Welcome to the Lowveld

Welcome to eKhaya Bush Villa in the heart of South Africa's beautiful lowveld region, on the border of the world-renowned Kruger National Park.

Launched in June 2017, this luxury villa is located on the 680ha Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate private residential wildlife reserve just outside the bustling safari town of Hoedspruit in Limpopo province. 

This estate is home to a variety of iconic wildlife species and a dedicated wilderness area which is part of the extended Greater Kruger eco-system.

With six double en-suite bedrooms, eKhaya - which means "home" in the Zulu vernacular - offers you the perfect base from which to explore this fascinating and beautiful area of the Rainbow Nation, rich in its cultural and environmental diversity.

So come "home" to eKhaya Bush Villa and begin your love affair with the African bush...

eKhaya Bush Villa is all about immersing yourself in the warm hospitality and traditions of one of South Africa's most appealing safari destinations - the Limpopo lowveld.

Your stay with us will be marked with welcoming smiles, exquisite comfort and total relaxation, whether in your luxurious suite, in conversation around our breakfast table or outside, taking in the sights and sounds of the bush while you bathe in the African sunlight next to the pool, watching the wildlife walk by.

Our small team of staff have been recruited from our local community and are on hand to make your stay with us truly special, attending to your every need and acting as your personal guides to this wonderfully diverse region of South Africa.

Each of our six double rooms have been beautifully decorated using textiles, furnishings, artefacts and fittings sourced sustainably from around South and Southern Africa, supporting local artists, artisans and entrepreneurs where possible.

And our villa itself has been designed to have as low an impact on our fragile environment as we can manage, with energy and water saving our priority.

eKhaya Bush Villa is the epitome of understated luxury, with echoes of that bygone era when the journey (or "safari" in the Swahili vernaculuar) was as important as the destination... The blend of colonial and traditional African styles has inspired a wonderfully interwoven decor palette which offsets the stunning scenery around the villa.

Warm earth tones and neutrals are accented with pops of rich colour, evoking the spirit of the wilderness in every room, from the welcoming lounge to the expansive deck overlooking the pool and the endless bush. 

This style is nowhere more seductive than in the villa's six beautifully appointed air-conditioned rooms. With four luxury suites, a family suite and the premier luxury suite (ideal for honeymoons), eKhaya has been custom-designed to ensure comfort and luxury in the bush.

Luxury suites:

Each of eKhaya Bush Villa's spacious luxury double suites offers views of the Drakensberg escarpment from its own private patio and is decorated in a blend of rich colonial style and traditional African patterns and textiles. The king-sized beds are dressed in the very best percale cotton linen and full en-suite bathrooms offer both a separate shower and bath. Sumptuous materials, soft furnishings and objets d'art complete the ambience of quiet elegance and total relaxation.

Family Suite:

As its name suggests, eKhaya Bush Villa's family suite is a perfect home base for a family, accommodating two adults and up to three children in absolute luxury. With two en-suite bedrooms - one king-sized master bedroom and a twin bedroom with additional pull-out bed for a smaller child - and its own private patio, this gorgeous suite is private and secluded and offers views over the surrounding bush and a partial view of the distant mountains.

Premier Luxury Suite:

The stuff that dreams are made of, eKhaya Bush Villa's beautiful premier luxury suite doubles as a honeymoon suite and offers complete privacy and absolute luxury. The perfect romantic retreat, this lavish suite leads out onto its own private deck with awe-inspiring views of the Drakensberg escarpment, where private, candle-lit dinners can be enjoyed under the African stars. Added finishing touches include a Nespresso coffee maker and an outside shower for the more adventurous!

Eat

Dining at eKhaya

Our breakfasts are legendary. Taken at a leisurely, unhurried pace, we go the extra mile to ensure that we source the best fresh and organic ingredients for our lovingly prepared and home-cooked fare. 

We are also proud to cater for vegetarian and vegan diets as well! We are able to provide both Kosher and Halal options and can accommodate gluten and sugar-free requirements as well. 

Although eKhaya Bush Villa operates on a bed and breakfast basis, we are able to include lunches and dinners on request.

Play

Things to Do

Your stay at eKhaya Bush Villa positions you perfectly in the heart of one of South Africa's most interesting and exciting areas, with a wealth of things to do, places to visit and activities to be experienced.

The town of Hoedspruit - the centre of South Africa's safari industry - is just a stone's throw away. With some great restaurants, coffee shops and pubs, as well as an array of curio, decor and art shops and one of the most well-stocked wine merchants outside of the Western Cape, Hoedspruit has a lively night life and an old-world charm.

The breathtaking northern Drakensberg escarpment dominates the horizon to the west, and the vast central and northern reaches of the Kruger National Park act as a buffer in the east, with various private game reserves unfenced along their border with this world-famous park making this one of the richest wildlife areas in Southern Africa.

A short drive up the jaw-dropping Abel Erasmus pass with its views over the lowveld and the meandering Oliphants River, and the wonders of the escarpment await, with the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, historic towns like Pilgrim's Rest and Graskop and the aptly named Panorama tourism route easily accessible for day-trips.

A drive to the north-west puts you in the heart of the Ribola Art Route and the land of the Venda people, whose culture is centred around the mythical Lake Fundusi.

Great Activities

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre

A short drive from eKhaya Bush Villa at the foot of the Drakensberg Escarpment, award-winning Moholoholo has become a local legend for its dedication to rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife, from orphaned rhinos to vultures and wild dogs.

A visit to the centre raises awareness and understanding of the plight of some of our most iconic, and threatened, wildlife species.

Graskop "Big Swing" and high-wire

For the adrenaline junkie or the very brave, the "Big Swing" just outside the escarpment town of Graskop is a must. It's one of the world's highest cable gorge swings and is just one of many exciting adventure activities offered here, alongside the 135m high-wire allowing adventure addicts the option of "flying" Superman-style across a gorge above the beautiful Graskop Falls..

The Panorama Route

This beautiful tourism route begins at the top of the Drakensberg Escarpment, taking in the magnificent Blyde River Canyon, the fascinating Bourke's Luck Potholes, an array of waterfalls from Lisbon Falls to Berlin Falls, the appropriately named "God's Window" lookout point and the Pinnacle as well as Graskop and the historic gold mining towns of Pilgrim's Rest and Sabie, home of South Africa's most famous dog - Jock of the Bushveld. Take a packed lunch and go explore!

The Ribola Art Route

Take a drive back in time along the Ribola Art Route to the days of Modjadji - the Rain Queen and the mythical Lake Fundusi - ancestral home of the Venda people. From the magical rain forests to the shores of this ancient lake, this route immerses you in the culture and traditions of this ancient people whose colourful textiles and wonderful works of art embody the deep connection of the local people to the richly diverse environment in this region. 

Horse trails at African Dream Horse Safaris

Located close to eKhaya Bush Villa, African Dream Horse Safaris are based on Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate and offer a range of exciting horse trails through the estate, offering you the chance to view wildlife from an entirely new perspective. You don't have to be an experienced rider to enjoy this marvelous activity.

Microlighting, hot air ballooning and boat trips

Just a short drive from Hoedspruit is the Blyde Canyon Adventure Centre which offers a range of both microlight and hot air balloon flights over the surrounding area. The centre also offers a range of boat trips on Swadini Dam and Blyde River at the foot of the Drakensberg Escarpment.