Hi Guys
I know a lot of you remember and have had fantastic experiences with Jaco in the Sabi Sands. As you all know he has left the Sabi Sands due to the great news that his wife Laurika is finally pregnant. I just put the phone down to him and he asked me to say "Hello All".
Jaco is still in the business and has some really interesting things to offer.
Jaco will be watching this post so for those of you who want to say "Hi" go for it.
Mark

Hi! Jaco......even though we have never met, the fodors community has made you a home-town hero!!! I have read many stories here regarding guests brilliant experiences on safari with you.

So, from a complete stranger- Congratulations!!!

Hari

Mark,

Is Jaco guiding at the moment? I may hv read a recent trip report of a fodorite meeting him in Botswana....

Hari

If I recall correctly, he had a lot of experience with leopards. I haven't been to the Sabi Sands in many years, but I think he was mentioned in some recent trip reports, so I'd like to congratulate him and his wife on her pregnancy (nice to have some kind words on this forum, instead of the silliness in some other threads).

Hari
He did meet a fellow fodorite in Botswana which I myself posted. He was on holiday and not guiding.

Mike
Jaco and I started the "Leopards of Simbambili" project together. While I was on the phone to him we spoke about the time we were on foot in the river trying to find Nyaleti and we did find her not more than 3 feet from our noses.

Jaco,

My fond memories of you, your exuberance, and exceptional tracking skills are from Selinda, where we were both in the role of guest.

Your tales around the campfire and dinner table were hilarious, as well as insightful. I enjoyed meeting you and sharing a safari with you 100%!

Hope Laurika is feeling well and that your new addition enjoys the stuffed wild dog she purchased at Zib.

Best wishes and when you start guiding or managing or both again, email me at
[email protected].

Hi Jaco,

Greetings from the 6 belgians you drove around at Simbambili in May 2005.
Congratulations ! to both you and Laurika.
You gave my parents , my brother and his wife and my husband and myself the best leopard safari memories ever !
Laurika went with us on safari one morning when we went out looking for the 2 little cubs of Saseke which we did find after following her into the riverbed.(the cubs hadn't been seen before )
And now you will have a little 'cub' of your own !
All the best ! FANTASTIES !!!!

Hi Guys
Jaco is away guiding in Kruger until Wednesday but I have just put the phone down to Laurika and I read her all the posts.
Laurika says "Thank you all so much"
Mark

Hi Guys,
Jaco is currently working with us here in Joburg. We have had to take him out of the bush he loves so much but not to worry, we'll send him back where he belongs as soon as possible.
Regards
Leonard

Hi there everyone,
First of all, thank you for all the well wishes extended to us and our unborn daughter. Laurika is now approx 4.5 months pregnant and yes, Hilde I cannot wait for our little " leopard cub " to be born. A big thank also for making us realize that there are fantastic people out there that go on safari and that we have had the privilege of forging life long friendships in the bush. Hari and thit cho, thank you for your kind words. I hope that I can one day extend my personal thanks if we bump into each other someday, somewhere on safari in Africa. Lynn, I have started guiding allready and will mail you shortly. Had the fortune of seeing a leopard, 5 loins hunting zebra, and 8 white rhinos on foot !!!! Mind blowing experience as it all happened in 4 hours. Definite luck of the draw. Enjoyed your company immensely in Bots. and your humour there and on the forum. Hilde, unfortunately nly 1 of the cubs we saw, survived and is now independand of Saseke. She is called Salaeyche ( the 1 left behind. ) We suspect her brother was killed by lions as we saw tracks passing through the "den" shortly after you left. Markus, we will hopefully see you shortly and a big thank you to you to !! Keep up the info and good humour on this forum everybody, as we can see the enthusiasm and passion that visiting Africa brings to all. ENJOY !!!!

Cheers for now

Jaco
Howzit boetie. I am sitting at Skukuza right now. Had good game viewing in Eland and Roan antelope. Could not beleive it. Also 2 prides of lions and followed a male leopard along the Sabi River yesterday afternoon. It has been hot here as in 41 degrees but today its only 25.
We will see you on Friday as discussed. I will phone you when I get back tomorrow.
Cheers

Jaco,

Where are you guiding at the moment? Which camp? Perhaps we cross paths at some point....have heard a lot thru this forum about your excellent guiding...

Hari

Mark, did you see the roan antelope and eland near Skukuza???? I thought they were further up north.

Hallo to everybody,
Hari, I am doing drives and walks at the moment at various lodges in the Mpumalanga province in SA. Contact me on my e-mail if you would like to chat more. Mark, we have been fortunate to see Eland before at Shipmountain close to P kop. Where did you see the Roan? It sounds amazing. A friend of mine saw a male Lion taking out 3 hyenas at Stevenson Hamilton memorial yesterday. The Lion then proceeded by eating one of the youngsters he killed while the rest of the clan was distress calling close by. Unbelievable stuff !!!!
Cheers for now
Jaco

WilmaW
Hi, I saw the Eland near Orpen Gate which did amaze me as I know they are supposed to be far up north and the Roan we saw near Talamati where I stayed the first night. The reason I moved down to Skukuza was because in 38 degrees C without a swimming pool and NO air-conditioning in the chalet it is pur hell on earth.

Jaco
I think I must lend you guys my video camera, serious.

Cheers