Two years ago, the Touch Down Group acquired, renovated and redesigned Humala River Lodge in Barberton, Mpumalanga, and since then it quickly garnered acclaim.
The lodge is within the greater Songimvelo Game Reserve, a 49 000 ha stretch bordering Swaziland. The reserve is known as one of the country’s most diverse wilderness areas, and the largest provincial game reserve in South Africa, home to valleys, cascading waterfalls and river gorges.
Accommodation consists of ten A-frame thatched-roof cabins with canvas walls and elevated balconies. Each cabin has been carefully positioned to offer guests privacy and views of the Komati River as well as the surrounding mountains and rolling landscape. The en-suite bathrooms, each with a bathtub, two basins, private toilet and open air shower, are spacious and situated at the back of the cabin.
Over the years, property enhancements have been ongoing, with the inclusion of a gift shop filled with locally handcrafted items.
The outdoor spa recently moved to the lapa, overlooking the swimming pool. “The old spa location on the river banks will be changed into a honeymoon suite, as it is isolated and on the river, amongst riverine trees,” says Wessel Roodt, General Manager. “We plan to erect a single tent with en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower and veranda overlooking the river and the rapids. If everything goes according to plan, we will have it ready by early July.”
Additionally, a new Safari Tented Camp, comprising five safari tents is also under way and scheduled for completion late September.
The camp will be remotely located on the reserve but within easy driving distance of Humala’s main lodge, lounge and restaurant.
“These tents will have a real safari feel to them, plus an outdoor shower and en-suite bathroom with all the luxuries and comforts associated with Humala,” adds Roodt. “Each tent will have a view of the beautiful mountains or valley.”
According to Roodt, two additional camps are in the final phases of an environmental impact assessment process by the Department of Environmental Affairs.
Humala has also expanded its vehicle fleet with a new safari vehicle.
Other notable news includes the introduction of certain animals, which will be announced in due course and the nomination of the mountains at Songimvelo as a Unesco World Heritage Site. “We wait in anticipation and are very excited for the declaration to take place,” concludes Roodt.
