Meet the Lodge Manager - Nicole

Nicole was appointed Lodge Manager at Idwala Game Lodge at the very beginning of 2011. She joined Idwala Game Lodge in 2009 as Assistant Manager and Relief Game Ranger. Nicole has grown into her role at the lodge and she is a true leader of the team. Read more about Nicole....

When I was about 13 or 14 years old, I went on a game drive with my parents. From th moment I climbed onto the game viewer I was already thinking "I want to do this when I'm older". The years went by, and the time came where I needed to decide on to what to study, I knew I needed to be in the tourism industry. I heard that there was an open day at Damelin College, I went to it, and saw the course for Game Ranging and Lodge Management. Being one of two girls in the class, I realised it would be tough but I would have to work hard to prove myself.

My first guiding job was at a small game reserve 1 and half hours outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape.  As I was the new ranger there I got all dirty work to do.  There were 5 game viewers which I had to wash on my own nearly everyday.  I was also the only female ranger but don't think I got any sympathy from the guys. I wasn't there for long but I learnt so much.  Practical experience is a much better teacher than sitting in a classroom reading books. As my lecturer taught us, "Animals do not read books."

Ii moved onto a much larger reserve 2 hours away from my home in P.E.  It was in the Little Karroo and hadn't opened yet. I arrived there a  month before it was due to open to the public. 

I gained a lot of experience there.  The animals were good teachers and it was truly a magnificent reserve.  You will never see a sky like you do in the Karroo.  We were literally in the middle of no where.  There was  not any light pollution, no highway sounds, no telephone lines to break the skyline.  It was peaceful and our own little world that was 15 000 hectares.

I heard about the position opening at Idwala and here I could combine my love for game ranging with a career in the lodge. One of my favorite things is to wake up for work in the morning and hear the roaring of one of our lions.  Its a special sound and makes me love being a ranger even more.

While I am writing this I'm having a cup of coffee, sitting on the stoep, listening to birds singing and somewhere not too far away, I can hear one of our male lions vocalizing

Nicole takes stunning photos which we have used on many of the Idwala blog posts. Outgoing and friendly, Nicole is comfortable around guests and staff. She is always willing to get involved, learn something new and find out more about the animals. Recently, she has begun training in the kitchen and makes some delicious food which is more than good enough to serve to our guests. Having the watchful eye of Yolinda does make a big difference!

Nicole remains the relief ranger at Idwala and gets to enjoy the animals on the reserve. She can come back with many stories to tell guests while she is not guiding. Her passion for the bush and love of the outdoors is an important part of her job. 

Idwala wishes Nicole luck in her new role and we look forward to where she can take the lodge!

Wildlife Photos by Nicole Lloyd

Lion family stop for a drink of water

The eye of the elephant

Long lashes

Lion watching Rhino

Giraffe on the plain

Just another sunset

brown-hooded Kingfisher

caught in play

elephant family silhouette

Approaching Rhino


All images were taken by Nicole Lloyd at Idwala Game Lodge and remain the property of Nicole Lloyd.
If you would like information on using these images, please contact her, nicole@idwalalodge.com

How to keep Christmas Green

Have yourself a Merry Green Christmas! 

Here are Idwala’s top tips for an eco-friendly Christmas:

E-Cards from Dyer Island Conservation

1. The Christmas tree – plastic Christmas trees use various substances which are harmful to the environment. Therefore we recommendusing a potted tree or getting creative with dried trees or driftwood (great for anyone holidaying at the coast!). If nothing else, plant a tree in your garden and watch it grow during 2011 

2. Christmas cards – It’s unbelievable how many Christmas cards are sent out all over the world. Try to send an electronic greeting using many of the e-cards available online or buy cards made from recycled paper. If you receive Christmas cards, do the right thing after the big day, and recycle them. Send on of these cutepenguin Christmas cards and support a good cause too

3. Wrapping paper – Tons and tons of wrapping paper is sold around the world during the festive season. To help do your bit for the environment consider sending gifts that don’t need wrapping (like gift vouchers), using recycled paper and using string or ribbon instead of sticky tape 

4. Candles – for the big meal, if you’re using candles, consider buying soy, beeswax or vegetable-based candles. The paraffin candles commonly used are not good for your health or for the environment.

5. Batteries – try to give gifts that don’t use batteries or change over to rechargeable batteries. Batteries contain toxic chemicals, don’t biodegrade and are difficult to recycle.

6. Give the best gift – Of course, there is always the option to give the gift that keeps on giving. Your time spent assisting at a charity or environmental organization can make a big difference.

7. Lights – Twinkling away all day and night, fairy lights around the house and Christmas tree can take up a lot of energy. Remember to switch them off when they’re not being used. Keep an eye out for solar powered rope lights which are making their way into stores everywhere. 

8. Kitchen tips – while cooking that turkey or gammon, remember to take care when using the oven. When you want to check your food, remove from the oven and close the oven door. Standing in front of an open oven wastes heat and energy. Only load your dishwasher once it is full and run an economy program. And finally, buy organic. Don’t support the intensive factory farms and the horrible effects they have on the environment (and your health). 

9. Plan ahead – as you open your gifts think about the next Christmas. We suggest saving wrapping paper, ribbon, gift bags and unused Christmas cards for Christmas 2011. 

10. Buy a thoughtful gift – Think about the impact your gift has on the environment. Buy local, buy fair-trade and support companies who are doing more than their part to help save our earth. Spread the word – Give a book on a subject related to helping the environment. Buy someone a beautifully made cloth shopping bag so that they won’t be using plastic shopping bags.

Idwala Game Lodge wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2011