Pieter van der Zanden had always dreamt of owning a game farm, and when he drove across the farm that was going to become Zandibela he knew instantly that he had found the place he had imagined. He and his wife, Herna, both felt that they should buy the property, they then worked hard as a team over the next few years to create the lodge.

“When we walked across the hills Pieter knew exactly where he wanted to build the lodge,” says Herna, “he could visualize everything” Pieter who is Dutch, had a grandfather who had established many hotels including the famous Hotel Breda in Holland, so perhaps there is a hotelier gene in his family”

Pieter’s vision wasn’t just to run a luxury lodge; rather it was to create a place where guest could connect with nature and recharge. He wanted a place where they would experience tranquility, observe abundant bird life, walk outdoors, see the animals and plants, experience the silence of the bush, witness great sunsets and, at night, sit around a fire in the boma, talk and star gaze. “What is also very important”, says Pieter “is that Zandibela is on the road to the Baviaanskloof, which is a World Heritage site.”

The couple are delighted that there is San art on the property. “It is a privilege to have the art here”, says Herna. “We are pleased that our guests have the opportunity to learn something about the San and the art they produced.”

When the couple bought the farm it was a sheep farm, like the surrounding farms, but unlike the neighboring properties Zandibela has mountains and ravines and a seasonal river and is more suitable for game. Pieter set about buying game, including Addo buffalo, black wildebeest, blesbuck, eland, giraffe, kudu, nyala, oryx, white springbuck, waterbuck and zebra. “There are 24 species of game animals here at the moment,” says Pieter.

The Van der Zanden’s children clearly shares their parents’ passion for wildlife as they each their own herd. Herna-Dette has a herd of blesbuck, Miranka has waterbuck and Tino copper springbuck roaming on the property.

The couple decided to build Zandibela’s lodges using stone and thatch so that the buildings would sit comfortably in the natural landscape. “It took men a year and a half to collect the stones that we used in the construction,” says Pieter.

Herna was responsible for the décor and enjoying working with the artists who created the intriguing lodge doors and the lodge’s artwork. “We invited them to become artists in residence for a while,” she says, “and you can see some of their art around the lodges.” The lodge has a conference, wedding facilities and a spa.

The Van der Zanden’s are based in Cape Town with their three children, Herna-Dette, Miranka and Tino. To escape the city rush, they commute between Cape Town and Zandibela at least twice a month. “We love spending time at Zandibela to reconnect with nature, and be spoilt by our competent staff,” says Herna