All three of the lodges have been designed to create a seamless personal connection with nature. The suites and apartments give off a sense of warmth and security, while at the same being freeflowing and open.
South Africa’s Magic Hills:
A WILD ESCAPE
A luxury nature reserve promotes conservation efforts, hits the market for $40 million By Phil Butler
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56 I N S I G H T December 3 – 9, 2021
rehabilitation and species diversification have already taken place, and there are plans for expanding the preserve to 42,000 hectares. Thus far, there’s been a regreening of vast swaths of the landscape, and a fourth luxury encampment is already underway. The overall vision is to link biodiverse sites and to protect sensitive species, including the “big five”—lions, leopards, black rhinoceroses, African bush elephants, and African buffaloes. The visionaries who began this conservation effort set out to restore the natural balance of this part of the region. The various areas of the property offer breathtaking views out across the rugged mountains and karoo landscapes as far as the eye can see. Thriving in this stunning natural environment are 26 large mammal species, 10 endemic bird species, and more than 7,700 plant species. Phil Butler is a publisher, editor, author, and analyst who is a widely cited expert on subjects ranging from digital and social media to travel technology.
MAGIC HILLS CONSERVATION PRESERVE EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA $40,553,202 (580,000,000 ZAR) • 24 BEDROOMS • 3 FABULOUS LODGES • 50,000 ACRES KEY FEATURES: • A UNIQUE WILDLIFE REFUGE • BREATHTAKING NATURE • POOLS, GARDENS, AND EXCLUSIVE LUXURY • PRIVATE AIRFIELD AGENT GREEFF CHRISTIE’S INTERNATIONAL REAL ESTATE AIMEE CAMPBELL, FRANCHISE OWNER +27 72 693 4052
ALL PHOTOS BY ANDREW HOWARD/MAGIC HILLS
ne sad reality in our world is that much of our pristine wilderness is disappearing. Fortunately, it’s possible to support conservation efforts, such as the one at a luxury nature reserve in South Africa’s seemingly endless heartland, the Eastern Cape province. The Magic Hills property, which lists for 580 million South African rand (US$40,553,202), is made up of the Sky Lodge, Ilanga Manor House, and the Elsa Farmhouse. These houses are set in isolated locations across roughly 50,000 acres (21,000 hectares) of mountain and karoo (semi-desert) landscapes. In all, there are 24 bedrooms and 24 baths divided across the three residences. There’s also a grotto, a wine cellar, staff quarters, a private lake, several pools, a spa, and even a private airport on the property. A tent-style lodge called ISanti, currently under construction, is intended as part of the hospitality aspect of the preserve. As for the conservation effort, extensive veld
