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
Maasai Mara
Tucked into a secluded riverside within the vast expanse of the Mara North Conservancy in Kenya, Serian’s Kimya Kimya is an intimate retreat offering the opportunity to experience the magical Maasai Mara. The camp is located in Ngare Serian’s private conservancy, which borders the main Maasai Mara Reserve. The area allows for off-road driving and guided walking safaris, meaning more intimate, immersive encounters that bring you closer to the land, its wildlife and its stories.
Kimya Kimya is designed to accommodate just six guests, making it one of the most exclusive accommodations in the region. Crafted from timber and canvas, the main suite spans two stories and offers a front-row seat to the river’s daily drama. From the upper level, a deep bush bath sits poised above the flowing water-an invitation to enjoy a soak whilst elephants wander by and hippos swim in the pools below. The suite also features both indoor and outdoor dining areas, a plush mosquito-netted bed and open-air showers. Two additional tented suites are located nearby, ideal for families or small groups. Each is designed with spacious en suite bathrooms and private decks, offering serene vantage points for a morning coffee or quiet contemplation after a day of adventure.
The camp includes a dedicated private vehicle, expert guide and personal chef, allowing you the freedom to tailor each day to your preferences. Rise with the sun for a walking safari across the plains, follow predator tracks through golden savannahs or simply linger in camp, lulled by the sounds of the river. In the evening, enjoy fireside aperitifs or lantern-lit dinners beneath the stars.
