The Outpost

Remote, awe-inspiring, inspirational: post-modern warehouse design goes bush at this award-winning ecolodge in the far north of the Kruger

The northern reaches of the Kruger National Park, bordering with both Zimbabawe and Mozambique, long remained off-limits due to the land claim of the Makuleke tribe who were forcibly removed from their lands during the apartheid regime. They won their case and new legislation ruled that any new development within this vast wilderness should follow strict eco guidelines, be built and staffed by the Makuleke, and that ownership would be given over to them after 30 years.

Thus the Outpost was born, a lodge as unique as it is beautiful. Italian-born architect Enrico Daffonchio was given free rein to come up with a design that would celebrate the extraordinary panorama of the Luvuvhu valley. He opted for clean, Zen-inspired lines in steel, concrete and canvas, cantilevering his living ‘spaces’ and airy main lodge out over a rocky hillside in a quest for that holy grail of minimalism: spare elegance. His brilliantly post-modern design means that you experience the beauty of pristine, untamed nature at the closest of quarters.

Highs

• An amazing location, high above the Luvuvhu gorge with soaring views across pristine wilderness
• 12 vast guest suites whose open-deck design brings the African bush right in to you, and you out to the bush...
• An extrordinary arrival via the heart of the Kruger. This journey, as well as your stay at The Outpost, will always stay with you
• You’ll see few other game vehicles in hundreds of square miles - as if you’ve got the Northern Kruger to yourself
• Great food and selection of wines, and a fabulous dining area
• Very personal charming service

Lows

• The mahogany walkways leading to the guest suites fan out from the main lodge out for nearly half a kilometre. ‘Popping back’ to your room can take 20 minutes
• The Outpost is infused with a raw, almost primeval energy. You’re bound to feel some kind of metaphysical challenge if you allow this place to work its way beneath your skin
• This isn’t the best part of the Kruger for ticking off species. But you’ll have a uniquely beautiful, informative and adventurous bush experience in lush forest and are bound to see lion, and maybe leopard, at close quarters