As a family business, we are always in motion which means our five beautifully appointed camps are always being crafted, tweaked and lovingly refurbished. It is with great excitement today that we share a little of our latest news with you… that of the refurbishment of Pioneer Camp.
Our incredible interior design team headed up by Shan Varty, Yvonne O’Brien and Duncan MacLarty set about re-using, re-engineering and restoring the original feeling of this beautiful African Safari camp. The inspiration for the refreshed look was to weave the Ralph Lauren style into the original safari homestead resulting in the classic layering of signature textures and iconic features which reflect an African heart.
Pioneer camp carries all the elements of authentic bushveld living, clean lines, simple timeless and classic elegance with a touch of crystal. A sense of history pervades the camp through faithfully restored memorabilia, photographs, leather and a bespoke one-of-a-kind wallpaper that lines the Pioneer Camp bar and tells a story of the lives of safari pioneers from just under a century ago.
One of my favourite features of this camp is the established gardens reflecting generations of Varty women who have worked with nature to create indigenous and meditative spaces abundant with impala lilies, aloes, plumbagoes, and wild figs that attract butterflies, sunbirds, and- among others- the paradise flycatcher…one of my favourites.
Over the past few years, Pioneer Camp has hosted many multi-generational families who return year after year to “their” safari home, and we had to make sure that the refresh met their strict approval and that we maintained the warmth and familiarity that they have all come to love. I hope that when they return it still feels like home…
We haven’t changed the contemporary, luxurious feeling of each private suite, but this refurbishment has allowed for us to refresh and upgrade the ‘explorer lounge’, interactive kitchen, lookout deck, breakfast balcony and full-length lap pool.
So without further ado, enjoy the newly refurbished Pioneer Camp
Pioneer look amazing. Love the wallpaper. Great video.
This was the first camp we stayed in 2011. Since then we have stayed in Tree Camp twice, and Founders Camp once – we stayed in Founders Camp when we brought our daughters family with us (Kira, Justin, and our granddaughter Lolayna – then 7). We hope to return in 2020 (for my 70 birthday (March 2), and our 50th wedding anniversary(September 5)) with our daughters family, it will be in your winter season due to school recess. So it won’t be on the exact dates, but we will still celebrate these auspicious occasions.
Bronwyn, The upgrades look so inviting. Not sure how you managed to improve something that was so beautiful before, but your team did just that. Great job
Classic safari style with splashes of modern thrown in to suit today’s travelers, makes this a perfect destination for couples or families. I noticed a few similarities between this camp and Founders namely the bathtub, bed and plunge pool. Those three things made my room time really special.
Super video as well as the blog!!
Outstanding refurb – simply beautiful. Just love the colours and textures.
What wonderful memories come flooding back while viewing the refurbishing of Pioneer Camp. John and I have stayed at Tree Camp once and Pioneer Camp twice. Our absolute favourite is House #1 in Pioneer. It looks so bright,peaceful and refreshing and certainly became our “safari home”. Shan what a fabulous job you and your team have done. Congratulations!
Looks beautiful! Pioneer will always be close to our hearts. ❤️