Arrival/Check-in: The sun shone brightly as we wound along a dusty track through the vast bush of Madikwe Game Reserve. A jeep pulled up and the driver asked if we needed directions. Philip, who would be our game-drive guide, invited us to follow him to the Mateya gates. Minutes later we arrived at the ornate Zanzibari elephant doors and were welcomed with steaming towels, a cool drink, and friendly smiles. (30/30)
Guest Quarters: The lodge accommodates no more than ten guests in five luxurious thatched suites, each air-conditioned and crafted from local materials, furnished with carefully chosen African and European antiques. From our cottage at the end of a winding path we could see the distant Gabbro hills and elephants grazing just beyond the property fence. The bedroom featured a mahogany four-poster bed, while a large fireplace faced French doors that opened onto a rosewood sundeck and a private infinity pool. The spacious bathroom included a deep marble tub with veld views, and an adjoining indoor shower area with double showers led to a native bluestone outdoor shower where a bust of Queen Mateya overlooks the land. (30/30)
Amenities/Services: Each suite offers wireless internet, and the main building houses a business center. The lodge also provides a wellness center and a library of more than 3,000 volumes, including rare 19th-century African works. Dining options are varied: al fresco beside the watering hole as wildlife drifts in to drink, in the elegant paneled dining room, or downstairs in the atmospheric wine cellar surrounded by some 8,000 bottles of South African and French vintages. The core attraction is the game drives. Early mornings and late afternoons Philip and KK lead excursions focused on sightings of any of the Big Five guests request. At sunset drives often pause for cocktails and light snacks while guests take in the view toward Botswana; sightings of cheetah or leopard are possible. (40/40)
The Experience: For an intimate private family celebration or a company retreat where cost is no object, Mate ya Safari Lodge offers an exceptionally refined and memorable setting.
Total Score: (100/100)
Mate ya Safari Lodge
Molatedi, North West Province, South Africa 2838
tel 800-524-7979
http://www.mateyasafari.com