The spirit of Shambala Nelson Mandela Villa
Just a 2 ½ hour drive, or 45 minute helicopter flight from Johannesburg, The Nelson Mandela Villa at Shambala Private Game Reserve is a quiet sanctuary close to the mystical Waterberg Mountains. Privacy, exclusivity and understated luxury define this beautiful villa that once housed Nelson Mandela. It is here that he wrote his acclaimed autobiography ‘Long Walk to Freedom’.
The villa offers five luxury bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, and one Presidential Suite. The Presidential Suite has an ensuite double bathroom, his and hers dressing rooms, as well as a private living room, dining room and kitchenette. There is a staff wing leading directly off the main residence. Meals will be prepared by your private Chef, and a butler service is included. The villa may be booked for a maximum of 12 people.
Other amenities in the villa include a dining area with a 14-seater table, informal and formal lounges, 2 private studies, a business centre and boardroom facilities, an on-site spa with 2 treatment rooms, and an indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool situated on a viewing deck overlooking a private waterhole.
Additional activities include your own dedicated daytime and spot-lit night game drives, and the reserve’s signature ‘Big Five interaction’ bush walks, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Enjoy unlimited cruises on the Douw Steyn dam, the largest man-made lake in southern Africa, home to indigenous fish species like the largemouth bass, hippos and crocodiles. This is a perfect place to watch a spectacular African sunset.
What we love about Shambala Nelson Mandela Villa
- Look up to the crystal clear night skies and spot the ‘heavenly’ Big Five with the help of a stargazing guide.
- Enjoy a gourmet bush picnic surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush, accompanied by your dedicated game ranger.
- Treat yourself to one of the Shambala Spa’s signature full-body massages.