We are excited to share the news that Askari Game Lodge & Spa, just outside of Magaliesburg (one hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria in Gauteng) has been renamed to African Hills Safari Lodge & Spa.  The new name is a fitting representation of its panoramic setting.

 In 2001, Mr Giuseppe Plumari purchased the farm and turned it into a game reserve on which the present lodge is built.  In 2009, Guvon Hotels took over the management of the lodge.  During the first lockdown, Guvon Hotels decided to withdraw their contract and Mr Plumari took it back and we are now an independent lodge with the same management, staff & service and this was when the decision was made to change the name as Mr Plumari felt that the word ‘Askari’ held negative connotations.

 More land has been purchased to increase the size of the reserve from 6800 hectares to potentially 10,000 hectares, and further areas have been rehabilitated to return the bushveld to its natural state. 

We have had a number of ‘wise men’ coming in over this time to assist with enhancing our guest experiences – Mark Tennant, who you may recall from the Animal Planet Series ‘Mad Mike & Mark’ is one of Africa’s leading wildlife guides for over 35 years and is undertaking full bush and game management. 

 Rob Milne, a historian and author has assisted us in developing battlefield tours – the Battle of Nooitgedacht was fought on this farm on the 13^th December 1900 when Major-General Clements and an army of 1500 men was defeated by 2500 Boers under the command of Generals Christiaan Beyers, Koos de la Rey and Jan Smuts.

 The reserve is rich in geology, archaeology and ancient rock engravings called Petroglyphs and we now offer these experiences to our guests.

 We are also fortunate to have approximately 500 nesting and breeding Cape vultures on the cliffs above the lodge.  The Cape vulture (Gyps coprotheres) is endemic to Southern Africa and has been classified as ‘endangered.’

 Our magnificent collection of wagons, numerous antiques and century old tools have been painstakingly acquired to illustrate something of the lifestyles that the pioneers of this valley endured.  A short, but captivating history of the Magaliesberg area can be found in our Plumari Heritage Museum.

 For more information regarding the lodge, our facilities and current specials, please see our website www.askarilodge.co.za, email us on reservations@askarilodge.co.za or call us on 014-577 2658 or 082 416 1340