JHB West - April 22

No expense has been spared when it
comes to the furnishings and finishings
of this magnificent lodge and I was
fascinated to discover that Ballitobased,
award-winning designer Michele
Throssell was responsible for its look
and feel. It’s especially fitting as Michele
is the niece of the late Dr Ian Player.
An off-the-grid haven inspired by its
natural surroundings, the lodge boasts
seven luxury one-bedroom suites and
two family suites. The attention to detail
is remarkable and each element of the
decor is centred around the lodge’s
circle-shape architectural design.
The circle, chosen to represent the
unity of the Mthembu clan, has been
cleverly incorporated by way of the
soft curves and configurations of the
furniture, circular grass mats and baskets
(sourced by Michele in Zululand) and
semi-circle headboards.
Most certainly living up to its five-star
status, Mthembu offers everything
one would expect from a lodge of this
calibre, including magnificent food and
incredibly friendly and engaging staff.
Sundowners around the pool are a must
(with the barman, known as ‘The Doctor’
filling your glass before it’s even empty),
as are after-dinner drinks alongside the
roaring indoor fireplace.
Early morning wake-up calls are a treat
when you know there is freshly brewed
hot coffee, homemade rusks and an
enthusiastic and skilled game ranger
awaiting you at the main lodge area.
We were spoiled for choice with
animal sightings throughout our stay,
and had a particularly memorable
encounter with a young male lion
during one of the evening our game
drives. The birdlife is prolific and the
land itself is remarkable.
The mFulaWozi Wilderness private game
reserve represents an incredible ‘meeting of
minds’ between the owners and multiple
Zulu chiefs who agreed to unlock 16 000
hectares of bushveld, expanding the
footprint of the existing Hluhluwe/iMfolozi
park. Both Mthembu Lodge and its sister
lodge, Biyela, were also entirely built by
members of the surrounding communities.
Overall, this is an incredibly beautiful and
well-thought-out wilderness oasis and
the perfect place to relax, indulge and
reconnect with nature.
There’s a special until the end of April ...
pay for 3 nights, stay for 4 (R4500 instead
of R7500). Includes all meals, local drinks
and two game drives a day (excludes a
daily conservation fee).
Details: www.mfulawoziwilderness.
com/mthembu-lodge, 087-057-5966,
reservations@mfulawozi.com
Text: Leah Shone
April 2022 Get It Magazine 33
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