WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Supplied

Designed and developed by Chris Sparks Architecture, with interiors by Savile Row, Fifty-Five Mjejane’s striking contemporary African aesthetic seamlessly integrates with the surrounding bush, creating a harmonious balance between modern elegance and its natural surroundings.

“The architecture of our lodge draws inspiration from the flora and fauna of the area as well as its historically Zulu architecture – staying true to the history of the land. The lodge pays homage to the original settlers of the land and their Zulu culture, without compromising on luxury,” says Amy Stanton-van Emmenis, owner of Fifty-Five Mjejane.

The self-catering 12-sleeper lodge is designed with luxury living and comfort in mind. The six master-style Indlus – Zulu-inspired beehive-shaped dwellings – offer a unique, comfortable, and light-filled living experience. Each suite boasts luxe bedding from Mungo, lavish bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers, and a private deck with unobstructed views of the indigenous bush and the Crocodile River.

Another spot that offers breathtaking views of the Crocodile River and the Kruger National Park beyond is the Indlulamithi Bar. The bar is protected from the late afternoon heat, making it ideal for enjoying sundowners. The Boma is also an excellent option for evening dining or star-gazing.

With a wide range of amenities, from a fitness centre and games room to an infinity pool, Fifty-Five Mjejane is perfect for family stays. The lodge also features a dedicated ranger and game vehicle, providing guests with a unique opportunity to observe the Big Five from their doorstep.

While this is a self-catering lodge, the on-site staff are available to assist with every need, from setting tables to lighting fires, ensuring a seamless and indulgent experience. | 55mjejane.co.za

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The post Redefining Luxury in the Heart of Kruger appeared first on Visi.

From a breathtaking Constantia retreat to an avant-garde Treehotel in Sweden, these treehouse-inspired homes and hideaways perfectly blend nature with innovative design.

These unique dwellings from the VISI Archives showcase the harmonious union of nature and creativity, providing tranquil retreats that celebrate the beauty of the natural world.

Tree House Constantia by Malan Vorster

It was time for a change, decided Graham Paarman after a few years of living in a loft apartment above the test kitchen from where the Ina Paarman empire was built. Graham is Ina’s son and business partner.

He initially wanted a treehouse, but after consulting with Malan Vorster architects Graham settled on something along the lines of a tree-inspired house on the slopes of the family’s Constantiaberg estate.

“The design process evolved to architectualise the essence of treehouses,” says architect Pieter Malan, “using lightweight materials to suspend a shelter between tree trunks and branches.”

The exterior curves and vertical cladding clearly evoke a reedy copse or a set of tree trunks, but when you step inside the house the effect is breathtakingly reversed: Instead of a man-made tree at the edge of a clearing you are in a man-made clearing set among the trees.

The house is built primarily from Western red cedar, a beetle-resistant wood that, if left untreated, weathers naturally to acquire a soft, warm patina. Criss-crossing beams and wooden panelling combine with the exterior cladding to give the interior a filigreed sense of detail.

Read the full story on the Treehouse-inspired Constantia home.

Melozhori Treehouse

Once you arrive at Melozhori, guests park their cars because only walking or cycling is allowed on the reserve. No need to panic though, there are no predators on site, only friendly Giraffes, flamboyant Ostriches and herds of Sables, Nyalas and Impalas.

“We wanted to develop a low-footprint reserve where guests can be immersed in nature but still have complete privacy,” explains Reserve Manager Lientjie Nell. “The Treehouse idea started to take shape when we decided to add one more final product offering to our reserve. We started looking at secluded and beautiful areas on the reserve and when we decided on the valley the idea just developed from there.”

The owners of Melozhori have a big love for nature and the conservation of our natural wildlife for future generations. With no previous farming experience, the Bhorat family has turned an undeveloped and overgrazed piece of land into a successful game reserve. With care and consideration to historically occurring species, the game was gradually introduced and today the 19 different mammal species and 131 identified birds bear testimony to the patience and long-term vision needed for conservation to be meaningful. 

Read the full story on the Melozhori Treehouse.

Timbavati Lodge Treehouse

It’s a new way to experience the drama and majesty of the bushveld: enclosed by enormous marula trees in the Timbavati private concession in the Kruger National Park, a night in the &Beyond Ngala Tree House is designed to tickle the senses. As architect Jack Alexander for Fox Browne Creative explains, “We wanted the structure to have a light footprint, with as little impact on the natural landscape and local wildlife as possible.”

The result is a unique hideaway consisting of five vertically linked platforms, wrapped in an Escher-like series of staircases and landings that connect to a prefabricated 12-metre-tall steel core frame. Hardwood timber shiplap cladding inside and out counters the modern feel of the glass and steel, and lends the tree house a natural, more handcrafted feel. “We also clad the structure in a series of timber latte which, like the mopani poles of the ‘boma’ fence around the whole structure, were responsibly harvested from the surrounding area,” says Jack.

Read the full story on the Timbavati Lodge Treehouse.

The Treehotel

Inspired by the film The Tree Lover, by Jonas Selberg Augustsen, the Treehotel is located in Harads, near the Lule river, in Sweden, about 100 km from Luleå airport. The movie is “a tale of three men from the city who want to go back to their roots by building a tree house together,” explains the site. “The Tree Lover is a philosophical story about the significance of trees for us human beings.”

The village has a population of about 600 and features a restaurant, shop and guest house, Britta’s Pensionat (or guesthouse), Britta Jonsson Lindvall being a co-founder of the Treehotel with her husband Kent.

Together with some of Scandinavia’s leading architects, the pair created seven bespoke, design-forward “treerooms”, suspended four to six metres above ground and surrounded by the forest’s canopies with spectacular views of the Lule River. An important aspect was to make a minimal impact on the environment, which meant trying to find sustainable construction and energy solutions.

Read the full story on the Treehotel.

Nay Palad Bird Nest

The bird’s nest, which is elevated above the trees alongside a river in the Laikipia region (known for its safari lodges and camps) features panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Natural and raw materials were used to construct the nest, including farmed wood and tree branches woven together by members of the local community. While the nest has been designed for two, it is able to accommodate a family or guests keen to sleep out on the top deck. 

Nay Palad collaborated on the Bird Nest with conservationist Jochen Zeitz, the founder of Segera Retreat. Another good friend, Daniel Pouzet, the architect behind Nay Palad Hideaway, created the Bird Nest’s one-of-a-kind design.

Read the full story on the Bird Nest.

George Clarke’s Treehouse

There was no doubt in my mind that my friend William Hardie, a talented master craftsman and designer, was the right person for this project. Apart from incredible workmanship, he brings remarkable conceptual elements to the design process. Our creative ramblings led to some wacky and wild ideas but although this process is key – and great fun – it has to work in tandem with practicalities. The location, for example, was challenging: a wooded site sloping steeply down to a small flood plain and a river with trees not structurally strong enough to support a treehouse.

We needed the technical expertise of a structural engineer. Our plan was to use sturdy oak posts, securely anchored to the ground, as supports. The posts would need cross-bracing with the vertical struts supporting the building; and the struts would occasionally be underwater as the site suffers from seasonal flooding.

This was no whimsical treehouse; it had to have serious design credibility as well as work with the topography, the climate and the accessibility requirements of people with disabilities.

Read the full story on George Clarke’s Treehouse.

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The post 6 Treehouse-Inspired Homes and Hideaways appeared first on Visi.

A beloved Kruger resort received a contemporary makeover that exudes classic safari charm with a modern edge.

Thornybush Game Lodge underwent a top-to-toe refurbishment that took a seven-week closure and a decor overhaul by Caline Williams-Wynn and the designers at Artichoke. Bringing the outside in, the team placed a large emphasis on textures and tones, from wood, steel and leather to rattan, all highlighted by neutral pops of colour like charcoal, saffron and green – the visual palate of a safari holiday.

“The new look for Thornybush Game Lodge is all about what the guests can see and touch. It’s all in the detail but at the same time not minimising all the comforts required for a 5-star Lodge. The colour palette has longevity and is classic” says Williams-Wynn. 

Another task for the team was to minimalise clutter and pare back the style of the lodge, creating a spacious feel, that places more emphasis on the experience and being in nature. Offering 16 luxury suites, the lodge aims to bring a 5-star quality to being in the bush. “Thornybush Game Lodge has been reimagined but yet still preserving its legendary charm and history. As a result, it will continue to make it a favourite South African Lodge because of the hospitality, staff and amazing game-viewing experiences” says Melanie Parker – Head of Operations at Thornybush. 

An introduction to a library to the lodge adds sophisticated flair to the communal spaces, where guests can relax and have private events in an area with a beautifully curated wall of artefacts and art pieces that tell the story and history of Game Lodge and the Kruger National Park. 

“We aim to nurture the guests’ curiosity about the flora and fauna of the area. The guests are encouraged to rifle through the library cupboards exploring specimens that have been collected in the Thornybush area and read the factual and fascinating information that the Thornybush head guides have written about each specimen on the tags provided” says curator Gina Waldman of Waldman Studios. “This experience is very different from viewing live animals in the wild. It’s rather exciting to pick up a giraffe bone and feel the weight of this or look at how thick a giraffe tail hair actually is up close enhancing the game viewing experience. The idea is that the collection will be a growing library and will evolve yearly as the guides find more exciting items and can be enjoyed by all for generations to come,” adds Waldman. 

The pool area has also been increased in size offering guests more opportunities to lounge and soak in the Kruger sunshine. The bar area has had a make-over, with the bar counter sporting a beautiful tiled front, the perfect spot to enjoy a post-game drive G & T or a nightcap. Guests will also notice new decks and flooring throughout. 

“Thornybush strives to continually improve the way we operate and to be aware of our impact on our surrounding areas and communities. A major focus of the refurbishment was to make Game Lodge more sustainable. This has been made possible by the implementation of our own solar plant at Game Lodge which distributes power to this lodge and Saseka Tented Camp and there are plans in place to get more of our lodges, including Simbambili in the Sabi Sands, onto solar to further reduce our carbon footprint across the Group” adds Parker. 

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A romantic, off-the-grid platform house offers the ultimate bush adventure – a luxurious yet exposed night in the wilderness.

It’s a new way to experience the drama and majesty of the bushveld: enclosed by enormous marula trees in the Timbavati private concession in the Kruger National Park, a night in the &Beyond Ngala Tree House is designed to tickle the senses. As architect Jack Alexander for Fox Browne Creative explains, “We wanted the structure to have a light footprint, with as little impact on the natural landscape and local wildlife as possible.”

The result is a unique hideaway consisting of five vertically linked platforms, wrapped in an Escher-like series of staircases and landings that connect to a prefabricated 12-metre-tall steel core frame. Hardwood timber shiplap cladding inside and out counters the modern feel of the glass and steel, and lends the tree house a natural, more handcrafted feel. “We also clad the structure in a series of timber latte which, like the mopani poles of the ‘boma’ fence around the whole structure, were responsibly harvested from the surrounding area,” says Jack.

The pattern for the latte is not dissimilar from that of branches that have fallen naturally to the forest floor over time. They form a series of web-like layers over the entire structure, which have the additional important function of working as a balustrade for the five staircases that wind their way around the tree house.

This low-impact, high-drama wilderness retreat features a choice of two sleeping areas: an enclosed bedroom with a king-sized bed, mosquito net and bathroom on the third level, or an elevated sleep-out platform set beneath a retractable awning on the roof.

Stepping up from the shade of the trees, guests climb 52 steps up through the leafy canopy to reach the rooftop – and breathtaking views of the Ngala Private Game Reserve. “Reminiscent of the effect of climbing a tree as a child, the density of these ‘branches’ decreases as you ascend level by level – so as you climb the stairs, the views become more open, and the experience of being in touch (almost literally) with your natural surroundings intensifies, until it reaches a crescendo at the very top,” says Jack. “The tree house puts guests quite literally within touching distance of the spectacular diversity of wildlife that moves through the surrounding wilderness, including white lion, wild dog, elephant and buffalo herds, leopard and white rhino.”

“At less than 25 square metres, each level offers a different aspect of the sleep-out experience,” adds Fox Browne Creative co-owner Chris Browne, who directed the interiors. “The ground floor comprises a personal bar and kitchenette, and there’s a ‘loo with a view’ at mezzanine level. One level up sees an indoor/outdoor shower and vanity, while the third floor houses a fully glazed bedroom (with a pull-out bed for kids).”

The uppermost rooftop viewing deck is the hero of the experience, and includes an embroidered daybed that easily converts into a bed for sleeping under the stars in maximum safety and comfort. If rain and thunder threaten, guests can retreat to the weatherproof lower level and a king-sized bed enclosed with a permanent mosquito net.

The interiors are intentionally pared down so as not to complicate the simplicity and serenity of this natural location. And, as is to be expected, the entire structure is self-sustained with off-grid technologies, including its own solar power supply, greywater collection system and “bio-rock” sanitation system. Best of all, once you’ve climbed all the way up, you’ll find snacks, drinks and a celebratory bottle of Champagne waiting for you in the custom dumbwaiter that is hoisted up to the rooftop.

For more information, visit andbeyond.com.

Looking for more architectural or travel inspiration? Take a look at the Sossusvlei Desert Lodge.

The post Timbavati Lodge Tree House appeared first on Visi.

“Even though I left Africa, Africa never left me.” Ever since moving to the States and a career on Wall Street in 1983, Julian Koski has dreamt of returning to the African bush some day.

Located in Thornybush Private Game Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park, Kubili House sits atop the largest water reservoir in the reserve. You really don’t need to leave – game viewing from under the Mies van der Rohe-inspired pergola is unmatched. It is here that I made my dream of a second home in Africa come true for my family.

Living in the materialism of New York City, one can often feel disconnected from humanity, and I didn’t want that for my children. I wanted to offer them a counterbalance to the gilded cage, to give them something I had growing up: a point of view that reminded them of what it is to be human, a connection with something real, wild and natural.

As a family, we have been fortunate to visit some of the most beautiful places in the world, including some of Africa’s finest reserves and lodges. Although the experiences were each amazing in their own way, there was always something missing. We wanted to slow down the experience, to have time to absorb and reflect without being hurried to the next meal or game drive. Kubili House is designed with an unhurried pace in mind. Should you be inclined, you can stay a while, too: It’s designed to enable you to live and work comfortably for an extended period. In late June, when our summer holidays begin, my family packs for a three-month-long stay in the bush, and my wife and I manage to work remotely.

Building a house from scratch in pristine wilderness demanded a complex response, something more than the usual reinterpretation of colonial lodge architecture. I wanted to capture the timelessness of the landscape, the aura of legend and ancient African civilisations, to ensure that the property belonged. Architecture has long been a passion of mine, and I relished the opportunity to exercise my architectural ambitions. I’m South African and my wife Aida is part Arabic and part Brazilian, and our own heritage inspired me to merge northern and southern African design aesthetics.

We christened the house Kubili – “two” in Tsonga – in reference to our twins, Leo and Tess. But the house is in many ways about dualities. Conceived of two parts, it draws its characteristics from ancient and modern influences: Earthy, organic material is expressed in abstracted modernist-inspired forms. One part is a pergola with a floating roof, the other is its weighty, rocky, monolithic counterpart resembling Moorish/Moroccan/Zimbabwean-type ruins. They mirror each other across a rim-flow pool and koi ponds. For me, that’s the perfect marriage of a modernist architectural idea with something ancient.

We sought out interior designer Jacques Erasmus to carry out our vision inside. “It was really more about contextualising the interior vision of the owner than about decorating,” says Jacques. “We kept the interiors simple and understated. There’s so much going on texturally and so many layers that very little had to be done to enhance what was already there.”

Because of the scale of the rooms much of the furniture was custom-made, but there was no uniform approach. What Jacques describes as the “almost disparate materials and pieces” have helped to create a sense of the passage of time. Kubili house feels lived-in rather than decorated.

In the bathrooms, gently mysterious artworks by Andrew Putter from his African Hospitality series adorn the walls. They’re meticulously styled photographic portraits, fictional representations of actual European castaways of 17th- and 18th-century shipwrecks along the South African coast saved by Xhosa communities. In a way, these images are a key to Kubili House: a salvaged piece of the past recreated in the present that allows us to imagine the future differently. Ancient African ruins here find expression in modern form, an intervention in the landscape that is at once boldly ambitious and almost invisible.

For more information, visit kubilihouse.com.

Looking fore more architectural inspiration? Take a look at this Mpumalanga safari lodge.

The post Limpopo Lodge: Kubili House appeared first on Visi.

The recently refashioned Singita Sweni Lodge in a private concession in Kruger National Park offers anew African context for contemporary design.

Burrowed into the Sweni River bank, Singita Sweni Lodge is a place of quiet reflection, a luxurious cocoon from which to watch the activities in the placid river winding beneath it. The 13 000-hectare Singita concession in the Kruger National Park brims with wildlife, from the Big Five to scorpions and snakes. Crocodiles glide lazily through the water a stone’s throw from the safety of the heated lap pool at the lodge, elephants make their way down to the banks to drink, and there is always the expectation that a hippo will break the surface of the water and grace guests with its goggle-eyed presence.

For its recent revamp and expansion, lodge founder and CEO Luke Bailes turned to the talents of interior architects Cécile & Boyd to create a look that would continue the theme of integration between the First World offering and the wilderness in which the lodge is located.

READ MORE: Silvan Safari in Sabi Sand Game Reserve

The result is a design aesthetic that celebrates the African wild, taking its cue from the sights, smells, tastes and colour palette of the surrounding bush. Sheen is juxtaposed with matte, rough textures with smooth surfaces. And bright jewel hues, acid green and mustard yellow – imitating the markings of butterflies, scarab beetles and sunbirds – contrast with the colours of the foliage, sand, water and rock.

“The sites we work on are extraordinarily rich in inspiration,” says Geordi De Sousa Costa, partner and designer at Cécile & Boyd. “Each place is different, and our response to these differences is what shapes the designs. The trees, rocks, curves in the river bed, colours, patterns, stories of the area and even how the light falls all have a profound influence on the end product.”

A series of six luxury pod-like tree houses make up the accommodations in this peaceful place. A contemporary interpretation of bush architecture, each suite is designed as a glass box wrapped in a nest-like structure that references an eagle’s nest on a cliff.

READ MORE: Kubili House in Limpopo

“We pushed the lodge’s proximity to the river to the max in all aspects of the design, blurring the edges between built form and landscape, between pool and river, between glass and sky,” says Sally Tsiliyiannis of GAPP Architects. “Drawing on the richness of the lush river site, the architecture at Sweni has been given more: more length of building fronting the river, more pockets of deck space butting up against the dense vegetation, more attention to detailing, a more vibrant colour palette, and more textured finishes.”

The six suites are connected to the main lodge by wooden walkways constructed from Rhino Wood. Each of the pods treads lightly on the landscape, offering absolute privacy, attention to detail and luxury amenities that are bound to keep even the fussiest guests happy. Still, one has to take care to keep the glass patio doors shut to prevent invasion by curiously destructive vervet monkeys and the odd baboon. Despite the splendour, this is still a wild place filled with wild creatures.

Visit singita.com for more information.

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