Nestled in the rocky outcrop of the Gabbro hills, Mateya Safari Lodge offers a graceful fusion of relaxed comfort in a beautiful setting. Named for a great African Queen, Mateya Safari Lodge is a haven dedicated to luxury in the African bush. This five-star lodge is located in the Madikwe Reserve in the Northern part of South Africa on the border with Botswana. Set in South Africa’s malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Mateya Safari Lodge offers comfort and luxury from the moment you pass through its antique Zanzibari elephant doors. The thatch and timber lodge is arranged around a rocky outcrop, and its elevated position affords uninterrupted views of the surrounding Gabbro Hills.
Madikwe is a relatively new malaria-free game reserve, established in 1991. Madikwe is the largest private game reserve in South Africa and is home to an interesting mix of savannah animals and desert specialists. You have good chances of spotting Africa's Big 5, and Madikwe is one of the best places in the country to sight endangered African wild dog. The scene is breathtakingly beautiful, the game is plentiful, and the comfort is unsurpassed.
Luxurious Accommodation
The lodge accommodates a maximum of ten guests, with just five suites in total. Mateya Safari Lodge comprises just five large, individually designed suites, each with original African artworks, hand-crafted mahogany furniture, and luxurious furnishings. Suites overlook the nearby watering hole, and from your spacious deck, you can watch zebra stroll by as you recline in a comfortable sun lounger, enjoy sundowners, or take a dip in your private rim-flow pool. Each suite is matching with its natural surroundings and offers spectacular views of the waterhole and plains. Lying under the shade of the tree or immersing in the freshwater of one's rim-flow swimming pool, each feature of the suite provides total privacy and comfort.
The suites are arranged around one of the hills, each suite with a private, rim-flow pool deck and natural window sala overlooking the waterhole or surrounding plains. The suites are huge with enormous bathrooms, with double sinks and vanities, a double indoor shower as well as an outdoor shower and a huge soaking tub and Moulton Brown toiletries.
Exceptional Dining and Wine Selection
Only the finest homegrown ingredients are used to prepare the meals served, ready to delight the palate with a harmony of flavors and textures right to the African spirit. Dine in the glass-walled dining room or on the private pool deck of your suite while looking out over the spectacular African landscape. You can also sample the lodge’s delicious cuisine in the Mateya wine cellar, which offers a private and elegant setting for romantic dinners as well as an 8,000-bottle collection of local, international, and French wines. After dinner, treat yourself to a select brandy, cognac, or single malt whiskey before bed.
Read also: Safari Lodge in South Africa
A very unique feature here is an 8,000 bottle wine cellar which can accommodate special private dinners and the ‘Fire Core’ which serves as their boma for outdoor dinners.
Unforgettable Safari Experiences
Experienced game rangers and trackers take guests on exciting and adventurous safari drives and guided walking safaris. Morning, afternoon, and early evening game drives as well as guided walking excursions will ensure that you come away with great wildlife sightings and unforgettable memories of Southern Africa's great wilderness. Guests to the lodge have assured the thrill of encountering the Super 7 - Buffalo, Cheetah, Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Rhino (Black and White) and Wild Dog, in addition to which, the Reserve boasts among the best array of plains game on the continent and over 352 species of birds.
Additional Amenities and Services
Guests staying here can be treated to a full range of pleasurable and rejuvenating body treatments by a dedicated health therapist in the Health & Beauty Spa. One can enjoy a relaxing moment in the warm bubbles of the luxurious Jacuzzi at the wellness center. The opulent lounge is filled with antique furniture and beautiful art pieces from across the continent, while the well-stocked library has a collection of rare African literature dating back to the early 19 century. The history and grandeur of the lodge are combined with modern furnishings and beautiful views to deliver a comfortable and luxurious experience.
Getting There
Mateya & Madikwe Reserve is a mere three and a half hours drive from Johannesburg and 122 km from the Sun City Resort. And, if you don’t feel like flying, it is reachable by car from Joburg, a 3.5 to 4-hour drive. The Game Reserve features its private airstrip, and regular flights from Johannesburg make it readily available for guests.
Personalized Service and Attention to Detail
There are never more than 10 guests at the lodge, ensuring exclusivity, attention to detail, and warm, personal service. I loved all the small details such as locally handmade menu cards at dinner (nice enough to bring home as a souvenir!), the correct adaptor plugs in your room, china service even at breakfast and real milk in your minifridge for tea and coffee, and a safari story (‘Why the leopard has spots”) with a sweet at turndown. The food and drink were wonderful but it was the warm and genuine hospitality of the staff that truly made my stay here so enjoyable. Kudos to Werner and Christine and Michelle at front of house, and our guide Morne for great game viewing (wild dogs!) that all added up to a wonderful stay.
Read also: Safari Lodge in Zambia
We were blown away by the personalized service at Mateya. Everything from the rooms, to the service, the game drives, and the food was nothing short of outstanding. The safari went beyond our wildest imagination.
Read also: African Safari Outfits
Popular articles:
tags: #Africa
