New Years at Ubizane!

December 31st, the last day of 2013 and what a day it was! The weather broke with tradition and blessed us with a beautifully clear starlit night. The breeze was gentle, the mood was joyous and in the end everyone, guests and staff included saw the old year off in the best way we know how... 

Good food and good company shared in the warm light of the Boma bonfires, accompanied by the sounds of the wilderness.

Here are a few pictures from the night.

Our table center pieces! Weaver bird nest and recycled tins painted gold.

Even Chloe our adopted goat couldn't resist getting in on the action!

The Boma Buffet dinner was as good as it looked.

The bonfire rages as some of the earlier guests make themselves comfortable.


Some of our wonderful guests who managed to join us that night

And finally, our 2013 Safari Lodge mavericks who went with the "self-catering" option and occupied the Safari Lodge Boma for use as their own new years part venue!

A good time was indeed had by all. Hopefully next time we can see you all there!

A Walk Down Safari Lodge Memory Lane...

Today marks Zululand Safari Lodge’s 43th birthday! It opened its doors for business on 15 October 1970 for the first time, changing the future of Ubizane Reserve forever. In co-operation with Cape Hotels Group, Safari Lodge was established and realized Norman Deane’s dream for the beautiful reserve to become a tourist destination.

Back in those days, Safari Lodge had a very different look and feel to it.  As the only lodge on the reserve, it had a dining room, cocktail bar and 42 double rooms.  Safari Lodge also had two boma’s – one for dining and one for Zulu dancing.  Today we still have the one boma which we use as a dining venue. The dining room and bar has been moved to Tree Lodge as the main restaurant. 

Ownership has shifted tremendously throughout the years moving from private ownership to leisure companies such as Sun International and the Three Cities Group, and then back to private ownership again.  With each owner bringing their unique atmosphere to Ubizane, Safari Lodge soon became a popular tourist destination. 

 The Three Cities Group owned Ubizane until 2009 with the group consisting of the main investors from three different cities; Mark Taylor, Mike Harrison, Robert Maingard and Alan Burke.

In 2009, one of the Three Cities investors, Mr. Alan Burke, saw the potential of Ubizane Wildlife Reserve. Ubizane was in desperate need at that stage for renovation and a make-over.  Mr. Burke bought out all the shares for Ubizane Wildlife Reserve in December 2009 and renovations began in 2010. 

Now, three years later, Safari Lodge (and the whole of Ubizane) is still under Mr. Burke’s ownership and has been showing remarkable progress as rooms have been beautifully refurbished and a team works hard every day to keep the original dream of Norman Deane alive. 

If you have any photographs of Safari Lodge throughout the years, send them to social@ubizane.co.za and we’ll post it into our “memory lane” album on Facebook.

Safari Bring & Braai night

Last night, 30 March 2013, in the spirit of Easter SafariBoma hosted a “Meet you Neighbor” Bring and Braai for all Safari guests. This was the first time this year that we have done a Bring & Braai and it proved to be a very interesting night.  After sending out flyers to all Safari rooms to inform them of the Braai we prepared for a great evening. 

We made two delicious salads for safari guests  to enjoy as part of their meal; one potato salad and one Greek salad.   The salad was enjoyed by all and some went back for seconds and even thirds!

 Three braai’s were set up with grills, ready for guests to use and a bonfire in the middle of the boma was lit up to create a campfire atmosphere.  Walking through the Boma it was a sight of parents chatting away and children gathering over a fire roasting their marshmallows. Wayne, our Lodge Manager, even had to help a few to master the art of roasting!

 The Braai was a success with memories of campfire stories and the smell of burning charcoal and wood still lingering in our thoughts.  The event fit in perfectly in the Bush and will definitively be a favourite for staff and guests this year.

 The Braai is a way for guests to mingle and get to know each other in a truly South African way.

 So if you are at Zululand Safari Lodge during one of these organized Braai’s be sure to head down to the Boma for an unforgettable evening!

The Berzack Bat Mitzvah

The celebrations began on Friday, with family members from the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia and all over South Africa arriving throughout the day. After welcome drinks, some enjoyed a relaxing afternoon while others had an educational trip to Emdoneni, the cheetah sanctuary. After freshening up, everyone reunited at Tree Lodge where they had Shabbat and prayers followed by a short welcome speech before a kosher buffet dinner was served.

Saturday commenced with the family gathering by the pool at Safari Lodge, where refreshments were served. The typical dry winter backdrop was brought to life by the eventful flurry of children and elegantly set tables, adding an entertaining atmosphere to the early afternoon’s pre-celebration.  

A quick game of baseball entertained both the spectators and players, working up a healthy appetite before lunch.

A delicious cold lunch was served alongside one of the many watering holes we have surrounding Safari Lodge. The bare weather stricken branches provided sufficient shade as the family enjoyed the buffet style lunch of Brisket, Cold Meat, Salads and a selection of Fruit. 

Zulu dancers provided a truly South African experience with their beating drums and traditional costumes. After a short demonstration of their refined skills, the dancers selected members from the somewhat astonished audience to join in and truly experience Africa first hand by participating in a traditional Zulu dance. The younger family members proved to be truly remarkable, with their eagerness and uncanny flexibility, and at times even giving the Zulu dancers a run for their money.

The main celebration took place in the Boma, where tranquil candles lead the way to a welcoming fire in the centre. Blue lanterns, candles and serviettes added a splash of colour to the Boma that was warmly lit with soft fairy lights that gently draped the surrounding walls of the Boma. 

The guests soon arrived and before long they came sweeping into the Boma, in their elegant attire gathering around the crackling fire, warming up before celebrations begin. After all the formalities, a lovely montage of a beautiful girl, who has now become a woman, was viewed. After which every one loosened up on the dance floor, before enjoying a kosher buffet dinner. 

The toasting of marshmallows over a sizzling fire drew the night to a close and a beautiful evening shared between family and friends, who united under an African sky to mark such a special occasion came to an end.