Bushmans Kloof – A Word from James from “African Travel Solutions”
A Word from James – GM James Basson salutes the passing of summer and the successes his team has achieved throughout the season
Dear friends of Bushmans Kloof,
It’s hard to believe that the end of the first quarter of the year is already on our doorstep. How time flies…when you’re having fun!
Besides our beautiful property, our exceptional staff members are our biggest assets. We pride ourselves on recruiting outstanding people and we invest time and money, across the group, in the training and development of our people. Their dedication is a significant part of our success.
Testament to this investment was the annual Red Carnation Staff Appreciation Awards function held in London recently, to honour excellent staff members from all the properties within the group’s hotel portfolio around the world. Six people from Bushmans Kloof attended the glittering ceremony, following an exciting week of work experience in the various UK hotels. I know this wonderful opportunity will have a lasting professional and personal impact on each one.
Due to the size of our 7500-hectare reserve, as well as the drought experienced in the Western Cape, we have to keep our game numbers under control. We will therefore be removing some Eland, Red Hartebeest and Cape Mountain Zebra from our property to sell to other reserves, at the end of April. This game capture will be performed by a qualified capturing team and veterinarian under Cape Nature’s supervision. Over the next couple of years, we will be introducing new blood to our existing gene pool and will keep you posted on exciting additions.
On 21 May we will be hosting our annual Clanwilliam Cedar Tree event at Heuningvlei – the 15th consecutive year this wonderful event takes place. Late last year, we received the very sad news of the passing of our very good friend and conservation colleague, Patrick Lane, who had been with Cape Nature since 2010. The Cedar Tree event was very close to his heart – he will be sorely missed but never forgotten. In his absence, his family have created a Cedar Restoration Fund to honour his passion for conservation.
Another important community project Bushmans Kloof is proudly involved with is our annual stationary sponsorship to Elizabethfontein Primary School. This project was started a number of years ago and the impact it has had on the school and its pupils is so rewarding. I am delighted to announce that Pieter van Dyk, our HR Manager for the past four years, has been promoted to Deputy General Manager. I know he is going to have a very positive influence on our guest experience and we wish him all the best in his new role.
More exciting news is the arrival of our new Executive Chef, Ryan Weakley, who comes with years of experience working in luxury lodges and camps in Botswana, as well as a number of well-known restaurants in the Cape. He is looking forward to further enhancing the gastronomic experience at Bushmans Kloof.
Finally, may I please ask you to vote for us in the 2016 UK Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Travel Awards – we’d like to be up there where we believe we belong!
Wishing all our BK friends a cosy winter as we look forward to welcoming you to the Cederberg.
Yours sincerely, James, Dee & the Bushmans Kloof Team – generalmanager@bushmanskloof.co.za
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Groot Contantia Food & Wine Weekend Friday 27 to Sunday 29 May Salute the union of distinguished wines and gourmet cuisine over a weekend of culinary indulgence in a magnificent wilderness setting. Sample the flavours of the Cederberg during a spectacular Saturday night dinner hosted by our Executive Chef and the Groot Constantia winemaker. Our High Tea and lodge activities such as nature drives and rock art excursions are daily favourites. Read more…
From Our Blog
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat, Clanwilliam, Cederberg Mountains, Western Cape, 8135, South Africa
