Background
The Legacy Hotels and Resorts portfolio includes business hotels, boutique properties, bush lodges, golf estates and beach resorts. The group has 23 properties in South Africa, Nigeria (The Wheatbaker), Ghana (Labadi Beach Hotel) and Namibia (Windhoek Country Club). Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge is one of three Legacy properties in the Pilanesberg – Bakubung and Tshukudu being the others.
Where is it?
In the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park, which is in the North West Province, approximately 10 minutes’ drive from the entrance to Sun City, the well-known golf and entertainment resort. The drive from Johannesburg is approximately 90 minutes. From the north of Johannesburg, you head in the direction of Lanseria International Airport and then Hartebeespoort Dam, Rustenburg and Sun City.
Room Facilities
Kwa Maritane has 90 rooms, made up of single and double rooms. There are also 54 timeshare chalets on the property. We were accommodated in a double room on the second floor of one of numerous blocks dotted across the vast property. In between the accommodation blocks are secluded swimming pools and meeting rooms. Our room featured a double bed, sleeper couch, ample cupboard space, air conditioning, smallish bathroom with separate shower, LED TV with selected DStv channels, tea/coffee-making facilities, work desk and electronic safe. Mini-bars are apparently stocked on request. I found the room comfortable, with a nice sitting area. My only criticism – the weak water pressure in the shower. There is complimentary Wi-Fi access throughout the property, but for only one hour a day.
Meeting & Business Facilities
Arguably Kwa Maritane’s strength and the lodge specialises in conventions, breakfasts, lunches, seminars, cocktail receptions, dinner dances, banquets, private dinners, product launches and team-building exercises. If interested, contact +27 14 552 5167. The lodge offers standard equipment (including roving and lapel mics), support and delegate catering. Breakaway rooms are also available at an extra charge. There are four main meeting rooms (Tau, Nare, Rhino and Hippo Rooms), whilst Tau and Nare can be combined to make up a bigger 320m² space.
Leisure Facilities
These include a curio shop, wildlife information centre, library, two bomas, two swimming pools with baby pool, a pool slide, two all-weather tennis courts, bush putt-putt golf, a trampoline, kids playground and gym. But, the two activities that caught my eye were the underground hide access and spa. A tunnel runs from the lodge to the hide, where guests are able to view waterhole activity at ground level. The spa, meanwhile, is where you can enjoy treatments such as Thabayadiotso – the lodge’s signature treatment – massages, manicures, pedicures and deep cleansing facials. There are four treatment rooms, a Rasul Chamber, relaxation area and hydro pool, but the clincher is the waterhole view.
Restaurants & Bars
The main dining venue is the Kwa Lefakeng restaurant, which overlooks the waterhole. The lodge specialises in buffets and carvery dinners, which we sampled, enjoying traditional South African fare, such as springbok carpaccio. Alternative dining options include the Kwa Potokwe Boma, which is used on Saturday and Wednesday evenings for dining under the stars. ‘Fisherman’s Catch’ is the Friday evening seafood feast, whilst ‘Butcher’s Grill’ is the Saturday evening selection of flame-grilled meats. Further dining options are The Deck and the Kwa Mazout Bar, which is situated next to the main swimming pool.
Verdict
A very comfortable bush lodge offering and a great option for meetings and conferences, if you fancy getting off-site and want access to activities, such as game viewing, swimming pools and golf.
Contact
Address: Pilanesberg National Park, Rustenburg, +27 14 552 5100, kwamaritane.co.za
Dylan Rogers