Twiga Lodge is a private home in a concession within the Greater Kruger National Park in South Africa. The site is located on an elevated embankment, with views northwards through established Jackalberry and Leadwood trees towards the Olifants River.

The client’s brief was for a home in the bush that could be used for several months of the year, and could accommodate large groups of ten people for shorter visits, as well as feeling comfortable for just a single couple to use as a home for longer periods of time. An additional element of the brief was that the intention would be for the home to one day be sold as a 16 bed lodge in future, so provision had to be made for additional guest rooms and service rooms to be added.

The design was driven by a desire for the buildings to be deeply spiritually rooted to the site, but to have minimal physical impact upon the site. The lodge is designed as a series of elevated timber pavilions raised above the ground, connected by timber walkways which drop to the ground to allow the natural passage of elephants, hippos and other mammals along established animal paths. The mature trees were a key design anchor, and the lodge includes as elevated treehouse platform within the tree canopy, accessed by an elevated timber bridge. The material palette is natural, tactile, low tech and largely vernacular.

The project is currently in design development, with construction due to commence in 2024.

Location: Mvuu Private Concession, Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa

Client: Private