You may have been to South Africa—and you may have been on an ultra-luxurious safari in “the bush”—but have you found yourself far from the crowds in a private villa? Surrounded by nature and carefully curated art and design items? Here Morukuru Family Madikwe shines.
Beyond the obvious hotel accommodation, the property offers something unique: a collection of three exclusive-use private safari villas (with splendid staff to take care of every need, like a private message or a wilderness picnic under the stars, no less). On over 18,000 private acres in the North West Province of South Africa, Morukuru Family Madikwe also offers the Madikwe Game Reserve, located just an hour charter flight away from Johannesburg.
Courtesy of Morukuru Family Madikwe.
Expertly-Design Accommodations
The Morukuru private concession offers three choices for where to sleep. First up is the Owner’s House, which melds contemporary European style with African flair. Think minimalist design imbued with elements of natural wood and stone, encouraging inside-outside living that’s perfect as you luxuriate and sprawl. Next is the River House—a luxury three-bedroom safari house that is perched on the banks of the main perennial Marico River, perfect for watching animals. Last but certainly not least, the newest of the trio—right over the mountain from its sister exclusive-use safari houses—is the Farm House. A five-bedroom homestead, it’s designed by the interior designer Janine Butter. Here, a warm respite is complete with a neutral palette and interesting bespoke Afro-chic accents.
Courtesy of Morukuru Family Madikwe.
An Art Collection at Morukuru Family Madikwe
The owners of Morukuru Family are avid art and design collectors, and have filled each space with carefully-curated elements to enjoy. Inside the Owner’s House, art from all over the country is seen, including craftwork by Solomon Omogboye, paintings by Leon Muller, a custom-designed leather chandelier by Highthorn, and a sculpture by Anton Momberg. In the River House, guests can find a custom-designed solid oak coffee table by Umdabu and a handmade beaded chandelier in mustard hues by Mash.T Design Studio. And at the Farm House, work by Teboho Makoatsa shines, as does another beaded chandelier by Mash.T Design Studio.
Courtesy of Morukuru Family Madikwe.
Luxury Rooted in Conservation and Philanthropy
“Going to the bush,” as they say in South Africa, is about seeing incredible wild animals up close and personal—but it is also a way to set a mindful foot into the influential realm of conservation. Morukuru Family follows the “low impact, high yield” principle of eco-tourism, causing minimal disturbance to the environment in its operations. By providing guests an opportunity to experience these special places, while contributing to their crucial protection, the company’s important concept is to involve people in conservation work or in community initiatives through immersive experiences. Madikwe is, for instance, home to elephants, Cape buffalos, black and white rhinos, and various antelope and predator species, like lions, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, and the critically endangered African wild dog. This is where Morukuru’s “Safaris with a Purpose” program was born, with animal relocation and tagging operations offered to guests, too.
How to Plan Your Trip
It is true that you go on a safari year-round, however choosing the exact time of year will influence what animals you will be able to see, and what kind of weather you will be glorying in. For Southern Africa, the dry season, May through October, is prime for game-viewing thrills, as the animals habitually congregate at watering holes for social and predatory reasons. However, in the wetter parts of the year, animals are giving birth and it is idyllic for bird watching.
There are often small bush planes to hop around, so first of all, packing light is sensible. A hat with a wide brim is likely the most important item to pack, as the sun is tenacious—but glorious. Wintertime requires a few comfortable layers. You will be happier on the early morning game drives, and for the evenings sitting around a bonfire. For summer, it can get rather warm, so think of light jackets, flip-flops, and natural fabrics. For bush walks, a boot with ankle support is always a good idea. Most lodges are well equipped with bug repellant, water bottles, sunscreens, and more, so save room in your bag for some handmade crafts to take home.
On a South African safari, the abundant variety is wondrous—besides the “big five,” which includes lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and African buffalo—including wild dogs, meerkats, giraffes, and cheetahs. Keep your eyes peeled.
Early mornings are when the bush is very active, as animals migrate, hunt, or stroll about looking for fun, so be prepared to rise before the sun and hop on a game drive. The African bush has its own rhythm—a meditation, if you will. Allow time away from schedules and deadlines comes with a reward, and the bush is the place to embrace exactly that. There will be a moment when you’re sitting under the stars, around the boma (a sort of fire pit), listening to the wilderness all around you. This will ineluctably render a reflection on our inch-perfect cycle of life.
Courtesy of Morukuru Family Madikwe.
