There are some guests who leave a lasting impact. Kellie and her family are those people for us.
They’ve visited Ekuthuleni Lodge three times now, with another trip already planned. And each time they return, it feels less like a booking and more like welcoming familiar faces back home.
A family safari with purpose
Kellie and her husband Ian have a unique story. Their 15-year-old son, Kian, has a rare disease that is life-threatening and life-shortening. Shortly after Kian’s diagnosis, they made a decision that would shape everything that followed:
“We made a promise that if Kian was only going to have a short life, we would give him the best we possibly could and fill it with a long lifetime of memories.”
That promise has taken them around the world. But one place, in particular, has become part of their story.
A family safari at Ekuthuleni Lodge
A safari had always been on their family’s bucket list. They all love animals and nature, but for Kian, being out in nature helps regulate his emotions and sensory processes. For them, being in the bush is not just a holiday, it’s something deeper.
“As soon as I enter the gates of the reserve, I feel calm and at peace, like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. It’s a kind of peace that can’t be explained, but has to be experienced.”
Set within the Welgevonden Game Reserve, located only three hours from Johannesburg, Ekuthuleni Lodge offers that rare combination of space, stillness, and connection to nature. For Kellie and her family, it’s a very special place. But what makes it truly special is the people.
She explains that it’s not one big gesture, it’s the accumulation of many small, thoughtful ones.
“They take time to get to know you and do everything to make your stay comfortable and special.”
Before their first visit, the team prepared in ways the family hadn’t expected:
“When we arrived, a shower chair and toilet chair had been provided (which we didn’t expect), and we were given the hut closest to the main amenities, which made things so much easier.”
There were other touches too:
“There were gifts left on our bed for our son with a lovely note… It was really touching and very much appreciated.”
And then, the details that matter just as much:
“When it was really hot, Jonas put up an umbrella on the dash to protect Kian from the direct sunlight… Kian always has a little snooze when in the jeep, and Jonas makes sure he is comfortable and not leaning at an awkward angle. The chef prepares me different dishes if fish is on the menu. He has remembered every year without reminders. All these little touches just show how much they all care.”
A safari that offers space, calm and connection
Ekuthuleni translates to “place of peace”. For Kellie and her family, that meaning holds true in ways that go beyond the landscape:
“Having a child with such complex medical needs is highly stressful, but when we are here… it’s like we can almost forget for a short while. From the moment you arrive, the outside world just doesn’t exist, and all our worries wash away.”
And for Kian, perhaps the most important words of all: “I feel calm and free here.”
Why families return to this safari lodge in South Africa
What was meant to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip has become something else entirely.
“It is our favourite place in the whole world.”
And their message to others (especially families who may be unsure about booking a family safari in South Africa):
“If you are considering taking your child (even if they are a wheelchair user or have additional needs) on safari, just do it. It is more accessible than you may think… The staff will help with anything you need.”
Planning a family safari in South Africa
For families considering a safari, even with mobility needs or complex medical considerations, experiences like this show that it is possible.
With the right support, thoughtful preparation, and a team willing to adapt, a safari can be both accessible and deeply rewarding.
A story that stays with us
We often speak about unreasonable hospitality. About going above and beyond, about creating meaningful experiences.
Kellie and her family remind us why we do what we do. Their outlook, their commitment to creating a life filled with adventure and memory, and the way they show up in the world is something our entire team carries with them.
We feel incredibly honoured to be a small part of their journey.
And we can’t wait to welcome them back again.
