5* Lush is located on the Black Rhino Game Reserve –a private concession area within the malaria-free greater Pilanesberg National Park.
Lush Private Lodge
Lush is located on the Black Rhino Game Reserve – a private concession within the malaria-free greater Pilanesberg National Park (55 000ha/135 900ac). The park, encircled by the hills of a volcanic ring-dyke complex and containing both Kalahari and Lowveld biomes, is a wilderness Eden. Nearly all animal species endemic to Southern Africa are to be found here.The development of the park is considered one of the most ambitious projects of its kind anywhere in the world. It began with Operation Genesis in 1979, which game-fenced the area and reintroduced long-vanished wildlife. Today, Pilanesberg is home to over 7 000 animals – including all of the Big Five, 25 other mammal species, 350-plus kinds of birds, and innumerable reptile and insect species.
As a guest of Lush, you are assured a private – and unique – safari experience, with the rare opportunity to see the black rhino. The lodge has traversing access to the whole of Pilanesberg, including the Black Rhino Game Reserve and the park’s limited-access Wilderness Area – established for the protection and breeding of this critically endangered animal, threatened by poaching.
Other successful park conservation initiatives are the Brown Hyena Project and Cheetah Project. The brown hyena is classified near threatened and is at risk due to the mistaken belief that they are harmful to livestock. The cheetah is currently classified vulnerable – though there is call for its reclassification as endangered – and is under threat from poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. Since the lodge’s opening in May 2018, the owners have continuously added new features and upgrades, supported by a happy team that takes great care of the lodge. Apart from smaller details, there have been impressive additions, and some are still in the making:
- The team has proudly welcomed guests for dinners under the stars in an exquisite Boma since 2019.
- 2021 saw the opening of the Wine Cellar, which features an
intimate indoor dining venue (great on winter evenings). Outdoor
seating on different levels provides privacy and showcases the
impressive Pilanesberg scenery.
- DELUXE SUITES
In January 2022, an additional Deluxe Suite was launched. Larger in size, more private, and exclusive, guests now have their own personal experience of Africa – best enjoyed from a viewing lounge upstairs, the deck, the heated plunge pool, or the bedroom. - LUSH WELLNESS
TREATMENTS
Launching 1 September 2022, you will have the opportunity to destress and balance your body and mind, by experiencing deep relaxation with our new Lush wellness treatments using organic Terres D’Afrique Products. - --The gym: Besides the high-end equipment, full bathroom facilities and changing rooms, the new gym offers a gorgeous view, turning any workout into a pleasure. The use of the gym will obviously be free of charge to guests.
- --We expect that the two spacious treatments rooms will be a game changer for Lush. A spa menu and product range will be made available closer to the opening date, later this year.
