A Short History Of The Kruger Eden Lodge

There is not much history about the Kruger Eden Lodge as it is new. But of course there was something before that.

Story of Marloth Park
Marloth Park Holiday Township was incorporated on December 7, 1977, covering an area of ​​approximately 1548 hectares divided into 4000 lots totaling 55% of the area. Marloth Park is named after the Aloe marlothii. The Aloe marlothii owes its name to the German-South African botanist, chemist and pharmacist Dr. Rudolf Marloth (1855-1931), who made a name for himself with research into the Cape flora. Many other plants were named after him. He originates from the same district in Germany as the current owners of the Kruger Eden Lodge. Aloe marlothii blooms from May to August, during the dry season. Flower color ranges from deep orange-red to yellow and can grow up to 4 m tall.

Marloth Park has its own reserve called Lionspruit which was established in 1992 and covers a total of 1500 hectares and 96km of driveways. The property of the Kruger Eden Lodge consists of 3 plots:
Buffel Street 4456, 4457, 4458. There are no other properties between the Kruger Eden Lodge and the Crocodil River that borders to the Kruger National Park.

The thatched main house with 2 bed rooms was built around 1992 and used as a private bush retreat. About 2001 the owners changed and a spacious thatched guest house with 2 additional bed rooms was built. However it remained for private use only. In 2019, the current owners acquired the ensemble to use it as a private base camp for their travels throughout South Africa and for game drives in to the Kruger National Park. It was extensively and completely rebuilt and modernized.

“The idea of the conversion was a high quality but plain elegance that doesn´t compete with nature but blends in harmoniously.”

Founding Kruger Eden Lodge
One day the idea came up to share this jewel with the public and make it accessible to other guests during the unused time. The name was obvious from a quick glance at the beautiful trees and animals in the garden.The guests loved it.

Then Covid hit. But instead of simply closing up, the decision was made to use the time to expand and modernize.

The following extensions were carried out before end of 2022:

– New construction of a generator house
– New construction of a modern staff residence
– Conversion and extension of the old garage into a guest house with 4 rooms and a reception
– Extension and construction of a large terrace with jacuzzi
– In addition, the neighboring property could be acquired with further modifications
– Conversion of the garage into laundry, storage and a room for nature guides
– Building a generous boma- New construction of a gym with fitness equipment
– 1 Luxury Thatched Bungalow with 2 bed rooms and an additional outside shower 

The following building will be completed by Mai 2023:

– 1 Luxury Bungalow with 2 bed rooms and an additional tent on its outlook platform 

Since 01. of Oktober 2022, the team of Kruger Eden Lodge awaits all guests with great pleasure.

We want to give you an unforgettable time at this magic place.

The post Becoming Kruger Eden Lodge first appeared on Kruger Eden Lodge.

The Mystery of the Ancestral Tree

When you visit our lodge you will definitely be amazed by the wonderful looking wood that you will find in some of the rooms, e.g. as a tables, bedside tables, shelfs or outside as handrails and stairs.

This is the wood of the ancestral or leadwood tree, the largest species of bush willows in southern Africa. (Combretum imberb, Afrikaans: hardekool, Sotho: mohwelere-tšhipi, Tsonga: motswiri/mondzo, Zulu: impondondlovu)

It has a spreading, rather sparse, rounded to slightly umbrella-shaped crown. The small, grey-green leaves are borne on spiny, thin branches. The branches and leaves are hairless. It grows up to approx. 20 m high and the trunk can reach a diameter of up to 1.5 m. The characteristic bark is pale to dark gray and deeply fissured in the longitudinal direction. It reminds a little of crocodile skin. The wood is very hard and heavy, as the colloquial name suggests.

The Hereros and Ovambos of Namibia attach a special cultural and religious significance to the tree, as for them it is the great ancestor of all animals and humans. Kruger Eden Lodge is proud of the presence of ancestral trees on our property, which we treat with respect and even leave dead trees in the place where they lived their lives.

Our wood comes exclusively from settlement fellings in the region. Normally it would be burned in the process. In a small local craft business, however, the wood is saved from this fate and given a second life as a wonderful piece of furniture, which is exclusively and individually made for us with great craftsmanship. With good care, it can last for centuries and thus delight many generations.

But there is another mystery of the ancestral tree, related to its wood. The stored heartwood is unsightly grey. However, if you oil and polish it, it turns a wonderful dark brown. On colder days the special oil must be heated up as to be seen on the photo. Particularly beautiful are the yellow edges of the outer layers that border the brown heartwood and even show up in some places on the furniture.

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