Located in South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve, andBeyond’s Kirkman’s Kamp has reopened with a sophisticated new design persona.
Renowned for its historic atmosphere and spectacular setting in South Africa’s acclaimed Sabi Sand Game Reserve, andBeyond Kirkman’s Kamp has emerged from its most recent facelift ready to wow safari travelers. The camp’s new look retains its old-world character while providing modern-day luxury and comfort.
Carried out by design firm Fox Browne Creative, who also recently relaunched andBeyond’s Bateleur Camp in Kenya, the refurbishment enhanced the 1920 ambiance of the lodge, which is partly housed in a homestead that dates back to a time when the renowned Big Five game reserve was no more than a cattle farm.
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Acknowledging the lodge’s rich history, the focus was on providing an added touch of glamour, rather than altering its well-loved style. The addition of wallpaper murals featuring a bushveld scene has provided a focal point in the 12 guest cottages, while generous personal bars and brand new outdoor seating provides more facilities for guests to relax in their rooms.
The biggest change has been reserved for the bathrooms, which have been entirely re-done, with the old fashioned baths replaced with extra-large showers and double vanities. The finishes are in keeping with the 1920 style, featuring embossed tiles, ribbed glass, and marble.
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The main lodge building, which was once the home of farmer-turned-conservationist Harry Kirkman, for whom the camp is named, has also benefited from a refresh. The dining room has also been entirely restyled, creating an inviting and luxurious space that now includes a coffee bar and additional seating, while the lodge’s bar, the heart of the lodge as guests share stories of their wildlife encounters, has also received a refreshed new look.
Photographs, paintings, and other mementos dating back to Kirkman’s help to preserve the sense of stepping back in history, while the clever use of more modern furniture and accents has elevated the homestead to a warm and luxurious, yet authentic, frontier farmhouse feel.
The camp is situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, which shares unfenced borders with the world-renowned Kruger National Park. The reserve is famed for its intimate wildlife encounters, particularly leopard viewing. Game drives traverse an area of 26 000 acres and strict vehicle limits at sightings ensure the exclusivity of the game viewing experiences.
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