The South African tourism industry has received a welcome boost from an international group of companies investing an estimated R200m to develop and operate a new luxury lodge in the Nambiti Big 5 Private Game Reserve, outside Ladysmith (KZN).
Known as The Homestead, the new ‘conscious luxury’ lodge is currently under construction and scheduled to open in the last quarter of 2021.
The Homestead will be a low-impact lodge, sustainably built and set against the backdrop of the natural beauty of 23,000 acres of the Nambiti Private Game Reserve. It will offer an integrated experience that links together wildlife, history, traditions, wellness, community, food, culture and conservation.
The lodge will accommodate up to 24 guests in a combination of deluxe suites with private infinity pools and luxury units, combining privacy with breathtaking views across the reserve. The main lodge is designed to offer multi-sensory dining venues and experiences, conference facilities, a lavish spa, gym with a view and swimming pool that extends over the edge of the escarpment.
The Homestead is being developed on a site that is rich with history, dating back to 1838. During the Boer War, a young British Captain controversially fell in love with a Boer girl and built a home on this site. They were eventually accepted by her Boer family and The Homestead became a place where rivalries and weapons were put to one side and people came together in the spirit of peace, love and understanding. This rich history and the ethos will be at the centre of the guest experience at The Homestead.