The Redesign of Melozhori Private Game Reserve
Found in South Africa’s Overberg region, Melozhori Private Game Reserve is a demonstration of sustainable design and conservation. This family-owned retreat, spanning 2300 hectares of pristine wilderness, has undergone a remarkable transformation that seamlessly blends luxury with environmental consciousness.
The renovation of Melozhori, drawing inspiration from the tranquil Renosterveld landscape, sought to envelop visitors in the region’s natural beauty whilst preserving the original thatched building’s character. At its core, Melozhori’s essence lies in its harmonious integration with the surrounding environment, carefully balancing the preservation of its pastoral heritage with interior revitalisation to enhance guest comfort and outdoor connection. This ethos extends to the reserve’s protection of the elusive Cape Leopard and the once-endangered Bontebok.
Merging lines with land
The redesign of Melozhori is a masterclass in harmonising architecture with the surroundings. Tasked with modernising the interior and creating inviting outdoor spaces, the vanSLABB team rose to the challenge with remarkable creativity. By strategically opening the structure, the boundaries between indoors and outdoors blur, inviting the wilderness in. This approach manifests through sweeping natural curves that echo the undulating landscape, oversized doors and windows framing breathtaking vistas, and cleverly positioned mirrors that amplify the sense of space and light. The result is a visceral, immersive stay that connects guests with the untamed beauty surrounding them at every turn.
Innovation extends to the private spaces as well, with newly added courtyards allowing bathrooms to spill into the open air, whilst enlarged openings throughout the building strengthen the omnipresent link to nature. This thoughtful redesign doesn’t merely accommodate the environment — it celebrates it.
Echoes of the Renosterveld
In their quest for authenticity, vanSLABB turned to the land itself for inspiration, orchestrating a symphony of stone and wood. Materials sourced directly from the farm found new purpose and meaning, reborn as flooring, outdoor pathways, signage posts, and courtyard walls. This ingenious approach lends a profound sense of place to the design and significantly reduces the project’s carbon footprint.
Timber, carefully selected from Oggie for its raw, natural texture, features in joinery and internal doors. The interior colour palette, drawn directly from the fauna and flora of the Renosterveld, bathes the spaces in soft, earthy tones, creating a relaxed ambience.
At the water’s edge
One of the most striking features of the redesigned lodge is its linear pool. The crisp geometric lines juxtapose the contours of the landscape, creating a mirror that captures the changing moods of sky and earth. Clad entirely in natural slate tiles, the pool exudes an organic elegance, while timber latte pergolas cast intricate patterns of dappled light across newly pronounced suite entrances. At sunset, the sunken fire pit becomes a focal point, casting a warm glow over the pool and dam below. Overhead, the Fever Trees play host to a chorus of birds. Capitalising on this, a new lounging deck was positioned next to the pool, offering guests an unparalleled vantage point from which to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the bush.
Where craftsmanship and conservation meet
The renovation is as much a celebration of local craftsmanship as it is of conservation. Custom furniture pieces were designed in collaboration with local manufacturers, while artisanal touches such as cork lights from Wiid Design, naturally woven baskets from Mia Mélange, and statement pieces from Bofred add an enchanting character.
An impressive aspect of the redesign was the speed of its execution. In just over three months, the vision was brought to life, thanks to the dedication and skill of the contracting team, JLR Projects. This rapid turnaround reflects the efficiency and expertise of all involved, from the wood artistry of Greg Cleaver to StoneCast’s custom concrete baths and basins.
Sustainable luxury in action
With only five spaciously positioned accommodation options catering to a maximum of 18 guests, Melozhori offers an intimate safari that prioritises individual connection. This exclusivity allows for a focussed and personalised adventure that stands in stark contrast to the bustling energy of nearby Cape Town. The history of Melozhori is inextricably linked to the personal story of the Bhorat family. What began as the family’s ‘home away from home’ has evolved into a beacon of sustainable tourism. The redesign of the lodge is not merely an aesthetic upgrade; it is a reaffirmation of the family’s commitment to preserving and sharing the charm of the area with their visitors.
By locating guests in the raw beauty of the South African wilderness, while providing comfort and elegance, Melozhori Private Game Reserve offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature and experience the true meaning of sustainable luxury.
This article is an extract from our August Issue. Read the full issue here.
