Bhejane Game Reserve - An Extraordinary DISAPPOINTMENT

Nico Liebenberg
Oct 12, 2015
3 min read

Rainbow Gospel Radio presented a Story Tellers Competition and the main sponsor was Bhejane Game Reserve. The winner for the best story was Dr. Chris Pitzer and he claimed his prize from Bhejane Game Reserve during the week of 5 - 9 Ocober 2015.

Bhejane's Promise, as advertised on the Rainbow Gospel Radio webpage:

The PRIZE up for Grabs!! A Mid-Week Get-away for two people at Bhejane Game Reserve in the Groot River Valley, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Valued at R5 000.00. Includes accommodation, late breakfast and supper. The Prize does not include transport to and from Bhejane Game Reserve. (Bhejane approved this advertisement on Rainbow Gospel Radio's website, prior to publishing)

Dr. Chris Pitzer was very excited, because Philip Theunisen, the owner of Bhejane promised him via email that there will be a guide to inform Dr. Chris and his guests about all the herbs and plants of the region.

Philip Theunisen promised me that he will take very good care of Dr. Chris Pitzer and his guests.

When the group arrived at Bheyane, Philip didn't even bother to go outside to meet them. In fact, they didn't even get to see him until the group said their goodbyes after the four day stay. Philip's wife, Adriana went out to meet them when they arrived and handed the group over to a worker.

That was only the first disappointment in a whole series of disappointments to follow. • The chalets were dirty and Dr. Chris Pitzer had to fetch clean towels from another chalet. • The shower curtain is a make shift shade net.

• Dr. Chris was promised a chalet with a bathroom, but there was only a shower. • Dr. Chris and his guest received none of the promised meals and had to go to Willowmore and Steytlerville. • According to Dr. Chris the matrasses in the chalets are pure Africana, because it dates out of the time of Piet Retief.

• Dr. Chris and his guests went on a game trip by themselves (none of the promised game trips realized). The group didn't see any game and came across workers. Their answer to the question of what game can be viewed: "EVERYTHING, can't you see?" • There was no guide to inform Dr. Chris about the herbs and plants of the region. • In Willowmore and Steytlerville the people were more willing to assist in telling Dr. Chris about the herbs and plants of the region. • Dr. Chris feels sad that there was no communication with Bhejane at all. • The Bhejane experience was not what Dr. Chris Pitzer and his guests expected, but he still feels grateful for the time he could spend in the Karoo and he loved the landscape and people from Willomore and Steytlerville.

In reply to my email enquiry Adriana Theunisen answered: • We didn't promise any meals. • We know the chalets were not cleaned. When my worker arrived to clean the chalet at 9:30 the following morning they send her away and asked her to come at 11:30. • The shading nets in front of the showers are there for the bush theme. • Our overseas visitors have never complained before. • We didn't know he wanted a guide for the plants in the region.

Rainbow Gospel Radio broadcast worldwide and currently has listeners in 149 countries around the world. Question marks hang over the credibility and service of Bhejane Game Reserve and Rainbow Gospel Radio will think twice before recommending Bhejane Game Reserve to the numerous international enquiries we receive.