About Us

Our Story

The land that Elephant Walk Retreat is built on has been a family heritage since 1973.

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, where they have blissfully spent the last 49 years, raising their daughter, and their grandchildren.

The family always had a love for the Kruger National Park and had visited the area frequently for holidays. Stephanie’s father was told by the camp manager of Crocodile Bridge Gate at the time, that this beautiful piece of land was for sale, and when he went to see it, he fell in love.

Mike and Stephanie Klopper - Elephant Walk Retreat

With its unparalleled views of the Kruger National Park, situated on the magnificent Crocodile River, and plenty of wildlife visiting frequently, he knew that 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 be able to share their fantastic location, and the blessed life they experienced daily, with people from all over the world, and so Elephant Walk Retreat began.

They began small, with only two chalets in the corner of the property overlooking the Crocodile Bridge and river. Mike, who is a highly qualified and skilled “Jack of all trades” designed the chalets and implemented the entire procedure, with Stephanie joining him at the helm.

Along with their loyal staff, Mike built the chalets, with his very own hands, and 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 only fitting because the area itself had become a much-loved spot for magnificent herds of sometimes over 200 elephants to visit on a daily basis for a drink. The youngsters loved to play among the reeds, while the adults spent the hot, sunny days taking a dip in the river. To this very day, the elephants still love to visit and come right up to the fence.

Over the years, Elephant Walk Retreat has continued to expand, with a total of 4 chalets, 5 log cabins, and a large (and always inviting) swimming pool. The aim has always been to keep the lodge intimate and exclusive for their guests.

Mike and Stephanie created Elephant Walk Retreat as a haven for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and experience the magic of the Kruger National Park exclusively. Elephant Walk Retreats catch-phrase, “Rest, Relax and return” which was thought out by Stephanie’s late mother, sums up exactly what they have tried to achieve here.