Ngwenya Newsletter December 2022

In this edition:

SIGHTINGS RESORT UPGRADES NEWS LE FERA CELEBRATIONS NOTICES

Daybreak begins the same in paradise: first the light filters slowly through the trees and over the river in pale tones of blue, brightening the sky as each hour passes. Then the first eagle call sounds out and stirs awake the wildlife in the shrubbery. By the time the sun has peeked over the horizon, the day’s routine has been set into motion. Nightfall happens in reverse: the energy of guests and wildlife alike slowly winds down as the sky

darkens. One-by-one, the herds wander off into the undergrowth and disappear out of sight. All is quiet for a moment before the nightlife takes its place in the moonlight. It feels almost strange that the year 2022 started, and will end, in a similar way. But before we welcome 2023 with the first eagle call, we would like to ponder on the past year’s activities with you, our valued Shareholders.

Sighting shared by Susan and Albie Hope

“We took this photograph of a crocodile with a water monitor in its mouth on the 26th of July at Ngwenya. It was on the sand immediately below our unit, chalet 316. The crocodile was very still on the sand for quite a while holding onto the monitor and eventually swam off with it still in his mouth.”

Did you know? Crocodiles are carnivores but they’re certainly not picky. They’ll eat small rodents, birds, antelope species, and even each other.

Sighting shared by Meri Janse van Rensburg

“I took this video of a mother hippo with her calf from chalet 340.”

View the full video, here.

Did you know? A hippo calf is born weighing approximately 45kg and will grow to reach 1360kg by the time they turn 5 years old. They spend their first six-to-eight months nursing on their mother’s fatty, nutrient dense milk and close their ears and nostrils when nursing underwater.

Sighting shared by Spencer Erling

“I took a photo of a civet in broad daylight. As usual, Ngwenya has lived up to, and in fact exceeded, its name in every way.”

Did you know? The civet produces a territory-marking scent called civetone that can be likened to musk. This scent was often incorporated into perfumes as it is considered pleasant in high concentrations. Now illegal, perfume manufacturers synthesise a chemical version to complete their colognes.

Remember to share your images and stories with the Ngwenya Team to be featured on social media and in our newsletters!

myholiday@ngwenya.co.za

A little bit of Tender Love and Care goes a long way to ensuring that your “Jewel at the Kruger” is always gleaming. Our Team remains dedicated to providing the best possible environment for you, our valued Shareholders and guests. Here’s what we’ve been up to in the second half of 2022:

Our gardens are continually tended.

All street lamps were painted for a fresh look.

Select chalets had new air-cons installed.

All chalets have received new sleeper couches.

New sofa pillows have been incorporated into the chalet lounges.

All carports have been replaced.

These are all the projects that are still ongoing:

Certain chalets have been identified for new veranda tiles.

Single mattresses across all chalets are being replaced.
70% complete

Mosquito-deterrent window and door fixtures are being replaced.
88% complete

Chalet interiors are receiving a new coat of paint.
53% complete

All chalets are having new cooker hoods and oven hobs installed. 75% complete

Old fridges are being uplifted and replaced with newer models.
42% complete

Chalet roofs have been bat-proofed.

Fibre installation for wi-fi access in the Chalets is well underway and will be completed in the first quarter of 2023.

We love taking every opportunity to update you, our valued Shareholders, with the goings-on at your home-away-from-home. Whether that pertains to guest stories, our Ngwenya family growing, or news about the beloved natural ecosystem around us. Take a peek at our latest news:

UPDATE: Application for a Mining Right

It deeply disheartens us to know that there is a never-ending story of attempts to destroy the natural environment and tourism in the proximity of the Kruger National Park. As far back as 2012, Manzolwandle Investments (Pty) Ltd. has been attempting to claim mining rights within the vicinity of Komatipoort without following correct procedure. We are however deeply grateful for all those who oppose this group, as well as our valued Shareholders who registered as I&AP’s at every new application stage. It is with your dedicated support that the latest mining right application has since been withdrawn. We will continue to monitor any new proposals and fight against the destruction of this incredible ecosystem.

Welcoming a New, Friendly Face

Jordan van Jaarsveldt is the latest addition to our growing Ngwenya family, and you can find him over at Le Fera Restaurant! Jordan joined the Le Fera Team back in May of this year as a stock controller and has been loving this stunning Resort ever since. His favourite thing about Ngwenya Lodge is being able to interact with our guests and share in the experience of bushveld sunrises and sunsets. Having the beauty of the Kruger National Park right on our doorstep is an added bonus for Jordan! He’s a friendly, outgoing and energetic team member – so be sure to say hi; he’d love to meet you!

Awards and Applause

It is with great pleasure that we remind you, our valued Shareholders, of Ngwenya Lodge’s incredible success at the 2021 RCI Reward & Recognition Programme, as announced by RCI to the Industry on Friday afternoon, 01 July 2022.

Ngwenya Lodge brought home:

TOP CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT – LARGE WINNER

SUPERIOR SERVICE IN HOSPITALITY – LARGE WINNER

RESORT OF THE YEAR
RUNNER UP

TOP HOUSEKEEPING – LARGE
RUNNER-UP

TOP UNIT MAINTENANCE – LARGE
THIRD PLACE

Bask in the South African sun over a lazy afternoon lunch with a nibble basket or moreish burger; listen to the call of the bushveld before grabbing your braai essentials or pop into Boeretroos for a thick milkshake as a well-deserved treat. A moment spent at Le Fera is the perfect way to enhance your bushveld breakaway.

Don’t forget to let us know if you are celebrating a special occasion, the Le Fera Team adores celebrating your milestones with you!

BOERETROOS

Boeretroos Gift Shop is situated alongside the Restaurant and offers guests a wide variety of beautiful gifts to take home with them. Guests can browse a range of locally crafted handbags, woven baskets sourced from Madagascar, scarves, jewellery and genuine leather items, to name a few. The Gift Shop also stocks a range of sunglasses and beach towels, in case those items were left at home, as well as our ever-popular Vellies shoes.

We highly recommend stopping by to browse their seasonal products to find that perfect souvenir or special gift to share a small piece of Ngwenya Lodge with your nearest and dearest.

LE FERA RESTAURANT

Summer has rolled round along this stretch of the Crocodile River, so to celebrate the new season Le Fera Restaurant has introduced their new summer menu! The a la carte menu features guests' favourites, as nominated by them, as well as daily specials for tantalising new eats. As always, we highly recommend ordering a cocktail, gin or ice-cold beer and sipping it as the sun sets over the Kruger National Park – it’s a Le Fera tradition! You may also want to try Le Fera’s new delicious snack platters, or order a cheezy pizza for your date night with a view.

View the menu here.

SHOP

Think of the little onsite shop as a “tuisnywerheid”; it stocks a wide range of homemade jams, pickles, biscuits and rusks, as well as Funky Ouma and Rooibaard products. Stop by to pick up your favourite teatime treats for a relaxing afternoon in the comfort of your chalet, overlooking the floodplains, dams or manicured gardens. The Shop also offers families a few games, toys and swimming pool accessories that are bound to make your summer’s afternoon alongside the pool that much more enjoyable!

MBALI DAY SPA

A holiday in the bushveld is incomplete without a bit of relaxation; what better way to achieve this than with a pampering spa treatment. Our spa therapists are experts at their craft and use only the finest local products to provide the very best in massage therapy. Be sure to spoil yourself with some “me-time”, a couple’s massage or Mbali Spa’s sought-after half-day packages. Monthly spa specials are also always available. Keep an eye on the Ngwenya website, here.

As each season passes at Ngwenya Lodge we admire the changes reflected in the Kruger National Park, just a stone’s throw away. These seasonal changes signal not only warm and cool, but also which holidays will soon be upon us. Every special day is worth celebrating and the Ngwenya Team knows just how!

Father’s Day

Gold and silver were the order of the day on Father’s Day, with glittering table cloths, cheerful balloons and some other décor creating a vibrant atmosphere in Reception. Our Ngwenya dads were spoilt with bottles of Epa! Chilli Sauce and everyone enjoyed sweet soft-serve twirls while checking-in. Lunchtime was a feast at Le Fera Restaurant as a delicious three-course menu, featuring potbrood, beef trinchado and Amarula-spiced chocolate mousse, was served. After a leisurely lunch our Ngwenya dads could be spotted lazing poolside or heading to their chalets to sit back and relax.

Women’s Day

“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander” or in this case, the other way round! The silver and gold balloons for Father’s Day were so pretty that our Reception Team used the same colour scheme to spoil our lovely ladies on Women’s Day. The theme was “Gatsby”, and a few special touches took us right back to swing dancing and crystal champagne glasses. Each woman who entered Reception received a gift of locally crafted sugar cookies and nougat, and could enjoy our usual cool soft serve ice-cream while checking-in for their stay. High tea was the order of the day at Le Fera, and families gathered to enjoy moreish tarts, pastries and sandwiches before enjoying a stroll through the gardens on the way to their chalets for an evening of utter bliss.

Heritage Day

National Heritage Day is incomplete without a braai and that’s why we’ll start by sharing the fun potjie competition hosted by Le Fera. Naturally, our guests were spoilt with soetkoekies and soft-serve at Reception, where South African flags and rainbow balloons greeted them. Guests could enjoy an ice-cold beer or beverage, sponsored by Hilton Ross, and then plan to join the Ngwenya Team at Le Fera for a delicious potjie dinner. Our guests were the judges as Le Fera went up against two Ngwenya Teams, each creating the perfect venison, chicken and beef pot. Delicious sides and desserts were also catered for by Le Fera. While some families joined for dinner at the Restaurant, many braais were lit across the Resort in celebration of this very special day.

WIN BIG!

We have some super-exciting news to share with you.
February 2023 is coming with major changes, and we wanted you to be the first to know!

Options has been honing and perfecting their craft, and affecting a rebrand and name change, to one that better speaks to the service offering, and provides for a fresh new look!

The first 1000 new users who follow the link below and register online by 15 February 2023, will automatically be credited with 1000 Holiday Exchange points!

But wait, there’s more…

If you register by 15 February 2023, you will automatically be entered into a lucky draw and will stand a chance of winning 10x free domestic exchanges!

*T’s and C’s apply

Be part of the change. Join African Blessings on their journey to empower and uplift children in need.
Read more about African Blessings and all their projects

Expand your Holiday Horizons.
Buy or Sell Holidays on Univate Properties. Visit the Uni-Vate Properties website to browse a wide range of holiday weeks available at a variety of destinations.
https://www.univateproperties.co.za

With 7Across it is easy to go more places, see more faces and cover more bases. All with lower fees and less fine print. If that isn't a win-win-win, we don't know what is.
Join for free!
www.7across.com/join-for-free

Important Notices

Resort Calendar
2023

VRS Website
Visit here