Joseph Vincent, supervising senior with the BaCo Group, recently enjoyed a wild Safari through the gorgeous South African plains. Accompanied by his father, they visited famous landmarks like the exotic Kruger National Park that shows the truly beautiful and deadly side of Africa. Kruger park is famous for having the “big five,” types of wild African animals: buffalos, elephants, leopards, rhinos and of course lions. Joseph and his dad traveled across the country for more than 2 weeks.

An added bonus to the breathtaking African landscape was the gourmet food the resorts provided which some of the most delicious food you can have on vacation. A variety of game was served, including ostrich steak which is cooked in a manner similar to a good filet mignon. Kudu, a type of African antelope, was also a popular menu item and is known to be the best tasting game meat you can eat in the world.

The lodging available also very luxurious. &Beyond lodging provides not only top quality service but the facilities provided are excellent and very safe giving you a safe view of the animals. Activities at the resorts include numerous safaris as well as swimming in their beautiful pool or enjoying the full service spa. Joe participated in a game drive where he was able to view wildlife from the safety of a truck. He also went on what was called a rhino notching safari, where he was able to safely watch trained professionals dart and chip a rhino for research purposes. This was his favorite because he had a once in a lifetime chance to see a rhino up close.

It is not easy to be out of the office for two full weeks as a senior accountant processional- but the BaCo Group makes a priority for its employees. Joseph echoed this by saying “Being able to spend completely uninterrupted time with my dad and in Africa was a highlight of my year and kept me refreshed. I am very thankful for the emphasis BaCo places on time away. So many firms don’t allow for time away, and that is what makes the BaCo Group special to me.”

Do you have employees in one of the 19 states that recently enacted minimum wage increases?  The minimum wage remained $7.25 per hour in the state of Texas, but Jan 1, 2017 marked the effective date of new rates for many states. Click here for a summary of the federal minimum wage, by state, as well as the effective dates.