Why Magic Hills Game Reserve is the ideal destination for a luxury lockdown escape – no masks required!
Concealed within the expansive bush of the Eastern Cape is a mystical place unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Deep in the Karoo Noorsveld lies this natural sanctuary of mass proportions. Sky above, earth below and wide-open plains as far as the eye can see. Welcome to Magic Hills Private Game Reserve, a literal oasis in the middle of nowhere.
Amidst the chaos and uncertainty currently being experienced across the globe, Magic Hills provides luxury accommodation options for a variety of needs, in an environment that by its nature already social distances you; a place that allows for masks to be discarded and boosts mental and physical wellbeing just by being immersed in the paradisiacal surrounds.
This is the ideal place for strung-out city slickers, nature-obsessed twitchers and those accustomed to the finer things in life to come to and just switch off and disconnect for a while – far away from the chaos of our ‘new normal’.
The air is also different in this part of the world. It definitely has something to do with the sheer number of Spekboom dispersed throughout the 17 000-hectare private reserve. Spekboom, one of many medicinal plants on the land, is a succulent that literally acts as a sponge for carbon dioxide, able to absorb four to ten tons of CO2 from the atmosphere per hectare – ten times more effective than the Amazon rainforest. A reason to breathe deeply and sleep soundly, for sure. But the pure lavishness of the four lodges on offer has a lot to do with that too.
With the accommodation personally imagined by Slovakian owners Erik and Alexandra Kovacs, and interior design and décor hand-selected – and sourced throughout South Africa – by Alexandra herself, the personal touch is visible throughout each lodge. Earthy tones of brown and beige give the feeling of a connection to the surrounding nature, as do the textures of wood, wool and similar natural fibres. Big fireplaces in each reception room keep guests cosy from the sometimes-frosty temperatures of the great outdoors, while swimming pools to cool off in and expansive decks to take in the incredible night sky seal the deal. Thanks to mostly clear skies and no intrusion of city lights, the Great Karoo offers some of the best starry nights in the country, making star-gazing a visceral experience.
With spa treatments on offer that include indulgent massages and a unique selection of additional pampering treatments, all enjoyed with uninterrupted views over the vast savannah – Magic Hills is an incomparable choice for a COVID-19 breakaway.
Book an extended stay for you and your loved ones and prepare to forget about the world for a while. With all the sanitation and protection practices in place, you can rest assured that all precautions for your health and safety have been considered, but also that you are able to feel ‘normal’ again within our reserve.
Twice-daily game drives will be included in your stay, where you will be able to take in the big five and so much more. The reserve is home to the largest black rhino in the world, as well as rarer creatures that will attract more discerning guests. Those who wish to explore the grasslands by night may be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of elusive animals like the aardvark, lynx, porcupine, black-back jackal and bat-eared fox. There are also over 45 exotic and unusual species, including the golden, arabian, scimitar and painted oryx. Birdlife is prolific and there are 10 endemic bird species that occur in the Karoo and nowhere else in the world – like the Karoo Korhaan, Sclater’s Lark, Cinnamon-breasted Warbler and Karoo Eremomela.
Let your guard down, breathe easy and book your stay at Magic Hills Private Game Reserve today!
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Getting here
Magic Hills Private Game Reserve is a leisurely 3-hour drive or quick 30-minute flight away from Port Elizabeth International Airport. The private reserve has its own airstrip, making arriving in comfort, safety and style easy. Book flights with Magic Hills’ airline partner, Absolute Aviation, via reservations@magichills.com
