Villa with private pool

Oase by 7 Star Lodges was created from a lifelong passion for Africa, travel, and hospitality.

Over many years, we travelled throughout Southern and East Africa, staying at some of the continent’s most respected safari lodges. While many offered incredible wildlife and beautiful surroundings, we often felt something was missing. Too many experiences followed rigid schedules and standardised routines, leaving little room for guests to truly experience Africa in their own way.

We wanted to create something more personal.

In 2020, we discovered this untouched property on the banks of the Blyde River near Hoedspruit. At the time there was no infrastructure at all — just pristine bushveld, abundant wildlife, and an incredible sense of peace and space. From the beginning, the vision was to build a lodge that felt connected to the landscape while offering a more flexible and private safari experience.

Oase was carefully designed over several years with sustainability and minimal environmental impact in mind. Roads and buildings were positioned to preserve existing vegetation and wildlife movement, while the entire property operates fully off-grid using solar and battery power.

Today, Oase remains family-owned and operated. Our focus is simple: exceptional hospitality, personalised service, privacy, and creating experiences that feel natural rather than scripted. We believe every guest should experience Africa differently, and that philosophy continues to shape everything we do.

We believe this region offers one of the most diverse and rewarding safari destinations in Southern Africa.

Oase is located near Hoedspruit in the Greater Kruger region, just a short drive from Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport, making access incredibly easy for both local and international travellers. Despite its convenience, the property feels completely private and immersed in nature.

What makes the location truly special is the variety of experiences available within a relatively small area. Guests have easy access to Kruger National Park for world-class wildlife viewing, while the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and Panorama Route are close enough for unforgettable day trips filled with mountains, waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, and historic towns.

The property itself sits along the Blyde River and includes several distinct habitats, from riverine forest and open bushveld to seasonal waterways and dense woodland. This creates exceptional birdlife, varied scenery, and regular wildlife sightings directly on the reserve.

We also love the balance this area offers. Guests can enjoy adventure, wildlife, photography, wellness, fine dining, or complete relaxation without needing to travel long distances between experiences.

Perhaps most importantly, Hoedspruit still retains the authentic atmosphere of a true safari town. Conservation, wildlife, and hospitality remain part of everyday life here, and that connection to nature is something guests feel almost immediately upon arrival.

Oase was created as an alternative to the traditional safari lodge experience.

Rather than building the property around fixed schedules and standardised routines, we designed Oase to give guests the freedom to experience Africa at their own pace. While many lodges focus almost entirely on twice-daily game drives, we believe a safari can be far more personal, varied, and immersive.

Every stay at Oase is tailored around the guest. Some visitors spend full days exploring Kruger National Park, while others prefer guided walks, birdwatching, photography, bush dining experiences, wellness treatments, or simply relaxing beside a private pool surrounded by nature.

The property combines the flexibility of a private reserve with access to many of the region’s major attractions. Guests can enjoy wildlife experiences on the reserve itself, take full-day safaris into Kruger, explore the Panorama Route, visit Blyde River Canyon, or enjoy a wide variety of on-site activities.

Privacy is also central to the Oase experience. The lodge has been intentionally designed to feel spacious, peaceful, and exclusive, with personalised hospitality and attentive but discreet service throughout each stay.

Accommodation options range from intimate luxury suites for couples through to larger family-friendly options, allowing guests with different travel styles and budgets to enjoy the same level of comfort and service.

At its heart, Oase is about creating a safari experience that feels natural, flexible, and genuinely personal.