With all the demands of modern life, it's easy to forget that there's a world that continues at its own timeless pace. Beneath the wide expanse of Africa's skies there is the measure of all time, of life as it has always been, of beauty and of balance. And all of this can be seen and felt, lived and enjoyed, in the setting that is Singita, a Place of Miracles.

We would like to acknowledge all of you who have shown us support in a year that has been difficult in many ways. At a time when everyone has had to look to their lifestyles, to their businesses, to their careers and to their aspirations, we say thank you for continuing to seek the splendor and grace of the African experience with us. As the year draws to a close we anticipate the advent of 2010 believing that it will be an outstanding year for everything that Africa has to offer. We look forward to welcoming you once again as you experience the magnificence of our wonderful continent, in the luxury and comfort of our lodges.

At Singita we are committed to improving and transforming the lives of those less fortunate by initiating change for good and working symbiotically with communities for a better world.

We work actively to protect and maintain the land our lodges are built on and its wildlife in their original state. We assist the people who live on the outskirts of the Reserves to understand the intrinsic value of these unspoiled areas and experience the benefits of preserving the land.

Due to constant involvement and contributions from our guests we have been able to support many different projects at each property, below are just some of the projects that we have been involved in over the past year:

SINGITA SABI SAND

God's Will Disabled School — Over the past year guests and staff have raised money to fund a Christmas party for the children at the school. The children each received a top, shorts or a shirt and a pair of shoes. Sweets, chips and cold drinks and toys for all the children to share were purchased. Even caregivers enjoyed the spoils of this Christmas party and were given a bucket filled with groceries. At Singita we are committed to improving and transforming the lives of those less fortunate by initiating change for good and working symbiotically with communities for a better world.

The Tshemba Hosi Care Centre — Tryphina Makhubela needed to find a school where she could send her handicapped child and unfortunately there was nothing in the surrounding area. She teemed up with her friend Maggie Mokoloi, and together they approached the local Catholic Church for premises. In 2005, they were given notice to vacate the church hall and they turned to lodges within the Sabi Sand Reserve to assist. By chance, a Singita guest visited the Care Centre and his company then provided funding support to build a new centre. Construction commenced and a brand new, 4 classroom centre with practical amenities was opened in 2007. Tshemba Hosi now provides special care and a basic education to 100 local physically and/or mentally challenged children. Singita provides ongoing support and assists with any maintenance needs and their ongoing quest for improvement.

For more detail on these projects please download this PDF (700KB)

SINGITA GRUMETI RESERVES

Reintroduction of Native Species — In collaboration with the Tanzanian government Singita is working at reintroducing the East African sub species of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) to the Western Corridor of the Serengeti Ecosystem. This initiative is being fully funded by Singita Grumeti Reserves. The programme being implemented involves the introduction of two captive-bred rhino as well as the repatriation of a wild population of 34 rhino.

Environmental Education Centre — This centre offers top performing learners from local schools, in their penultimate school year, a sound level of understanding of the Serengeti Ecosystem. The 5-day programme encourages and equips the students to pursue their livelihoods in a more sustainable fashion, and to devise effective solution to the primary factors that threaten the ecosystem within which they live. Their teachers are also involved in this on-site programme, ensuring more effective teaching of these aspects of the school curriculum.

Wildlife Monitoring — The Singita team of game scouts on the reserve are responsible for documenting wildlife presence and movement as well as any other data of biological importance within the concession areas. On-going data collection, co-ordinated and analysed by the organisation's Research Biologist, has revealed a rapid and steady increase in resident game as a direct result of increased security and improved habitats.

For more detail on these projects please download this PDF (690KB)

SINGITA KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

Singita School of Cooking — the school was established to encourage the development of culinary skills amongst local youth. It is located on site at the Staff Village that serves Singita Kruger National Park. Each year, eight to ten students are selected to participate in a 1-year development programme. Trainees are registered on an official Learnership Programme, and are taught the knowledge and skills required to commence a career within a lodge kitchen. Their practical training is overseen by a qualified Sous Chef who also ensures they get hands on practice in the lodge kitchens. Having completed their training, some are employed as Comis Chefs in a Singita kitchen whilst the balance are assisted in getting entry-level positions within other Kruger National Park lodges.

Support for Wildlife Research — The fees that are paid for the use of this private concession play an important role in supporting the conservation efforts of the wider Kruger National Park, one of the oldest parks in the world.

For more detail on these projects please download this PDF (850KB)

SINGITA PAMUSHANA LODGE

Employment — Singita Pamushana and the Malilangwe Trust provide employment for 250 Zimbabweans, mostly from local communities. The majority of staff is involved in protecting the integrity of the Reserve whilst a key part of this team is committed to providing Singita style service to its guests.

School Feeding Programme — A cornerstone project formulated in response to a critical situation facing local schools, is the provision of a fortified meal to around 20 000 children per school day, most of whom are under the age of 5 years. This has a positive and measurable impact on both school attendance and results and also alleviates the feeding burden of parents who have a growing number of dependant children and family members to support.

Support for Research Students — When the need for specific research is identified, the Malilangwe Trust calls for interest from Zimbabwean Masters degree university students to undertake applied research. Students are fully sponsored and provided with practical support, including mentorship, to enable them to complete their studies and make a contribution to the body of knowledge about the bio-diversity of the area. To date over 20 students have been sponsored in this way.

For more detail on these projects please download this PDF (630KB)

Don't forget that you can get a first-hand look at what's happening on the ground at Singita by logging onto our Guides' Diaries. Simply go to the Guides' Diary section of the website to find the regular monthly updates. You can also follow our guides on Twitter:

singitasabisand · singitakruger · singitagrumeti · singitapamshana

With five lodges in South Africa, three in Tanzania and one in Zimbabwe, Singita Game Reserves offers nine unparalleled African wildlife experiences in various districts across three countries. In South Africa, the five lodges have provided a pristine and luxurious African safari experience since 1993, when Ebony Lodge first opened its doors. In Tanzania, Singita Grumeti Reserves lies in the western corridor of the Serengeti National Park, the premier World Heritage site, while the latest addition to the Singita balance of hospitality, conservation and community, is Pamushana Lodge in Zimbabwe. With commitment and dedication, miracles can be made to happen.

For an unmatched safari experience that provides you total privacy and a customised itinerary, book a villa or exclusive-use option at one of our properties. This is the perfect option for friends and families traveling together, giving you the opportunity to design your own itinerary and have complete exclusivity of the lodge.

Singita Castleton Camp is an inviting, comfortable hideaway that exudes timeless charm in the Sabi Sand and accommodates up to 12 guests.

1 — 8 guests:        ZAR34,100 per night

9 — 12 guests:      ZAR40,150 per night

Singita Pamushana Villa is in the heart of the magnificent Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe, and accommodates up to 10 guests.

1 — 6 guests:        US $5,000 per day

7 — 10 guests:      US $9,000 per day

Singita Sasakwa Villa and Singita Faru Faru Villa Suite are both are positioned ideally on the epic wildebeest migratory route across the Serengeti in Tanzania, and accommodate up to 8 and 4 guests respectively.

Sasakwa:        US $16,500 per day

Faru Faru:       US $ 4,500 per day

We look forward to an exciting 2010, a year in which the very best in football will be making its way to our shores for the World Cup – a year in which we at Singita, along with all our fellow South Africans, will be preparing to welcome fans of the beautiful game from all over the globe. But for now, as Southern Africa's summer holidays approach, from the Place of Miracles, we sincerely wish you and all those close to you, a happy, restful, safe and peaceful Holiday Season.

Warmest wishes from the team at Singita.