Living in South Africa offers the unhindered gift of nature on the doorstep, the freedom to visit the Bushveld as and when required. Unfortunately, since mid-March South Africa has been facing a national lockdown prohibiting nature lovers from hitting the road to unwind at their favourite luxury Bushveld breakaway. The national lockdown has posed many challenges for tourist destinations like Fifty Seven Waterberg, by imposing travel restrictions on international and national travel for recreational purposes. Anticipation is rife that by September local tourism will be allowed to operate again, offering a great opportunity for South Africans to breath in the fresh Bushveld air once more, with a true appreciation for our indigenous surrounds..
Fifty Seven Waterberg, based in the Welgevonden Nature Reserve, is one of South Africa’s finest luxury guest lodges. With just a three hours’ drive from Johannesburg the lodge is ready to share their panoramic views and quality contemporary living. Just before the world changed Fifty Seven Waterberg introduced five luxurious, yet understated suites, woven into the fabric of the bushveld. The architects were so struck by the beauty of the position they stated:
‘Our first impressions were of the landscape, the vision that lay before us; the trees, the bushveld, the layers of the Waterberg. We felt that the key to the concept here would be to respect the context and most importantly create a design where the suites almost disappear into the landscape.’
It seems contradictory that contemporary design and the use of modern and exquisite luxury furniture would blend so sympathetically into the natural environment. This has been achieved with the insightful use of pieces, which are elegant, uncluttered, clean and hand made with solid wood and natural materials, so that the objectives of context and respect have been tastefully achieved. Each luxury suite has its own private outlook onto the surrounding bushveld. All suites are elevated off ground enhancing the sense of freedom via openness and the opportunity to blend with nature. These stylish suites and furnishings don’t detract from the elegance of the surrounding nature. Because of the positioning of each private suite, once the retractable doors are completely open, fresh breezes beckon within the privacy of an individual suite, or in a private splash pool. And, each has comforting fireplaces for those crisp winter nights .
There is never a sense of being restricted by walls.
Quintin Wiehahn Managing Director expressed the philosophy of capturing the uniqueness, ‘we wanted to create an unparalleled experience – as conceivable to how nature intended it to be. This has been achieved in this luxury setting in the bushveld, without detracting from the delicate and vital essence of nature, no clutter just simple elegant lines. Something as special as the environment itself.’
One of the five idyllic suites, The Honeymoon Suite, overlooks a protected kloof and a wooded ridge frequented by klipspringers and occasionally visited by elephant. Here, one can recline in a private secluded pool, protected by a grand old majestic fig tree fashioned by the forces of nature. The desire of seeing wildlife in its unspoiled and natural setting is satisfied by early morning or sundowner game drives.
About Fifty Seven Waterberg
A luxury lodge in the ‘Big Five’ Welgevonden Game Reserve, a UNESCO declared Biosphere Reserve, this is an easy three hour drive from Johannesburg, with a choice of luxury contemporary or classic suites. This area is home to an impressive array of flora and fauna where the wildlife enthusiast can enjoy the added benefit of being located in a malaria-free zone.
