Garonga Safari Camp – News Update

Published on December 9, 2014 by CTGManager

It is quite incredible another year has almost flown by. Since our last catch up Scotland “FORNEVER” and now they want to try again , and again, and …again. Salmond got smoked as is traditional up there anyway; how else would you want it. Obama got thrashed and is playing “Lame Duck” now. How slow to react to the ISIS menace! Anyway the less PR we give the ISIS machine the better as they thrive on it. Russia still playing “Big Boy” against Ukraine and denying there are Russians involved. UKIP are thriving now with 2 x MP’s and the Political Parties all putting their heads in the sand saying it will be different next year! Hmmmmmmmm! Lest wait and see. Troops leave Afghanistan to the Afghans; Cameron states that troops will never go there again – not surprising since there is hardly an Army left after his cuts. Iraq was the same wasn’t it – never go back there again, and…?

Ebola in West Africa sparks panic in some places. Thankfully, eventually, US and UK Govts send forces there to assist; little to nothing from the remainder. Eastern and Southern Africa are far way and so far untouched unlike the USA and Europe. I wonder when the travel ban will be lifted from USA and Europe then! Ummmmmmmmm! You can bet your bottom dollar if there’s a case here then a ban would be put by the US; ironic somewhat that 9 cases or so in the USA has no reaction. So the moral of the story is “it is fine to travel to other areas of Africa” and you don’t have to be put in quarantine when you return; so ludicrous stories of Bosses telling people you cant come back to work unless 3 weeks quarantine, well this is just plain stupidity.

Here in S.Africa the very reliable Power Utility ESKOM is power shedding again and so every week-end now we have power outages. Can’t a private Company come in and replace the useless Dinosaur of ESKOM. Otherwise it’s corruption as usual and life carries on. The Postal strike finally ended after months on strike, so no chance of getting the Xmas post now.

Rugby thriving with the Southern Hemisphere paying a visit to the North and pretty much taking all the Games; although Ireland did play superbly beating the 2 Big Uns. Wales beating the Springboks! England …well…? Sad Blatter (FIFA Dinosaur) sticking to his corrupt team; he’ll only go if somebody pushes him under a Bus. Then the trajic news of Philip Hughes (Australian Cricketer); what a great energetic man he was. I watched the Funeral and my God, it was certainly an emotional affair and incredibly moving.

Garonga Recipe
Ostrich carpaccio with a pear chutney and a Porcini mushroom parfait.

Serves 4

250g well trimmed ostrich fillet
60ml finely chopped fresh herbs
Pear chutney (see pg???)
Porcini mushroom parfait
1 small packet porcini mushrooms(soaked)
45ml mayonnaise
30ml sour cream
15ml gelatine
60ml hot water

Roll the ostrich fillet in olive oil, mixed herbs and freshly ground black pepper. Roll tightly in plastic wrap and place in the freezer for 2-3 hours until firm. Place the mushrooms into a food processor and mince. Remove and place into a bowl with salt and pepper. Stir in the mayonnaise and sour cream. Dissolve the gelatine in the hot water and stir into the parfait. Chill for 2 hours and allow to set. Thinly slice ostrich and place onto the plate with the pear chutney and parfait. Serve cold.

Serving suggestion: Any fillet may be used if preferred.

“If junk food is the devil, then a sweet orange is as scripture.”
Audrey Foris

Down here at Garonga we’ve had a very busy last 3 months. Congratulations go to Dirk and Cornelia, Dave and Kate, Chris and Liz, Adam and Ruth for tying the knot here at Garonga. We all wish you the very best!
Many thanks to Andy, Beth and Sheryl, the Africa In Focus Team (Rep Company in SA) for organising the educational trips for the Tour Operators from Cape Town and Durban. These are just so essential for Agents to see that there is life outside of the Sabi Sands.

The Safari Teams have really been trying pulling out all the stops when they can. There have been some incredible sightings though; one couple saw a Lion Kill from the Picnic deck when they were having lunch, and the same couple had also just experienced a cheetah kill the previous day; how damn cool is that! Leopard sightings have been up and down. The Ellies disappeared for a period of time but have now magically reappeared and doing what they do best. The two big Male Lions have been seen fairly regularly as they patrol their patch (quite a big patch on 22000hactres or 60,000 acres). The Impalas have now given birth and so Bambies are everywhere. Now its getting hotter walks not so popular but they are there if you want them.

The sleepouts, Bush baths, and now the Picnics are being well and truly used. Now that we have finally had the first rains the bush is slowly greening. The rains have been very late and not as much as usual at this time of the year, but don’t want to tempt fate.
The Chefettes have performed admirably, and as is tradition a recipe will be attached with this newsletter. A small change we have added in now is have a delicious cake for tea. Lunches and Picnics restarted in September.
It was great to welcome back Linda who carried out 6 days of intense training with the staff. She always brings an incredible excitement with her which really jiffs up the staff. Until next year.
There is so much to running a Safari Camp. Guests will only see a ¼ of the picture. Behind the scenes we have such great staff working in Scullery, Housekeeping and Laundry, Security, Farm and Maintenance.

I was very fortunate to take 3 weeks leave in September and decided to do the Cultural thing; went to Jordan, The Dead Sea, and all the temples, and then to Lebanon doing pretty much the same thing. Beirut was amazing with the French style Café’s and street very much in evidence. Went to the temples at Balbach in Lebanon; this was amazing not least because the Syrian Border was only about 35 clicks away. However they are really suffering in Tourism. I counted 4 other people when I was there, and according to the Guide it normally was packed. Anyway a fascinating trip.

Well, it’s time (gasp, you say) to wrap up. A big thank-you to you, our Guests!! Also to the Travel Trade who provide such an excellent service to Visitors to SA,. Thanks also to Paul and his fantastic and energetic team at Wildweb, and lastly but by no means least to Africa In Focus, ETC Marketing in Germany and Ethos Marketing in UK; our marketing Rep Companies who pound the streets night and day getting Garonga on the Travel Trade’s Radar, putting up with Mr. Grumps, and no doubt screaming sometimes with extreme frustration; thank-You! A memorable year has passed where UK troops have handed over in Afghanistan, provided a far better environment to the Afghans than when they first started and at such cost in lives and Injuries to the Troops themselves. Thank-you!!

Wishing you all a fantastic Xmas with your Families and loved ones, and every success for 2015!!