Fast Expansion Leading Lodges of Africa
Only a few weeks after the completion of Le Mirage Lodge the Leading Lodges of Africa portfolio expanded again with the purchase of Villa Verdi guesthouse in Windhoek and Suclabo Lodge in the north of Namibia on banks of the Okavango River.
Both lodges on the Epacha Game Reserve proved to be immensely popular, and soon a request came from Leading Hotels of the World to join their portfolio. This seemed like an interesting idea to Christophe and his younger brother Olivier, who was in charge of marketing and promoting the lodges. But Paul firmly believed money could be better invested by creating his own collection of unique lodges in Namibia.
Merely one year later, Leading Lodges of Africa added another great asset to its portfolio, the Intu Afrika Private Game Reserve. This 10.000 hectare reserve included three lodges: Suricate Kalahari Lodge, Camelthorn Kalahari Lodge and Zebra Kalahari Lodge & Spa.
And thus, Leading Lodges of Africa was born.
In June 2006 Suclablo lodge was demolished and construction started on the supreme Divava Okavango Lodge & Spa, which opened in May 2007.
DIVAVA UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Building a Castle Le Mirage, a small castle-shaped six room lodge close to the Sesriem gate, the entrance to renowned Sossusvlei, and the Namib Naukluft Park. After Etosha National Park, Sossusvlei is one of the prime tourism destinations in Namibia. The close proximity of the small castle to the entrance to Sossusvlei made it the ideal location for the next Leading Lodges of Africa project. During April 2004, Paul visited and purchased the property. The hotel with only six rooms proved to be too small, and the decision was made to add an additional 24 rooms, as well as a larger restaurant. Keeping to the same style as the original castle, plans were drawn for two new buildings adjacent to the smaller castle. Construction soon commenced, using 400 tons of cement, it took 700 builders on site, seven months to complete the construction. The building work took place under the close supervision of Paul, who never left the site until the day the first visitors arrived.
Creating a bigger portfolio
In the process, he lost nearly 15kg, and Paul could surely write a book on the trials and tribulations of building a lodge in the Namib desert. Today, he may be very proud of the unique and enchanting castle, now known as Le Mirage Desert Lodge and Spa.
Today, Leading Lodges of Africa is proud to manage eight lodges in Namibia with a constant strive for perfection. In giving justice to the name, Leading Lodges of Africa it now also markets 4 superior lodges in Kenya and a one of its kind lodge in Maun, Botswana. Plans are to add many more unique lodges to its collection in the coming year
LE MIRAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION
10 SPAFARI
The company is known for having built their foundation on human relationships, for investing in the human capital of Namibia in whom they entrust their vision and whom they train, develop and educate to become highly skilled and professional citizens of the hotel and hospitality industry.
From left to right Olivier Van de Vijver, Nele Baele (wife of Christophe), Count Paul Van de Vijver, Annick Haegeman (mother of Christophe and Olivier) and Christophe Van de Vijver
The Switzerland of Africa
ThANK YOU
As a successful entrepreneur Paul soon realized that due to the congregation of positive internal factors such as political stability and encouraging currency strengths, Namibia is a country where, for investors, dreams can become a reality. It is the firm belief of Paul Van de Vijver that Namibia will become the Switzerland of Africa.
The Van de Vijver family would hereby like to thank all the loyal partners and investors that have supported them throughout the past ten years. “We could not have done it without you!�
WWW.LEADINGLODGES.COM
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