Our
Managers
 
Michael & Merle Bucknall
Both are from South Africa, where they spent their
lives on different paths before they met and married
in 1995. They share their passion of the wildlife and
the African bush; Merle has a deep connection to animals
and has cared for many injured animals before returning
them to the wild, where they belong.
Mike’s background is in the military. When he
retired from the military he opened his own company
specializing in Corporate Development, 4 x 4 training
and conducted Safaris into Africa. Mike accepted the
challenge to spend one year in Sudan building Camps
for the AU Troops, possibly the biggest challenge of
his career!
Merle’s passion is catering she loves the challenge
of producing cuisine in the Bush. Merle ran the “bush”
kitchens when they took clients out on safaris into
Africa, there is nothing nicer that a roast in the pot
under the stars in Africa! She also used to organize
team-building dinners in the bush for corporate companies,
which used to be in great demand, once organized a banquet
in Swaziland for a large corporate company from Japan
for 1000 guests including the King of Swaziland, this
was shown on CNN. Her passion with food has taken her
to many interesting, unusual places. Merle’s way
of thinking with food is most foods we eat are not invented;
they evolve!
Mike & Merle owned the very popular Bagdad Pub
and Country Restaurant in Whiteriver, South Africa.
They were the original organizers of the “Pub
Run” between Nelspruit and Whiteriver, which was
very successful and popular. They took the opportunity
to work in Bulgaria for two years before joining us
in Kafunta.
Both Mike & Merle have a life-long passion for
nature; they love traveling and bush camping. Mike is
a very keen photographer especially when it comes to
wild dog.
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