The reserve is situated in the heart of Zululand, KwaZulu Natal, about two and a half hours from Durban, where sister-lodges Biyela and Mthembu are located. ‘mFulaWozi is about more than simply spectacular game watching, wonderful food, and breathtaking décor; it’s about a journey of purpose and the establishment of a culture of mutual respect,’ explains Barry Theunissen.
All rooms are handcrafted by members of the local Mthembu and Biyela Zulu tribes and have their own private observation terrace where visitors can immerse themselves in nature and the area’s rich history. Both cabins, designed by architect Peter Whitehouse and interior designer Michelle Throsslle, are run off the grid using solar power and water collected locally and fed through a filtering facility.
Biyela Lodge, named after local chief Biyela, a descendent of King Shaka, is an attractive and exclusive retreat for couples, replete with individual plunge pools. The suites are fashioned on a contemporary apothecary concept as a synthesis of modern ideas with an expression of the wonderful surrounds around it, creating an enclave of seclusion and eco-luxury. The resort is constructed into the slope of this unspoiled mFulaWozi wilderness, with cool rectilinear pavilions, and is well positioned to maximize the sweeping views of the massive flood plains of the White iMfolozi River below.
Mthembu Lodge is nestled on the embankment of the White iMfolozi River, commanding excellent vistas and game viewing from the comfort of its seven luxury one-bedroom apartments and two-family villas. Mthembu, aimed for the discriminating tourist, is the ideal family resort, inviting youngsters as young as 10 years old and delivering a pleasant, calm, and naturally elegant notion of space. It mixes modern, inventive design with fashionable African elements, as well as a plethora of natural materials including earthy woods, leather, and brass.
The mFulaWozi Wilderness Private Game Reserve spans 16 000 hectares of unspoiled African bushveld, 6000 of which are already included in the Hluluwe iMfolozi Park, Africa’s longest designated nature reserve. With the removal of barriers separating the parks, it is now one of the few remaining safe havens for vast numbers of animals, including the Big 5, to wander freely. This one-of-a-kind wilderness region represents the essence of the Zulu country and unlocks the tourism attraction of the land’s rich culture, history, and wildlife. It only provides an exciting game drive experience to residents of Biyela and Mthembu Lodges. There are spa treatments offered, as well as birdwatching, guided hikes and trails, and good photography possibilities.
As one of the Zulu nation’s last strongholds, mFulaWozi provides a unique blend of insight into Zulu history, culture, nature, and wildlife, enabling tourists to engage with five hundred years of history. As part of his hunting grounds and conservation area, Shaka Zulu preserved this territory to safeguard the endemic wildlife. For years, historians, scholars, and environmentalists have hoped and worked to develop a sustainable ecotourism hub of this magnitude and significance. Its mission now is to safeguard and preserve both the wilderness and its communities for future generations.
mFulaWozi is advocating for a long-term paradigm of socioeconomic development in the areas that have been devastated in recent years. The upliftment of these impoverished communities has now enabled them to undertake a variety of programs, resulting in a more robust economic environment. It is not just a model for a future in which people and animals can coexist, but it is also mFulaWozi’s legacy to commit to the preservation and protection of Zulu culture.
