Accessibility meets luxury at Ximuwu Lodge, South Africa

As the African journeys of Netherlands couple, Patrick and Elly Suverein continued, their desire to make this vast and untamed land their permanent home grew stronger with every passing day.

- Alicia Williams

The pull of Africa's majestic landscapes, vibrant cultures and enchanting wildlife became an irresistible force. And so, in 2017, with hearts brimming with anticipation and adventure, they made the monumental decision to bid farewell to their European life and embark on a new odyssey with their Ximuwu Lodge located in South Africa.

As time went by, they realized their haven needed visiting friends and family. The dream of a separate, intimate guest house was therefore conceived with solitude and privacy in mind-a sanctuary where groups can enjoy the grandeur of the South African landscape, live close to nature while savouring the sights and sounds of wildlife within the 6,500 hectares of their private nature reserve.

Their concept evolved organically, from a simple guest house to an ambitious yet intimate establishment. But destiny had one twist to offer. A failed back surgery temporarily bound Elly's husband to a wheelchair, a period that resulted in profound revelation and subsequent reflection. In the midst of this challenging journey, they witnessed firsthand the hurdles faced by travellers with disabilities and the glaring absence of luxurious, wheelchair-friendly safari options.

Their sojourns across Europe and South Africa revealed an unfortunate truth-many misconceptions and patronizing attitudes towards individuals with disabilities are pervasive, transcending borders.

In airports and various corners of the world, they observed people speaking down to those in wheelchairs, presuming additional impairments. It was a disheartening revelation.