Page 9 - Designing Ways 262
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The more the merrier


                 Molori tops the ‘family safaris’ holidays bucket list


                 he family holiday is experiencing a   from dung to footprints and alarm calls
                 decided upswing, with both close   along the way.
            Tand extended relations looking    Back at the lodge, parents can happily
           to rekindle and deepen connections.   retreat to the spa or reading deck knowing
           Togetherness is key, with renewed vigour   that the children are in good hands while
           for life and appreciation of family ties very   doing a cookery course or making pizzas
           much top of mind.                  with the chef.
             The need to experience nature at scale
           and to reconnect with the earth and each   3. Unparalleled wildlife experiences
           other finds the perfect match in a family   This starts with the superbly experienced
           safari. Molori Safari, the jewel of Madikwe,   and entertaining guides - the secret to a
           is the perfect location. Exclusively booking   great safari: they have the ability to change
           all five of Molori’s private villas for one large   what could be an indifferent experience into   or discover that Saturn’s rings are clearly
           family is paradise found, and the answer to   a truly wild, educational one that is tailor-  visible at over 1,2 billion kilometres away.
           today’s holiday needs.             made to guests’ interests.          A boma evening or bush dinner under
             The luxury lodge is primed to host family   With one of the most active waterholes   the inky blackness of a star-strewn sky will
           groups who can communally experience a   in the game-rich 75 000-hectare Madikwe   never be the same again…
           safari of a lifetime in this malaria-free Big   reserve – no fewer than three elephant herds
           Five reserve. Along with new-look interiors   quench their thirst here daily – there is no   5. Personalised service
           boldly refurbished over the past two   doubt that Molori’s sunken hide gives it the   There is nothing staff at Molori like more
           years, the lodge now features an expanded   edge, especially for seasoned safari lovers.   than to surprise their discerning travellers
           art offering from the private Ichikowitz   Guests who have never experienced the   with a personalised stay and genuinely
           Heritage Art Collection, and new ‘art rugs’   fascinating dynamics of elephant families   caring, off-the-charts service. One guest
           especially commissioned and handwoven   from the safety of an underground hide are   noted, ‘We travel a great deal and have been
           by master craftsmen. And Molori’s new spa   always spellbound here. They are endlessly   blessed to stay at some spectacular resorts
           is a heavenly sanctuary under the trees, with   fascinated as guides explain how elephant   across the globe, but Molori astounded us
           the  original  treatment room refurbished   rumbles can be heard up to 12 kilometres   in every way. Literally every member of staff
           in soothing olive greens, greys and natural   away, and why they flap their ears constantly   embodies an authentic spirit of gregarious
           woods.                             and shower themselves with sand. It’s   hospitality and an unrelenting commitment
             Here is more of what sets Molori apart.  the ultimate close encounter that creates   to service of the highest order’.
                                              lifelong memories.
           1. A sense of home                  The hide does double duty as a gin and   6. Seamless air access
             Originally a private family retreat,   whiskey  tasting  bar, and  guests  can also   Private charters with Federal Air
           Molori has retained its feeling of intimate   have meals in the adjacent glass-lined   dovetail perfectly with international  flight
           familiarity, which is one of many reasons   dining area.             arrival times and fly  in twice daily from
           why  multigenerational  families  love  Immersive one-day encounters at   Johannesburg to the Madikwe airstrip, a ten
           booking the lodge exclusively. It sleeps up   Madikwe offer guests the rare opportunity   minute game drive from the lodge.
           to 16 guests in five individually decorated   to experience collaring or rhino notching
           suites, and children of all ages are warmly   events with the wildlife vet and conservation   7. Absolute privacy
           welcomed.                          officers, while Molori also offers one-  Of particular interest to celebrity families
             Small numbers and a highly experienced   day and overnight experiences at the K9   (and honeymooners) is the privacy afforded
           and passionate team allow this intimate   facility at their sister conservation lodge   by the luxurious Presidential Suites, Metsi
           safari  experience  to  be  entirely  flexible,   in the Magaliesberg, Moledi Gorge, which   (593m2) and Molelo (619m2). Set apart
           which makes for a superbly relaxing retreat   specialises in anti-poaching programmes   from the rest of the lodge, each has its own
           – especially with little ones in tow.   across the continent.        private game vehicle, and may be booked
                                                                                with a personal butler and chef. The two
           2. Focus on the kids               4. Star gazing                    bedrooms are thoughtfully located at
             From popcorn stops on game drives to   Molori offers a private astronomy   either end of each suite, giving parents and
           steaming outdoor jacuzzis to enjoy, plus   experience to all guests, including children,   children space. Both suites have a study and
           animal-print  manicures (understandably,   through the technologically advanced   library area for working parents who need
           the most popular treatment on Molori’s spa   Meade telescope. Set on a giant tripod on a   to keep in touch, and an additional bed for
           menu), children are in for a treat. Each child   hill behind the lodge, the telescope enables   an au pair can be arranged.   dw
           receives an interactive safari book on arrival,   stars, comets, planets and galaxies to take
           but they soon discover that their guide is a   on new meaning as the entire family gets the   www.roraprivatecollection.com/molori-
           gifted storyteller, identifying everything   chance to view the moon’s craters up close,   safari/




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