Interview with Hennie de Clerk

— Lodge Manager Madikwe Safari Lodge —

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What is your name and how long have you been in the hospitality industry?

Hennie de Clerk Since 1995 – 29 years

What were your first impressions when you started working at Madikwe Safari Lodge?

What stood out for me was the space created in order for guests to enjoy free time and meals at different locations and it never feels cramped.

When you took over the management of Madikwe Safari Lodge, what to you personally was THE key element to making your lodge as good as it can be?

Staff training and motivation. You need the right team.

Management styles are varied. How would you describe yours?

Strict, but fair. Treat all others the way you want to be treated.

What was your biggest surprise that came with operating a lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve?

I worked in Madikwe 15 years ago and was surprised how the guest nationality dynamics here have changed. Madikwe was always well supported by the UK market, but visitors are now coming from all over the globe and seasonality have fallen away with tourists all year round.

What is your favorite animal in Madikwe?

The Cheeta. Especially the females with cubs

What is your happiest moment at Madikwe Safari Lodge?

Every day is a good day. Just to be here is a blessing.

What is your biggest daily challenge at Madikwe Safari Lodge?

Every day brings its own new challenges and the trick is to overcome them as a team. Building experience is what makes challenges easier and improving all the time.

What is your favorite food your kitchen makes?

The traditional boma remains my favorite as nothing beats the smell of an oxtail potjie or boerewors cooked on the fire.

Why do you do what you do? You have decided to spend your time operating a lodge in one of the most challenging environments on the planet, the African bush. Stuck in the middle of nowhere, day after day, months at a time, what drives you to keep doing this?

I enjoy what I do, have been doing it for many years and are at my happiest in the African bush. It is challenging and very rewarding to see people from all over the world being grateful and amazed by the experiences we are able to offer them and to deliver them day after day.

What is your bush story? Everyone who works at a lodge has a bush story that either nobody believes or which cracks everyone up. What is yours?

One experience I will never forget in Madikwe was when I crawled under a room deck to look for a water pipe leak, and was met by a black mamba raised up, staring me in the face. I was lucky it did not strike and allowed me to slowly retreat.

What is your personal favorite thing about Madikwe Safari Lodge?

The main pool area with the waterhole in front of it. This is a feature not many lodges offer and the guest enjoy the space to relax and have lunch next to the pool with animals coming to drink water throughout the day.

Thinking back, what are some of the most memorable moments with guests that you have had in the past?

For me most memorable and rewarding are guests that return year after year. With so many lodges out there and exotic destinations across the world, they choose the same destination every year which shows us that we are doing something right.
Also the pre-dinner drinks around the fire at a bush dinner or G&T’s with the red Madikwe sun setting on the horizon, creates wonderful memories every time.

What has operating in the bush taught you?

Always be aware of your environment and ensure that everybody operates in a manner that is safe and responsible. We might create all the luxury your heart desires, but ultimately, we are in nature and need to respect it.
PS. Always shake out your shoes before putting them on.

Final question, what is your favorite thing about Madikwe Game Reserve?

The sheer size of the reserve and the fact that guides can offer guests multiple experiences by traveling to different areas within the Madikwe Reserve.

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