Marketing and sales representation company, Inspirational Places (IP) has announced the expansion of its portfolio of luxury hotels and lodges across Southern Africa, with the addition of mFulaWozi Wilderness Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal, and soon-to-be-opened  Mukwa River Lodge in Livingstone, Zambia.

mFulawozi Wilderness, home to Biyela and Mthembu Lodges, is back under the management of the founders, Barry and Sonya Theunissen. The sister-lodges are situated on the banks of the White iMfolozi River in the heart of Zululand, just two and a half hours drive from Durban. Biyela and Mthembu re-opened in 2021 after an extensive revamp that included a focus on interior design. Biyela consists of 12 luxury standalone suites – an exclusive offering with private plunge pools; whilst Mthembu Lodge offers seven, luxury one-bedroom suites and two family suites as the perfect family destination.

The mFulaWozi Wilderness Private Game Reserve stretches across 16 000 hectares of untouched African bushveld, 6000 hectares of which have already been incorporated into the Hluluwe iMfolozi Park, the oldest proclaimed nature reserve in Africa. This unique wilderness area embodies the spirit of the Zulu nation and unlocks the tourist appeal of the rich culture, history and biodiversity of the land. It offers an exclusive game drive experience to guests of Biyela and Mthembu Lodges only.

Mukwa River Lodge in Zambia is set to open on 1 April 2022. It is situated in a prime position on the banks of the Great Zambezi River, an easy 21km drive from Livingstone with convenient access upstream from Victoria Falls. The six-suite luxury lodge will offer a range of exciting water-based activities, including water safari and game viewing opportunities. Mukwa River Lodge is sister property to Inspirational Places members The Residence Boutique Hotel in Houghton (Johannesburg), and Camp Ndlovu in the Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg (Limpopo).

Inspirational Places now represents members in South Africa, Namibia and Zambia. Other recent additions to the IP portfolio include  Brookdale Estate in the Winelands (Paarl); Perivoli – Lagoon House on the banks of the Hermanus Lagoon (Stanford); The Alphen Hotel & Spa in Constantia and The Marly Hotel & Spa in Camps Bay (Cape Town); and Habitas Namibia in the greater Windhoek area (Namibia).

Allie Hunt, who has owner-managed Inspirational Places since 2008, says that with international markets opening up slowly, the company’s focus is to take the clients of Inspirational Places back onto the global platform. ‘We are passionate about profiling and promoting some of the most unforgettable Southern African experiences. Despite two difficult years during the pandemic, we managed to pull through, thanks to the commitment of the current members to keep Inspirational Places going. We are also thrilled to have been able to grow with the addition of a number of new members, whilst keeping our portfolio and service approach both focussed and personal.’

IP also represents shuttle and charter airline Federal Airlines, which continued operating, keeping the skies open under extreme conditions over the last two years. Federal Airlines continues to offer a reliable and dependable air service getting guests to South African safari lodges timeously.

Completing the current IP portfolio is longstanding members Schoone Oordt Country House in Swellendam; The Residence in Houghton; and Mosaic Lagoon Lodge in a milkwood forest outside Stanford; safari lodges Jamala Madikwe in the Madikwe Reserve; and Camp Ndlovu in the Welgevonden Game Reserve (Waterberg); as well as Wild Frontiers, which operates both as a DMC and Lodge owner in Tanzania (East Africa) and other parts of Southern Africa.