Uvongo Newsletter June 2022

“The waves of the sea help me get back to me.” We hope this is as true for you, our valued Shareholders, as it is for us, at Uvongo River Resort. There is an unmistaken healing that the ocean offers our souls, as if one stroll along the shore lifts the stress and worry of life from our shoulders. In its place, rest and restoration. The ocean always calls to us for well-deserved rest, and we hope your home-away-from-

home continues to call to you, too. The year 2022 is passing us by so quickly, but we’ll always find time to return to the wonder of the sea. Whether to build a sandcastle with family, enjoy an ice-cream on the pier or to soak up the sunset kissing the tide. Join us now as we trade a stroll along the shore, for a stroll through the pages of your latest Shareholder Newsletter.

Did you know? Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is home to a Cape Vulture colony of 100 breeding pairs. Visitors have the unique opportunity of being able to view these incredible creatures from the vulture-viewing hide. Cape Vultures are endemic to South Africa; they are classified as vulnerable as there are only approximately 8000 of them left in the wild. Oribi Gorge offers a safe haven for this species with cliffs and gorges where Cape Vultures love to nest. Guests interested in viewing these magnificent birds up-close can also stop by the Vulture Restaurant for a bite to eat, while taking advantage of the incredible photo opportunities.

Here’s what one TripAdvisor reviewer had to say about the experience:
“Vulture viewing - An African MIND BLOWING EXPERIENCE!! We have been extremely fortunate and had unreal experiences in the wild from Kenya - (Masai Mara), Namibia (Etosha), Botswana and Zimbabwe, but this experience at the Vulture Viewing Site was so extremely unexpected and absolutely incredible - SO WELL WORTH THE VISIT. Thank you, Andy, for taking the time and sharing your knowledge, insights, experiences and the journey of these special birds with us: you were incredible. Vultures in huge numbers are so graceful and elegant in flight, yet a bit "clumsy" on landing (albeit on cliff ledges). We were there for around four hours taking this all in – AMAZING. Thank you to you, the farmer and all contributors for your selfless dedication to their survival and conservation. - Kerri, Garth, Gavin, Rose & Bill”

For more information on the Vulture Viewing experience, get in touch with the Wild 5 Adventures Team on
082 566 7424 or info@wild5adventures.co.za

The Uvongo Team is always on the lookout for ways to create an even better home-away-from-home experience for you, our valued Shareholders. From caring touches to full-fledged projects, no stone is left unturned when it comes to maintaining your “Little Italy”.

Trampoline has moved to the front of the Resort, with new mats and steelwork.

Our Gardening Team have been busy updating the Reception and parking flowerbeds.

Fresh signage has been erected at the swimming pool, guard house and Reception.

All unit bedrooms received new curtains.

All unit bedrooms received new throws.

All unit bedrooms received new scatter cushions.

April 2022 Floods
During the extreme rainfall and severe flooding in April 2022, the Resort experienced excess water flow throughout the Resort grounds creating many areas that were flooded, fortunately mostly exterior areas.
Broken tree branches have since been cleared throughout the grounds.

Creating the Environment for

This motto rings loud and clear in the hearts of every Uvongo Team member. It guides our actions on a day-to-day basis, to ensure that every guest has the best possible stay, and leads our creative process, when crafting special holiday touches across the Resort. 2022 has been no different, here are all the ways we’ve created everlasting holiday memories with our guests:

Christmas

There’s something magical about the festive season and the Uvongo Team loves celebrating this holiday period with our guests. On check-in, guests were warmly welcomed by a train of wooden reindeer, while an ornamental tree and glittery decorations carried the merriment indoors at Reception. Children gathered around Santa’s mailbox to post their own Christmas letters and wishes. On the morning of, with a chuff of “ho, ho, ho”, guests were spoilt with caring gifts, cards and a few refreshments. The December holidays are always a special time at Uvongo and we simply adore sharing the festive season with our guests.

Valentine’s Day

Speaking of adoring our guests, in the blink of an eye the festive cheer morphed into red hearts and all things Cupid! Guests arriving to dedicate the weekend to love were happily surprised to see the red and white balloon display, along with heart banners at Reception. Guests sipped on some refreshments while being ushered to their rooms, where a dazzling towel display and scattering of hearts awaited them in their rooms. Each unit was gifted a jar of chocolate bonbons and sweeties, as the Uvongo Team’s sign of appreciation.

Special Occasions

There are more ways to create everlasting holiday memories than only celebrating special holidays; the Uvongo Team simply loves celebrating our guest’s special days, too! Our Team was approached by a lovely, kind-hearted guest who wanted to make her husband’s birthday at Uvongo unique. The Team rallied and decorated their unit and eagerly awaited the couple’s arrival. On finalising their check-in, the Uvongo Team broke into a melodious “Happy Birthday” tribute, and the guest was presented with a treats hamper. On another occasion, a bride’s sister got in touch to notify us that the bridal couple’s honeymoon was to be celebrated at Uvongo. With the sweet sister’s assistance, the Uvongo Team created a romantic setting in the guest’s room, finished with chocolates and a bottle of bubbly to celebrate their nuptials. They were pleasantly surprised!

WELCOME TO THE UVONGO TEAM

It is with great pleasure that we introduce Vivianne Sneddon to our valued Shareholders. Vivianne joined the Uvongo team in May 2022 as the new Resort Manager.
We would also like to introduce and welcome Hannes Dippenaar to the Uvongo team, as the new Maintenance Manager. Hannes joined the team in June 2022.
Make sure to stop and say 'Hi' to Vivienne and Hannes on your next Uvongo visit.

A beach holiday is always a blast, but there’s nothing more annoying than being unprepared for a day on the beach. Packing and prepping for the excursion can be a handful when you’re also juggling some rowdy children. Here’s Uvongo’s fool proof checklist so you won’t have to worry about sunburnt noses and sticky fingers, while trying to soak up the sunshine.

Sunscreen lotion for the first application; aerosol sunscreen for the beach Reapplying sunscreen on the beach can be a pain if you’re trying to keep your hands clean or don’t want to scratch yourself with the sand already clinging to you. Pack an aerosol version for quick and painless reapplication!

Flip-flops The sun bakes the shore all day. Avoid sensitive soles by packing some shoes to trudge back to the car in.

Sunglasses If you need to keep an eye on small children, be sure to bring your sunglasses along; the sun can be harsh and reflects off the sand and water.

Invest in a large tote or backpack Chairs, umbrellas, cooler boxes and kiddies all require our hands when heading to the beach. Avoid multiple trips to the car and carry all your small items in a comfy tote.

Keep cool Pack your cooler box full of freezer blocks to keep your water, cool drink and snacks cool. You can also freeze water balloons in a pinch and the kids will love playing with them once they’ve thawed.

Ziploc bags Keep your electronics in Ziploc bags to keep water and sand from damaging them.

Baby wipes These are great to keep in your beach tote to clean hands and faces of sticky sand, ice-cream or other messes.

Baby powder Apply baby powder to any areas of skin where sea sand still clings. This makes it easier to simply brush off!

We just had to squeeze in a moment of thanks to our wonderful guests, and valued Shareholders, for their kind words and glowing recommendations. Thank you from all of us at “Little Italy” on the coast.

Most enjoyable self-catering units, excellent security and service. Safe to let the kids just enjoy themselves. Been coming here for 9 years and they never disappoint!

Excellent place of stay. Have all the necessary needs for a self-catering facility. Also, their friendly helpers are there on a daily basis to clean and get you fresh towels. Highly recommended.

Great place to stay on the South Coast. Close to many beaches. Accommodation is very comfortable. The bedrooms have air-cons which help with the heat. There are also some activities to keep the kids occupied at the Resort.

What a joy and lovely stay! Staff was always friendly, customer service was excellent, housekeeping was professional and every day that we spent at the Resort was awesome. The rooms were in peak condition and modern. I could not be more impressed by the Resort. Will definitely recommend.

Tidy Towns
Recently launched Tidy Towns aims to restore the coastline from Shelly Beach to Margate and make this side of the sunny South Coast a tourism hotspot once more. The initiative aims at cleaning up the beaches, tidying walkways, repaving and planting greenery. The South Coast community loves getting involved and everyone from business-owners to individuals who live in the region are chipping in with their skills, donations or time to help get the stretch of South Coast that we call home glimmering once more.

We would like to thank the Tidy Towns teams and volunteers for the great work they are doing in the area.

You can keep tabs on their projects by joining their Facebook group here, or by getting in touch via their website: www.tidytowns.co.za

It will forever remain nostalgic to pack up the car, turn up the radio and play a competitive round of “I spy” with the family, en-route to a holiday destination. More important, however, is the snacks! Padkos is a must-have for any road trip, so why not try one of our latest fave treats for your next trip to Uvongo?

Italian Sugar Cookies
GET RECIPE

Chocolate Granola Bars
GET RECIPE

Read more about African Blessings and all their projects
Be part of the change. Join African Blessings on their journey to empower and uplift children in need.

Deposit and exchange your holiday on Options.
Get unbeatable last-minute Bonus Break bookings on Options from R1399. Exclusive to Shareholders.
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Buy or Sell Holidays on Univate Properties
Uni-Vate Properties (UVP), an affiliated partner of RHS and the RHS-Managed Resorts, is offering our valued Shareholders the opportunity to expand their Holiday Portfolio. Browse a wide range of holiday weeks available at a variety of destinations.
The possibilities for more precious moments and memorial experiences with family and friends is only a click away.
We look forward to creating more everlasting holiday memories with you!

VISIT THE UVP WEBSITE TODAY!

7 Night Kenya Package from ACT Travel
Leave thoughts of the State of Disaster and oh-so-stringent travel requirements in your rear view as you feast your senses on the sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences of this very special, unique, down-to-earth, all-embracing, tropical Kenyan destination.
Package Includes: Seven (7) Nights’ Accommodation, Return Flights from Johannesburg, Airport-hotel-airport transfers, Breakfast daily, Non-motorised watersports, Current airport taxes (subject to change)

FIND OUT MORE

Important Notices

Resort Calendars:
2022 | 2023

We would like to remind our valued Shareholders to kindly check and sign off on inventories upon arrival at your home-away-from-home unit. An inventory list is available in your unit; any discrepancies must please be reported at Reception.

Keep in Touch With Us

The past six months have offered so much: sunshine and laughter, a few new sun-kissed freckles, sea sand puddles at our feet and sea salt struck strands of hair. It has brought with it an array of everlasting holiday memories along the sunny South Coast, and we hope you have been blessed with the opportunity to visit us already this year, to share in this love of the sea.

Fret not if you haven’t, we’re sure the next six months will be just as blissful as the first. We look forward to welcoming you to your “Little Italy” along the South Coast, but until then, remember, “eternity begins and ends with the ocean's tides.” We look forward to an eternity of creating everlasting holiday memories with you.

Warmest Regards,