Experience Nature Like Never Before
South Africa’s Limpopo Province takes its name from the Limpopo River, famously referred to as the “great, grey-green, greasy Limpopo River” by Rudyard Kipling in one of his children’s tales in his “Just So Stories” publication, a collection of imaginative and imaginary trials and tribulations of various African wildlife species.
The river is great and decidedly grey-green, but greasy – hardly. Perhaps river levels were low and the Limpopo was flowing sluggishly on the day that Kipling passed by the watercourse or used his imagination and poetic talents to describe the river in these now well-known words.
When Kipling Came to Africa
Apparently, Kipling took his winter holidays in South Africa almost every year, beginning in 1898, so he may well have had personal knowledge and experience of this mighty river and the wildlife paradise through which it runs.
It’s highly unlikely that there were privately-owned wildlife lodges in this untamed South African bushveld area during Kipling’s time in South Africa.
In Limpopo (the province), and other upcountry areas of South Africa, winters are dry. Limpopo’s rainy season occurs during hot summer months, so it’s fairly safe to assume that the river was flowing slowly and a little lazily, hence this talented, internationally-renowned author and poet’s conclusion that it appeared to be greasy.
Driven by Demand
Driven by an ever-increasing demand for high-end accommodation in game reserves and on privately-owned bushveld properties, combined with a considerable gap in what was available at the time, various private wildlife lodges were established in the Limpopo’s bushveld regions: Zwahili Private Game Lodge & Spa being one of the best.
Discerning Guests’ Preferred Destination
Zwahili is a great destination for luxurious holidays and great getaways that feature diverse, freely-roaming wildlife species, bi-daily guided wildlife safaris, bushveld picnics, nature’s peace and tranquillity, luxurious accommodation, fine dining, and an on-site spa to enhance relaxation and recharge the body, mind and spirit. Over and above this, is the lodge’s exclusivity and the privacy to enjoy every moment of the experience. Our luxurious private wildlife lodge and reserve are undoubtedly the preferred destination for discerning guests.
Reminiscent of Victorian Grandeur
Although he’s a contentious historical figure today because of his political and social views, Kipling was an educated, well-travelled man during the heyday of the British Empire, and so he would probably have relished a stay in Zwahili’s lodge luxury, since certain appointments and décor elements are reminiscent of late Victorian style and grandeur, combined with distinctly African wildlife and other names, items, colours and textures.
African and Victorian Era-Inspired Elements and Features
Whether you join our guided wildlife safaris on an open viewing vehicle, explore the territory on foot on a guided walk, or simply wish to relax at our lovely Limpopo lodge to watch the game passing by, we look forward to spoiling you in style and luxury at Zwahili.