Hitgeheim Country Lodge

Addo Eastern Cape - South Africa

The name Hitgeheim is derived from our surname Hitge - “Home or place of the Hitge Family” - German, in Dutch it’s known as “Big Secret”, hence Addo’s luxurious secret.
The Hitge family relocated to Addo from Oudtshoorn in 1990 and purchased this 238 hectare property of pristine Uitenhage Bushveld in 1999 with the vision of developing an exclusive thatched lodge.

It took nearly two years to finalise the building plans and another two years to complete the first 4 of the now 8 chalets.
During the final year of construction they started training local unemployed people in the hospitality industry.
The most successful candidates were employed by Hitgeheim Country Lodge and lead to more in-house training courses at Hitgeheim.

Hitgeheim Country Lodge opened doors in October 2003 and the rest is history. The Hitge family prides themselves on contributing towards the upliftment of the local community through staff training, supporting local and charity organisations, and being involved with ‘Green Earth’ projects such as the ‘Thicket Rehabilitation Project’ – an initiative of the Gamtoos Irrigation Board in co-operation with the Working for Woodlands Team.

Hitgeheim Country Lodge Accommodation

Hitgeheim Country Lodge consists of 8 Chalets - 3 Honeymoon Suites (superior), 2 Family Chalets (superior), 3 Luxury Chalets - set amongst indigenous gardens with prolific birdlife.
Each chalet offers stylishly appointed bedrooms with luxurious bathrooms, private wooden decks with panoramic views overlooking the Valley below and the Addo Elephant National Park in the distance.

Features include air-conditioning, heating, electric blankets, bathrobes, signature bathroom amenities, hair dryer, electronic safe, mini-bar, complimentary sherry, snack basket, coffee & tea facilities, and wireless internet connection.
Extra-length twin or king beds. The ‘wet style’ bathrooms are finished in natural stone and offer separate toilets and selected rooms offer additional outdoor showers.

Superior Chalets nr 2,3 and 8. Individually designed and decorated to meet the discerning traveller’s need for space, luxury and privacy.
Superior Family Chalet nr 1 and 4 These stylish decorated chalets have two single beds which can convert to a king extra length double bed. We can accommodate two kids under 12 on a double leather sleeper couch if they are prepared to share the bed. Sub-adults from 13-18, we allow only one per room. We also use these rooms should you wish to have single beds.

Luxury: 5, 6 &7 Individually decorated with a sense of timeless elegance and luxury. These chalets are slightly smaller 48sqm. The only difference is that these three enter from the front walkway.
The layout has been carefully planned to optimise the view and to allow the same privacy of the decks and outside showers. Room nr 5 have two single extra length beds and 6 & 7 each king extra length.
Check-in time: from 14H00 Check-out time: up to 10H30

Cuisine
Hitgeheim Country Lodge has established a reputation for outstanding cuisine. Dining with regional cuisine and unique story-telling wines from the walk-in wine cellar ensure that dining is an unforgettable experience.
Sundowner drinks, cocktails and canapés are enjoyed on the veranda while watching the sun set. Choose your main course and dessert from our 6-course menu before you sit down to a gourmet dinner served in luxurious splendour. All meals are carefully planned and prepared by our resident Cordon Blue Chef to suit the guests’ special dietary requirements, if any. Our chef is available for any special requests.

Breakfast includes seasonal fresh fruits, stewed dried fruit, yoghurt, muesli and cereals, cold meats and cheeses, preserves and fresh fruit juices, followed by a traditional South African breakfast or the ‘Sunrise Surprise’.
We request that guests notify us of any special dietary requirements/requests prior to their visit.

Hitgeheim Country Lodge Leisure Time.
This is what we are all good at. Doing pure nothing, and not feeling guilty about it, enjoying the peace and quietness, either from your deck, the swimming pool or one of the many loungers, sipping a nice chilled white wine or a finer selected red.
Or simply stroll through the natural surroundings and experience the indigenous antelope species at close range. Relax in the tranquil environment teeming with birdlife, a birder’s paradise or spend your day on your private wooden deck behind your camera’s lens, photographing resident birds and antelope species, and the sweeping vistas. For all these reasons we recommend a minimum stay of three nights.

Weddings & Honeymoons
Hitgeheim Country Lodge enjoys magnificent views over tranquil citrus orchards and the sweeping country side of the Sundays River Valley.
Perfect for an enchanting, exclusive wedding set in the heart of 240 hectares of splendid Valley bushveld. Whether you would prefer a casual, traditional or more lavish day, we are here to ensure that your special occasion is truly unique and stunningly beautiful.

Honeymoon packages include romantic turn-downs, sparkling wine and canapés on day of arrival, breakfast on your veranda or a private dinner in the wine-cellar.

Location of Hitgeheim Country Lodge
Hitgeheim Country Lodge is situated near Addo, close to the Addo Elephant National Park Main Gate in the malaria-free Eastern Cape, South Africa - 72km from Port Elizabeth Airport.

It is the perfect country retreat as it is an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth. For a detailed map, please click here.
GPS co-ordinates:
33° 31’ 51” S
25° 37 ’ 27 ” E

Recommended route from Port Elizabeth: Take the N2 towards Grahamstown.
About 10km outside Port Elizabeth you will cross the Swartkops River, drive past BLUEWATER BAY and take first EXIT to the left, MOTHERWELL / MARKMAN / ST GEORGE’S.

Turn left onto the R335 and follow road to ADDO for approximately 45km. After you crossed the railway line turn left onto R336 towards KIRKWOOD.
Continue along R336 for 9km, turn left at HITGEHEIM Country Lodge signboard, travel for 2km, turn left at main entrance onto eco-reserve and follow signage to the Lodge. Please look out for animals, this is a 20km/h zone!

Recommended route from Graaff-Reinet: Take the R75 to Port Elizabeth. Turn left onto R335 to Kirkwood/Addo Elephant National Park.
Turn right at 4-way stop in Main Street, Kirkwood. After 17km pass through Summerville (pack house on left hand side).
+3km further turn right at HITGEHEIM Country Lodge signboard (towards Nooitgedacht), travel for 2km, turn left at main entrance onto eco-reserve and follow signage to the Lodge. Please look out for animals, this is a 20km/h zone!
By Air: There is a landing strip situated on the eco-reserve.
Transfers from/to Port Elizabeth: On request

Safaris & Activities
Hitgeheim is ideally situated for an unforgettable Wildlife Safari in the malaria-free Eastern Cape. You can easily visit any - or even all four - of the game reserves which are all in very close proximity to us, each offering an unique experience.

Addo Elephant National Park Morning Safari
Accompany our guide on our private luxury open-top safari vehicle to the Addo Elephant National Park where you will be treated to a picnic while observing and experiencing the behaviour of the unique Addo Elephants herds. A lot have been written about why Addo with a privateer.
Our humble opinion which grew from experience in as short as possible. Addo is no scenic park like Kruger National Park, the Delta in Botswana or the Serengeti.

This is the most successful conservation project in Africa. Addo is more than just close-up photographs of elephants, it is also about the history of Addo and the Fauna and Flora.
Doing Addo the first time with an experienced guide allows you see, hear, smell and understand all those interesting facts about Addo that you will most certainly miss doing a self-drive.
The few privateers that are qualified to do this did it for reasons and most important, to ensure that their guests have a perfect Addo experience.

Addo Elephant Back Safari
This name is sometimes very misleading. The encounter is not in Addo Elephant Park and not a Safari. It is in the Zuurberg mountains and one hour drive on a very bad road. only 35 km.
This however is a once in a lifetime must do and the combination with seeing and experiencing the gentle wild herds of Addo in the morning and then have the opportunity to touch, feed, walk with and ride the biggest land mammal on earth for the afternoon is something else.

We are happy to associate ourselves with this experience. The 3 gentle giants are genuine orphans, trained with passion and love, caring with the income they create for many other young orphans belonging to the Wither’s Trust. It depend on your program whether they fetch you at Hitgeheim or at their ticket office at the Wine Bar and Cafe. We arrange all this prior to your arrival.

Schotia Tooth and Claw Safari
This small Private Game Reserve offers the largest variety of wildlife, boarders Addo and perfected wildlife viewing 20 years ago.
The afternoon / evening safari will allow you to have close encounters with all the other species of wildlife which you might have not seen in Addo.
Lion sighting is 99% guaranteed and rhino, hippo, giraffe and many more antelope species will let you leave with a big smile.

The two hour afternoon safari all in open vehicles, followed by a very different boma dinner and finished with a short night drive is by far the best value for money.
You can self-drive to Schotia but we recommend to make use of the transfer purely for safety reasons. Coming back at night on South African gravel roads are not safe unless you are familiar with the conditions.

Daniell’s Cheetah Breeding Sanctuary
The breeder has the skills to breed and raise the endangered cheetah and enjoy sharing it with us all. You are allowed to touch feed and play with the adult and if available the young.
With prior arrangements you are allowed to walk these cats in the natural environment. Most of the time lion cubs are there to kiss and cuddle.

Lenmore Raptor en Reptile Centre
This is not a Las Vegas Show but a young man with a passion for reptile, birds of pray and all other animals. Pose with a poisonous snake around your neck or allow him to pose with a snake in his mouth. It is truly an experience for both old and young.

Amakhala Private Game Reserve
For those that have done it all and need to see something typical of the Eastern Cape Private Wildlife Reserves. The short river cruise while having lunch allow for some magnificent birding.
The safari afterwards is in a rather big reserve and like all wildlife you might be lucky to spot the big 5 but chances are not as secured as with Addo and Schotia.

The animals will also be more at a distance and in bigger numbers. Lions and predators are kept separate from the more expensive scarce antelope. It is however the better of the rest should you have the time - 80 km from us on a good road.

Email Hitgeheim Country Lodge Reservations: booksa@madbookings.com