#emdonenilodge

Weddings at Emdoneni Lodge

If you have ever dreamt of a true African wedding, walking down a grassy aisle with African wildlife grazing in the background, then this is possible at Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project, where even a cheetah may pose with you for a photograph! For added convenience, it is just a short walk from the aisle at the ceremony to your reception and to our comfortable accommodation options. It is advisable to confirm your reception well in advance as events such as weddings take a lot of planning. Tailor-made packages are available on request and your own unique wedding can be individually designed for you by our in-house wedding co-coordinator. Our wedding co-ordinator has many years of experience and intimate knowledge of suppliers and service providers in the area. We can advise or facilitate the appointment and management of services ranging from priests, music, flowers, decor, printing, lighting and many others, along with activities that your guests may enjoy at their leisure. Not only is this a great cost saving option, but it also reduces the organisation required and enhances the probability of greater success and enjoyment for all. Our air conditioned restaurant can seat up to 70 guests. If the Restaurant is chosen as the reception venue, only the buffet menu option is available. Our boma venue is perfect for the bridal couple seeking something a little less western. The Boma has an ethnic, intimate African feel to it and can seat up to 70 guests. Wedding Packages We pride ourselves on catering for your individual requirements and will assist you to make your dreams come true. Please contact us for details about our Wedding Packages, including: -the venue and the services included -additional services which are available -menu options The Wedding Night Enjoy your first night as a married couple (or stay as long as you wish) in our Windfall Cottage, an exclusive room which offers you all the comfort you can wish for. The focal point of the bathroom is the outside shower in a small boma bush garden. The essence of relaxation is to gaze from your bath into the garden and surrounding bush.

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Emdoneni News

Winter Special 2017

RECEIVE A 20% DISCOUNT ON A TWO NIGHT STAY AND 15% DISCOUNT ON 1 NIGHT STAY ON YOUR ACCOMMODATION, ON CHECK OUT, IF YOU BOOK DIRECTLY FROM OUR WEBSITE!! Our rates are: 1.Bed & Breakfast per person per night sharing, this rate ONLY includes accommodation and breakfast, Dinner and cat tour are excluded from this rate. 2.Dinner, Bed and Breakfast per person plus FREE cat tour with our tame CHEETAHS and other species! If you ever dreamed of getting close to nature, interacting with tame cats like Serval, African Wildcats and Caracal, Emdoneni Lodge is the place to visit!! Limited WiFi available as well! Emdoneni Lodge and Game Farm in Hluhluwe offers guests intimate and comfortable game lodge accommodation in the form of chalets and rondavels, on Bed & Breakfast or Dinner , Bed & Breakfast basis, allowing guests to sample the delights of true South African hospitality and cuisine. Before and after dinner, join us for evening drinks around the fire, at the Boma or on the sundowner deck. Join us for an up close and personal tour and learn more about South Africa’s endangered wild cat species. Come and be mesmerized by the beauty of the Caracal (Lynx), enchanted by the playful Serval, astonished by the speed and agility of the Cheetah and delighted by the African Wildcat at our own world renowned centre. View and photograph these amazing animals at the Emdoneni Cat Rehabilitation Centre. We offer educational tours daily, with feedings during the afternoon tour and an informative talk about the animals and the project by an experienced guide. Want a true African wedding, walking down a grassy aisle with African wildlife grazing in the background, then this is possible at Emdoneni Lodge, where even a cheetah may pose with you for a photograph! For added convenience, it is just a short walk from the aisle at the ceremony to your reception and to our comfortable accommodation. Emdoneni Lodge prides itself on actively welcoming children of all ages. Kids activities are well planned and structured and are done by experienced guides who are passionate about kids and nature. The lodge offers unique opportunities for the visitor, as you get up close and personal with local wildlife. From sitting by the pool watching Zebra, Nyala, Duiker and Impala in their natural Sand Forest habitat, to coming face to face with Cheetah, Serval, Caracal and African Wild Cats at the Cat Sanctuary! Air-conditioned, en-suite rooms allow you to escape the heat of the day, and in the evenings you have a variety of meals to choose from at the buffet restaurant. Dinner in the Boma adds a different atmosphere as you eat under the African night sky, and get a glimpse into one of South Africa’s great cultures with our Zulu dancers. End of your evening with a night-cap in our cosy bar or a chat in front of the fireplace. Your Zululand experience would not be complete without visiting nearby Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game Park in one of the Lodges game vehicles, or taking a trip to St Lucia to view some Hippos and Crocodiles on a lazy afternoon boat ride. Other activities on offer include Fishing charters, visiting the nearby Zulu cultural village, quad biking, horse riding or spending the day on the infamous Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay beaches. Emdoneni Lodge offers the visitor a chance to experience Zululand at its best. Your hosts, Louis and Cecillie Nel, look forward to meeting you, from all the staff at Emdoneni – Salani Kahle.

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Emdoneni News

Visit a Zulu Cultural Village and experience the Zulu culture first hand

Zulu Cultural Village The Zulu culture in the province of KwaZulu-Natal is one that has shaped the local history and heritage to a large extent. Visitors will, no doubt, want to experience it in a hands-on way, becoming part of the experience. The Zulu Cultural Village invites people from all over the world to get a taste of this ancient people and the customs and beliefs that have provided its foundation. Even the modern society has strong ties to this history, making it relevant even to the South African youth. In addition to the customary hospitality offered by the Zulu folk, visitors will also get a glimpse of the traditional arts and crafts and the import of the techniques, colours and patterns used in their creation. Basket weaving and beading are two very important art forms in the Zulu culture, and are both used to convey messages in a symbolic way, using the colours and patterns. For example, certain designs are used for wedding celebrations, others for the funerals and still others for various social and domestic roles. While women create these artworks, the men busy themselves with making drums, spears and shields. Purchasing any of these goods allows visitors to take a small piece of the Zulu culture home with them, and supports the local community. This experience also includes a drumming session, in which visitors will experience the depth and power of this rather simple instrument. Music is an important part of the heritage, history and worship of this nation, and is, therefore, a very important part of its culture. By allowing guests to be part of this, the Zulu Cultural Village shares a very important part of the South African identity with people from every corner of the planet. Tasting the locally brewed beer, which is characterised by its rich fullness and consumed as part of daily life and customary celebrations, will leave visitors to the Village with fantastic memories of time spent with the locals.

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Emdoneni News

Snorkeling Cape Vidal

The waters of Cape Vidal are warm, thanks to their being part of the Indian Ocean, and are teeming with marine animal- and plant life. The snorkelling safaris are paired with a game drive to ensure that visitors get to see the maximum number of species and the most variety during their excursion. Cape Vidal Snorkeling precautions Please take note that their are strong rip currents in the bay at Cape Vidal, South Africa. Should you like to go snorkeling at Cape Vidal then it is advisable that the following should be noted. Snorkeling should only take place 1 hour prior and 1 hour after low tide. This is when one can enjoy the very best snorkeling in the protected bay of Cape Vidal. The conditions (currents) are most favorable between these times and are therefore the safest as well. Please ensure that you do have a tide chart so that you make sure that your timings are correct. Snorkeling Gear Cape Vidal Bay is a semi protected bay and therefore makes for some incredible snorkeling opportunities. Gear Needed: Mask & Snorkel Fins (if possible) Sunblock a must During low tide it is not imperative to have fins as their is not much current one can therefore enjoy the bay to ones leisure. Due to the warm Indian Ocean a wetsuit is not needed. Where to Snorkel at Cape Vidal Once you arrive at Cape Vidal, you will see on the far right the reef starts. It is from their that one can enjoy snorkeling all the way towards the end of the reef. One will also see a pole sticking out at the end of the reef. This not only marks the end of the reef but is also utilized for the Boats Launching from Cape Vidal. Please at all times be on the look out for Sea going vessels are not only do they launch from the same site but also return through the same area. Ezemvello usually have someone with a whistle notifying you that you are swimming or snorkeling in the wrong area. Please adhere to them at all times. Scattered reefs and rocks are to be found within the bay, be on the look out for the mast of a old ship as well as this makes for some interesting shelter for the fish. Numerous fish species can be witnessed while snorkeling in Cape Vidal not to mention the odd game fish and crayfish. Please note that crayfish are not allowed to be removed as this is a protected area (isimangaliso wetland park). During winter its is common for the bay to sand up a bit and by summer the sand will once again be moved by the dominant currents. Credit: .stluciasouthafrica.com

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Emdoneni News

MAKE WORLD ENVIRONMENT MONTH LAST BEYOND JUNE WITH EMDONENI LODGE AND SPA WITH CHEETAH PROJECT

For many South Africans, June has been a stormy month with extreme weather conditions and newly declared disaster regions. The month has been a poignant reminder of the importance to support and care for each other. June, being World Environment Month, also reminds us to continue to help preserve and replenish our natural surroundings and animal life. The annual month event, which is an extension to World Environment Day (5 June), now moves into its 44th anniversary year after being established by the United Nations Environment Programme in England in the 1970s. Africa has undoubtedly seen the population of different animal species decline. Currently, Africa’s cheetah charts stand at roughly 70 000 less than 100 years ago, with South Africa’s count at approximately a thousand wildcats, if not less. These concerning facts are accompanied by environmental hazards that result from our day-to-day routines that often involve overusing natural resources. Emdoneni Lodge and Spa with Cheetah Project (www.emdonenilodge.com), a family-run hospitality establishment in Hluhluwe (St Lucia World Heritage Site) in Kwa-Zulu Natal, offers an educational rehabilitation programme to help protect wildcats. The establishment’s owners strive to educate guests and day-visitors about daily conservation and the importance to sustain essential resources. “We live in and are surrounded by nature everyday”, says co-owner and Cheetah Project lead, Louis Nel. “Conservation is the act of preserving or protecting the environment, and at Emdoneni Lodge, it’s what makes us ‘tick’. Louis’ business partner and wife, Cecillie adds that “without biodiversity, we would not have been able to continue offering guests organic and educational experiences”. In addition to challenges posed to preserve SAs unique fauna and flora, there are many pressing issues concerning the country’s wildlife that should not be overlooked. SA is no stranger to violent acts against animals and battles against poaching and illegal animal petting remain rife. It’s a daily reality where ‘underground’ hunting clubs go as far as raising game and wild animals for the purpose of hunting. “Animal cruelty among our wildlife is therefore becoming more and more of a reality, and it’s important to continue creating awareness about such inhumane acts”, says Louis. Emdoneni Lodge consistently works toward providing a safe ecosystem for a small number of ambassador cats that are cared for by experienced wildlife rehabilitators. Louis, his family and staff have come to love each cat and have even become attached to their personalities. “It’s clear that the animals we protect crave our attention”, says Cecillie. “As much as we would like to enable guests to closely interact with them, unfavourable perceptions about petting that likely resulted from violence that has spurned from illegal hunting groups, we don’t allow it. Interestingly, before we put this rule in place, guests have said that after touching a cheetah, they felt a physiological upliftment.” Cecillie’s remark can be backed by research recorded by Science Magazine journalist, Elizabeth Pennisi. In a recent article, Pennisi argues that social touch with animals have a calming power on humans, and Pennisi also notes that wild animals seem to enjoy being caressed too. In support of World Environment Month, Emdoneni Lodge and Spa with Cheetah Project owners, Louis and Cecillie Nel encourage South Africans also continue the initiative the month associates, and add the following easy-to-follow eco-friendly tweaks to your routine: Saving water should be second nature: After the Western Cape kick started World Environment Month with level four water restrictions, water is without a doubt a scarce commodity. It can be easy to add water-saving to a routine cycle such as simply doing a full load of washing rather than leaving it half-empty Recycle more water: With many guests who go through Emdoneni Lodge’s doors, every drop in the bucket counts. We try to maximise water saving by capturing unused water and a separate irrigation system, where we repurpose water for your gardens. Adding to the first point; learn the technique of ‘speed showering’: A geyser uses both water and electricity so shortening your shower session by a few minutes can give back double your guarantee. Fact: minimising shower time with one minute can save up to 600 litres water per month! Garden smartly: Keep to indigenous trees and plants when adding to your garden. Native plants are suited to growing in their own region, naturally latching onto the eco-system to benefit growth and oxygen production. Time for groceries? Opt for re-usable fabric shopping bags: plastic bags can take up to ten centuries to decompose…enough said…. If you find yourself in the Hluhluwe region, feel like taking a roadtrip (just under a three-hour drive from Durban), or planning for a proper breakaway with family and friends to the east coast, Emdoneni Lodge and Spa with Cheetah Project is stripping 20 percent discount off when booking online.For more information and reservations, visit https://www.emdonenilodge.com. For updates, travel tips and news, follow the Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/emdonenilodge), Twitter (https://twitter.com/EmdoneniLodge), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/emdoneni/). About Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project: Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project is a three-star establishment located in Hluhluwe (St Lucia World Heritage Site) in Kwa-Zulu Natal, with a range of hospitality experiences that includes accommodation, spa and wedding offerings. The Emdoneni Cheetah Project is foundational to the lodge. It is a rehabilitation initiative to help conserve wild cat species including the cheetah, caracal, serval, and African wildcat. The protection programme comprises the successful breeding from a small number ambassador animals before releasing their fully-grown offspring into the wild. Since owners, Louis and Cecillie Nel established Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project in 1995, it has developed from a seven to 44-room lodge (soon to develop further spa and accommodation facilities). The Nel family is passionate about contributing to South Africa’s hospitality industry and refer to the lodge being a ‘human institution’ that strives to not only revitalise but educate guests on the importance of environmental and wildlife conservation. Awards: Trip Advisor Traveller’s Choice Awards (2015 – 2017) and Certificate of Excellence; Luxury Travel Guide Global Award (2015 – 2017)

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