30 Years and Counting - Mabula Game Lodge Reimagined
MABULA GAME LODGE PRESS RELEASE
30 Years and Counting - Mabula Game Lodge Reimagined
What began as an audacious plan in 2019 has culminated in a complete transformation of one of South Africa's most-loved, family-friendly safari destinations. As it celebrates its 30th anniversary, Mabula Game Lodge has completed the final phase of its lodge-wide transformation with a spectacular new boma, terrace, and public areas to mark the occasion.
Set against a backdrop of the Waterberg mountains, Mabula has come a long way over the past three decades, growing to become a trusted eco-tourism brand that caters to the needs and interests of a wide range of travellers, many of them return guests.
Mabula Game Lodge has undergone numerous iterations over the years to evolve with the changing needs of customers, sustainability, and nature conservation. The latest transformation, representing an investment of over R35 million, has seen the property reinvent itself from its 1990s aesthetic to emerge as a sophisticated, contemporary safari destination.
Reimagined Spaces
The transformation began with the complete renovation of 51 lodge rooms and modernisation of the restaurant in 2020. Following the extensive enhancement of the entrance, reception, lounge and bar, the latest phase has focused on refashioning exceptional outdoor spaces, including a gorgeous terrace and an inspired boma venue — the first of its kind to bring innovation to the traditional safari lodge thatched structure and take it to the next level.
Award-winning Lowveld-based architect, Gerhard Jooste of Gerhard Jooste Architects & Design Studio, collaborated with the Mabula team to create an extraordinary open-air dining experience.
Gerhard says, "We created the outdoor dining space using organic shapes and earthy materials that integrate naturally with its surroundings."
The concept for the design centred on capturing the essence of dining in the African bush. The design features a central savannah plain scattered with reimagined trees — modern interpretations crafted from steel and clad with wood.
“These structures incorporate lighting elements,” he explains, noting that "the trees light up the space, which gives you that festive feeling."
The transformation features bronze columns and curved arches, arranged around a central fire pit for evening dining, that serve dual purposes as seating and serving areas. Seating up to 160 guests, the space combines modern African design with natural elements including timber decks that connect the welcome area to the bar.
A key design element involves angled walls that create a sense of openness. "We looked at [angling] some of the walls on the edges of the space so that it opens up from the ground upwards towards the African sky," Gerhard explains.
Elements in Harmony
In addition to the reimagined boma, a completely redesigned terrace now features a stunning water feature with recycling waterfalls and a pond that will house magnificent water lilies. An elegant bridge leads guests to the boma area connecting the two areas and creating an easy sense of flow for both staff and guests.
Following the success of transforming the rooms at Mabula, Esley Georgiou and her team from Effective Finishes were tasked with embellishing the décor and design of the revitalised public areas.
Esley says it was important to create a correlation between old and new - using layered and textured fabrics as well as décor elements to give it a stylish look and feel.
Mabula now offers relaxed areas of comfort and purpose, which blend seamlessly together, reflecting sophisticated, modern African luxury," says Esley.
Reflecting Africa's luminous night skies, creative lighting elements were chosen to weave throughout the lodge, creating a magical feel. The result is a natural harmony between the man-made and natural world.
The changes to Mabula also encompass the property's extensive recreational facilities, reflecting the lodge’s unique position as one of South Africa’s only “safari resorts”. The tennis court has been completely renovated, and the swimming pool area has been enhanced with elegant Bedouin shade structures replacing traditional umbrellas.
Conservation Meets Luxury
The lodge's transformation mirrors the evolution of the Greater Mabula Private Game Reserve itself, which has become a game-changing conservation area working alongside numerous conservation NGOs, including the Endangered Wildlife Trust and Mabula Ground Hornbill Project. Mabula’s exceptional biodiversity—including the Big Five, cheetah, wild dog, and over 300 bird species—elevates its status as a premier wildlife destination. The Reserve offers authentic experiences for guests to fully immersive themselves in heart of the wilderness with activities such as horseback safaris, guided bush walks, and eco adventure safaris.
The completion of this transformation positions Mabula Game Lodge at the forefront of luxury safari experiences in South Africa.
"It really does feel like we have come full circle. The new boma and terrace redefine the bush experience in South Africa and we can’t wait to share the latest changes with our guests," says the Head of Operations, Extraordinary Group, Wouter Pienaar. "We've refined the concept of safari, creating something that is relevant and new while honouring the unique character that has made Mabula so special for over thirty years."
For more information about the transformed Mabula Game Lodge please reach out to [email protected] or to make reservations, please contact [email protected].