Lush Private Lodge

Lush Private Lodge was established in 2016 and is located on a private concession, the Black Rhino Reserve, just a mere two-and-a-half-hour drive from Johannesburg. This boutique lodge comes with a stamp of luxury it can proudly call its own, a stamp setting the tone for a unique and unforgettable South African safari.

Lush Private Lodge’s sensibility is contemporary; its taste in décor, modern and minimalistic, its hospitality, Italian. Owned and operated by the Lupini family, the atmosphere and services of the lodge are deeply rooted in their tradition and closeness.

Built as a shepherd’s tree and situated between a hill and a plain, the location is sheltered from wind and the morning sun hugs the site in the greater malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park. Here, everything is covered in Kalahari and Lowveld fauna and flora as it is pinned on a stretch of land snugged and encircled by waves of African ground formed by a volcanic ring-dyke complex.

With all this local goodness comes touches of luxury that flaunts the Lupini family’s boutique tastes. Wine and beer are local and global and where it counts, Lush keeps things seasonal and close by. Dining is not an added feature but a quintessential part of the entire experience – made to order – using only the freshest ingredients and it is all best discovered in the chef’s signature dinner dishes and fireside barbeques.

Tuck in for the night under Africa’s diamond sprinkled sky and choose between one of the two Mountain-Facing Suites or the three Bush-Facing Suites. Views is where the difference ends, and every suite boasts top-notch features, space, earth-inspired interiors and local, proudly South African, design elements. All come with walkways leading through interspersed trees to private entrances with wide screen foldable windows opening to wilderness views. For your enjoyment and comfort, each Lush Private Lodge suite has an emperor-sized bed, a walk-in rain shower, air conditioning, a private splash pool and all the bells and whistles to make a stay in the bush hassle free.

When it comes to activities, Lush doesn’t skip the tiny details. Whether you prefer the action on the ground from a safari vehicle, on foot with guided bush walks, or in the tranquil sky from a hot air balloon, you are sure to spot the big five, 25 mammal species (some critically endangered) and some of the 350 different bird species. The conservation efforts of Lush Private Lodge are impressive, and through partnering with local sanctuaries, it is committed to saving animals threatened by poaching; other initiatives linked to the lodge include the Cheetah Project and Brown Hyena Project. Golf can also be arranged at the nearby championship Gary Player and Lost City golf courses at the impressive Sun City.

Even if you manage to consume all on offer at Lush Private Lodge, beyond the open gates there’s access to the public section of Pilansberg National Park, another opportunity to further increase the chances of you experiencing your very own unique stamp of South Africa.