There is much to report in our final newsletter for 2006. This has been an exceptional year for us. We have much to be grateful for and are humbled by the support we have received from our colleagues, friends and guests.

A River… Perfection… A Baby Elephant…

Saturday 19th August 2006 at 22h30 saw the arrival of a very special “package” at Camp Jabulani. A tiny female elephant calf was born to Tokwe, the Jabulani herd’s matriarch. Weighing in at 50kg, she immediately stole the hearts of her fellow pachyderms and grooms.

She has grown from strength to strength over the last 3 months. She is now firmly entrenched in the herd and is closely watched at all times by both Tokwe and Lundi.

Her name is Limpopo-Kamali. A first for the Camp Jabulani herd, the double-barreled name signifies a new generation.

“Limpopo” is a name that was naturally bestowed on the baby by the grooms and guests who have come into contact with her. It seems to have found her, so to speak. In keeping with the rest of the herd, Limpopo is also the name of a river - as well as her birth province.

Responding to our appeal for suggestions for a name for the baby, the travel trade did us proud! We received no fewer than 200 suggestions, with thoughtful motivations. We could unfortunately only choose one.

“Kamali” was submitted by Hazel of Connoisseurs Travel in the United Kingdom. It means “Perfection” (n 1: “the state of being without a flaw or defect").

If you have not already done so, have a look at the images of this delightful creature – so full of character and promise.

Camp Jabulani graced by the hand of an artist.

David Shepherd is known internationally as one of the world's leading wildlife artists. He is also a passionate conservationist and he freely admits that he owes all his success to the animals he paints.

David Shepherd has been called "an artist who seems to stride across continents". In today's scheme of things, he is a larger-than-life figure who is regarded by many people as being the world's leading wildlife painter. He lives life at a dizzying pace, enjoying it to the fullest.

"I want to live to be 150. It will take that long to do everything I want to do. Unlike some people who perhaps lead a humdrum existence, I run almost everywhere I go because I am so anxious to get on with the joy of what I am doing next."

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) has been voted one of the most effective and popular wildlife charities in Britain. They are a flexible, non bureaucratic organisation, actively responding to wildlife crises. Working with experts, they fund innovative, long-term projects in Africa and Asia

Courtesy www.davidshepherd.org

We were honoured to welcome David Shepherd to Camp Jabulani. Lente Roode has a long-standing history with him since he assisted her some years with an event in the United Kingdom to raise funds for the ESPU – the anti poaching unit founded by Mrs. Roode.

Whilst Mr. Shepherd could unfortunately not spend much time with us, he did manage to create a wonderful sketch of one of the Camp Jabulani elephants.

A swim with Jabulani

Whenever they reach water, which may be daily, or in drier areas only every third or fourth day, they bathe, either spraying themselves or lying down in the water. Sometimes they submerge completely, with only the tip of the trunk showing. They are very relaxed in water, and move through it either by swimming or by walking on the bottom while using their trunks as a 'snorkel'.

Those of you who have met Adine, our Managing Director, will appreciate the following pictures. Captured on a blisteringly hot day in the bush, Adine and Jabulani frolicked in the waterhole frequented by the herd.

As we prepare to close this edition of our newsletter, we would like to share the sentiments of Karen Iverson (a recent guest from the United States);

"I don't want to leave.
Beautiful vistas, exciting wild life,
fabulous cuisine,
gorgeous decor and architecture.
I will be back!"

Camp Jabulani continues to afford the discerning traveler and wildlife enthusiast with a first class holistic African safari experience.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported us over the past year. Without partnerships, what would this industry be?

May 2007 hold great promise and prosperity, much inspiration and laughter, many new friends and clients.

With warm wishes,

The Camp Jabulani Family

 

Our brand new website, www.campjabulani.com, was launched in August.

We are delighted with the manner in which it presents our unique product offering. Every element of the design was taken from the camp itself – the focus being on an organic feel and an emphasis on texture.

Our aim was to entrench the core focus of the operation from the outset – The Elephants.

The site has been created for your use. We therefore depend on your feedback. Let us know what you like and what you don’t like. Let us know how we can improve. Let us know how we can make your lives easier.

Information and pictures are updated continuously.

Elephant fact:

Elephant calves are usually born during the early summer. A central bond is that between mother and calf, and mother elephants care for their young longer than any other animal, with the exception of humans and some whales.

Whilst Tokwe is Limpopo-Kumali’s biological mother, Lundi has also fulfilled a maternal role to the young elephant.

Lundi has had a difficult time of late. She gave birth to a still-born calf some months ago. It is uncertain why the baby did not make it, but Lundi’s instinct is still alive and well. She is assisting Tokwe in feeding her youngster, and keeps an ever-watchful eye. Never far off, she is an invaluable support to Tokwe and has clearly bonded with baby very closely. The two make a formidable pair.

A delectable Vanilla Pod Creme Brulee prepared by Camp Jabulani's culinary wizard, Rudolf van den Berg.

Serves 6-8 

Ingredients:

750ml cream, 500ml milk, 10 egg yolks, 190g sugar, 1 vanilla pod, Castor sugar, Fresh cherries

Method:

Preheat the oven to 145 C.
Scald the cream, milk and vanilla pod. The vanilla pod must be split in half and seeds scraped out.
Cream the egg yolks and sugar until a light yellow colour.
Combine the two mixtures by adding hot liquid to cold and cold to hot liquid. Mix thoroughly.
Strain through fine sieve and pour into ramekins.
Bake au bain marie for ± 50 minutes.
Remove from oven and leave to cool in bain-marie.
Leave to set in fridge.
Once cooled down, sprinkle some castor sugar on top of each crème brûlée and burn with a blowtorch. Serve with fresh cherries.

ENJOY!

For those who enjoy cooking – have a look at the page on cuisine for our recipe of the month.
We would be thrilled to hear how fare in re-creating Rudolf’s masterpieces.