Jamala Madikwe, on the South African side of the border with Botswana, will reopen in October following a complete rebuild of its main lodge area after a devastating fire last December.
A new building is under construction at the main lodge with a large new triple-volume entrance, new lounge and bar, dining room, ‘sofa safari’ armchair game viewing from the venue, curio shop, gym, spa, and new swimming pool and deck, according to afritraveller.com.
An additional second level will offer views of the Jamala waterhole and the Dwarsberg mountain range. To reduce the impact on the surrounding bush, the new building is on the footprint of the original buildings.
The rebuild includes the lodge kitchen with additional spaces on the deck and upper floor level offering new dining venues and experiences.
Owner Rodney Steyn said the aim was to waste as little as possible. “Building debris and rubble from the fire are being recycled and used in the foundations, and all the burnt steel has been taken off site to be recycled.”
The lodge aims to move from electricity to a more renewable energy system this year. “The test unit should be installed in the park next month, and we are all eagerly awaiting the trial run results,” said Steyn.
“Reopening the lodge is not merely about reconstructing buildings or restoring inventory and services, it is about rebuilding dreams and restoring faith.”
