“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard” – Winnie the Pooh
Those that have visited Londolozi will have an understanding of how it gets under your skin and without explanation you have this feeling, it isn’t tangible nor is it easy to give a logical explanation of other than just being a ‘feeling’. This feeling that grasps you when you are at Londolozi is created by the amazing people that work here and who I am extremely lucky to call family.
To be in a place where every person greets you by name is a special experience. The warm atmosphere as you stroll into a Boma during dinner is not found anywhere else in the world. The laughter roaring from the papstop (the staff canteen) table at lunch is unrivalled. Walking past the school and hearing the happiness of the children is heartwarming. These are the things that create that feeling and are what I will miss the most!
Leaving this place I have called home for the last six years is a bittersweet experience. I know that my new day to day will be so far removed from what it has been but I also know that the relationships and experiences that I have had will be something that I will cherish for the rest of my life and this makes me forever greatful!
I want to thank all the staff members, past and present that have all been such an integral part of my journey here. To the guests that I have had the honour of looking after in camp and more recently in the Photographic Studio, it has been wonderful meeting you all and sharing in your experience at Londolozi. I feel extremely honoured to have been part of this family for so long…thank you, thank you, thank you!
I have spent some time going through the thousands of images taken during my time here and after much laughter, tears and mayhem I have managed to choose some of my favourite moments. Enjoy…
The Nanga female and her two cubs.
Another ‘tough’ day in Africa!
Wild dogs are up there with my favourite animals to see in the bush and in this picture the Alpha male is looking over Marthly which holds some of my best memories at Londolozi.
Christmas day will never be the same. Thank you to Dave and Shan for always opening your home to us on such a special day every year.
One of the images that I am most proud of.
A tracker in the making. School holidays are such fun as we get to share the wilderness with such innocence when taking the kids out on game drives.
Breathtaking
A dainty flower rises in front of raw power.
An afternoon at Mbombela stadium with such special people!
I spent ten days watching these amazing little guys grow up, what an eye opener as to how intricate nature is.
Thank you to my photographic guru’s (you know who you are) for always pushing us to get the something different.
The team that make it all happen! You are all rockstars and I am so lucky to have worked with you all!
The immense amount of effort that goes into creating the special moment in the bush for guests. Even the elephants got in on the occasion.
One of my most memorable sightings of a female cheetah making a kill and feeding with her two cubs. We went out in the middle of the day and this scene unfolded in front of us, right out in the open. We saw the entire hunt and kill from beginning to end and after a few minutes there were hundreds of vultures circling the female and her cubs while feeding. It was an unforgettable experience.
Easter breakfasts have always been one of my favourite mornings in the bush and will always be remembered!
Right place, right time!
My Londolozi family…you will be missed!!!
Written by Kate Neill
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Awwww, Kate! So Bittersweet. What is your next chapter going to look like? Will someone be replacing you?
<3
Wishing you only the very best Kate! I know you will be sorely missed. Thanks for sharing your photos and memories 🙂
Good luck Kate, I wish you all the best in your new adventure. I know exactly how you are feeling. Well written and fantastic pics.
Wonderful photos, thanks for your help with the lens and camera hire.
Best wishes
I
Kate, thank you so much for your assistance with our stay this past August. In a word, Amazing! Best of luck in your future endeavors!
Thank you for all your wonderful blogs and beautiful images Kate. I wish you good health, much happiness and all the best that life has to offer as you journey on to the next amazing adventure in your life.
Dear Kate,
I am so sad to read you are leaving. I’m not even sure you will remember us. We spent Christmas Eve and day with you 2 years ago this year. Tree Camp guests. It was our first safari and you were so wonderful and endearing. Please reach out to me at this email address when you get a moment.
Fondly,
Billie and Rick Harris
Will miss you Kate! Our boma dinners just won’t be the same without you.
Wish you the best of luck in Cape Town.
Deborah & Michael
Kate, I will miss you, thank you for everything, I have so enjoyed working with you. Lucky for us, we will be seeing you on your visits to the reserve, so it is not goodbye!
HI KATE, THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR SPECIAL THOUGHTS AND MEMORIES.
IT IS SAD TO HEAR THAT YOU ARE LEAVING, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO WISH YOU EVERYTHING OF THE VERY BEST FOR YOUR FUTURE.
TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF.
GOD BLESS. TED.
Aw Kate that is such sad news! I have so enjoyed all your blogs & always feel that I am right there even though I have never been to Londolozi. I wish you the best of luck in your endeavours, but you will miss the peace of the bush. Good Luck 🙂
Sorry to see you go Kate – good luck in the Cape!
Kate, I read your blog with great memories from our time together and a tear in my eye (actually lots)! Thank you so much for making our visits so special, your pictures above are amazing, just like you, I am in no doubt that your family at Londolozi and guests alike will miss you hugely. So as Kate said so well above above its not goodbye just au revoir……
That must have been such a hard piece to write, Kate. We really will miss you so much but send you our heartfelt wishes for a happy future.
Kate,
Kate, You were an awesome part of the Londolozi team, very sorry to hear that you are moving on. Your passion for the photo studio and initiative to make great equipment available to the guests made the awesome Londolozi experience last a lifetime for me. Many thanks and best wishes!
Good luck with the next chapter of your life Kate. Your enthusiasm was contagious and you were so helpful with our photography
Sorry to lose you Kate ,but you have made a lasting impression and good luck for the future 🙂