18 On The Hill, Greater Kruger Safari Lodge welcomed its first safari guests in August 2025, a mere 8 months ago. With an honest attitude of mixed feelings: excitement, angst, pressure to succeed and a dream come to life, 18 On The Hill was born. It all began with a vision of 9 luxury tented suites cascading down the hill, and a striking main area centered around the breathtaking view of Greater Kruger and the Drakensberg mountains. A brand new lodge, and a valley, home to its team to go with it, all built from scratch.

Located in Maseke Game Reserve, a part of the Greater Kruger’s Balule Nature Reserve unbeknownst to many. It is an up and coming reserve, with vast landscapes, home to the Big 5, interesting lion dynamics, beautiful sunrise and sunset viewpoints and so much to offer. A new name entering the market, 18 On The Hill, is taking the safari lodge industry by storm.

To create a promise of something special is one thing but to assemble a team of individuals as committed to that as the founders are, is another thing entirely. The formula was simple. To bring together like-minded, positive & warm personalities. But not just anyone. People with potential. People willing to learn and grow. The desire to be different, combined with their determination to build a “non corporate” and family culture, led the founders to some very interesting people.

Let’s start with Charles. A carpenter by trade, Charlie was the first ever team member, brought on to build the staff accommodation. He saw the lodge from the ground up, when it was nothing but a site in the wild. Now he is the Head of Maintenance at 18.

Chef Lucky, a kind man with a friendly smile that brings warmth to every person he comes across. Lucky was discovered at Pick n Pay Hoedspruit, packing the vegetable section for 10 years. To the town’s disarray, when the chance came to come and work on the hill, he took the leap. When asked what he would like to do there, he said he enjoys cooking, so he was placed as a training chef in the kitchen. Within 8 months he is now cooking high-level for guests.

Next there is Devlin, working at a liquor store, offering excellent service, little did he know going out of his way would change the path of his life – taking him into a hospitality role as hosting guests in 18 On The Hill’s front of house.

Mpho was a temporary worker, one of the contractors on the project. He single-handedly helped water the landscaping of the lodge, of his own accord. Suddenly the grounds became green. Instead of investing in an irrigation system, 18 gave him the opportunity. He is now an invaluable member of the family, tending to the grounds, assisting with maintenance and a helping hand wherever needed.

These are just some of the stories of team members from 18 On The Hill, where they had no previous lodge experience whatsoever. It is quite difficult to break into the industry, to start out with little behind you besides a willingness to learn. This is certainly not “the norm”. 18 On The Hill believe that the norm is quite overrated and that “we rise by lifting others”. People can only grow if you give them the chance to do so. And you can only promise something special with special people behind it.