Sylvester the lion became a famous feline when he escaped from Karoo National Park in the Western Cape in June 2015 and covered more than 300 km in distance and probably more than 300 kg in sheep. But what added the extra Hollywood star to this lion’s name was not his first escape, but his second escape from Karoo National Park which caused a big public stir in the form of outcries, petitions and pleas.

Social media was abuzz; the public spoke, the lion roared and SANParks had the last say about the wandering nomad.

Sylvester the lion got a second chance and was relocated to Kuzuko Lodge – a private section of the Addo Elephant Park – and officially became “one of us”, in the Eastern Cape in May 2016.

 

If you fast forward to today, a few weeks after the relocation, it is as if Sylvester has been “one of us”, an Eastern Caper by heart, all along. But who can blame him for feeling so at home at Kuzuko Lodge?

They don’t call Kuzuko Lodge, Place of Glory, for nothing. It is a place of surpassing splendour where the chalets are perched on a hill - on the edge of the Karoo – and overlook the vast open spaces while wildlife roams below. Stars fill the sky with sprinkles of glitter at night, serene tranquility enters your mind and chaos exits your soul; it is abundantly quiet, it is heart-stoppingly peaceful.

Kuzuko Lodge offers more than just exquisite luxury; it is built on a solid foundation of conservation where preserving nature and ethical, responsible as well as sustainable practices are visible in their day-to-day tasks, on the game drives, with the staff as well as through their educational programmes.

 

Sylvester the lion couldn’t have asked for anything better. Not only is Sylvester home, but he is also in good hands and currently in a boma at Kuzuko Lodge with another young male lion. The two male lions will join the two female lions at a later stage and together the four lions will reign over the place of glory.

Don’t miss out on a chance to see the legendary Sylvester at Kuzuko Lodge. You can go as a day visitor and you can also use your Nelson Mandela Bay Pass Card for a free game drive at Kuzuko (plus lunch) or you can snatch up one of their winter specials and stay for a night or two. Some packages are all-inclusive with accommodation, breakfast, a 4-course dinner, sundowners as well as game drives.

 

Things to do at Kuzuko Lodge:

• Guided Nature Walk
• Guided Bushman Paintings Exploration
• Guided Plant and Gogga Walk (part of Kids Activities)
• Guided Game Walk
• Spa Treatments
• Birdwatching
• Guided Game Drive
• Curio Shop
• Swimming pool
• Restaurant & Bar

 

Did you know?

Did you know that Sylvester and Matt, one of the older lions at Kuzuko Lodge are brothers? Same father, different mother.
 

More Details

For more details about Kuzuko Lodge visit www.kuzuko.com or browse through Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism's website to get a glimpse of other activities in the region.

Photos and words by Anje Rautenbach, travel blogger at Going Somewhere Slowly. Follow her journeys around South Africa on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
A big thank you and credit to Sandhira Chetty for the photos of the lodge.