Hanging Out with Friends

Jody Cole and a group of Africa enthusiasts spent a wonderful afternoon in San Francisco viewing the new Disney release “Chimpanzee” at the Metreon Theater. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales is directly benefiting the Jane Goodall Foundation, plus many of Jody’s guests made additional contributions to this valuable resource. Kudos to everyone who attended and thank you for your support!

Jody in her FGASA Uniform 2011

As I suspected, I’ve hit the ground running here in the States. I’ve only been back in the USA for a few weeks, but already been working on my safaris for 2012 and getting back in touch with you my precious guests. In light of the current economic constraints many of you are feeling, I have had some juggling to do as guests decide to delay their travels to Africa, while some are feeling this may be their only chance to do their dream vacation and I am honored to help in making those dreams a reality in 2012. By way of an update for you, our “Wild & Free” safari has only a couple spots left, we already have guests on the Tanzania “Cool Cats” safari in September, and are busy planning for this years Indaba (May) and custom safari inquiries are streaming in – thank you! I hope you all have plans for a wonderful holiday season and perhaps a trip to Africa will be included in those plans…? Best to you, Jody

Jody Leads the Class at Makuleke EcoTraining Camp

Almost finished! My adventures as a guide in South Africa are drawing to a close as I prepare to leave my beloved Makuleke Camp in South Africa and head for the States on Hallows Eve. My trip has been so incredibly rewarding and as you night suspect, I have learned so much I can hardly wait to tell you all just a few of the many stories of life as a guide in Africa. I have made friendships to last a lifetime, learned so many things about running a camp and being on staff, to learning how much I miss my family at home. Soon I will be back in my little office in Northern California fielding boxes of mail, messages, and greeting you again in person. I look forward to what the new year will bring and sharing it with you!

Eco-Students at Rest

Our weekly check-in from Jody in the Pufuri Region of South Africa reveals that she was back-up guide for a 9-hour trek this week. This entailed having to carry many litres of water for the students (the load, thankfully, lessening as the water was consumed) through the bush in hot conditions. Jody commented the continual complaints from students throughout the ordeal were entertaining if not annoying, but in light of everything the experience was tough but well worth it. We are in the home stretch of Jody’s 3-month excursion through the African bush and everyone here in the home office eagerly await her return in November.

Elder at the Well

I’ve returned to my new “home”, Makuleke EcoTraining Camp in the Pufuri of South Africa. I’m in my second week and was really happy to find that there were four (4) other Americans in this class, and finally someone older than I am. I have been known as “Mama Mule” here and now I look forward to naming another elder for this tribe. I continue to be amazed at the daily encounters with wildlife here in the South African bush, learning ever more (there is never a dull moment!), and prepping for the final tests next week. My confidence level has risen and I’m often surprising myself when my brain responds with correct answers of complex anthropology or geographic questions. Ah, if only I had known my calling when I was back in college. Well, the present is the present and it is clear that with strong intentions and will, I will reach my goals as the universe permits. I have been receiving texts from the home office re the news, but it all seems so distant when greeted with the sounds and smells of the ancients here in South Africa. Peace to you all and more news from Makuleke soon! Jody

National Geographic's Lost Eden

Got a call this morning from Jody – she’s now flown from South Africa into Mozambique and is headed towards the Gorongoza area, made famous recently by National Geographic’s “Lost Eden” documentary. Mozambique is truly the cutting edge of Safari travel, having only recently been reopened (previously civil war kept tourists away) and already becoming a spectacular example of how nature reclaims the devastation that war brings. We’re looking forward to receiving many new photographs and stories about traveling in Mozambique and hopefully can bring a group of adventurers there soon!

Jody Cole, EcoTraining Guide, Makuleke

Hello! I have heard from the traveling Jody Cole who has left Makuleke for a while and in the process had many colorful adventures. She rented a car which she drove from Northern Kruger down to Tanda Tula – a six-plus hour drive over rough roads through game. She was able to text a few encounters, including a drive through a herd of Cape Buffalo, and of course, driving through elephant scat along the way. We find Jody today in Sabi Sands, after a brief site visit of Tinga Camp. It was an amazing place and the description of the luxurious lodgings there certainly contrasted to her work at EcoTraining in Makuleke where getting up at 4am every morning in preparation for the days classes seemed exhausting and thrilling at the same time. Sabi Sands is only an hour’s drive from Tinga, and that is ‘not as the crow flies’, but due to the very slow speed one must maintain (approximately 20 mph) along the way. We are glad to be receiving more regular communications from Jody now, that is at least until she returns to Makuleke to prepare for the next class of EcoTraining Students in a few weeks. We look forward to more photos and fun facts very soon!