South Africa Nature Preserve Vacation Rental for $70,000 a week

by Ann Brenoff (RSS feed)
Nov 29th 2010 at 2:01PM

Remember learning the haunting melody of "In the Jungle" at summer camp? Well, now you can live it. A private outpost in South Africa's Mapungubwe Private Nature Reserve is listed for lease at $70,000 a week. No neighbors, unless you count the lions and elephants who roam freely around you.

The owner has most thoughtfully arranged private security for this experience. The 10,000-square-foot home comes staffed and has nine bedrooms and eight baths. Located in South Africa's Limpopo Province, the unique home is the ultimate nature and safari experience. Surrounded by elephants, leopards, lions, antelopes, zebras and other animals, guests are flown in by helicopter or private plane. There is access to telephone and Internet but this is truly intended to be a "get away from it all and commune with nature experience" -- luxury style. The staff are all native-born, familiar with the preserve, and live on site in separate quarters. There is a full building master suite with a view of the South African countryside. The home is built in true African style with a thatched room and decorated appropriately for the environment. All modern conveniences are provided.

There is an open air shower and an outdoor living room with fireplace. Inquiries about leasing the home may be made of Magnus Hellberg, Partners Trust Realty in Los Angeles.

Gallery: $70,000 a week South African Rental

The Mapungubwe National Park, an extensive Savannah at the intersection of the Limpopo and Shashe rivers, is in the northernmost part of South Africa, near the country's borders with Botswana and Zimbabwe. This is the land of sandstone formations, ancient floodplains and unique forests that provide a dramatic home to a wealth of animal life.

Mapungubwe means the place of the stone of wisdom. The Mapungubwe National Park is one of South Africa's newest parks, having opened to the public in September 2004. The Mapungubwe Mountain and culture managed to remain out of the public eye despite the region's discovery in 1932 until several recent antiquity finds of significance: an ancient golden rhinoceros made from gold foil nailed around a wooden interior, a gold scepter and bowl, all excavated from 23 hilltop graves. The findings are on display at the Mapungubwe Museum.

Tags: africa travel, african travel, luxury vacation, luxury vacation rental, south africa, vacation rental