Photo Credit: Molori Safari Lodge
Haute Living goes one-on-one with the Executive Team of Molori Safari Lodge—a unique and luxurious destination in the heart of Africa. Find out everything you need to know about it here:
For our readers looking to take in the sights and sounds of South Africa, (many for the first time), what makes the Molori Safari Lodge, in particular, a must-visit luxury destination?
Molori Safari, privately owned and operated by the Ichikowitz family, is recognized throughout the world as one of South Africa’s most luxurious and exclusive game lodges. Molori comprises five large, uber-chic, magnificently appointed suites, all of which have floor to ceiling glass retractable doors that allow for breathtaking views of an expansive valley and mountain range. The lodge has two 600m² presidential suites, the largest on the continent. Molori Safari is situated in the 75 000-hectare, malaria-free and game-rich Madikwe Game Reserve. It is the perfect destination for families traveling with young children or for solo travelers. The Madikwe Game Reserve is an ideal safari environment for international travelers to visit as guests get to experience wildlife encounters of the ‘Big 10’ (in addition to the Big 5 – wild dog, hippo, cheetah, hyena and giraffe). Due to the tailored, personalized guest services we offer, it is the perfect destination for those in search of a bespoke luxury safari experience.
Beyond the stunning suites appealing to all of our readers, are there personalized services or tours which the Lodge offers?
Guests will find Molori a retreat that offers personalized service where they will experience thrilling game drives and bush walks led by award-winning guides, mouth-watering cuisine and luxury spa treatments – all personalized to their own preferences and time. We offer conservation experiences which include wildlife notching in the Madikwe Game Reserve. These are linked to conservation efforts undertaken in the game reserve by conservation officers and are charged for over and above the stay at Molori Safari. The funds generated from these experiences go towards the ongoing conservation of wildlife in the game reserve. In addition, we offer helicopter fly-in-and-out day and overnight experiences to the Ichikowitz Foundation’s K9 facility that specializes in anti-poaching programmes across the continent. Molori Safari also has a newly built, chic hide, and Gin & Whisky Bar, that allows guests to have an up close and personal game viewing experience amidst a luxury setting.
How would you envision the target market of the Molori Safari Lodge?
As the lodge comprises only five suites, it is the perfect exclusive-use destination for international celebrities, presidents and royal families who are among the well-heeled, discerning travelers that visit the Molori. However, multi-generational families wanting to experience a once in a lifetime safari experience are frequent visitors to the lodge, too. Due to the suites being so well placed, many couples (honeymooners) and families who visit the lodge enjoy absolute privacy.
Conservation, the protection of endangered wildlife, is important to the Team at the Molori Safari Lodge – Can you tell us about the conservation initiatives of Molori and how you bring your guests along for this journey?
The Ichikowitz family is passionate and committed to the conservation of wildlife. Through lodge operations and the family foundation, they facilitate and contribute to many conservation projects, not just in South Africa but across the continent. Within the Madikwe Game Reserve, the family contributes financially and supports the conservation programmes undertaken by the conservation officers within the reserve. The Ichikowitz Family Foundation started the Paramount K9 anti-poaching and canine academy to assist in solving the poaching problem across the African continent. In June of last year, the foundation announced a strategic partnership that will, for the first time, see the training and deployment of specialist Pangolin detection dogs, and the establishment of a Pangalorium that will provide critical support in the fight to protect Pangolins – the most trafficked and hunted mammals in the world. Conservation and gaining an understanding of our heritage is of the utmost importance to the family and has become entrenched in the mantra of the Molori staff. We focus on ensuring that our guests leave with a deeper knowledge and rich experience of South Africa’s natural assets. We tell the stories of the total ecosystem which makes up South Africa’s magnificent natural environment which, includes our wildlife, insects, plants, people and cultural diversities. This is our focus—to ensure our guests have an appreciation of more than just the Big 5.
How does one reach the Molori Safari Lodge from say, Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town?
Molori Safari is easily accessed from Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town. There are daily flights from Johannesburg via Federal Airlines (FedAir) to Madikwe Game Reserve. FedAir is a privately-owned charter company based but 15 kilometers from O.R. Tambo International Airport. Guests based in Cape Town or Durban would fly to O.R. International Airport in Johannesburg and then transfer either on Federal Air or by private charter to Madikwe Game Reserve’s eastern airstrip. Guests can also transfer by road from Johannesburg to Madikwe Game Reserve, which is a pleasant four-hour drive.
Photo Credit: Molori Safari Lodge
