From October 14-18, the De Librije team, including Thérèse, Jimmie and Isabel Boer, exchanged Zwolle for the South African wilderness. At the invitation of René Klop, Managing Director of Maloba Private Game Reserve, the team hosted an exclusive and intimate six-course dinner for 10 guests and a special lunch at Farm & Gardens within the 20 000 hectare private game reserve near Kimberley.
A shared passion for gastronomy
During their visit to Maloba, the newly completed Farm & Gardens Villa served as the De Librije team’s home away from home. Featuring four luxurious suites, a private swimming pool and inviting communal spaces, the villa offered an intimate retreat surrounded by the African wilderness.
The collaboration also reflects Maloba’s culinary ambitions. Through its Farm & Gardens project, the reserve is developing an ambitious agricultural initiative focused on growing and producing an increasing proportion of the ingredients used in its own kitchen.
Two days, two remarkable experiences
On October 15, Maloba’s lodge was transformed into an intimate, fine dining setting for just 10 guests. De Librije presented a six-course dinner accompanied by six amuse bouches and carefully selected wine pairings.
The following day, the culinary experiences moved outdoors where guests enjoyed a special lunch among the vineyards at Farm & Gardens.
From the intimate atmosphere of the lodge to dining in the beautiful surroundings of Farm & Gardens, the two occasions offered distinctly different settings united by the same attention to detail.
A personal collaboration
What made this collaboration particularly special was the shared commitment to the overall guest experience. Maloba and De Librije place great importance on refined gastronomy, personalised hospitality and the smallest details that make a stay truly memorable.
That attention extended beyond the culinary experiences. For this event, Maloba also partnered with Skins for guests to enjoy an exclusive pouch waiting in their suites upon arrival. It was one of the personal surprises thoughtfully arranged throughout their stay.
Together, these elements reflected the philosophy behind the event: true luxury is not simply about what is served but how every moment makes a guest feel.
Beyond safari: A different perspective on the African wilderness
While South Africa is internationally recognised for its safari experiences, Maloba is positioned as a destination where wildlife is just one part of a much broader guest experience.
Located near Kimberley, on the edge of the Upper Kalahari, the malaria-free private reserve offers 20 000 hectares of unspoilt wilderness, exceptional privacy and experiences tailored entirely to each guest’s individual preferences.
“Our vision for Maloba goes far beyond wildlife. We want to create truly special experiences where our guests are surprised and delighted every single day. That’s exactly what we achieved with this incredible event alongside the De Librije team,” says Klop.
The collaboration reflects Maloba’s ambition to create experiences that combine gastronomy, nature and personalised hospitality. Following the October event, there is also a desire to welcome De Librije back for another culinary collaboration in future.
For travellers seeking something beyond a traditional safari, Maloba offers a different perspective on South Africa: a destination where fine dining, privacy and the African wilderness come together to create an experience that stays with guests long after their visit.
For more information, visit www.malobagamereserve.com.
