Preparing for house guests staying longer than a few days…What are out mutual expectations?…

Over the years we’ve spent living in Marloth Park, one of the greatest joys has been sharing this extraordinary environment with friends who come to stay with us. There is something special about watching someone experience this place for the first time, seeing their reactions to wildlife wandering through the garden, or hearing the distant sounds of the bush at night. It never gets old for us, and it certainly never loses its magic for them.

Whenever friends visit, we make a point of ensuring their stay is their own, if they so chose. We don’t impose our lifestyle or routines. Instead, we offer options. Some guests are eager to do everything with us, while others prefer a bit more independence, and we’re perfectly comfortable with either approach.

We often invite them to join us for our usual outings, like weekend evenings at Jabula Lodge & Restaurant or the lively Tuesday Quiz Nights that so many locals and visitors enjoy. Dining out is always part of the experience, and we introduce our guests to some of our favorite nearby spots, including Amazing River View, Ngwenya Restaurant, and the delightful Phai Tong Thai Garden, tucked away on a nearby farm. Each offers something unique, and it’s always fun to see which becomes their favorite.

Of course, no visit would be complete without time spent in Kruger National Park. We always suggest a nighttime game drive, which includes a bush dinner in the wild. There is something indescribable about sitting under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of nature, while enjoying a beautifully prepared meal. Even though we’ve done it many times, we never tire of the experience, especially when sharing it with first-time visitors.

Early-morning half-day drives with a 5:00 am pickup are another highlight. The bush comes alive at that hour, and the anticipation of what might appear around the next bend is thrilling. Louise, who has arranged many of these outings for us over the years, always ensures we have knowledgeable guides who make the experience even more memorable.

Later during their stay, guests often join us on self-drive safaris. We show them some of our favorite routes and hidden gems so they can feel confident heading out on their own if they have a rental car. Unfortunately, due to insurance restrictions, we’re unable to let guests use our renatl vehicle, which makes renting a car the most practical option for many.

That’s precisely what our upcoming guests, Di and Peter, have chosen to do. We met them on a recent 47-night cruise, and they’ll be arriving on August 6, just 23 days from today. Since they have additional travel plans after their stay with us, including destinations we won’t be visiting as we prepare for our trip to Madagascar in early September, their renting a car made the most sense. Hiring drivers for multiple outings can become quite costly, and we were happy to help them sort through the options.

But long before our guests arrive, we begin preparing in ways that make their stay comfortable and easy. One of the first things we ask for is a list of their food preferences, particularly for breakfast and lunch. As we’ve mentioned in past posts, we typically don’t eat either, so our pantry looks quite different from what most people expect. Guests usually request items like juice, fresh fruit, cereals, yogurt, sandwich fixings, crisps, crackers, and bread products, all of which we’re happy to have on hand for them.

We also ask for a list of their preferred beverages, including soft drinks, mixers, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options. Many of these items are ordered through Takealot, which conveniently delivers right to the house.

We never charge our guests rent for staying with us. Instead, we simply ask that they cover the cost of the specific items we purchase on their behalf, as well as their meals when dining out and their share of any tours or guided drives. On evenings when we dine in together, we split the cost of groceries for those meals. It’s a simple system that has always worked well.

Calculating shared meal costs can occasionally be a bit tricky, especially when guests have independent plans on certain days, but we’ve always managed to keep things fair. If anything, we tend to err on the side of undercharging and absorb the difference ourselves. It has never been an issue, and we’ve always found our guests to be gracious and easygoing.

At home, they benefit from the wonderful care of Vusi and Zef, who clean the house five days a week and change bedding once weekly. This is included in our rent, but we do suggest that guests tip them at the end of their stay, as hosting adds to their workload.

Guests are also free to use the washer and line-dry their clothes in the garden. With the warm bushveld climate, laundry dries beautifully, although it can sometimes take a day or two. We keep detergent on hand, and since we typically do laundry on Saturdays, guests can easily plan around that.

With no dishwasher, we simply ask that guests handle their own dishes after breakfast and lunch and lend a hand in the evenings when we cook together. Our meals are intentionally simple, usually consisting of a protein, a starch for those who prefer it, and a fresh salad.

It’s all very easy, very relaxed, and entirely in keeping with the spirit of life here. In the end, it’s not about rules or routines. It’s about sharing this remarkable place, enjoying each other’s company, and creating memories that linger long after the visit has come to an end.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 14, 2016: