Nestled in the foothills of the Overberg Mountains, close to Bonnievale, you’ll find Melozhori Private Game Reserve, a predator free wilderness with a handful of exclusive-use accommodations.
I was invited to stay at The Lodge, a sophisticated four-bedroom exclusive use abode. While the drive from Cape Town in the pouring rain and the heavy fog conditions on Sir Lowry’s Pass were a bit hair-raising, the moment I drove through the gates at Melozhori, all my stress seemed to melt away.
Thank goodness I took along this elegant and super warm puffer from Queenspark. It kept me comfortably cozy throughout my trip.
On arrival at The Lodge we were greeted by our hosts, husband and wife team Lientjie and Coenraad Nel, who go to extreme lengths to carefully curate an easy, hassle-free home-from-home experience.
There are four bedrooms at The Lodge and a vast open-plan living area under a pitched, thatch roof. Individually crafted furniture and finishes are used throughout.
A tall, stacked stone clad fireplace looms on the one side, and a pair of ornamental chandeliers made with hundreds of pieces of cocoa sticks hangs above the a specially crafted dining table with a magnificent Blackwood top.
In the roomy, open-plan living areas, generously proportioned sofas are covered in natural fibre fabrics.
The bedrooms rooms at The Lodge are quite spectacular. Plush, yet invitingly comfortable, I loved the carefully considered decorative accents and that each room has its own enclosed fireplace.
How beautiful are these handwoven washing baskets by Mia Mélange? The stunning pendant cork light fitting by award-winning Cape Town based designer Laurie Wiid is simply breathtaking.
Each room, along with having a beautiful egg-shaped bath also features an indoor and outdoor shower.
The Lodge has sweeping vistas across the reserve, making it an ideal spot to enjoy sundowners while watching the African sunset. The pièce de résistance has to be the imaginatively located fire pit that’s essentially a chill-out area sunken into a rim-flow swimming pool.
In terms of laid-back activities, there are plenty to choose from. I’d recommend a game drive through the 2,300 hectares where you can observe the wild animals in a pristine environment. There are 38 species of game including: gemsbok, eland, kudu, red hartebeest, bushbuck, nyala and bontebok. You’ll definitely see the reserve’s friendly giraffe herd – typically up close.
Since there are no dangerous animals on the reserve, you’re free to hike and stroll at your leisure and enjoy the flor that make up the three biomes in the reserve, namely Fynbos, Renosterveld and succulent Karoo vegetation. You’ll also get to see some of the 129 bird species that circulate the area, including fish eagles, black eagles and Cape vultures.
The food at The Lodge is incredible.
Each meal, crafted by classically trained chef, Marthinus Erasmus, is created specifically to your personal wishes. Vegetarian, pescatarian or Vegan, your dietary preferences are taken seriously at Melozhori.
What I enjoyed most about The Lodge is that you don’t need to follow any itinerary. Everything is tailored around you. The watchword is freedom – whether you enjoy exploring and wish to keep active or prefer to settle into a more relaxed, guilt-free, do-nothing routine, the choice is entirely yours.
I also took this Parka from Queenspark along. The neutral colour works with everything and there’s a drawstring inside allowing you to shape the jacket. It’s stylish, warm and practical.
Melozhori is a place for tapping into nature’s healing power and getting that recharge you deserve.
The exclusive 4-bedroom en-suite Lodge at Melhozori Private Game Reserve is priced from R40,000.00 per night.
For reservations, email info@melozhori.co.za, call +27 (0)66 595 7823 or visit: www.melozhori.co.za
