MAKING MEMORIES

WORDS INGRID WOOD

TEN YEARS AGO, my daughter was invited to join friends on a trip to Morukuru in Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province. She was eight at the time and the family had a daughter of the same age, so her presence was requested for company. She didn’t quite understand how fortunate she was to experience a five-star lodge at her tender age (while her envious parents stayed home!), but she did come back bursting with stories about pizza and cookie making (she was totally enamoured with the kitchen staff), the enormous rooms, spoor identification and the exciting game drives. To date, the trip remains one of her fondest memories, and she has never forgotten the name Morukuru.

It’s taken a decade for my turn to visit the same place, and the timing could not have been better – the exclusive-use Morukuru Farm House recently underwent an extensive refurbishment and all was ready to be revealed. While the structure is as it was when built in 2010 and still offers five spacious en-suite bedrooms, the rest is all new, from the paint to the decor, as well as some other innovative additions.

Designer Janine Butter from Huis van Middenmeer in the Netherlands, who has been involved with the decor and design of the other Morukuru Family properties (Morukuru Ocean House, AtholPlace Villa and Morukuru Beach Lodge), headed up the project with assistance from Jan Engelbrecht of Andreas Nicolaas Interiors. She drew inspiration from the colours of the bushveld – dusty green, terracotta and natural hues – which are artistically woven into the fabrics and wallpapers, as well as in the outdoor and poolside furniture. Beautiful touches include the huge, beaded hanging lamp by Mash.T Design Studio and an artwork by Teboho Makoatsa commissioned especially for the entrance space, together with Ardmore fabrics and wallpaper with various patterns and colour combinations. Imported fabrics and organic furniture by Gommaire are combined with local South African finds. “We wanted to create a more modern look but still incorporate the rustic feel of the bush, with the interior and exterior of Farm House blending naturally,” says Janine. While fresh and modern, the character of a family farmhouse remains and there is a feeling of harmony and balance. It’s like walking into a familiar and welcoming home, where curling up with a book on the couch in the lounge, falling asleep on the daybed next to the pool or padding into the kitchen in your robe for a snack, all feel completely natural.

The Morukuru Freedom Concept, which allows guests to do ‘whatever they want, whenever they want’ (within rules and reasoning of a Big Five reserve), means the staff approach service differently. Over and above served meals and drinks, the kitchen and bar are open to all on a helpyourself basis. Guests can determine their day from activities to times, or can opt to zone out and let someone else make the decisions. Another of Morukuru’s special philosophies is to surprise their guests and the team is adept at setting these up in a variety of glorious spots. Sundowners perched atop the hill at what is known as Ed’s View (Morukuru Family owners Ed and Anka Zeeman each have their ‘spot’ for such experiences), lunch al fresco on the patio or dinner by candlelight at the incredible new addition, the Sunset Deck. About the latter – don’t let the word deck fool you. The area, conceptualised by architect Nick Plewman, the planner behind most of the properties within the Morukuru Family stable, has enough room to house a well-appointed spa treatment room, a large space for relaxing or dining and a fire pit for those pre- and post-dinner tipples. It is also perfectly positioned over a waterhole – the ideal spot to sit quietly and watch the elephants and other game quench their thirst – and capitalises on the beautiful sunsets over the Onverwag Koppies. “We wanted to ensure that this magical space remained serene and calm and that the view became the focal point,” explains Janine.

Other surprises come in a variety of forms, big and small, such as the option to sleep under the stars at the private hide; sightings (in addition to the Big Five) of the unexpected black impala, sable, roan antelope and the golden wildebeest; the fabulous butler Shadrack Mogwere – a mixologist of note with an incredible singing voice to boot; the most delectable crunchies and ginger biscuits thanks to resident baker Gloria Mlambo; the private outdoor showers; a woven sunhat and fan for use during your stay; an outdoor bath in a boma; and a beckoning day bed for birders to get stuck in with binoculars to tick off those sightings. Add to that the fact that the property is completely off grid, and it really is very hard to return to the chaos of the city.

But leave we must, and that is why places like Morukuru are so good for the soul. It’s a perfect example of the term quiet luxury. It is subtle and without the excess and extravagance that is often associated with traditional luxury. From the minimalist but functional design to the personalised service and attention to detail, Morukuru Farm House ticks all the boxes. More importantly, for me, is it is a place that is warm and familiar, the kind of place that will make me yearn to go back when I need to revel in the quiet.

As the goodbye note on my pillow said:

“When you long to see the elephants

Or to hear the coucals sing

When the moonrise sets your blood on fire

You have been away too long.” morukuru.com ■

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