Life in Camp / Health & Safety / What to bring

A spot of cooking African style on open fire

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Gazebo Lodge is home during your stay with us. Formerly a farm house and then a guest lodge, Gazebo sits facing a small lake with resident hippo and crocodile (although they tend to come and go as they please!). A small bridge and walkway link Gazebo to Kingfisher Camp where some of the ranger staff are quartered.

Gazebo Lodgei s comfortable with 6 bedrooms sleeping up to 4 person on a single sex basis. Each bedroom has an en-suite bathroom with hot shower, hand basin and w.c All bedding is provided plus there is a weekly laundry service, all at no extra charge. When out camping either on or off property all tents and camping equipment is provided although you may wish to bring your own sleeping bag. Power points are available for charging camera batteries, phones etc although you will need an adaptor. In South Africa a 3 pin round hole plug is required.

The lodge has an indoor dining area known as a lapa, an outdoor dining area called a boma, swimming pool looking onto the lake and a small bar. Additionally there is a games rooms with pool table, table tennis and DVD player. All your meals are included and we promise you will never go hungry! Kitchen staff and the Gap Year Rangers are on hand to provide most meals although participants are expected to help in food preparation and even do the odd meal from time to time.

When on property most days start early for game viewing activities with breakfast on return to camp. Tea, coffee & rusks are always available prior to setting off in the morning. Lunches tend to be of the "packed" variety and taken with you into the bush although this depends on the days planned activities. Dinners tend to be around the fire of the open air boma (which has a fire-pit) or in the lapa once back from the days activities and showers / changing is complete. We can cater for most special dietary needs if given prior warning: please let us know of any particular dietary needs.

There is a small bush bar available in the evenings which operates on a token basis and run by participants themselves. Alcohol is only sold to those aged 18 years and older. Please remember too, that this facility is there for a fun and enjoyable time. Drunken behaviour is not accepted and we reserve the right to close this facility if it is abused!

Gazebo is fortunate to have a small swimming pool which overlooks the lake and is much appreciated in the summer months.

Despite the relative comfort at Gazebo please remember that this is a bush lodge. There are no internet facilities, shops and mobile phone reception is poor to non existent. There is an office telephone and fax for emergencies. Weekly trips into town are available where internet facilities can be found.

Health and Safety

The health, safety and enjoyment of all our participants is of paramount importance whether on the reserve or out and about off property. Our dedicated gap team is led by an experienced Gap Year Ranger who is very ably assisted by our Gap Year Co-ordinator and a dedicated Tracker. The Gap year team has the full back up of our management team and senior staff, many of whom live on the reserve.

On arrival there is a health and safety briefing and orientation around Gazebo Lodge and later around the reserve itself. The "do's" and "don'ts" of living in the bush are explained and fire drill procedures explained.

All our 4x4 vehicles carry a VHF radio to maintain contact with our main office and with each other. They also carry a rifle, blankets and basic medical bag. In extreme emergencies we have the back up of the local Red Cross rescue helicopter which can get the injured to a private hospital in Nelspruit within 30 minutes. Neither the helicopter nor the hospital are free, so adequate medical insurance must be obtained before arriving at Kwa Madwala.

It seems logical but please bear in mind that none of the lodges within Kwa Madwala are fenced and animals can and sometimes do wander right in front the lodge or even straight through, occasionally at night. The boundaries of the reserve itself are protected by a vast electric fence, there to keep poachers out (poaching is not much of an issue locally) and the very valuable wildlife in. This fence also deters anybody with thoughts of making an unauthorised visit to our lodges (and the lion and hyena we have wondering the reserve!) The main entrance has 24 hour security.

When undertaking activities off property we only use very reputable and reliable third parties who have the required licenses to operate and public liability insurance. All trips off property are escorted by at least one Kwa Madwala staff member (ranger and / or coordinator). Participants must adhere to the health and safety guidelines issued by Kwa Madwala staff or their appointed agents.

Malaria - Kwa Madwala

Our location is officially classified as a low risk malaria zone and you should therefore seek medical advice on suitable prophylaxis from your health professional. We are fortunate that on the reserve we practically have no mosquitoes due to the two large bat populations which eat the larvae before they can grow into mosquitoes. However this is no guarantee and prevention is better than cure! For those prone to insect bites in general please bring spray repellent and consider a mosquito net. Insects are more likely to be apparent during the hotter and wetter seasons (October-March). Insect sprays can be bought locally as well.

WHAT TO BRING

CLOTHING

Preferably 100% cotton. We experience very hot summers with day temperatures to 30C -35C plus. Winters are mild (warm in the day (20-25C) and cool at night (12-14C).
"Cargo" style shorts and trousers, shirts and t-shirts. Please try and stick to the darker natural/earthy colours. Whites and bright colours are not appropriate for the bush. These should only be worn on excursions off property or trips into town.
Light jacket or fleece for the evening and early mornings as it can get "chilly"!!
A light weight raincoat would be required for the rainy months i.e. November - March
Swimsuits and bathing towel (we supply bathroom towels)
Comfortable hiking/walking shoes and socks (we are going to walk!!)
Sandals/Flip Flops - for the warmer days around camp or off property
Hat and sunscreen. Please invest in a GOOD sunscreen for our hot and humid days.
Beanie or woolly hat for evenings around the fire in the winter months in particular (May-Sep)
Please ensure that you bring at least 5 sets of clothing. Laundry is only provided once a week.

GENERAL

A backpack (±40 litres) for a 3-day hiking trail and other walks.
Water bottle, torch and sleeping bag.
Personal medication i.e. students suffering from any allergies or any other chronic illness. We suggest that you visit your General Practitioner well in advance in order to obtain information with regards to Malaria prophylaxes. "High risk season" is during our rainy months (November - March). We supply insect repellent but you may wish to bring your own. If you are prone to bites consider bringing your own mosquito net.
Pocket money. Please note that time is set aside for shopping at the local town once a week on average. We also visit numerous stalls on the excursions outside the Reserve.
Notepad and pen.
Please inform us in advance regarding any dietary requirements and allergies.

OPTIONAL ITEMS

Camera, binocular and video/digital cameras
Bird, tree and animal identification books
Own tackle and fishing gear if you are into fishing
Pocket knife / multi-tool - must go into your suitcase as airport security will confiscate
Portable CD / mini-disc player / Ipod
Reading books
Board or card games

The nearest town Malelane (just under half an hour away) has a small selection of shops and you can get most items here when you run short. Alternatively, the provincial capital Nelspruit is an hour away with plenty of shops, banks, chemists and a hospital.