Wildlife Conservation Lodge in Limpopo

Chantel

I want to thank you all for the day (20 Dec 2010) that we could spent at your beautiful venue. We as a family really appreciated the professionalism of the staff – you were there when we needed you, but you gave us privacy when we needed it. Everything was well organized, from the game drive, the breakfast in the cave up to the departure! A special word of thanks to all the terrain workers for keeping the area so neat and tidy.

Please continue to manage Monate Lodge in the same way so that many more people will experience a visit to one of “Limpopo’s best kept secrets”.

A special word of thanks to you, Chantel for the way in which you assisted us. You touched us with your warm and hearty personality since our first (unannounced) visit in June 2010, through all the telephonic conversations up to the day that we spend there. A BIG thank you also for also bringing us in touch with the Labrador breeders – we will hopefully fetch our own in April 2011.

Well done to you all – we hope to see you soon!

Andri Steyn
Ermelo

Hi Chantal and Team,
(September 2010)

It is with grateful thanks that I send this.
The calls haven’t stopped since we’ve got home from very happy, impressed friends who had the most fabulous time...

Just to give you an idea, the guests ranged from attorneys’, doctors, nursing staff, teachers  and  lecturers, IT programmers, business owners, reps. even a pilot – a difficult crowd to impress and keep happy!
Generally, everyone was extremely impressed not only at the venue (which is beautiful and wonderfully maintained) but more so at the staff and the level of service and hospitality!
A special thanks from those with children, the patience and understanding from all the staff toward them was noted and greatly appreciated, from the cleaning staff to the kitchen staff, the barmen, game rangers, game drivers and especially Wimpie – they all seemed to take a shine to him, I’m not sure if it was because he was so patient and tolerant with them or if it was because he ‘saved’ them from the cheetahs who seemed determined that the game vehicle contained their dinner (even if it was very noisy dinner!)
The kids also enjoyed the fact that they were allowed to go on their own game drive, they all felt very special, grown-up and important!

Thought you might like to see some of the feedback....

• Ursula & Phil Irons: The most amazing experience and week-end away – Thank-you!
• Nikki & Jason Wilkins: Great, we must definitely tell everyone about this place, a wonderful, stress-free getaway. Pity the week-end was so short!
  Children: James & James: Awesome, and the game drives were the best!
• Brigette & Greg Macloughlan: A superb stay, so glad we stayed on for the whole weekend, the baby-sitting took the experience to a more relaxing level, a wonderful venue with wonderful staff, thank-you!
  Children: Sarah, Anna, Baby Oliver: The animal ‘spotting’ was the best!
• Celia & Michael Embleton: It was superb ...and the food was far too tasty...and we ate far too much...and now we’re on diet again...and it was the best week-end ever!
• Robyn & Dean Stevenson: Wow, it was brilliant, how did you find this place – it’s superb!
  Child: Baby Luke: He just couldn’t get enough off the trampolines and putt-putt!
• Loren Nesbitt: This was just perfect and the most stunning venue, everything from the service to the food to the hospitality was amazing!
  Child: Joshua: “Do we have to go home?”
• Hester & George Georgiou: It was stunning, the hospitality was outstanding, the food was far too tasty and we have eaten far too much; the children were so well catered for and looked after!
  Children: Marina, Joseph: Awesome!
• Char & Stuart Humphrey: A wonderful venue and amazing hospitality!
• Sam & Tim Barton: Stunning, thank-you. The baby –sitting took made life so easy and uncomplicated, a superb touch...we genuinely had a wonderful break! A special thanks to our baby-sitter, she was marvellous!
  Children: Cameron & Baby Teagan: Awesome, especially the game drives and animals and the jacuzzi!
• Inge & Dustin Harlen: What a wonderful venue, sorry we did not come for longer!
  Children: Jarryd & Cassi: The game drives were the best, there was a very nice man telling us about the animals!
• Janine & Derek Freeman: A wonderful stay, thank-you!
• Rene & Grant Irons: As far as we are concerned it was wonderful!
  The venue was gorgeous and the staff were amazing. Thank-you to Chantal who patiently and politely dealt with all my questions, queries phone calls etc.  
  I believe a venue is only as good as the staff and you were all outstanding, so a special thanks to the staff that took care of us...Nothing was too much trouble or too much effort, from our arrival, to the meals, to the bushbraai, to the cave dinner...I felt like a queen, I have never had so much attention and felt very spoilt!
  Because we all had small children, it was very important that the ‘little people’ were part of the week-end too...and they were, nothing was too much trouble!
  The game drives were a firm favourite and special thanks to Wimpie! He is very humorous as well as  passionate and knowledgeable about what he does and his patience with the children (who can be trying at the best of times) was outstanding!
  We all learned a lot!
  The use of baby-sitters was a wonderful touch and allowed myself and the other moms to really enjoy and make the most of the weekend. Anna was marvellous with our babies!
  Children: Hunta, Jordan & Baby Radley: My kids were especially  vocal about the weekend and this is what they had to say;  “That was awesome, the game drives were the best, Wimpi was so cool.. he was also very nice to us and answered all our questions (...and there were a LOT of those!) he is so clever because he knows all about the animals and was teaching us lots of stuff.” Hunta had to add: “The cheetah’s are beautiful but it was a little bit scary when they wanted to eat us!”
  ...”PLEASE can we stay here forever?” and then when that didn’t work...” When can we go back?”

This experience is what is what memories are made of!
Thank-you for my memories!

Regards
Rene Irons

Philip Le Roux & Family (March'10)

Baie dankie vir 'n ongelooflike naweek vol bederf! Baie dankie vir julle hartlike gasvryheid!
Verseker die vriendelikste personeel wat ons nog tee gekom het. Kos uit die boonste rakke en stunning venue! "We love your attention to detail".... Sal verseker Monate aanbeveel vir vriende en familie. Weereens baie dankie, het baie lekker gerus!

Rudi & Mari Jacobs (March'10)

Ons het 'n plekkie gesoek om 'n bietjie te kom rus en ons 17de huweliksherdenking te vier en het pertoeval op Monate afgekom. Julle het ons stoutste verwagtinge oortref. Thank you to the sincere and friendly staff, Jan-Hendrik for the amazing wild drives and the Chefs for spoiling us with amazing dishes. Chantel & Mariette made us feel truly welcome and Daniel & Willard for the great service. "Julle is bakgat".

Paul & Isabel (June'10)

Thanks so much to ALL of you at Monate for a stunning time! We were thoroughly spoilt!! Thank you Chantel, Venice, Willard, Kalua, Ranny, Daniel, Rosinah & all the others for all our Special meals & treats... A special thanks to Solly for taking such good care of us  - for all the wonderful drives & treats in the bush (we loved our picnic lunch). Thanks also for sharing your Horses with us. We look forward to visiting again.... Best wishes and greetings to all!

The Fisher Family (July'10)

Hello Ladies

Carlo and I just wanted to thank you for an amazing wedding weekend.

We could not have asked for a more perfect wedding. All the guests had an amazing time and have had only great things to say about the Monate. The food was fabulous (please thank Willamina), all the staff so friendly and helpful and the venue perfect. Carlo and I had the wedding of our dreams thanks to all the staff at Monte. We look for forward to seeing you all soon (hopefully next Feb on our 1 year anniversary) ;-)

Thanks for a wonderful experience

Regards

Tamsin

Thank you so much for making our stay with you such a enjoyable experience.  Your service is something we had never experienced nothing was too much trouble.  The way you sent us for a special lunch in the bush, and our supper right next to our accommodation thank you.

We will be back very soon bring with hopefully our new addition to meet you all.

Please thank all your staff on a job very well done. 

Thanks again Love

THE STEPHENSONS

I trust that you are well and having a great day.

I would just like to say a BIG Thank You once again for the lovely day and evening that Amine and I were able to experience at Monate.

It really was a pleasure to visit and spend the time in the beautiful, peaceful and serene setting.

I will definitely recommend the lodge to anyone that is looking for an affordable and quick getaway with superior service and hospitality.

Kind regards

Kerry-Lee Slamat
Senior Consultant
Travel

Thank you so much for hosting me and my daughter at Monate.  What an experience - specially the dinner and breakfast served in the cave.  The food are excellent, the staff very friendly and we enjoyed the game drive.  The conference facilities are great and I would really like to book a conference at Monate.

Kind regards

Zelda Snyman
Office Manager and PA to Prof Sarah Howie
Centre for Evaluation and Assessment

Dear Chantel

I want to thank you and your team for a wonderful weekend. The service was excellent, the setting of every meal special and the food most enjoyable. Everyone made us feel welcome and the layout suited our group particularly well.

You get a thumbs-up from all at PCP.   

Regards

Pieter Cilliers
Producer: Kwêla
Pieter Cilliers Productions

Hi there

Just a quick note to say thank you for the most awesome weekend. As usual everything was amazing and your gift  of the Marimba band was most appreciated.

As usual the staff impressed everyone and I am sure that you will get a lot of repeat business.

The Kruger was hot and we saw great things including a giant eagle owl and her chick in a nest in the middle of the day which was amazing.

Once thanx for everything.

Gavin Atkinson
Managing Director

I would just like to say on behalf of Terry and myself, we had an amazing stay at your lodge.

We would like to thank you for your very warm hospitality, and please thank all the staff concerned, as they really are an asset to your lodge.

Look forward to doing business with you in the future.

Kind regards

Julie Ackerman
Senior Manager

Hi there Chantel

Everyone really enjoyed themselves and we owe you a big thank you for making Christelle's birthday weekend so special.

Wimpie is a wonderful game ranger and added enormously to our bush experience through his knowledge and obvious passion. It was wonderful to see him so close to Maza and the memories of her at such close quarters will stay with us forever.

Thanks again to everyone at Monate, we all had a fantastic weekend,

Kind Regards

Andrew N Robinson
Managing Director

Dear Monate Team &  Halo

Thank you very much for the best weekend ever as a Family we have visited quite a few lodges in the limpopo and I must say you stand out to us for the best service we have ever received you went that extra mile to make it the most memorable experience. Please give Werner a special word of thank form us as he wend above and beyond to make our stay at the lodge, game drives and the extra activities an experience never to be forgotten. And give Halo a biscuit as he made a great play mate for little Botes.

I have attached some photo's of the weekend.

Kind regards

Cecilia Venter and Family

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

I really appreciate it! It means so much to me that you remembered and went to such effort!!!

We can only say good things about all of you at Monate – you really go the extra mile for your guests!!!

Thank you again!

Kind Regards

Veronique Stanley
(Married at Monate in 2005)

Thank you!

Hi there Chantal 

Just a short note to say thank you very much to all your team for a really memorable weekend at Monate. We had a wonderful time and would like to say a special thank you to Keith, our very knowledgeable Game Ranger, for making the game drives so special.

We’ll be back in September for Christelle’s birthday!

Many thanks

Andrew & Christelle Robinson

Morning Chantel,  

I just wanted to say a big thank you to you and the team for your impeccable hospitality we had this weekend. We all had such a wonderful time, it’s definitely one for the memory banks and we will definitely be coming again soon! We just love it there and it’s so close to JHB! Definitely good food for the soul.

Hope you guys have a good week and are kept nice and busy!

Chat soon

Correne

Monate

"Our group thoroughly enjoyed their stay at Monate Lodge! They found the people friendly and helpful, the scenery beautiful, the accommodation good and the food delicious! Hence, I will definitely be considering the Lodge for future functions. I would like to thank Chantel, Venice & Sindi for there assistance in organising the FNB Conference.

Thanks for a job well done!

Warm Regards

Ronell Snyders
Personal Assistant to Head of Cash Operations
Christa Viljoen
011 352 6562."
Date of Stay: May 2009

Hi Chantel,

Pleased you could use some of Stuart’s photos and he is very happy for you to do so. 

We have very fond memories of our weekend at Monate and hope the dogs are all well.  Hopefully we will be able to visit again in the not too distant future.

Kindest regards to you all

Merilyn Gardiner

Monate

Ek moet vir julle ook baie dankie se en sal julle aanbeveel soos wat ek mense ontmoet of ken. 

Dit was baie lekker gewees en dink julle is klomp professionele mense by mekaar wat dinge goed hanteer.

Regards Groete

Carlo Bezuidenhout

Hi daar,

Ons wil net vir julle BAIE BAIE dankie sê vir ‘n wonderlike naweek, dit was baie special en ons het dit baie geniet. Jul sal ons beslis weer sien en ons sal vir al ons pelle vertel dat dit die plek is om heen te gaan!

Sê asseblief vir Chantelle, Sindy, Werner, Jan-Hendrik, Wimpie en die res van die personeel baie dankie, hul het ‘n goeie job gedoen en alhoewel dit vir ons ‘n baie romantiese, spesiale naweek was het ons so tuis gevoel asof ons by goeie pelle kuier! 

Dankie vir al jul moeite!

Groete
  
Mariska GROBLER CA (SA)

Dear Monate Lodge Management and Personnel

Please accept our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the friendly reception and the warm hospitality shown to the Anglo Platinum GICT S&SD Team during our stay at Monate from 7 - 9 April 2009. We were treated like royalty and nothing seems to be too much to ask for; even when we rearranged your roads you rendered assistance!

Thank you very much for accommodating us and seeing to all our needs and requirements in such a friendly and helpful manner. The interest shown in our activities during the three days were deeply appreciated. We trust though that the Monate personnel who attended some of our "Steercoms" found it a worthwhile excercise!

We had a very successful three days work session in beautiful surroundings and were spoilt by the Monate hospitality EXPERTS. Thank you very much for a wonderful stay at Monate Lodge!

Regards

Anglo Platinum -
GICT S&SD Communication

Monate

A seTswana/SeSotho word Meaning Lekker, which in turns is a universal South African slogan for pleasant or nice. I however would like to throw in a couple of others that explained our short visit to Monates paradise: Sublime, Superb, inspirational, just to name a few. Thanks to the Monate team you guys ROCK!!!
Fouche Viljoen -

Emnowtweni Casino -
Tsogo Sun Gaming.

Liewe Sindy,

Ek kan net nie glo dat dit 2 weke sedert die troue is en dat Kersfees ook reeds verby is nie!  Ek vertrou dat jy en jou geliefdes, asook almal by die lodge ‘n baie geseënde Kersfees ervaar het en dat 2009 vol liefde, vrede en vreugde sal wees.

Ek wil net vir julle almal weereens bedank dat julle die troue so ‘n spesiale belewenis vir elkeen wat bygewoon het gemaak het. Dit het al ons verwagtinge oortref. Die blyplek is onverbeterlik, julle diens en vriendelikheid ongeewenaar en die kos was absoluut uit die boonste “gestoeltes” (soos oom Oubaas van 7de laan sou sê).  Dit was die lekkerste troue wat ek nog ooit bygewoon het  (al was dit nou ons dogter syn!).  Sindy, sonder jou hulp sou die blomme nooit klaargekom het nie en die troukoek sou nie betyds “gepatch” geword het nie.. Wat my die heel meeste beindruk het was julle vermoë om “raak te vat”.  Mens het nie nodig om iets n ate gaan nie.  Als gebeur net seepglad.  Ek sal enigiemand aanbeveel om julle lodge te besoek en vir ‘n troue of onthaal – nog beter!!!!!!!!!!  Ons sal beslis spaar om weer by julle ‘n draai te kom maak.  Sodra meer fotos beskikbaar is sal ek vir jou epos. 

Groetnis

Dawn Keyser

Dear Sindy, Venice & Lauren (and all the others)

Enclosed you will find the best photo I took of the Brown Hyena! Hope you recognize her? She will be a shock for my mother-in-law to talk about for a long time. I think it is the most fascinating thing she has ever experienced.

We had a great time at your lodge, and we will tell everybody about the lodge and it's atmosphere and the friendly people, the service, the animals everything. We are so grateful, and my mother-in-law just loved it, even though she was a little scared before going.

And the best of luck to Lauren, who is the best ranger and guide we have ever had on any drives in South-Africa. She is so knowledgable!!!

Thank you, and we hope to see you all again.

Helen, Tim & Monica

Monate is by far the most convenient and exciting and perfect seminar venue I have experienced and I will be happy to recommend your services any time!

We wish you all a very Happy Christmas and Wonderful Success in the New Year.

Everything of the very Best to you all

Denise and Debbie

Dear Cindy,

Thank you so much for the great site educational.

It was great meeting you and Chantelle. It helps putting a face to the voice.
You really impressed me with how professionally you conducted the site ed, and I appreciate your time.
I hope to be in contact soon with some new requests.

Have a great week!!

Should there be anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me at your earliest convenience.

Warm Regards

MARGARET COMBRINCK
THUSA RESERVATIONS

Dear Chantal and team

This is just a short note to say thank you for making our new year’s weekend an awesome experience. I know that you went out of your way to convince Preston to let us use the facility and we really appreciate it.

As usual the common comments amongst our family and friends were that everything was perfect, in fact most people have a problem highlighting one individual who stood out. Every person at Monate went out of their way to ensure that our group had a great time. Well done! In today’s climate where service seems to have been forgotten your team certainly has got it right!

Please can you pass on our thanks and appreciation to all the staff and to Preston for allowing us to use the camp.

We hope that you and the team have an awesome year and look forward to seeing you in November for Sammy’s 40th if not before.

Kind regards

Gavin