FINAL UPDATES FROM SEPTEMBER 2010

 ULOVANE GROUP

Alden

Incredible people have all got something to say about experiences. I am glad to say that this experience I do not have much to say about my experience and life at Ulovane. It simply leaves me speechless and at peace. At least that’s how I feel at peace with everything and happy.

-          Alden Prins (Plettenburg Bay, SA)

Petter

Well what can I say? Three months have past and you only realize it one day before graduation. I remember our first drive out on Amakhala, like newly born chickens we were. I don’t think we have had as much luck as we had during that drive! We saw both the male and the female cheetah, brown hyena during daylight and an aardvark! The sighting that really stuck in my head however is our first encounter with the lions. It was during night, a cold night, and we found both of them lying in the open. At first they were lying around doing what lions do best, but the male eventually got up and started roaring. After getting bored of waking every herbivore within an 8km radius he found interest in our land rover. I remember so clearly staring into his eyes not more then three meters behind me. I even worked out a nice escape plan if he would have decided to jump up into the car.

During my practical assessment I had two elephant bulls coming closer then three meters from the car and I didn’t even panic. The thoughts that went through my head were not to hide under my seat but whether I should talk with them or not. I believe that we have all grown, and if not in the same ways I have in some other way. We have all grown from little chickens in the bush to something at least able to attempt flying. It is time for all of us to fly off into our next adventure!  

Petter Karlsson – Sweden

Koen and Jessy came as a couple

I can’t believe 3 months have passed that fast. I remember when Schalk picked us up at the airport on our way to Ulovane he pointed out to us: Hopefully in a few months time we won’t be looking at the nice houses around but at the different trees and sand- and limestone you see around. And it took Schalk, Sarah, Jandre and Ben just 3 months to make us aware of the environment. When we will be driving back to PE I am convinced that all 10 of us will have a whole different look at our environment. And even when some of us will be back in Europe, we will still have the awareness.

From this point I would like to say thanks to all. Our facilitators, Candice, Joyce and all the fellow students for an awesome time!

Koen.

 A bit sad, I write my last Ulovane feedback but also very proud on what we have accomplished. Luckily, this is also a chance to say Thank You!

Thank you for the early mornings, difficult exams, long drives, party’s (including one of my best birthdays ever), incredible opportunities, all the breakfasts, lunches en diners together, fun sleep out’s, many braai’s en trips!

I learned and experienced more than I could ever dream before I came to Ulovane. This is all because of the great passion of Schalk, Candice, Sarah, Jandre, Ben and of course all the other students where I had the most amazing time with.

Thank you all guys!

Jessy

Agnese from Latvia

My Ulovane time is almost over…  3 months – like a beautiful dream which came true… 

I found my favorite place on Amakhala – God’s window, beautiful place from which plains, valleys, river are seen,  I had my most thrilling moments when looking at lion male at night in three meters vicinity, I had fascinating moments in Game drive while taking care of my first real guests. And so, so, so much more…

Thanks a lot to Sarah, Candice, Schalk, Jandre and Ben who always were around and willing to help and to my dear group mates who made life here so joyful! It is unforgettable experience and amazing knowledge we got here!

It was truly LEKKER!*

* Lekker – lovely, nice  (in Afrikaans)

Agnese

Jaco

Why is an experience called an experience? Simple because you are part of what is

 happening.  People can always tell you about there experiences but it is and will never be as good as when you have experienced it for yourself.  And that is basically what I can tell you about my experience here.  In a few simple words it was absolutely awesome, no, great, or was it fantastic, no maybe it was incredible or all of the above.  Wait I tell you what, come    and     find     out     for    yourself!!!!!!!!!  From me personally to Schalk, thank you for what you have done for me I can never forget is

(and never is a hell of a long time).  And then to Jandre and Sarah I hope you got paid over time for all the extra time and effort that you guys made for me other wise I will have to have a talk with management ha ha ha ha.  And then last but buy far not the least, Candice thank for your glamorous personality that you have, you give that spark to the fire.

And that’s………all folks.

Jaco Marx

Bettina - loving the spring blossoms:)

It is hard to believe, and most of all to accept, that the three month have already come to an end. So much has happened, but still no one expected the end to come so quickly. Looking back it is hard to say what my favorite part really was. One thing that definitely stands out is the sleep outs in the bush under starlit skies. Or “ME TIME”, where I spent the whole day canoeing on the Bushman’s river. Or was it getting a glimpse into South African culture and conservation efforts? In the end I guess what I enjoyed the most overall is just waking up in the bush every day and starting the day off in nature with either a game drive or a walk, just being out in nature every single day, gaining a greater awareness not only of plants and animals but of the whole greater picture.

- Bettina Hodapp (Germany)

 Thank YOU all from ALL of us at Ulovane for sharing the 3 months with us! Wishing you all the best on  your new adventures….

 C x

candice@ulovane.co.za

www.ulovane.co.za