Set in riverine woodland, overlooking a gorgeous stretch of the Sabie River, where elephant and other game wander down for a cool drink, Dee’s African Spa immerses you in the beauty and tranquillity of the Kruger. This is one of the few top establishments offering luxury spa treatments near Skukuza, the Park’s largest rest camp.
With its elegant tree-top treatment rooms, this unique establishment at Kruger Gate Hotel is a dream come true for local entrepreneur, Dee Molefe. After qualifying as a beauty and massage therapist, Dee gained experience at various Kruger spas, working her way up into management at an award-winning outlet. But her life goal was always to own her own establishment, providing employment and opportunities to women from the local community, who like her, had ambitions to raise their families out of poverty by becoming top service providers in South Africa’s tourism industry.
Dee says, “In 2010, Kruger Gate Hotel recognised my skills and drive, and gave me the opportunity to establish my first on-site spa at the hotel. We started modestly with one beautifully appointed treatment room along the Sabie River but demand soon grew. Today, this is the flagship Dee’s African Spa, 100% Black women-owned and operated with four treatment rooms plus an exclusive couple’s room, a mani/pedi lounge, medicinal garden and a 21 fully trained staff.”
Kruger Gate Hotel’s enterprise development involving local communities is a vital part of our sustainability and impact strategy which aims to upskill local people so that they can directly benefit from tourism business through employment and entrepreneurship. Through sharing business knowledge, providing dynamic customer feedback and providing ongoing marketing support, the hotel has supported Dee as she has developed her own award-winning Kruger spa business.
Dee brings not only her business acumen and leadership to the venture, but also her own therapeutic experience and creativity. She says, “I had a strong idea that what we needed to give our guests, who have come from all over the world, is that African feel.”
The spa offers a range of innovative treatments inspired by African wellness culture and, even traditional artifacts. A stand-out treatment is the Xigiya knob kiri massage which involves the use of handcrafted knob keries. Made of heavy wood and exquisitely crafted until they are supremely rounded and smoothed, these were once used in traditional fighting.
Dee’s grandmother reminded her that warriors, who were often on the march for many days, would use their knob keries to massage out cramps, tension and weariness in their leg muscles. Combining physiology, contemporary massage techniques and ancient wisdom like this, Dee has also developed the popular Igulu calabash massage and a stress-relieving African foot ritual.
She says, “When visitors come to the Kruger, they want a deeply authentic experience. They have come to be part of nature and the African wilderness. They also want to extend their concepts of wellness beyond the city spa by engaging with different aspects such as immersing themselves in the African bush, discovering indigenous healing plants and connecting with the local African culture.”
Kruger Gate Hotel’s guests are also keen to know that their safari makes a difference and that their holiday activities support local people in uplifting their families and communities.
Take advantage of our popular Couples African Safari & Spa package – a perfect blend of luxury, adventure and the pampering that you deserve on your safari holiday. You will also be treated to a sensational Couples Indulgence Spa treatment at our tree-top African Spa. The package includes accommodation, breakfasts and dinners and a half-day, guided game drive for 2 people in a shared open vehicle.
Kruger Gate Hotel’s African Spa is open from 8AM to 10PM daily.