| Written by: Peter-John Mitrovich, CEO Grosvenor Tours |
Sometimes there are moments you feel the need to reset your mind, body and soul.
It took a couple of hours and spare minutes to fly from Cape Town to Hoedspruit Airport. The Mpumalanga province of South Africa is an area that can pride itself for being home to some of the most sensational accommodation experiences. My visit was focussed on the newly-built 7 suite Monwana Safari Lodge located in the Thornybush Game Reserve.
The journey from the airport to the lodge was in the pure comfort of a luxury transfer that took approximately 40 minutes.
THE LODGE
Upon arrival, Monwana Safari Lodge lives up to its slogan, COMING HOME – a friendly welcome with a sincere sense of hospitality. Right away, the architecture captivates your attention. A ribbed wooden pathway leads you into an open volume dining room including a lounge and bar, with an extended terrace overlooking the waterhole. There is something about the calmness of the bushveld that sets a certain tone, pressing the rest button oh so perfectly.
With a captivated mind, I made my way to my room. I was privileged to have been given options on where to stay and eventually settled in a spacious suite with all of the comfort you can expect from a superior safari lodge. The owners spared no expense on the guests’ experience, but what impressed me the most was the sustainable design of the room. The evident consideration for the natural surroundings was wonderful to witness. The back of house technology allows for a comfortable experience, but it was the low impact on the environment which is cleverly mitigated that really caught my attention. This ethos of sustainability is threaded throughout the lodge ensuring that food waste is limited, the flow of recycled grey water moves into gardens, harvesting the sun through solar and as a result feeding energy into the lodge grid.
THE WILDLIFE
Over the next few days the visit at Monwana Safari Lodge grew into a natural bonding experience with a caring team. It harvested a true feeling of family. Every morning and afternoon we were entertained by the diversity and unknown theatre of Monwana Safari Lodge and the bushveld.
An evening wild dog hunt was something I have never experienced. The pack of dogs communicate with stealth precision and determination to hunt down an oblivious impala. Our ranger and tracker were completely in sync. Daniel, our ranger, had an admirable ability to anticipate the bushveld. He allowed time to slow down and we waited to see how (with patience) the wildlife around us evolved into something exciting. We were spoiled with a leopard kill, a cheetah, a playful couple of lion cubs, elephants rubbing shoulders with our vehicle and many more memorable moment. I felt Monwana Safari Lodge rubbed off on me too. When you’re on a night safari, remember to admire the starlit sky. Look up and seek the southern cross.
THE FOOD
The lodge’s breakfast, lunch and dinner are all joyful experiences. The menu offered an à la carte style of ordering, but breakfast was always complimented by a continental buffet. This boasted with fresh cut fruits, berries, muesli which had all the elements of perfection – slightly toasted, crunchy, with a hint of caramel. The lodge also has a fully-stocked cellar from which you can seek your perfect blend or single varietal to pair with lunch or dinner. The chef makes a big effort to prepare each meal showing off flavour while beautifully plated. There is a choice for dietary preferences.
SPECIAL GESTURES
The Monwana Safari Lodge team has combined experience and as a result, they elevate your stay with special and unique gestures. Coming from a morning walk along the riverbed below the lodge, you are welcomed with a smile. Someone waiting to wash your hands and serve champagne. When you return to your room in the evening, you’ll see personal and generous words left by housekeeping on your bathroom mirror. A turndown card with a small gift from the local community and a riverbed dinner with the Monwana Safari Lodge team making every effort to celebrate this meal under the stars. The generous check-in by random lodge staff making sure that I am having a good time and the calmness created at the blissful lodge spa.
This is what makes Monwana Safari Lodge home. A place where you prioritise selfcare, meet people that lift your spirit, a haven to rest your body and leave with your soul purposefully reset.
Thank you, Monwana, for being my home for a few days.
Important update: Since the 1st of July 2023, Monwana Game Lodge has joined the MORE Family Collection and will be incorporated into existing nad new MORE Family Collection promotions.
