rattan and cane, aged brass, khaki leather, hand-
printed fabrics and bespoke hand-woven cotton Coral
Stephens throws.
“We looked into the details of the natural sur-
rounds,” Michele says, “from the dappled sunlight
filtering through the trees to the patterns and textures
of river sand, bark, rich soil and, of course, plants and
animals.” Local designers such as Egg Designs, LUND
Rug Gallery and Coral Stephens add an importantelement of South African craft. A generous living space
leads outside to a stoep, ideal for a siesta after a fresh,
modern Ottolenghi-style lunch spread or a swim in the
deep private pool.
But it’s the spa-like, glass-walled bathroom that
truly encapsulates the tranquillity of the setting. A bold
floating vanity in striking rainforest-green marble
resembles a bird’s-eye view of the reserve, with rivers
snaking through it. Beyond the lodge’s extravagance
of space lies an even greater luxury: Guests have
access to 10 500 hectares of prime wilderness in the
less-crowded south-east of the reserve, and exclusive
traversing rights on parts of neighbouring Lion Sands
Game Reserve and the Charleston area.
Sightings of leopards, prides of lions, and big ele-
phant and buffalo herds are typical of the twice-daily
game drives. Back in camp, days are as relaxed or busy
as you wish. Africology spa treatments, cookery lessons
with the chefs, wine and cocktail tastings in the boma,
and post-indulgence workouts in the glass-walled gym
are all possibilities if you ever tire of the wildlife in Sabi
Sand Game Reserve.andbeyond.com/our-lodges
michelethrossell.co.za
plewmanarchitects.co.za“WE LOOKED INTO THE DETAILS OF THE SURROUNDS, FROM THE DAPPLED SUNLIGHT FILTERING THROUGH
THE TREES TO THE PATTERNS AND TEXTURES OF RIVER SAND,BARK AND, OF COURSE, PLANTS AND ANIMALS.”
115 visi.co.za JUNE/JULY 2019�ISI MPUMALANGA LODGE