In South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province, you will find a few gem destinations that
are off the beaten track. When approaching the brand-new Mantis Hiddn in Addo after a drive along the side of the mountain, it is clear that this is luxury and seclusion in its finest form, as only Mantis can do.
Joining the unique portfolio of Mantis’ hand-picked, experience-focused hotels, Hiddn in Addo adds a flair for the dramatic with the untamed beauty of the surroundings. Perched at the very top of a cliff with the Zuurberg mountains as a backdrop, the architecture and design lend themselves to the landscape instead of overpowering it. The appeal of the property lies in its isolation – with only 14 accommodation options, it’s the sound of nature that reverberates the most profoundly.
Standing on my cantilevered deck, the vistas stretch as far as the eye can see, and far beyond. Millennia Architects let the landscape be the hero, which is seen in the clever use of free-form timber for the canopies and laminated timber beams to fashion a sculptural shelter. Floor-to-ceiling aluminium-framed glass doors slide open to let in the sunshine, or a breeze on hot summer days. The villas are temperature-controlled with highly effective air conditioning in the bedroom, which serves as a magnificent sanctuary for a great night’s sleep.
My villa is spacious, with a lounge area, a coffee & tea station, a mini-bar, a fireplace, a bedroom with ample wardrobe storage, a bathroom with double vanities, an inside shower, and a flush loo. The outside veranda has outdoor seating, an umbrella, and a wood-fired hot tub (Kol-Kol), which gets prepared for guests at least once during their stay.
The color scheme was intentionally kept in tune with nature, with a canvas of beiges, creams, whites, gold, and a few smidgens of green to honor the encircling plant life. With the lodge situated in a fynbos biome, artwork by Frans Smit adorns the wall in the lounge, with two framed botanical paintings in the bedroom, and a glass-pressed floral disc hanging in the WC. A myriad of wooden elements add warmth to the villas – from flooring to lampshades and wardrobe functionality, it blends seamlessly with the leather and dark wood furniture.
At the main lodge, the reception area is striking in its simplicity, with a gorgeous chandelier positioned above a grey table. Guests can purchase memorabilia at the adjacent gallery and curio shop, taking something home that has been locally made. Down the large wooden steps is the bar, where beverages are enjoyed before or after meals. A barista will whip up your favorite hot drink, whether it’s a flat white or a decaf latte with almond milk. To the right of the bar, there is a lounge with a great selection of reading material, and the rimflow pool with sun loungers is perfect for balmy days.
To the left, the dining room is where all meals are served, and head chef Wesley has mastered the art of creating the most delicious cuisine imaginable. The food is like a theatrical production, with languid dinners setting the tone for your 5-course indulgence. It’s clear that freshness, taste, and presentation go hand in hand, and each course is accompanied by a wine pairing of South African origins.
Lodge manager Tracy tells my daughter and me that there is a surprise for us in my villa. Butler Hudson drives us to Villa 8 in the golf cart, and we are met with the smiling faces of assistant spa manager Dineo and spa therapist Bonga. They have set up a welcome ritual, which is a lovely foot cleanse and massage with warm water, intention stones, omumbiri, and shea butter. Completely relaxed, we return to the main area, and today’s lunch is a delectable chicken kebab salad.
Field guide John asks whether we would like to go on a nature walk, and with different distances for your level of fitness, we choose the stroll, which is close to a mile. We commence through the yellowwood forest, and John stops to show us interesting trees, plants, and insects. A grasshopper is so well camouflaged on a tree branch that the only thing giving its presence away is its glistening eye. At the end of our walk, there is a cascading waterfall, concluding this afternoon’s time spent immersed in nature. Dinner is a gastronomic delight with a bread course, amuse bouche, kudu kebabs for starters, sliced T-bone for the main course, and Eton mess for dessert.
Following a restful night, we are excited to visit Addo Elephant National Park, which is located about an hour’s drive from the lodge. It is South Africa’s third-largest national park and is home to many elephants, as the name suggests. We are on the lookout for these large and magnificent pachyderms, and John spots a large bull making his way towards us. To his right, there are two other bulls peacefully feeding. What will happen if they cross paths? We wait. Suddenly, they are face to face, and the large dominant bull locks trunks with the younger one. In a playful display of dominance, the friendly tussle doesn’t last long, and they go their separate ways.
A small shape runs across the road. It’s so swift that we only see the tip of its bushy tail as it disappears under a small brush. Is it a meerkat? No, it’s a yellow mongoose! Interestingly enough, they are sometimes referred to as red meerkats. This shy guy doesn’t seem to want his photo taken, and we know that when it comes to wildlife, patience is a virtue. Finally, the mongoose reappears, and much to our delight, he sits up, seemingly posing for us.
The plains game is out in full force. We encounter a gorgeous male kudu with his impressive, twisted horns, a family of kudus with lots of young ones, and red hartebeest in the open grasslands. On our way out of the park, a very pregnant zebra is standing on the side of the road. She is so close that I can count her eyelashes. Her brown eyes are kind, and she pauses for us, joining the rest of the herd a few minutes later.
For weary city travelers who need a break from the stresses of everyday life or simply to get away from it all, Mantis Hiddn in Addo has it all – the luxury, the wellness, nature, and the cuisine. Sometimes the road less traveled has some bumps along the way, but nothing stops you from smoothing the path with a few nights at a lodge that seems suspended in the air and floats above the clouds.
