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Under The African Stars
Shambala Private Game Reserve
Shambala is a Tibetan word meaning “Paradise on Earth”, and you’ll discover this paradise a mere 2½-hour drive or 45-minute helicopter ride from Johannesburg. Situated on 10 000ha in the Limpopo Province, Shambala Private Game Reserve is set under the watchful guardianship of the picturesque, malaria-free Waterberg mountains, home to various remarkable flora and fauna, including the Big Five.
The reserve has two exquisite lodges. The Zulu Camp is built in traditional Zulu style, with streams from the nearby river running through the camp. Your adventure starts as you stand on the deck overlooking the river, home to many animal species. The sound of birdcalls echoes across the water and in the late afternoon, you might hear the plaintive call of the fish eagle as the hippos return to wallow in the river.
The Nelson Mandela Villa, inspired by the friendship between Douw Steyn and the former president, is an exclusive and private paradise displaying understated luxury and reflecting the rich roots of tribal design.
Shambala Private Game Reserve offers guests various activities, including game drives, a spa, sunset cruises on the Douw Steyn Dam, bushwalks, stargazing, fishing and more.
shambalaprivategamereserve.co.za
Rora Molori Safari
Molori Safari is said to be one of South Africa’s ultra-luxurious hideaways situated in the 75 000ha, malaria-free and game-rich Madikwe Game Reserve.
The lodge is South Africa’s fifth-largest Big Five game reserve, and also home to the Super Seven, which includes all Big Five species and cheetah and wild dog. An estimated 400 wild dogs still exist in South Africa, many thriving in the Madikwe habitat. The reserve is also home to some 350 recorded bird species. The open-air suites are distanced from one another to offer absolute privacy. All suites have floor-to-ceiling retractable glass walls, opening onto a private deck and swimming pool.
Highlights of the Molori Safari main lodge are the library and the many relaxation decks, including the reading and star decks, which also feature daybeds.
Guests can also enjoy the hide and whiskey bar. The hide features floor-to-ceiling glass doors overlooking the Dwarsberg mountain range and offers views overlooking the Molori waterhole, where you can view Madikwe wildlife up close. Adjacent to the hide, you can experience whisky and wine tastings while watching the wildlife walk by.
mFulaWozi Wilderness Private Game Reserve
Ultimate safari delight awaits in the heart of Zululand in KwaZulu-Natal, where mFulaWozi Wilderness Private Game Reserve stretches across 16 000ha of untouched African bushveld, 6 000ha of which have already been incorporated into the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa.
The reserve’s two new lodges, Biyela Lodge and Mthembu Lodge, were carefully built by hand by members of the local Mthembu and Biyela Zulu clans. All suites come with a private viewing deck where guests may immerse themselves in nature and the area’s rich history. Designed by architect Peter Whitehouse with interior design by Michelle Throsslle, both lodges are operated off the grid with solar power. Water is sourced locally and supplied via a filtration plant.
Biyela Lodge, named after local chief Biyela, a descendant of King Shaka, consists of 12 stand-alone luxury suites as an inviting and exclusive destination for couples, complete with private plunge pools.
The Mthembu Lodge on the embankment of the White iMfolozi River commands magnificent views and game watching from its seven luxury one-bedroom suites and two family villas.
Owner Barry Theunissen says mFulaWozi is more than a place for game viewing, dining and decor, it is also about a journey of purpose and creating a culture of mutual respect.
Lion Sands Game Reserve
In the heart of the bush, where the private Sabi Sand Game Reserve meets the Kruger National Park, you’ll find Lion Sands Game Reserve. Part of the More Family Collection, the reserve is home to four lodges and two private residences in the most picturesque setting.
Lion Sands is a private reserve rooted in both the Sabi Sand Game Reserve and Kruger National Park. The Sabie River forms a natural boundary between its two sides, and four waterside lodges provide the luxury safari bases. Ivory Lodge and River Lodge are on the Sabi side, and over on the Kruger side are Narina Lodge and Tinga Lodge. Lion Sands conserves 12 400ha of habitat, the natural animal populations include all of the Big Five, and the reserve is renowned for the quality of its leopard viewing.
Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa
Mhondoro is less than a 3-hour drive from Johannesburg and situated in the Welgevonden Game Reserve that stretches across 35 000ha of protected land. It is home to the Big Five and provides sanctuary to more than 50 different types of mammals, 2 000 plant species and 350 bird species.
It forms part of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve and is the ultimate “big sky” destination with unimpeded sunrises and sunsets over the surrounding mountains and valleys. The 5-star Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa is a fusion of African chic and edgy European design influences, decorated by the Dutch co-owner, interior designer Myriam Vogel.
The stargazing star deck, and a waterhole with underground hide, connected with the main lodge by a tunnel, are stand-out features.
Guided walks with trained game rangers are offered by special arrangement, providing an excellent chance of spotting endangered species in their natural environment. There are also numerous rare and unusual sightings, such as brown hyena, aardwolf, pangolin and aardvark – all best seen at night.
Tswalu Kalahari
Tswalu’s remote location in the southern Kalahari offers the ultimate off-the-beaten-track escape.
The scenic spectacular of the Korannaberg Mountains and the grassy, red dunes rippling away to the horizon make Tswalu the perfect sanctuary to experience time and space.
Tswalu is at the forefront of sustainable ecotourism in South Africa. Its low-impact, high-value approach to ecotourism ensures that revenue flows directly into its work to understand and conserve critical species within the Kalahari ecosystem. With only two camps, The Motse and Tarkuni, Tswalu accommodates just 30 people.
Project architect Adrian Davidson aspired to include more natural light while creating a more accessible and peaceful flow between the relaxation, dining and outdoor areas.
The rustic-chic thatched retreat, Tarkuni, includes a chef, housekeeper, safari guide and tracker, and exclusive use of a private vehicle. The magic of its richly interpretative game drives allows in-depth exploration of Tswalu’s diverse landscapes, tracking down some of the iconic species of the southern Kalahari, such as the black-maned lion, desert black rhino, pangolin and aardvark.
Elevated above a valley with wraparound views, Naledi (“star” in Tswana) is a new option for the adventurer who yearns to sleep beneath the southern Kalahari’s blanket of stars.
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