MATEYA SAFARI LODGE
MATEYA SAFARI LODGE
LUXURY GAME LODGE
Mateya Safari Lodge is a boutique luxury retreat located in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Designed by Paragon Architects, the lodge is situated around two natural koppies and seamlessly integrates with its surrounding bushveld. The project strikes a balance between privacy, luxury, and landscape sensitivity, while allowing for expansive views and discreet service delivery.
The lodge is planned as a dispersed collection of structures that step with the terrain. Five private suites are positioned along the koppie edge, separated by landscaped berms planted with indigenous trees and vegetation. These berms provide privacy and act as buffers, integrating built form with landscape.
Communal areas—lounge, dining, library—are housed in low-slung pavilions near the centre of the site. A raised dining and observation deck overlooks a waterhole, providing an elevated game-viewing experience.
The architecture is defined by thatch roofs, exposed gumpole structures, stone walls, and a restrained natural palette. Interiors open fully to the landscape through sliding glazed doors, timber decks, and plunge pools.
Internal spaces are detailed with polished concrete floors, hand-selected furniture, and curated African artworks and sculptures. The architecture serves as a backdrop to the collection, reinforcing a sense of place and luxury.
Passive design strategies were central to the project. Roof overhangs, cross ventilation, thermal mass, and shaded verandahs help maintain comfort without the need for mechanical cooling. Lighting and infrastructure were kept to a minimum to reduce their impact on the surrounding bush and wildlife.
Mateya represents a refined approach to safari lodge architecture—low impact, materially authentic, and spatially discreet. It demonstrates Paragon’s ability to merge architecture, art, and landscape into a cohesive guest experience.
Location: Madikwe, South Africa
Size: 2,000 m²
Completion Year: 2003
Typology: Hospitality