When you live and work in such a close knit environment as we do, you tend to look at your colleagues differently. They become your family; they are the people you confide in and trust. You share everything and you rely on each other both at work and at home.
Goodbyes are never easy. I have never been good at saying goodbye, it always seems so final. So with this blog I am not going to say Goodbye – I am simply going to bid you safe travels and an indefinite return date. 
Pierre and Rina will leave Vuyani Safari Lodge during the month of July. They are going to broaden their horizons and expand their knowledge. They will not be going far; in fact it is actually very close to Vuyani. So we will be able to see them quite often.
We have had some incredible times at the lodge. There have been many laughs and also a couple of tears, and I will miss them very much.
As all the guests that have visited Vuyani know Pierre is one of a kind. He has a unique personality and has a way with people. Once you have been in Pierre’s company you feel as if you have made a friend. He has a fantastic sense of humour and can make you laugh! Pierre is immensely passionate about conservation and the wildlife in Africa and it shows. I have also always thought he has a slight obsession with Leopard. Pierre will make sure he goes out of his way to show the guests as many animals as their time at the lodge allows. He has become an invaluable part of the team and his antics will be missed by all.
Rina is the opposite of Pierre and I think that is what makes them unique as a couple. Rina is very good at organising. She handled all of our payments and booked activities and transfers. I am sure you have had some form of correspondence from her. Rina and I struggled to find our stride in the beginning and took quite some time for us to fall into a comfortable working pace. But now I have become so accustomed to her “organised chaos” style of working that I am going to find it difficult to go back to my ways. Rina also did a unbelievable job on Facebook and made it her mission to obtain 1000 “likes” on our page J
It is never easy to have a turnover in staff – and in the Lodge industry this is not an uncommon occurrence. And it is not because people are unhappy in their working environment; it is just the type of industry we find ourselves in. If I look at my own career, most of us start out as guides and work your way up the ladder from there. We all make various moves in our lives as we grow, and we all have to take risks. And often these risks will have a major impact on our lives, and you will find your niche.
I trust that the road ahead will be exciting and will hold many wonderful things for both Pierre and Rina. From all the staff at Vuyani we bid you a farewell and wish you all of the best.