Royals choose Tuningi Safari Lodge as honeymoon destination
When Peter Phillips, the Queen of England’s eldest grandson, married his Canadian bride Autumn Kelly on 17 May 2008, speculation abounded as to the secret location of their honeymoon. All the couple would reveal was that the place they would be visiting was “hot”. The first destination turned out to be none other that South Africa’s own Tuningi Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve.
Flown by Federal Air from OR Tambo International Airport directly to Madikwe on 19 May, the royal couple appeared happy and relaxed as they received a warm welcome from Tuningi staff. Madikwe is home to approximately 12, 000 animals and the newly-weds’ five-day visit included some of the best game viewing Africa has to offer. They were fortunate enough to see lion, elephant and the ever-elusive leopard.
Tuningi Safari Lodge lends itself perfectly as a romantic African honeymoon destination. One of South Africa’s pre-eminent five-star game lodges, it combines the splendour of the African bushveld with unparalleled luxury. The elegant free-standing rooms with private wooden decks are set apart from each other to provide ultimate seclusion, privacy and peace. The reception and entertainment areas of the main lodge overlook a waterhole from which guests can view Madikwe’s abundant game.
Madikwe also has community upliftment story and this is a great point of interest and attraction to many socially-minded overseas visitors. The reserve was born out of a sense of social responsibility and as a tactic to save the area from poverty. The communities in the area have not only been involved in contributing to the project but also benefited greatly from the jobs that the reserve has created.
The Madikwe Collection, which markets and manages bookings for its portfolio of six carefully selected Madikwe lodges (of which Tuningi is one), has played a significant role in the sustainability of eco-tourism development, conservation and upliftment of the local rural communities within the Madikwe Game Reserve. They have worked on introducing investors to the reserve, selling the land to them and ensuring it is developed in line with an ecologically responsible framework.
The royal couple first considered Tuningi as part of their honeymoon destination when it was recommended to them by an acquaintance who had visited it in the past. William Stephens, Director and Founder of Madikwe Collection and a co-owner of Tuningi, said of their visit, “We were very pleased when we heard that Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly firstly chose Madikwe and secondly Tuningi as the first venue for their honeymoon. It seems that they had a lovely stay, great sightings and an altogether good time.”
For more information, visit Madikwecollection.com.
