Architecturally striking, with it’s tall stone chimneys contrasting with thatched domed roofs, the design of this bush getaway was inspired by a traditional Zulu village cluster or umuzi with a central gathering place or cattle kraal inside the circle of huts.
This safari accommodation consists of domed beehive suites that ‘pay homage to the Mjejane community as it has strong Zulu origins,’ explains architect Chris Sparks, who turned the central courtyard into a beautifully landscaped bushveld space to give privacy to each indlu, or bedroom suite, that faces into it from the outer circle.
Today, the view from your elegant four-poster looks onto a forest of mature acacia trees underplanted with natural grasses that are particularly beautiful as they shimmer in the breeze.
In the bathrooms, curved walls of hand-packed stone give way to glass walls for an integrated and seamless transition outdoors, and all interior colours are deliberately calm and muted yet beautifully textured. The softest pure linen bedding and luxury fabrics are offset with locally commissioned works of art and beading.
Once through the umuzi, the transition to the living area and communal spaces that run along the entire 45m of river frontage is via a feature element which is best described as a grand Zimbabwe ruins-inspired silo, which quaintly does double duty as a guest loo with a towering ceiling! It’s an entrance feature that announces a series of generous spaces – on the right, a media or chill room, games room and gym with a view of the river, with steps down to the lowest level leading to the boma, pizza oven and pool.
From here the views extend across the river to the Kruger, especially beautiful as the river mists rise at dawn and when the sun streams in at sunset. Above the pool is a covered outdoor lounge, leading to an indoor living room with another conical ‘statement’ hearth open to both the dining and living area – ideal for winter nights. Beyond is the open-plan kitchen area with an equally large utility room and walk-in cold room.
Experience a chic, family friendly safari
For friends who enjoy cooking together, the slick kitchen makes this self-catering accommodation truly a dream.
Ceramics are all local (we have great talent in this country, after all!) and pod-shaped or patterned, beaded lampshades soften the contemporary space.
The lodge is luxurious yet homely, spacious yet cosy, elegant yet simple and exudes an air of barefoot luxury,’ says Chris Sparks ‘with subtle level changes to enhance the lodge’s connection to the landscape.’
For the interiors, the lodge owners worked with interior designer, Joanne Johnson of Savile Row Tailored Environments, who recently worked on refurbishments at Tswalu in the Kalahari as well as Mashatu Euphorbia Camp in the Northern Tuli in Botswana. As with all her projects, the inspiration for the raw, earthy palette and décor finishes came from the bushveld, the rough hide of a rhino and even traditional Zulu fashion elements, basket weaves and patterning.
And while the Big Five are out there, it’s likely to be the call of the fish eagle and grunts of the hippos in the water below that will stay with you forever. There’s nothing quite like the sounds of the bush and the rush of cool air after a sultry day mixed with the scent of paraffin or smoke from the boma fire to signal that it’s time to relax, take a deep breath and let go…