The internet challenge in the bush

Rapid technological development does not stop at the gates of a wildlife reserve in the middle of the African bush. Nowadays, access to internet in a five star lodge is an absolute "must". Also Rhulani’s guests enjoy a wireless connection with a download speed of 10mps, free of charge. This is just great, but, if you think about it, also a pity, and for us not quite as easy as you would think.

Quickly sending a few amazing photos from the bush, sharing impressions on Facebook with friends, or talking with your loved ones through What's App ... An unimaginable luxury has already become a commodity in the African bush. At Rhulani, our guests enjoy permanent connection not only in the common lodge areas, but also through individual routers in each guest chalet.

"What a pity", says Rolf Steiner, owner of Rhulani, a bit sad. "We have lost probably one of the last refuges where humans can really switch off from everyday stress and feel far away from civilization". With a speed ​​of 10mps it is now possible to download all your business e-mails. What was planned as a well-intentioned break and complete shutdown turns out to be another working day in the bush. "We had long discussions about whether internet access is inconsistent with our message of total harony with nature and absolute tranquility. As you know, Rhulani means ‘relax’", reminds us Rolf.

But the pressure and the costumer demands were greater. Social media and web browsing are now at the same level as brushing your teeth and must therefore be present. "What we still do not tolerate is that other guests are disturbed in their bush experience and recovery", says Gerda Kubirske, Rhulani’s Manager. This means, for example, that skype Meetings using speakers in the main areas or bringing tablets to an elegant dinner beside the bomafire are not tolerated. “It's not nice for the ambiance, when the warm, yellow glow of the fire is mixed with blue faces of guests who look into their tablets”, says Gerda.

City people often lose their nerves because of little things. That is not so at RhulaniRolf, Rhulani's owner

Internet access in the bush has various further difficulties. "Our search for a suitable provider is very complex, and even frustrating," says Rolf. “The worst part is that there is not a single product on the market, which would provide us with an unlimited access at a fixed monthly cost”. Thus, we have to manage the monthly use actively and reduce the speed for some download intensive internet services. In the future, this will certainly be resolved, but by now, the only available packages are via costly and restricted satellite signals.

Satellite connections are sometimes unstable and depend on the weather, which, however, has much improved lately. “In case of a failure, it is sometimes difficult to get immediate help”, says Gerda. "The worst part was when our last provider turned off the signal without warning, and it took us a month to get an installation with a new provider". This caused a major operational challenge as Rhulani's office is also attached to this internet connection.

However, as with many other unusual challenges in the bush, Rhulani could count on great understanding. Rhulani's guests accepted very kindly the fact that external factors impact in a different way than in a city hotel. And our staff handled the problems very calmly and objectively, and always found an alternative, so that the operation could go ahead. "For this calm and resilience of my employees I have utmost admiration," says Rolf. "City people often lose their nerves because of little things. That is not so at Rhulani".