If ever there was a suitable naming, Saseka has it. Meaning ‘beautiful’ in Tsonga, everything you see and experience, taste and remember from this magical lodge in the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve is just that. The décor, wildlife, staff, food and atmosphere are all truly, deeply beautiful. Might we say, completely unique too.
Altogether, Saseka Tented Camp is a unique bush getaway. Built on different levels – all elevated – and following a bend in the Monwana River, the main lodge and 9 tented suites of Saseka all have a sense of extraordinary space.
The tented suites are each a vast 200 square meters each, and exclusive-use Leadwood Villa – ideal for families or small groups seeking privacy – is even bigger.
Leadwood Villa also has a dedicated game-viewing vehicle and ranger-tracker team, and a private chef to conjure all your delectable meals.
Dinners are often served lantern-lit, under a canopy of stars in the white sand riverbed. But wherever you dine at Saseka, sounds of the bush are the background music, and the greens on your plate are freshly picked from the community garden project.
The lauded dream team of luxury lodge designers, Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, created Saseka to be sexy and enchanting. Influenced by the romantic narrative of tented camps from yesteryear, the suites have been re-imagined to smoothly blend nostalgia and contemporary design.
This is a luxury, bush immersion experience, with each safari hideaway having its own private sundeck, pool and outdoor shower. Inside is cool and air-conditioned and the colours reflect the palette of indigenous Lowveld flora and fauna. Look up and see local botanicals printed on the tented ceiling; look around and see hues of apple, sage and soft pink, ivory, green and grey – all reflecting the surrounding environment.
Then note the effortless blend of old and new, riempie and rattan, vibrant banana rockers and plain plantation chairs, ball-and-claw baths and furniture, and clouds of pale grey mosquito netting. Now imagine being right there, bathed in the dappled light of ancient, shady trees.
Escape to beautiful big Five accommodation
Request a tipple from your personal coordinator and game watch for the Big Five from your private deck. And there are twice daily game drives too.
Saseka only opened in early 2019, but repeat guests are plentiful already. It’s a special place with an energy that’s light and relaxed.
Where living is easy, leopards are prolific, staff are remarkable in their attention and warmth and everything, just everything, about the lodge is fresh and unlike anything seen before. Nirvana for nature lovers, bliss for wildlife enthusiasts, enchantment for photographers. All without even crossing the South African border.
Reviewed by Keri Harvey
Edited by Dawn Kennedy