Few & Far Luvhondo | Limpopo
Sarah and Jacob Dusek, visionary eco adventurers and founders of US luxury camping brand Under Canvas, have unveiled their latest hospitality venture — Few & Far’s first sustainable safari eco lodge. Set within UNESCO’s Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, Luvhondo features six Cliff Suites, offering a purpose-driven escape in a reserve that spans 100 000 hectares in the Soutpansberg Mountains.
Designed by South Africa’s Nicholas Plewman Architects with interiors by Ohkre Collective, they have created a space that champions sustainability and pays homage to its surroundings: the clay-coloured earth, citrine foliage and vivid blue skies of the region inspiring the colour palette. Dedicated to habitat restoration, biodiversity conservation and carbon management, the Cliff Suites are built entirely from locally sourced materials.
Handcrafted details are seen throughout, from wood decking to beams made of sustainably harvested eucalyptus, milled on-site. Natural textures, organic forms and abundant light reflect the beauty of the surrounding landscape, drawing guests closer to the wilderness beyond their suite. Here, staying isn’t only about witnessing nature, it’s about contributing to its preservation and renewal.
As a Verra Registered Carbon Project, the lodge spearheads a large-scale effort to regenerate the Soutpansberg Mountains, sequestering over 100 000 tons of carbon annually and creating thriving ecosystems that bolster local biodiversity.
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge | Kwazulu Natal
Described by many as a perfectly placed window into Africa’s soul, the lodge perched on a dramatic ridge overlooking the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa is a mindful escape into the beautiful KwaZulu-Natal bushland. Not surprisingly, nature served as the inspiration for this exclusive concession within the iconic Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, with purposefully minimalistic, yet refined architecture.
Led by Gerry Frencken of Durban based Frencken & Associates, the approach to the lodge’s design was holistic from the start. Its discreet presence in its surroundings comes from a neutral, earthy palette, locally sourced timber and stone with low, flat profiles that sit gently against the horizon. Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge’s design is shaped by people and place, culture and conservation, honouring both past and future.
Witklipfontein | Free State
Designed by Belgian brothers, Xavier and Damien Huyberechts, Witklipfontein is located on one of the original farms of the Vredefort Dome — a UNESCO World Heritage Site 30km outside of Parys, Free State. Using building techniques that are respectful of the environment and reinterpreting them in a contemporary way, the duo has built a villa that blends in beautifully with the surrounding 215 hectares of diverse plains, hills and dams.
However, the 10-sleeper self-catering destination boasts a whole lot more than just breathtaking scenery and tranquility. By subtly lifting the hill’s natural ground carpet, they tucked the house beneath it, creating a unique, sheltered retreat that marries traditional vernacular techniques with modern, minimalist design. They also utilised the local climate to their advantage, employing the principle of Thermal Mass to regulate temperatures throughout the year. This was achieved through thick, stone walls, earth walls (rammed earth, adobe and sandbag) and a green roof.
With its near cement-free construction, heat-regulating shutters, recycled granite floors, subterranean dome, natural swimming pool, wastewater treatment, solar water heating and photovoltaic power, the home feels alive — seamlessly integrated with its natural surroundings.
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge | Sabie Game Reserve, Greater Kruger
What makes this pioneering camp so compelling is its understated presence; a design that merges with the landscape rather than competing with it. The bushveld’s organic forms, sculptural lines and materials that mirror the landscape’s palette and textures are what shaped the lodge’s architectural language.
From the curves of a termite mound and the gentle meander of animal trails to textures found in bark, sand and stone. Rounded walls and ceilings reflect erosion and movement. At the same time, hand-carved furniture by Geoffrey Armstrong, often made from trees displaced by elephants and floodwater, reinforces the idea that the lodge is shaped by its environment.
Every detail is considered a sculptural gesture, making the lodge a masterpiece in its own right. Exterior surfaces are raw and unpolished, echoing earthy textures. In the luxury suites, original skylights ensure that nature is visible through the glazing.
Designed to honour its location, Earth Lodge was built on the foundation of sustainability, with minimal environmental impact. Solar power, grey-water recycling and low-energy lighting systems reduce the lodge’s ecological footprint, while natural ventilation, indigenous landscaping and thoughtful waste management reflect a broader philosophy of environmental responsibility.
Credits
Photography: Supplied, Jemma Wild
This article was originally published in the House & Garden September/October issue
