Mantis Hiddn in Addo is South Africa’s new ultra-luxury eco lodge

Now open in Addo Elephant National Park, this design-led retreat combines private villas, personalised itineraries and conservation-focused safari experiences

Mantis Hiddn in Addo has opened within Addo Elephant National Park, approximately 72 kilometres from Gqeberha, introducing a new ultra-luxury lodge to a region where high-end accommodation remains relatively limited.

Set across elevated terrain within a protected section of the reserve, the property has been designed to maximise views across valleys and ridgelines while maintaining a low-impact footprint. The opening reflects a broader shift in safari design, where time spent at the lodge is given equal weight to time in the field.

Experiences

Each stay is organised around a dedicated Experience Guide, with planning beginning prior to arrival and continuing throughout the stay.

Rather than fixed schedules, daily activities are shaped by conditions on the ground. Game drives and guided walks are timed according to wildlife movement and weather, while time at the lodge is intentionally left open, allowing for a slower, more flexible pace.

Additional experiences include birdwatching, photography, cultural storytelling and conservation-led activities such as rewilding walks and nocturnal ecology encounters.

Design and accommodation

Accommodation comprises ten one-bedroom suites, two two-bedroom suites and two four-bedroom villas designed for larger groups. Each residence is positioned for privacy and uninterrupted views, with private decks and outdoor bathing elements, while the villas include infinity pools.

Interiors favour natural materials and South African craftsmanship, with a restrained palette that allows the surrounding landscape to remain the focal point. Communal spaces are centred around open-plan living and dining areas that transition easily between indoors and outdoors.

The lodge has been built using modular, low-impact construction, supported by solar energy systems, water harvesting and recycling initiatives.

Wellness

Wellness is integrated into the broader guest experience rather than treated as a standalone offering.

Treatments have been developed in collaboration with African skincare brands using plant-based ingredients, with a focus on longer, ritual-based therapies such as lymphatic drainage, deep tissue massage and sleep-focused treatments.

These are complemented by guided yoga, breathwork and nature-based practices, as well as outdoor bathing experiences, including traditional wood-fired tubs.

Dining 

Dining follows a flexible, personalised format, with menus shaped by seasonal ingredients and guest preferences rather than a fixed structure.

Experiences range from open-fire cooking and boma-style dinners to foraging-led experiences and private villa dining, with an emphasis on regional flavours and storytelling through food.

Destination

Addo Elephant National Park is one of South Africa’s largest conservation areas, home to elephant, lion, buffalo and diverse birdlife. Its proximity to Gqeberha makes it one of the country’s more accessible safari destinations, particularly for travellers combining city and wilderness stays.

Fully inclusive rates at Mantis Hiddn in Addo start from approximately £2,000 per suite per night.