A New Year at Silvan Safari

As 2026 begins, Silvan Safari enters the year already shaped by what came before. The past 12 months brought moments of recognition, creativity, and connection – not as endpoints, but as foundations. For guests arriving now, these experiences are no longer announcements or milestones. They're simply part of the stay. What follows is a reflection on the year that shaped this moment, and what it means for those choosing to spend time in the bush in the year ahead.

2026 is sure to be one for the books

A Global Moment – Two MICHELIN Keys

Guests staying in 2026 arrive at a lodge recognised with Two MICHELIN Keys, the first safari lodge in South Africa to receive this distinction.

The MICHELIN Keys honour exceptional stays rooted in place, design, and service. At Silvan, that recognition reflects years of quiet consistency – architecture shaped by the bush, guiding grounded in deep local knowledge, and hosting that values privacy, flow, and intuition.

The significance of this accolade is not just announced, it's felt. In the confidence of the team, the flow of a stay, and the sense of being somewhere that has been thoughtfully considered and globally acknowledged, without ever feeling performative.

We're thrilled to have received this recognition on a global stage

Raise a Glass – A New Wine Experience

Our wine cellar and bar have settled into becoming a beloved place. What began as an unveiling has become a familiar gathering space, one that guests gravitate to between drives or as the evening draws in.

The cellar houses a carefully curated collection, with a particular focus on female-made wines, complemented by intimate tasting areas designed for conversation rather than ceremony. The atmosphere is shaped by texture and light, echoing our broader aesthetic and allowing the space to feel both considered and relaxed.

Wine here is not a centrepiece. It's part of the experience, discovered slowly, shared quietly, and enjoyed in moments that feel unhurried.

Guests have been loving these refreshed spaces, and we're sure you will too!

Inspiring Tomorrow – Safari Dreams and Community Impact

Silvan’s connection to community and conservation continued in 2025 with a school safari that welcomed local children into the Sabi Sand for a day in the bush.

For many of these learners, it was their first time experiencing wildlife in this way. Guided by Silvan’s rangers and trackers, the focus was on curiosity and understanding – learning how to read tracks, notice behaviour, and see conservation as something tangible.

The intention extends far beyond a single visit. It’s about widening access to the natural world, nurturing future custodians of this landscape, and reinforcing a sense of shared stewardship that sits quietly behind everything we do.

Impact starts with education

Stories That Take Flight – Bella the Bee-Eater

Creativity continues to shape the Silvan experience in quieter ways, too. The festive season of 2025 brought Bella the Bee-Eater’s Bold Adventure, the latest chapter in Silvan’s growing storytelling tradition.

These seasonal stories have become part of the lodge’s cultural fabric: playful, thoughtful reflections of the natural world that invite imagination alongside observation. They're shared across generations and linger well beyond the season itself.

For guests in 2026, Bella’s story is a reminder that Silvan values wonder as much as refinement, and that storytelling remains an essential thread in how this place is experienced.

Bella the Bee-Eater's tale is one of great adventure

Looking Back, Looking Ahead

The year just passed shaped the experience guests step into today. Recognition, new spaces, community connection, and creativity now exist as part of Silvan Safari’s everyday rhythm – quietly present, carefully considered.

As we look to 2026, we invite you to stay with us. To spend time in the bush at its natural pace, to experience Silvan Safari as it continues to evolve, and to be part of the story that carries forward into the year ahead.