T
HE newly opened
luxury Mthembu
Lodge in the iMfolozi
Big Five game reserve
in KwaZulu Natal, is one
of two lodges recently
opened by the Mantis
Collection.
Lodge manager, David
Wilmington, says: “I see
the future of the lodge
being run by the
community, being
completely dependent on
the community, and having
a symbiotic relationship
with the community
members. As much as it
is for conservation and
increasing business, I see
the community side as the
most important – seeing it
being successful, drawing
people, not just to the
lodges and iMfolozi, but
to KZN.
“It will shine a new light
on this area that has
what everyone wants in a
holiday – mountains, game
drives, pristine beaches,
and luxury. And this aids
the whole environment, all
the different communities
and the income thereof.”
Mthembu is also in
the process of creating
a cultural village on the
property, which will provide
locals with jobs, and give
guests the opportunity to
experience a local ‘village’
setting, and browse
and purchase arts and
crafts created by local
craftsmen.
The lodge has
nine rooms that can
accommodate up to
22 people. Two of the
rooms are family villas
that can also be booked
as separate rooms, and
have doors that lead on
to a shared lounge and
kitchenette. One of the
villas has its own private
pool, and all rooms
overlook the bush.
En-suite bathrooms are
glass enclosed to maximise
the view, and have a bath,
shower and double basins.
There is also WiFi across
the whole lodge, to give
guests easy access.
The main lodge area
has a bar, lounge and
large dining area, with a
separate temperaturecontrolled wine room that
has a collection of South
African wines, including
the house wine – Bayede!
– which is endorsed by
King Goodwill Zwelithini
Kabhekuzulu, the reigning
king of the Zulu nation.
The lodge had a ‘soft’
opening in September
2018, and bookings
have fast gathered
pace, with domestic
travellers forming a large
percentage of guests.
The lodge has separate
rates for domestic and
international guests, says
co-manager, Christina
Walker.
Mthembu currently
offers morning and lateafternoon game drives, an
in-room spa experience,
and food and wine
pairings.
Mthembu Lodge to build cultural village for immersive experience
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