Bushmans Kloof appoints new management couple
02. Jul, 2009
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Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat is proud to announce the appointment of Graham and Ronel Kennedy as the new Lodge Management couple to head up this Relais & Chateaux property at the foothills of the Cederberg, 270km north of Cape Town.
The Kennedy’s bring to Bushmans Kloof an increased level of lodge management and hospitality expertise, in particular at the high quality, top end of the market, gained at other leading lodges in South Africa and Botswana.
Over a period of 16 years Graham (39), has gained invaluable experience in a wide spectrum of both lodge management business and operations, as well as safari tour operations. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, he was schooled at Potchefstroom High School for Boys in the North West Province of South Africa, where he matriculated in 1988. A true conservationist at heart, his passion for the wilderness surfaced early, and at the age of 22 his career was launched as an Overland Safari Guide with Afro Ventures Safaris, a leading African Safari Travel Group with operations spanning sub-Saharan Africa.
In this capacity, he conducted specialist safaris throughout Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe for a period of four years (1992 – 1995). This was followed by a stint as Operations Manager of specialist Tour Operator, Springbok Atlas in Windhoek (from 1995 to 1996), where he gained invaluable management experience within the hospitality and tourism industry. He then returned to Afro Ventures in 1997 as Group Operations Manager, based in Kasane, Botswana, and in 1999, was promoted to Operations Director.
Following the company’s merger with CC Africa (now known as &Beyond) in 2000, he relocated to their Head Office in Johannesburg. In 2004 he was again promoted, this time to Regional Director, where he was responsible for lodge and safari operations in Namibia and Botswana, and relocating to Maun, Botswana shortly thereafter. Here his portfolio encompassed structuring tenders for land lease and lodge concessions, as well as new business developments, including project management of 2 new lodges in Botswana (Xudum and Xaranna), both green-field sites.
Ronel is a qualified Pharmacist and SETA approved Health Care Trainer, who graduated with a B.Pharm Degree from Potchefstroom University of Christian Higher Education in 1997. Chalking up experience within Pharmacy Management (1998 to 2005), she held the position of Positive Health Care Trainer for the CC Africa lodges (now known as &Beyond) in Botswana in 2005, and was promoted to Regional Human Resources Manager for Botswana and Namibia in 2006. With extensive experience overseeing staff healthcare and development at CC Africa lodges, Ronel is uniquely qualified to make a valuable contribution to both the staff and community projects of Bushmans Kloof.
Clive Bennett, the Managing Director of Bushmans Kloof says that the appointment of the capable new lodge couple was driven by the philosophy to ensure the continued improvement of hospitality, environmental and business standards at Bushmans Kloof. ‘We have recruited Graham and Ronel with the vision that their high level of experience will raise the bar at Bushmans Kloof once more, employing even higher standards of lodge operations that will further enhance the Bushmans Kloof experience as a world class reserve and wellness retreat.
‘Recently included among the Condé Nast Traveler Gold List Best Hotels in the Middle East & Indian Ocean 2009, Bushmans Kloof has introduced a new focus on wellness, reflected in the change of name to Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Wellness Retreat.
A safe haven for many indigenous plants, animals and birds, including the endangered Cape mountain zebra, the reserve was awarded the Relais & Chateaux Environment Trophy 2007, for its exceptional conservation projects.
Custodian of some 130 rock art sites, it has been named a South African Natural Heritage site, and daily activities here include rock art walks as well as evening game drives with sunset drinks and snacks served in the reserve. The reserve lies within the Cederberg wilderness area, which forms part of the Cape Floral Region, which has been declared a World Heritage site.
My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
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