Mike and Stephanie Klopper moved to the Lowveld with Stephanie’s parents that year, and although it was a big move for them to leave Pretoria, it turned out to be a rewarding one.
The family always had a love for the Kruger National Park and had visited the area frequently for holidays and self-drive safari adventures. Stephanie’s father was told by the camp manager at Crocodile Bridge Gate at the time that this beautiful piece of land was for sale. When he went to see it, he fell in love.
With its unparalleled views of the Kruger National Park and situated along the banks of the magnificent Crocodile River, with plenty of wildlife visiting frequently, he knew he had to invest in it.
At that time, the land only had sugarcane on it. There were no trees and no developments of any sort. Through plenty of hard work and perseverance, the land was developed into a magical homestead where the family happily lived for many years.
In 1992, Mike and Stephanie decided that they wanted to share their fantastic location and the blessed life they experienced daily with people from all over the world, and so Elephant Walk Retreat was born.
They began small, with only two chalets in the corner of the property overlooking the Crocodile Bridge and the river. Mike, a highly qualified and skilled “Jack of all Trades,” designed the chalets and implemented the entire procedure, with Stephanie joining him at the helm.
It wasn’t long before they received their first guests. The chalets were named Inyati (meaning “buffalo”) and Bhejane (meaning “rhino”) in the Zulu language.
The name Elephant Walk Retreat seemed fitting because the area itself is a much-loved spot for magnificent herds of elephants, sometimes numbering over 200, that visit daily for a drink. The youngsters love to play among the reeds, while the adults spend the hot, sunny days taking a dip in the river.
The elephants are so at peace that they come right up to the fence line at times, too.
Over the years, Elephant Walk Retreat has continued to expand, featuring a total of 4 chalets, 5 log cabins, and a large, always inviting swimming pool. The aim has always been to keep the lodge intimate and exclusive for its guests.
Mike and Stephanie created Elephant Walk Retreat as a haven for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience the magic of the Kruger National Park, exclusively.
Elephant Walk Retreat’s catch-phrase, “Rest, Relax, Return”, which was coined by Stephanie’s late mother, and sums up the guest experience perfectly.
For over 50 years, four generations of family have called Elephant Walk home.
