As this year starts winding down, I want to say a big, genuine thank you to every guest who’s walked through our doors in 2025.

It’s been a wild year, in the best possible way. We’ve met so many incredible people: first-time safari goers who didn’t know what to expect, and familiar faces who’ve become part of the Jabulani family. Each one of you added something special to our story.

I’ll be honest… after all these years, I still get nervous before every arrival. There’s that moment, standing in the turning circle with my lappies in hand, waiting for the Land Cruiser to appear, where I’m asking myself: Is my hair okay? Do I have something in my teeth? What if they don’t get my jokes?

Meanwhile, Ansie and I are sitting there, me on my rock, her on her log, both pretending to look calm and professional. We always end up cracking jokes like, “Why is the ranger taking so long? Did he get lost? Maybe a giraffe blocked the road again!”

Then we hear it: that familiar rumble of a Land Cruiser engine. That’s when the nerves disappear, and the excitement takes over. Shoulders back, stomach in, smiles on. It’s go time.

“Hello, welcome home!”

And I mean it every single time.

From there, we take a slow walk up our very own “brown brick road” toward the main lodge; not quite as shiny as Dorothy’s, but I promise it leads to just as much magic (and far better sundowners).

Our butlers are waiting at the top, all smiles, with homemade lemonade ready for you. Guests look around, wide-eyed, soaking it all in. The thatched roofs glowing in the African light, the nyala bull grazing nearby, and the bright pink impala lilies showing off in full winter bloom.

Someone always says something like, “Wow, look at that flower!” “The walls are spectacular”, and that’s when it happens. You can see it in their faces: that moment they realise they’ve stepped into somewhere extraordinary.

From there, it’s easy. The stories start, the laughter flows, and the bush works its quiet magic.

This year, we’ve welcomed guests who came for the elephants, some for peace, while others chased a lifelong dream of a safari. Whatever brought you here, thank you for sharing your journey with us.

You’ve made 2025 unforgettable, not because of awards or milestones, but because of the conversations, the laughter, and those firelit evenings where strangers became friends.

So, from the whole Jabulani team and me: thank you. We look forward to welcoming you back next year. And yes, I’ll triple-check my teeth before you arrive.

Until then,

Ruan