‘Where it all began,’ reads a handwritten logo inscribed by the entrance to Founders Lodge. For 20 years, this 1940s farmhouse was home for Adrian Gardiner as he planned the rewilding of South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Now, this lodge is redefining the safari, taking interaction between humans and wildlife to a new level.
Today, that farmhouse is at the heart of a luxurious eco-lodge surrounded by a rejuvenated land. Fenced farmland has been returned to its natural grassveld state and visitors arrive to track down the Big Five.
Advised by renowned conservationist, Dr Ian Player, brother of golfer Gary, Gardiner returned wildlife to the Eastern Cape, recreating complex ecosystems from dung beetle to elephant, from buffalo to the oxpecker birds that feed on the buffalos’ ticks. Even elusive cheetah can be found.
Alongside the entrance, two rhinos sculpted from waste oil drums are a symbol of the next step for conservation. On selected dates, guests are invited to take a hands-on role in rhino healthcare.
The lodge
Located around a 70-minute coastal drive north of Port Elizabeth’s airport, Founders Lodge is in a malaria free zone – no mosquito nets nor anti malaria tablets required here.
The 1940s farmhouse provides the heart of the lodge. In the central courtyard there is a small plunge pool, particularly popular with guests after they’ve been in the gym or sauna. A larger pool, framed by sun loungers and parasols, is better suited to swimming and relaxation. Adrian Gardiner’s former study is now the library, many of the shelves filled with his extensive collection of birding books.
Accommodation
The farmhouse houses two traditional suites, while contemporary suites have been built alongside. Lawned gardens lead down to an electrified fence that marks the border for rhinos such as Rodney and Margaret. As the Eastern Cape endures its seventh year of draught, additional food is left for the rhinos by the fence.
Recently added, a secluded honeymoon pod has a wraparound balcony and spectacular views of Lion King sunrises. Even the shower is positioned so that you never miss a moment of a dazzle of zebra galloping by or monkeys frolicking in the trees.
Alternatively, there is a resplendent cream and red railway carriage – once Adrian Gardiner used it to travel through Africa. Evocative black-and-white pictures present images from South Africa’s history and the train has been converted to sleep five, for exclusive use by groups.
Located two kilometres from Founders Lodge, a private chef cooks in the train’s kitchen. Although the carriage houses a dining room, most guests opt to eat on decking by a pool that gives views out across the waterhole and valley. Similarly, guests prefer the Ticket Office, a new build bathroom, with glass wall veld views, to the small shower on the train.
Food and drink
“I’m here to spoil you,” said Bongi as she brought the lunch menu to a table set-up on the terrace of our apartment. If only all relationships began like that. It was a secluded and private location with romantic Out of Africa views across the veld. Other guests had their own discreet lunch locations, too.
Lunch and dinner at Founders Lodge tend to be movable feasts. For another lunch we had an al fresco spot by the pool where rhino Rodney, joined us, devouring vegetation less than 50 metres away on the other side of the fence.
Remember that this is South Africa. One evening, you will either be treated to a braii indoors or under the stars of the Southern Cross and Milky Way. Nor is it just a meat feast, there are vegetarian kebabs too.
More romantically, with just seven rooms, on some evenings Founders offers candlelight private fine dining making the most of the old house’s library, lounges and formal dining room.
To do
Morning and evening game drives are key to the Founders’ routine. Wildlife is prolific and as we bump along the rutted tracks, we tick-off the Big Five and even spot the heads of two cheetah lazing in the tall straw grass.
One game drive takes in a visit to feed blue-flowered plumbago to Munu, a rhino who neighbours the railway carriage. Blinded in a territorial fight with another rhino, Munu has become a celebrity with two staff and social media accounts. Meanwhile Founders seek a female for him to mate with. Rhinos are an endangered species, and the plan is to return Munu’s offspring to the wild. Meanwhile, Munu munches through 30 to 40 kg of vegetation per day.
On selected dates, guests can book to help with rhino conservation. Tracking rhino, either on foot or by vehicle or helicopter, a rhino is sedated and guests assist by monitoring the rhino’s pulse and ocular movement during medical procedures or by recording data.
In a nutshell
MANTIS is an acronym for Man And Nature Together Is Sustainable. Founders certainly lives up to the credo by taking guests’ involvement in conservation to the next level. But Founders Lodge maintains all the luxuries of a safari: sumptuous rooms, gourmet meals and ice-clinking sundowners served on the evening game drive.
Factbox
The cost: Accommodation at Founders Lodge starts from £551 per room, based on two people sharing inclusive of meals, game drives and most drinks.
Exclusive use of the Founders Railway Carriage starts from £1,060 per night on an all-inclusive basis for an average family of two adults and two children.
Address: Sidbury, 6131, South Africa
Phone: +27 (41) 555-0009
Website: mantiscollection.com
