&Beyond has opened Tengile River Lodge in Sabi Sand Game Reserve, bordering the Kruger National Park and part of the Greater Kruger.
The lodge comprises nine air-conditioned guest suites, all of which are tucked deep into the riverine forest on the banks of the Sand River, offering 180-degree views over the river.
Credits: &Beyond.
In addition to a master bedroom, bathroom and outdoor shower, there is a lounge, dining area and bar, together with a private deck, swimming pool, and outdoor seating and dining area. WiFi is available in all guest suites.
“Tengile River Lodge boasts a fresh design that gives our guests what they crave most – space,” says &Beyond CEO, Joss Kent. At over 200 square metres per guest suite, the lodge has some of the largest rooms in the Sabi Sand.
Credits: &Beyond.
Bespoke touches combine the classical and the contemporary. Stone from the Selati railway, which used to run through the area, connecting the mines of Johannesburg with the port city of Maputo, has been used to create the terrazzo floors. Slatted raw wood has been used for the ceiling and extends down into the walls as cladding to create the illusion of a cabin, and the high ceilings create beams of natural light.
Credits: &Beyond.
The lodge design has made use of repurposed material, the stone cladding was sourced from a local quarry and the railway sleeper cladding pays tribute to the Selati railway once again. The rusted metal sheets are a contemporary take on the conventional metal sheet roofing of the colonial era. The roofs have been covered in sand from the site itself, meaning that when viewed from overhead; the lodge site has minimal impact on the area.
Décor pieces were specially made and designed in collaboration with a selection of local designers. The lights, couches, beds and chairs are all locally designed, as are the fittings. The fabrics used for curtains and upholstery are individually hand-painted by a group of artists in Cape Town and feature wildlife prints and elements of nature.
There is a Wellness Centre that overlooks the river and includes a gym and pool, as well as massage rooms and a sunken deck where guests can enjoy treatments.
Game drives at &Beyond Tengile River Lodge traverse an area of 10 500 hectares and strict vehicle limits at sightings ensure the exclusivity of the game-viewing experience. Other activities include interpretive bushwalks and birdwatching.
Sustainability elements in the lodge’s design include thermal efficiency, a minimal ecological footprint through environmental auditing, as well as state-of-the-art waste water and sewage treatment systems.
