Excitement filled the air as the big day finally arrived! Friday marked the arrival of the prefab units, delivered and installed on their designated platforms. With the sun just peeking over the horizon, we waited at the gate, anticipation mounting as the truck slowly made its way towards our reserve. Upon entering, we encountered an obstacle—the immense truck proved too large to drive through the reserve. However, thanks to a dedicated and enthusiastic team, we cleared the path, determined to make way for the truck’s entry. Our objective was to preserve as many trees as possible, opting to trim branches rather than cut them down entirely. After three hours of clearing, the first unit finally reached its destination!
Then was the turn of the crane to do its job. Balancing the house delicately on its cables, before being meticulously lowered onto the awaiting platform. Hearts raced, and breaths were held, but the operation unfolded flawlessly. And at last the first unit was now in its rightful place.
The second trip to retrieve the remaining unit proved less challenging, as the road had already been cleared once before. Thus, after a long morning, the construction work could commence. Despite the houses being built in Pretoria, the builders still had to perform some final touches: painting touch-ups, building the veranda and decking area, and meticulously installing all the plumbing.
The work is not finished but I am already really excited with the first result. This long awaited and carefully planned project is finally coming out of the ground for real and it feels good! It has not been the easiest journey but if one thing is for sure is that I would not have it any other way. The Kamoka Camp is a way of re-thinking responsible holidays in South Africa and I cannot wait to see how it turns out!
“There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”
– Nelson Mandela –