As we come to the end of our rebranding month, I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you.

Rebranding can sound like a big, fancy thing, but if I am honest, for us it has mostly been a chance to stop for a second, look around, and go… okay, this is who we are now. Which is actually quite a nice feeling.

Jabulani has never just been a lodge. It has always been something a bit more than that. It is the people, the elephants, the bush, the small moments in between, and the way all of that just comes together.

That part has never changed.

What has changed is how much the story has grown. Over the years, we have learnt a lot, improved a lot, made a few mistakes along the way (some bigger than others, but we keep those stories for the fire at night), and slowly shaped something that feels very real and very us.

We have also been incredibly proud to be part of Relais & Châteaux since 2009, and more recently recognised by Michelin (Two MICHELIN Keys · An exceptional stay) from 2025. Those are big milestones for us, and we never take them lightly. But at the same time, what matters most to me is that when you arrive here, it still feels easy, personal, and genuine. No one is standing around with a checklist making sure you are having fun.

This rebrand was not about becoming something new. It was about catching up with ourselves a little bit.
We wanted the way Jabulani looks and feels to match what guests actually experience when they are here. Warm, relaxed, a bit personal, and not too polished. Like a really good dinner where no one is checking the time.

And if I am honest, maybe just a little bit smarter as well. Same person, just now wearing a proper shirt instead of a bush shirt… although the bush shirt still wins most days.

For me, the biggest thing through all of this has been the people.

Our team, who put their heart into this place every single day. The guests who come back and feel like family. The partners and friends who have supported us over the years. And everyone who follows along, even if you have not been here yet but feel connected to Jabulani in some way.

You have all played a part in what this place has become.

So thank you. Really.

Jabulani is not something we built alone. It has grown because of the people around it. The stories shared here, the memories that get taken home, the laughter, the small moments that end up meaning the most.

We are very proud of where we have come from, and very excited about where we are going.

I won’t say too much, but there are some very exciting things on the horizon for Jabulani. The kind of things that we have been quietly working on for a while now, and that feel like a natural next step for us. It is still early days to share anything properly, but I can promise it will be worth the wait.

This next chapter feels like us, just a little clearer, a little stronger, and a bit more comfortable in our own skin.

Which is probably the goal, right.

Thanks for being part of the journey, for supporting us, and for letting us share this special place with you.

Looking forward to many more good memories

– Jabulani Safari General Manager, Ruan Roos