberation and an opportunity to celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural and political achievements.

Explain what your name means. Nontembiso means “Promise” in isiXhosa

Tell us about some of the influential women you have had in your life. I don’t have to look very far – my mother and aunties were very inspirational to me.

Tell us about a favourite family recipe you learned from your gran or your mum. My favourite recipe is rice with vegetables and chicken curry.

How long have you worked at Morukuru family De Hoop? I have been working at Morukuru since 2018, making it 4 years.

Where is your favourite place in the whole world? The Western Cape has a special place in my heart.

Morukuru Family De Hoop is staffed by phenomenal women- do you feel like you are part of a family? Indeed, I do feel like part of a family here!

Celebrating the Women of Morukuru – Meet Host Ilse Vermeulen

Happy Women’s month to all the amazing ladies who are part of our Morukuru Family.We see your beauty and power and say, keep shining on. Meet Ilse Vermeulen  from Morukuru Family Madikwe, who takes inspiration from both her grandmothers and channels that energy into creating exceptional guest experiences.

What does Women’s Day mean to you? If I am truly honest, I never celebrated women’s day while growing up, I was already born into an era where women were allowed to have a voice, and opinion, to be seen and heard. For me, women’s day is to celebrate all the women that had to live in the shadows for a very long period many years ago.

Morukuru Family is famous for its great service levels – what does it mean to you to be part of a winning team? For me, it means that we are all working towards the same goal to create the best holiday experience for all our guests and that we, as a team all together are creating a winning team.

Your job is to make holiday experiences the absolute best for guests. If you could be a guest for a day – which activity would you choose to do? That’s a no-brainer. I would sign up for the Hide sleep-out. Here you get to listen to the animals calling during the night, and if you are lucky, maybe some special visitors will pop past the waterhole in front of the hide. I would sit and enjoy a drink and look up to the sky and see thousands of stars and wake up the next morning to a beautiful sunrise.

Where there is a woman, there is magic. How do you “bring the magic”? Extra attention to detail. My husband Evan and I always say we don’t have difficult guests but rather all our guests have different needs, so once you have figured that  out, you know how to make your guests happy.

You work in an amazing nature reserve – which is well known as a birding paradise – what is your favourite bird? The Grey Go-away bird – also known as the grey loerie or kwêvoël. These are cheeky and bold and pretty common to spot.

 

What’s the nicest thing a guest ever said to you? It was the time a group of guests told me how thankful they were for all the effort that we had put into making their stay at the lodge unforgettable. It is always nice to be acknowledged for doing an excellent job.

What’s the best advice another woman gave you? I am a Christian, so the best advice given to me was that God is always in charge, and although you don’t know what is waiting for you at the end of the road, you know that God will walk all the way with you!

Tell us about three women you admire and why? First up is my maternal grandmother, who we call we call Ouma Mimi. She dedicated her life to caring for her son,who was born with severe physical and mental disabilities. She never considered a special needs home for him. She took on full responsibility for looking after my uncle. Her sacrifice allowed my grandfather the opportunity to build a career. She is the strongest person  I know, and if I can cook one day like her, I think my husband will be very happy.

Secondly is my paternal grandmother, Mari. Sadly she passed away over ten years ago, but she was an amazing woman always making everyone feel part of the family. she had a very kind heart and could put a smile on anyone’s face. She was the naughty “Ouma”, always having fun with the grandkids and last but not least, she was very creative and enjoyed making porcelain dolls, jewellery, clothing and even painting.

The third would be me in ten years. I feel that we can learn something new every day and that there is always room for improvement. I did not have an easy life growing up, but I feel that so far, I have made great success out of it. I have many more goals to achieve, and hopefully, within the next ten years, I can be just like both of my grandmas.

Are you a listener or a talker? I am both a listener and a talker. I like to listen to people and understand why they are reacting the way that they are, but on the other hand, I am also very opinionated and like to speak my mind. I think it depends on the situation.

What is a skill you wish you had? To be able to write, I am a very imaginative person who always has multiple stories in my head, but I have no ideahow to put them in writing.

Celebrating the Women of Morukuru Family – Meet Doreen & Ahkanya

As we head into the last week of August, we continue to recognise National Women’s Day, which South Africa Celebrated on the 9th of August. We have dedicated the whole month of August to the women who play such an important role in making Morukuru Family the award-winning enterprise that it is. This is our opportunity to say “thank you” for choosing to be part of our team.

Doreen Moswang works behind the scenes as part of our kitchen team at Morukuru Family De Hoop. We caught up with her so that you can get to know her a little better.

 Do you have a female role model? Connie Ferguson is my role model. Overseas people might not know this, but Connie is a South African-based Botswana actress, filmmaker, producer and businesswoman. She is best known for her role as “Karabo Moroka” in South Africa’s most popular soap opera, Generations.

Food is a huge part of your life – what’s your favourite meal to share with your family?

My days are really busy assisting the team with all the catering needs of our guests. Obviously I love that, but when I’m home, I just enjoy spoiling my family with something simple like a delicious chicken curry and rice. I have learnt a few tips from our head chef – so I tease my family that they are getting something extra special. LOL!

Working in the kitchen at Morukuru Family De Hoop can get pressured – what tips do you have to handle stressful situations? Everyone knows the saying, “ If you can’t take the heat – get out of the kitchen”. That one is so true. It can be a hectic environment, but I just get on with my tasks and even sing and make jokes to cheer up everyone around me.

Are you into music – can you tell us about some of your favourite artists or what you like to listen to?  My favourite artist is Celine Deon. She is the Queen, and I respect her for being able to do such magic with her voice. Whatever she sings – pop, rock, R&B, gospel or classical she makes it her own.

What is your favourite dish to prepare using fresh fruit? Nothing beats a chutney prepared with unripe mango. I’m a big fan of Mango Chutney made of mango, spices, vinegar, and sugar. It has a sweet and sour taste with a spicy tinge, and it goes really well with curry and rice.

What do you like to do in your spare time?  When I get time off – the coach is my friend – and I enjoy catching up on some of my favourite TV shows.

Meet Ahkanya Mgxigxwa, works alongside Doreen. Read on to get up close and personal with Ahkanya and discover which traditional recipe she learnt from her mum.

When you were growing up – which women did you look up to?  Growing up, I always admired my mum. She is my hero!

Tell us about the favourite recipe that you learnt from your mum? My mum is more of a traditional woman, and she passed on many recipes which are part of our culture. My favourite is Umngqusho (a combination of Samp and Sugar beans) which is one of Xhosa’s traditional meals.

What’s your favourite colour and why? My favourite colour is yellow – It symbolizes positivity and happiness and is also bright.

Tell us what your name means?  Akhanya means brightness, it also means bringing light to someone’s life. Maybe that has something to do with me loving the colour yellow!

Do you have a sweet tooth? And which dessert at Morukuru Family De Hoop is your favourite? Do I have a sweet tooth – NO. However, I do like making desserts.  My favourite dessert at Morukuru is Tiramisu. I love it because of the blended flavours blended.  It is not too sweet, and the coffee flavour in it is to die for.

Which special talents do you think women bring to the kitchen?  The kitchen is a very busy place. Women bring passion, creativity, multitasking and resilience and also team spirit.  And at home, women create an atmosphere of warmth and togetherness.

Celebrating the Women of Morukuru Family – Meet Assistant GM Esmaralda Kloeck

August is Women’s Month and our chance to celebrate women’s achievements. Meet Esmaralda Kloeck, who is our Host and Assistant General Manager at Morukuru Family Madikwe. Find out what makes this coffee addict tick and why she includes family, sundowners and baking on her “favourites lists”.

When you were growing up – what did you want to be? Ever since I could remember, I have wanted to become a chef. After school, I pursued my dream, and in 2014 when I started at Morukuru, I was still an active chef. Little did I know being a chef was the start of a bigger dream.

August is Women’s month – what unique talents do you think women bring to Morukuru Family? Attention to detail in the work environment and support and empathy amongst colleagues.

Morukuru Family is famous for its great service levels – what does it mean to you to be part of a winning team? I am honoured and proud to be part of a team that puts its heart and soul into every aspect of guests’ experiences. To witness and work with that dedication every day is heart-warming.

You work in a nature reserve – what is your favourite view on the Morukuru property?There are so many breathtaking views at Morukuru, but my favourite is wherever I can see the sun set. No perfect day in a game reserve can end without a perfect sunset.

Do you prefer tea or coffee?  Coffee!!!

In your spare time – what do you like to do? I like to bake, have sundowners, and spend time with family. When we are on leave, my husband and I love to go camping in other game reserves.

Tell us about three women you admire and why?  Firstly my mother. She always puts other people’s needs above hers. Then my sister, who always pushes on no matter how hard life gets. And my three best girlfriends, who taught me that walking away and crying doesn’t make you weak. It makes you powerful.

Do you have any wise words to share with other women in your hospitality team?       Never let anyone define your worth. You are unique and beautiful. If you believe you can, then you are halfway there.

Where do you want to retire? In an eco-estate near Hoedspruit, a small town situated at the foot of the Klein Drakensberg.

Celebrating the Women of Morukuru – Meet Melanie Murdoch from Reservations

Meet Melanie Murdoch from our Reservations team. Find out how her passion for South Africa shines through when assisting our guests, how she is creating her own family traditions and which author has her full devotion. Cheers to Melanie and all the women who contribute to the success of Morukuru Family.

When you were growing up – what did you want to be?  I changed my mind a lot, but the two options that stick out the most are a nurse and a teacher.

All the Morukuru Family properties are exceptional – have you had the opportunity to visit them? If so, tell us about your favourite experience at each. Yes, I have had the privilege of visiting our wonderful properties. Of course, staying at any of our properties is an experience, but if I had to choose, sandboarding on the dunes at Morukuru Beach Lodge was definitely the highlight.  Another fabulous memory was seeing some incredible animal sightings, including a pride of lions on a kill with cubs and being invited to participate in a wild dog collaring. That is an experience I will never forget from Morukuru River House.

Are you a bookworm? Share some of your favourite authors and tell us what you are reading at the moment. Bryce Courtney is one of my all-time favourite Authors, especially his earlier books.  I am currently reading a book recommended by my colleague, April, called “Kill Shot” by Vince Flynn.

Assisting guests with their dream holiday can be a pressured responsibility – What do you enjoy most about helping them plan their holiday?  I enjoy explaining the uniqueness of our properties and getting them excited about their stay, whether they are coming in a month’s time or in a year’s time.  For most of our guests, it is also their first time in South Africa. I enjoy explaining the fantastic things our country offers and helping them plan their once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Morukuru is all about “family” – what is your favourite family tradition?  My little one is only 18 months old, so we are still “creating” our family traditions, but we have started having “Flap Jack Sunday” weekly and just spending quality family time together over breakfast.

Tell us about a woman you admire and why?  My Mom: she shows strength and resilience every day. She supports and encourages me in everything I do. I am who I am because of her.

What does Women’s Day/Women’s Month mean to you?  The month of August always reminds me of the strength, resilience, and determination we women have. It makes me proud to be a woman and to be raising one.

Celebrating the women of Morukuru Family – Meet Suzan Motseohedile from our Spa

It’s Wellness Wednesday. As part of our monthlong celebration of Women’s Month today we shine the spotlight on someone who knows how to caress guests’ cares away.  Our guests travel to Morukuru Family Madikwe to experience the ultimate wildlife adventure, but there is nothing wrong with adding in a little pampering.

Meet Suzan Motseohedile, our highly qualified therapist who has a magic touch with massages, facials, manis and pedis.

When you were growing up – what did you want to be?  I wanted to be a nurse. I love helping people. A career in beauty therapy offers variety Every day is different. You get to meet different people, talk about different things, and provide different treatments with every booking. I might not be saving lives in the traditional medical sense, but I’m helping guests on their journey to wellness.

Tell us about your specialist training. I trained at Bettyfarrell Beauty College in the year 2000. This is where I got an introduction to the beauty and wellness industry. My training equipped me with the skills and knowledge in a variety of fields, including nail care, skin care, facial care and body care like massage therapy.

Morukuru Family is set in an amazing natural environment – which animal in the reserve is your favourite?  That has to be the male lion. I admire male lions for their strong, compact bodies and powerful forelegs, teeth and jaws for pulling down and killing prey.  Plus, I  love their gorgeous yellow-gold coats and shaggy manes. Hear the roar – feel the power!

Where there is a woman, there is magic. How do you create “magic in your treatments? Firstly, professionalism. Secondly – I use communication skills to assess the needs of my guest – so I need to be a great listener. My personal touch is to incorporate aroma oils and relaxing music.

Are you a bookworm? Share some of your favourite authors. I’ve just finished Stocks & Lies by C.N Marie. This is a contemporary romance – so that allows for some escapism. Addiction Love Mom by Kathleen J McKamey is another favourite. This book touches my heart and soul! It gives a window into a parent’s turmoil when their child is struggling with the relentless monster of addiction.

What’s your favourite self-care activity? I go back to basics and go for a walk to refresh my body and soul.  Self-care means different things to different people – so I encourage guests to tap into something that works for them – for some, it is reading; for others, napping and, of course, a fabulous massage goes a long way to promoting a sense of well-being.

What is the best advice you have ever been given, and by whom?  My mom was always full of wisdom and handy advice. She instilled in me that there is nothing for free, to work hard and pay your dues, and  appreciate how far you’ve come

Celebrating the Women of Morukuru Family – Meet Ingrid & Ellen

Last week on the 9th of August, it was Women’s Day. This annual public holiday marks the anniversary of the great women’s march of 1956, where women marched to the Union Buildings to protest against the carrying of passbooks. Morukuru Family is celebrating Women’s Month by shining the spotlight on our dedicated female staff members so that you can get to know them a little better.

 Meet Ingrid Tshepe, who is a valued member of our housekeeping team at Morukuru Family Madikwe.

 

Tell us where you grew up?  I grew up in the Molatedi Village, just outside the Madike Game Reserve.

What is your favourite family tradition? Since childhood, playing cards has been something we did as a family. We always played cards, and we still keep playing cards.

What’s one thing that brings you energy and joy? My kids are my joy and my job brings me energy.

 Morukuru Family is famous for its great service levels and for winning awards. Do you feel proud to be part of such a successful team? Yes! Success is important, and receiving recognition encourages all of us to keep doing our best. I love being part of such an amazing team.

 In your spare time – what do you like to do? Getting some time off is something I look forward to as it means I can play with my kids and help them do their homework.

How do you celebrate Women’s Day? Personally, I chose not to celebrate Women’s Day, but it is great that Morukuru Family has decided to recognise the women across the business.

Ellen Ubisi works alongside Ingrid, where she supports the housekeeping team with her skills and attention to detail.

 What does Women’s Day mean to you?  It recognises that women are very strong and they make a valuable contribution to the world.

Tell us about two women you admire and why? Nkosazana  Dlamini Zuma  – who we call NDZ. She is the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs of South Africa. And the late Winnie Mandela, who was the second wife of Nelson Mandela. Both of these individuals have made their mark in politics and have shown leadership.

Your housekeeping role means you need to keep spaces neat and tidy – which is your favourite space at Morukuru Family? That’s easy – I love Morukuru Owner’s House. It is a special sanctuary, and guests love spending time there.

Morukuru Family is famous for its great service levels – what does it mean to you to be part of a winning team? It shows that we are united and that we support each other in our daily work to make Morukuru Family so successful.

 Do you have a best friend – tell us three things about that person. I don’t have a best friend. I choose to have a group of friends. My friends have taught me a lot about myself and sometimes call me out for not being my best self. That is sometimes hard to accept – but that’s life!

 Tell us what your name means?  Lady with Peace or Cool Lady

Meet the Women of Morukuru Family – Sandra from Finance Department chats to us

Another formidable woman in our Morukuru Family who works behind the scenes keeping tabs on the finances Sandra Megit from the Finance Department.  We hope you enjoy getting to know her a little better.

You have been with Morukuru Family for over five years. Tell us about your first day on the job, and share some changes you have seen the business undergo over this time. All these years later and I still remember the warm and welcoming first day I received at Morukuru Family.  Everyone went out of their way to introduce themselves and help me settle in and find my way around.  Many moving parts happen behind the scenes to ensure that our guests have an unforgettable experience, and the entire team worked with me to fit in seamlessly and hit the ground running. There was no such thing as a silly question. The team was always happy to stop what they were doing and help me wherever needed.

An organisation with the culture and success the Morukuru Family has achieved, we are always looking at ways to improve and push ourselves to do better, provide more exclusive experiences for guests and create the once-in-a-lifetime moments they have chosen to spend with us. Like any Family, situations arise that are beyond our control. But it is how we react in those moments that define us.

I think everyone would agree the biggest change and challenge that hit us was COVID-19.

That moment would change the world as we know it. The globe stood still and watched helplessly as the Coronavirus would wipe out all we knew.  Tourism was one of the hardest-hit industries. In an instant, we were forced to stop doing what we love most, welcoming our Family from around the world into our home. But, with the guidance and leadership of the Morukuru Family owners, Ed and Anka, we refused to let the situation dictate the future of the Family.   Everyone in the team, from marketing, reservations, the lodge teams, management and the owners, pulled together with a clear plan to assist our guests in navigating the uncertainty created by a global pandemic.

Many tourism organisations have faltered but not Morukuru Family!  Ed and Anka held the team together with a razor focus. Our staff, our team, and our Family were that focus.

Navigating the constantly changing local and international restrictions, they led us through the chaos, going over and beyond to ensure we could do what we do best, deliver a world-class experience.

 Morukuru is all about “family”. In your opinion, how does this philosophy translate in the workplace?  One of Anthony Brandt’s quotes sums up the Morukuru Family beautifully; “Other things may change, but we start and end with Family.”  We all work together to achieve a common goal. Every booking and every visit is not viewed as a guest. Instead, it is considered a member of our family coming to visit. Every member understands the moving parts of an experience.

From the moment someone enquires, our reservations team ensures that our visitors know everything available during their stay.  The other team members, from finance to lodge teams, ensure that the logistical process is completed seamlessly.

A lot happens behind the scenes, and as a Family, we all pull together to ensure our guests have the best experience. The cliché of a well-oiled machine holds true with the Morukuru Family. All the moving parts work seamlessly to ensure that all our guests must worry about is spotting our incredible wildlife and choosing their sundowner drink.

 

What’s the most important lesson you learned from a woman? A mentor, a life’s experience to call on, strength and guidance all wrapped up in my mom.  From the smallest to the biggest decisions, my Mom has been there. From travelling around the world as part of the management team with various cruise ship companies to supporting me through my desire to be a professional makeup artist and being my soundboard to when I started my own accounting company…. My mom has always been there. Her famous saying is “nothing lasts forever”. So no matter what challenges you are facing or how life knocks us, never give up, as this too shall pass.

She knows the challenges of women making a career in a male-dominated space, having to prove themselves and go far beyond what is expected.  She taught me not only to know what I need to know but to know everything is possible and apply that to ensure that I am the point person on everything related to my career.  Core to the lessons learnt from this incredible woman were the value of education, constantly pushing yourself to do better and furthering my formal and general knowledge.

Another gem from my mom is; that “being book smart isn’t everything you need to grow”.This has been invaluable advice and a lesson I try to pass on to women starting their own journey and entering the business world.

When you are not in the office – how do you like to spend your leisure time? My leisure time is used doing something that first started as a hobby and later a profession, but I still thoroughly enjoy doing it when I find the time. Being a part-time lecturer and professional makeup artist for television and various productions has led me to make amazing friends over the years. And while this exciting vocation challenges me regularly, I find being able to volunteer to mentor and train young up-and-coming makeup artists to understand the industry from a training, and career perspective fills me with joy. Watching their creativity grow and shine is still wonderful to witness while helping them take those first steps into a competitive environment. Even this, however, pales in comparison to having the honour of being able to assist underprivileged and sometimes disabled girls and women feel beautiful for a special moment in their lives. Whether it is a matric dance or an awards show, the cost of professional makeup is not always possible for many. The appreciation, gratitude and confidence that radiates from them for doing but a simple act of kindness fills my soul.

 

Morukuru Family is famous for its outstanding service levels and winning awards. Do you feel proud to be part of such a successful team? Success is no accident; it doesn’t happen through happenstance or luck. Instead, it is created through hard work and perseverance to achieve a single-minded goal, to provide and constantly improve our world-class service. The pride I feel seeing the success of the Morukuru Family always feels extra special because I know some people who fill the pages of the Morukuru story. Their own dreams, ambition and commitment drive the Morukuru Family forward. Just like the Tswana meaning of ‘Morukuru’, the Tamboti Tree is renowned for the strength of its roots; holding it firmly in place is our lodge staff, game rangers, chefs, reservation and planning teams, management and owners reaching out into the African sky with the leaves of our Family for all to see.

The measurement of our success is not just for international awards and recognition but to know we are part of the team that created moments and memories that our guests will carry with them for the rest of their lives. A person can only be proud.                 

What does Women’s Day/Women’s Month mean to you?   Women’s Day and Women’s Month, while admirable that it takes place every year in August, should be acknowledged every single day of the year. Every single day there are women of all ages, races and backgrounds doing incredible work. They are moms, teachers, doctors, lawyers and every imaginable profession, including game rangers, by the way. August does, however, show that despite being equal in every single way, women are still held to a lower standard. I hope that discussions around the important role that women play in the professional workplace extend far beyond the month of August. It also shows how much more needs to be done to see more women in leadership roles in business and government. Finally, I believe it will show young girls that they too can achieve anything a man can do and forever change the saying, “behind every strong man is a woman”, to “standing alongside that strong man is a strong woman”.