It has taken me at least 12 days into the New Year to sit and think about all the happenings of 2013, and what a year it was for us here at Vuyani Safari Lodge! We met so many new guests, had return guests, shared an incredible amount of laughs, expanded the lodge, said goodbye to some familiar faces, welcomed some new staff members and had some unbelievable sightings on Safari. I am going to try my utmost best to revise an unbelievably exciting year into one blog!
It was a busy year on the business end of things and we welcomed so many guests to the lodge. Many were regular Safari aficionados and enjoyed the smaller things that the African bush has to offer, and many were first time Safari goers who loved every single animal big or small! Our Guides had plentiful opportunity to show off their skills and share their passion and knowledge. Mike (Michael) is still with us at the lodge and initially started as a Transfer Guide, but with his knowledge and experience soon took the position of Field Guide. He has such a calm manner about him and loves to make sure the guests get absolutely everything and more from a Safari. 
Uyai is the most amazing tracker I know and he teams up with the guys to bring forward some fantastic sightings. He is an incredibly interesting man and joined the team at Vuyani in 2013. Jay – Dee also joined our team in 2013 and he is a great character. He also goes above and beyond to create amazing Safari experiences. He is one of the luckiest guys I know concerning Leopard sightings in Kruger Park. There are seldom times when Jay – Dee will return without some Leopard photos that have the rest of us green with envy! Unfortunately we had to say Good Bye to Pierre, Jesse and Jonathan. They left Vuyani during the course of 2013. 
We gained some new members in the form of Gerdine or “Gee” as many of our guests know her, also Shantea, Siyabi, Hannes, Paul, Janus, Stephanie, Nkateko, Andries and Busi. We had to say our goodbyes to Rina, Gerard, Shane and George. Overall it’s been quite a busy year concerning staff. But amazing how we have all had the privilege to work together and some lifelong friendships have been made. Myself and Craig have worked and continue to work with an Amazing team!
On the lodge side we expanded with two additional new River Suites. The River Suites are beautifully decorated and boasts a private deck with Hot tub. Perfect for a romantic getaway or a quiet and stress free holiday. These spacious units are attached to the lodge with an elevated walkway which Craig (along with every able bodied person) erected soon after the completion of the units. It looks great and it is quite an experience walking to and from the room under the watchful eye of Rex or Aggie of course. The units were completed quite close to the end of 2013 so I am sure early in the New Year we will have some photographs posted on the website.
On the wildlife side there have been some incredible sightings. The reserve is now quickly becoming home to some resident Leopards, although they are still quite elusive, we are seeing them on a much more frequent level. Our resident Male Lion is growing into a spectacularly handsome boy and the photographs taken by Guests and Guides are proving how much he has grown. There have been some amazing animal moments during 2013. Particularly Aggie seeking the safety of a tree when the Lions investigated his bicycle, and the morning two Cheetahs decided to have an Impala for breakfast right outside one of the Honeymoon Suites. The moment Rex fought with a Honey Badger and who could forget the amazing Pangolin sighting Jonathan captured on camera. There is not enough space on the Blog to post even half of the photos! Browsing through our Facebook page is a trip down memory lane. 
Every year also brings with it sorrow and in 2013 we mourned the death of former president Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela. It was a day of bereavement for the entire republic of South Africa. We have lost an amazing icon and a very well loved and respected man. May his legacy live on in our efforts to better ourselves as a country.
Overall 2013 was a great year for us, filled with amazing moments and we are very much looking forward to a new year with new opportunities. We are excited to continuously meet new people and make new friends. We would love to welcome back some familiar faces and we are all extremely excited for new adventures with new guests.
I trust each and every person who have we have crossed paths with in 2013 will have an amazing year in 2014.
* Justine Ferreira