At a Glance
- ENVI Lodges expands into South Africa with new eco-luxury tented reserve near Addo National Park.
- Lodge blends wildlife safaris, local cuisine, and sustainable travel for immersive luxury experiences.
- Focus on conservation, wellness, and community defines ENVI Addo’s regenerative hospitality mission.
ENVI Lodges, the eco-luxury hospitality group, is expanding into South Africa with the launch of ENVI Addo Private Reserve, set to open in the summer of 2026.
The new property will mark the brand’s first presence in the country and a key step in its African growth plan.
Immersive wilderness and local Flavor
Located on an 1,800-hectare private reserve bordering Addo National Park in the Eastern Cape, the lodge will feature 10 safari tents and three lodges designed for an intimate stay surrounded by unspoiled nature.
Just over an hour’s drive from Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Gqeberha, the property promises guests close encounters with South Africa’s diverse wildlife.
Dining at ENVI Addo will celebrate the region’s culinary heritage, blending Xhosa, Afrikaans, and Khoi San influences.
Guests can expect open-fire cooking, breakfast in the bush, and sunset drinks with guides sharing first-hand stories from the wild.
A focus on conservation and wellbeing
True to ENVI’s ethos, wellbeing and conservation are central to the experience. Guests can enjoy guided walks, cycling, meditation sessions, and spa treatments powered by solar energy.
The reserve, owned by Gavin and Lynn Biggs, serves as a rehabilitation space for rescued animals before they are released back into their natural habitat.
“I’ve been fortunate to turn my success into something meaningful,” Biggs said. “We’ve rescued and reintroduced several rare species to the wild. This work gives both the animals and the land a second chance.”
The reserve is home to black-footed cats, servals, and black impalas, along with elephants and cheetahs that were ethically relocated through a partnership with the Wildlife Emergency Fund and Fisher Foundation.
Biggs also plans to reintroduce brown hyenas, absent from the area for more than a century.
Regenerative hospitality at work
Paul Jordaan, ENVI’s executive director, said the project aligns closely with the company’s purpose. “It’s not just a new lodge—it’s a partnership that celebrates conservation and community,” he said.
The property’s environmental programs include restoring spekboom, an indigenous carbon-absorbing plant, and protecting Cape honey bees, with the lodge producing its own organic honey.
“Guests won’t just observe nature—they’ll be part of it,” Jordaan said. “We want every stay to inspire awareness and connection with the land.”
