Limpopo Province, South Africa
Nelson Mandela Centre for Reconciliation
Mandela's Private Retreat
Built in 2001 by Douw Steyn, the owner of the Shambala Private Game Reserve, the Nelson Mandela Centre for Reconciliation was Mandela’s retreat and private home in the years after he left office as South Africa’s President. Situated close to the entrance of the 24,710 acre Shambala Private Game Reserve, the house was returned the house to the owner after Mandela’s death and has subsequently been opened for hotel stays.
This six bedroom house was designed to be simple on Mandela’s request, but it’s also inherently elegant with distinctly African touches such as a thatched roof, furniture crafted from African woods, and large, colourful prints and cravings by master Mozambique craftsman Matsemela ike Nkoana. During your stay, you can even visit Mandela’s office which has been left intact. In fact, the whole house has been left in the style of Mandela’s time, creating a special atmosphere that evokes the great man. There’s an indoor pool for you to enjoy, and when it comes to dinner, you can choose to dine outdoors listening to the hippos, in the dining room, or as Mandela did, in the kitchen with the staff. The house’s fine dinners are a talking point in themselves, served up by chef Maveer Thetsie, the executive chef of the Reserve’s other property, the eight cottage Zulu Camp.
Outside, you’ll find a backyard water hole which is often frequented by three hippos and the proximity of the reserve means you can easily go out on game drives to see the rhinos, elephants, and giraffes.
Highlights
Game drives at the nearby reserve
Six bedrooms
House chef
Indoor pool
Trip Inspiration
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Places to combine Nelson Mandela Centre for Reconciliation with
Mozambique
Azura Marlin Beach is located on the shores of Benguerra Island in Mozambique. The resort’s ten beautifully designed villas blend local craftsmanship with contemporary elegance, creating a seamless harmony between nature and comfort. Choose from beach villas and beach villa grandes or indulge in the exclusivity of villa vista, a spacious private sanctuary featuring two separate suites, a large pool and an expansive entertainment area, ideal for families or friends travelling together. Each villa is curated for both seclusion and connection, with open-air living spaces. The soft ocean breeze drifts through private terraces, while personal plunge pools offer a secluded oasis to bask in the sun.
Thoughtfully designed public areas maximise sweeping views over the Indian Ocean, providing tranquil spaces to relax, dine and take in the beauty of the island. Mornings begin with freshly prepared breakfasts overlooking the water, followed by leisurely afternoons spent poolside, where the sun-drenched deck invites deep relaxation. Evenings unfold with elegant candlelit dinners beneath the starry night, the soft glow of lanterns illuminating the beachfront setting. For a taste of Mozambican tradition, the lively weekly beach bbq is a guest favourite, offering an immersive experience of grilled seafood, local specialties and storytelling under the open sky.
Two Mile Reef, one of the region’s most pristine snorkelling and diving sites, reveals an underwater world of breathtaking colour and movement, where manta rays sweep gracefully through the depths and rare marine species make their home among the corals. PADI 5-Star certified scuba diving excursions, led by expert instructors, offer a deeper glimpse into this extraordinary ecosystem, while deep-sea fishing expeditions provide the thrilling opportunity to seek out the legendary black marlin that the Bazaruto Archipelago is renowned for.
The resort’s open-air treehouse spa provides a haven of rejuvenation, where skilled therapists use traditional African oils and balms to melt away tension.
Rwanda
Wilderness Magashi Peninsula is the sister property of Wilderness Magashi Camp, an exclusive retreat in the heart of Akagera National Park in Rwanda that offers an immersive safari experience. Set within a private concession on the shores of Lake Rwanyakazinga, with the Mutumba Mountains rising in the distance, this eight-bed camp is designed for those seeking unparalleled privacy and connection to nature. Here, the vast landscapes of open plains, acacia woodlands, shimmering lakes and rolling grasslands form the backdrop to extraordinary wildlife encounters. Akagera is a conservation success story, home to one of Africa’s most diverse ecosystems. Over 500 bird species fill the air with their calls, while elephants wade in the lake and hippos bask along its banks.
The camp comprises a stunning four-bed villa and two twin suites, each elevated to maximise the panoramic views over the lake. Private plunge pools invite moments of quiet reflection and the villa’s multi-purpose room is adaptable as a gym, office or family space. Personalised in-villa dining and a dedicated private guide transform each stay into a deeply personal journey, allowing you to explore the wilderness at your own pace. Embark on a morning game drive, glide silently through the waterways on a boating safari or set out on a guided nature walk.
Rooted in sustainability and inspired by Rwanda’s rich culinary heritage, the menu features fresh, local ingredients. Start the day with a signature ‘rolex’ breakfast wrap, a beloved Rwandan street food specialty, and end it with a Kugisha dinner, a communal feast accompanied by traditional storytelling and song.
As with all Wilderness camps, conservation and community engagement are at the heart of Magashi Peninsula. In partnership with the Akagera Management Company, Wilderness supports vital initiatives such as predator monitoring, invasive plant management and educational programs designed to inspire the next generation of conservationists. Magashi Peninsula builds upon this legacy, ensuring that both wildlife and local communities thrive side by side.
