JMA: Majestic Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge

Situated on a 3,000ha farm in the Western Cape, Cederberg Ridge Wilderness Lodge offers guests the ultimate escape. Jenny Mills Architecture had the privilege of working on this majestic lodge and together with owners Anton and Kate Bergh brought the dream to life of creating a “luxurious wilderness lodge” on their farm near Clanwilliam.

Cederberg Ridge offers the authentic ambience of a Modern African Farmhouse with much use of wood and natural materials. The warm and inviting interiors, with vaulted ceilings and wooden beams, give a light and airy feel. Large French windows open to a generous covered stoep and dining deck overlooking the garden and mountains beyond.

Working in collaboration with interior decorator Nina Erasmus, Jenny designed nine spacious suites for the new lodge.

The seemingly traditional African farmhouse reveals itself to be a serene space on the inside. Exterior stone walls contrast with the bright interior spaces that include a restaurant, sitting room, bar, library and spa. Spacious, light-filled rooms look out onto the uncharted terrain of the Tankwa Karoo.

As with all JMA projects – the landscape is the hero, be it a beach house or a wilderness retreat. A balance of contemporary calm and earthy textures defines this project.

Landscaper Danie Steenkamp of DDS Projects established the planted relationship between the buildings and the veld. The “agterplaas” or surrounding vegetation is reminiscent of the simple African farm. Site stone and laterite pathways surrounded by saltbush, spekboom hedges and olive trees allow the lodge to settle easily into the wider Cape Floral Region, a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kate, who has been in the tourism industry for more than 20 years, says of the space, “Here you get raw, rugged beauty in bucket loads. Plus a sense of utter peace and tranquility.”

With 9 spacious rooms and suites, restaurant with a view, large swimming pool and indigenous gardens flowing into the veld, this luxury hotel offers space and style in the midst of wilderness.

Check it out at Cederberg Ridge Lodge and find out more at JMA.