Welcome Beehive Lodge… the newest exclusive-use safari lodge overlooking the Crocodile River in Mjejane Private Game Reserve. Architecturally striking, with its tall stone chimneys contrasting with thatched domed roofs, its design was inspired by a traditional Zulu village cluster or umuzi with a central gathering place or cattle kraal inside the circle of huts. The new lodge’s domed beehive suites ‘pay homage to the Mjejane community as it has strong Zulu origins,’ explains architect Chris Sparks, who turned the central courtyard into a beautifully landscaped bushveld space to give privacy to each indlu or bedroom suite that faces into it from the outer circle. Today, the view from your elegant four-poster looks onto a forest of mature acacia trees underplanted with natural grasses that are particularly beautiful as they shimmer in the breeze. In the bathrooms, curved walls of hand-packed stone give way to glass walls for an integrated and seamless transition outdoors, and all interior colours are deliberately calm and muted yet beautifully textured. The softest pure linen bedding and luxury fabrics are offset with locally commissioned works of art and beading.
Once through the umuzi, the transition to the living area and communal spaces that run along the entire 45m of river frontage is via a feature element which is best described as a grand Zimbabwe ruins-inspired silo, which quaintly does double duty as a guest loo with a towering ceiling! It’s an entrance feature that announces a series of generous spaces – on the right, a media or chill room, games room and gym with a view of the river, with steps down to the lowest level leading to the boma, pizza oven and pool. From here the views extend across the river to the Kruger, especially beautiful as the river mists rise at dawn and when the sun streams in at sunset. Above the pool is a covered outdoor lounge, leading to an indoor living room with another conical ‘statement’ hearth open to both the dining and living area – ideal for winter nights. Beyond is the open-plan kitchen area with an equally large utility room and walk-in cold room. For friends who enjoy cooking together, this slick kitchen is a dream. Ceramics are all local (we have great talent in this country, after all!) and pod-shaped or patterned, beaded lampshades soften the contemporary space.
‘The lodge is luxurious yet homely, spacious yet cosy, elegant yet simple and exudes an air of barefoot luxury,’ says Chris Sparks ‘with subtle level changes to enhance the lodge’s connection to the landscape.’ For the interiors, the lodge owners worked with interior designer, Joanne Johnson of Savile Row Tailored Environments, who recently worked on refurbishments at Tswalu in the Kalahari as well as Mashatu Euphorbia Camp in the Northern Tuli in Botswana. As with all her projects, the inspiration for the raw, earthy palette and décor finishes came from the bushveld, the rough hide of a rhino and even traditional Zulu fashion elements, basket weaves and patterning.
As safari experiences go, Mjejane is one of the easiest to visit with family or friends and Beehive Lodge offers a luxury bush experience. And while the Big Five are out there, it’s likely to be the call of the fish eagle and grunts of the hippos in the water below that will stay with you forever. There’s nothing quite like the sounds of the bush and the rush of cool air after a sultry day mixed with the scent of paraffin or smoke from the boma fire to signal that it’s time to relax, take a deep breath and let go…
What we love!
• That the organic flow of the living area at Beehive Lodge echoes the river, with every deck, dining and chill space overlooking the water and the Kruger National Park beyond.
• It’s spacious, with a very generous and stylish media room and games area – excellent if spending extended time in the bush with a group of teens or cousins as they need their own space. Beehive Lodge lends itself really well to families with older children – with the gym for a good workout between game drives.
• Game drives are in your own private game vehicle on the Mjejane reserve (4 000ha) and are likely to keep you more than busy with excellent game viewing, besides the hippos in the river and other passing game that you’ll spot daily from the deck as there are no fences between the Kruger and Mjejane. Love the extensive bird checklist in each bedroom.
• You can combine golf with a safari: three golf courses are within easy reach – 20-45 minutes’ drive away, and Skukuza Golf Club is in the heart of the Kruger, a two-hour drive away.
• Staff are available to assist with lighting fires and meal prep, if requested. Pre-shopping is offered.
What you need to know…
• Each of the bedroom suites has a view into the wild ‘courtyard’ area, which is planted with mature thorn trees and long grasses that continually bob their heads in the breeze. There is no view of the river as each of the ‘beehives’ is placed in a circle behind the front living area of the lodge.
• Children are welcome at Beehive Lodge and there is a net pool cover. Two of the suites are interleading (but identical), ideal for families travelling with children.
• Connectivity is good and the wine bar and library can also be used for business meetings.
• Getting to Mjejane is best via the Kruger at the moment (with the benefit of game viewing on the way!) as the national road to Maputo is being tarred. The Perfect Hideaways team will advise with updates. The nearest airport is Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), usually a one-hour drive away. Transfers can be arranged.
• The lodge is next door to Ukuthula House, and the distance between the two is safe to walk as the area is fenced. This presents an excellent opportunity for multigenerational family gatherings in two lodges, side by side.