CREATING A LEGACY OF CARE AT OLIFANTS RIVER LODGE

by Chelsey Hale

Named after the Great Olifants River, Olifants River Lodge rests quietly in South Africa’s Highveld between Johannesburg and Mbombela (Nelspruit). There’s no denying that Olifants is a special place. However, what makes it so is not just the soil on which it stands, nor the timber of which it is built, but even more so the people who have helped bring it to life. At the helm of it all is Marlene Maree, a leader whose gentle strength and unwavering kindness prove that the greatest legacies are built not from stone, but from how we care for others.

Marlene’s story, however, begins far from the riverbanks of Olifants in Hartswater, a small agricultural town in the Northern Cape where one’s childhood is defined by close-knit communities and sun-drenched days exploring the outdoors. “Hartswater is the kind of ‘dorpie’ where kids spend their free time sliding down the farm irrigation channels on their fathers’ car rubber mats,” she reminisces.

It was there, in that simple but deeply rooted life, that Marlene acquired intrinsic personal values that would shape her journey.

“I was raised with strong values. My mother taught me how to love and care for others, while my late father taught me to always see the best in people. From both of them, I learnt the value of hard work and perseverance – lessons that have stayed with me through every stage of my life.”

Of course, life has a way of testing even the strongest hearts, and losing both her father and eldest brother to cancer reshaped her perspective on what truly matters. She realised that success is not about titles or accolades, but the lives you touch along the way.

Marlene Maree, resort custodian at Olifants River Lodge.

Her love for hospitality was sparked early. While still in high school, she worked at a guesthouse, taking on every role from receptionist to cleaner. A Grade 10 exchange program to Germany cemented her passion for travel and tourism, leading her to pursue a BCom in Tourism Management at the University of Pretoria. From there, she built an impressive career that took her from Rovos Rail to hotels in London, before returning to South Africa, where she honed her skills at Legacy Hotels.

Then came 2018, the year that would redefine everything. Marlene joined Olifants River Lodge as a Marketing Consultant, and from the very start, she knew this was where she wanted to be. When the then owner of the lodge, Oom Barry, asked where she saw herself in five years, her answer was clear: “The manager of Olifants River Lodge.” And with sheer determination, passion, and an unbreakable spirit, she turned that dream into reality.

Marlene and her incredible team at Olifants River Lodge.

“Stepping into the role of Custodian was a proud moment, but it comes with many responsibilities. For me, the greatest reward is creating a space where both guests and staff feel cared for,” she says. “I want to lead Olifants with the same faith, kindness, and empathy that was instilled in me as a child, coupled with a determination to always see the best in every situation.”

Despite the immense challenges of managing a fast-growing hospitality destination, Marlene believes in balance. Not just in work, but in life. Through every long day and difficult decision, she finds her anchor in her husband, Niël – her greatest supporter and the love of her life. “He reminds me to care for myself as much as I care for others,” she adds.

It is in her daughters, Lené and Anlia, that Marlene finds her deepest motivation. “They are my biggest supporters, the reason I continue to chase my dreams with gratitude, and plenty of laughter! Life can be full of negativity, but ultimately, I want to create hope,” she says. “Hope for them, and for the world they will one day inherit.”

This unwavering belief in hope and kindness is what drives Marlene to make Olifants River Lodge more than just a destination. She envisions it as a beacon of positivity, a place where people come not just to escape, but to reconnect, and to find joy in life’s simplest moments.

Marlene with her husband, Niël and two daughters, Lené and Anlia.

Beyond hospitality, Marlene and her team are deeply committed to conservation and community upliftment. One of their most significant contributions is their partnership with the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), ensuring that the land they cherish will be protected for generations to come.

She highlights how Olifants, together with bushveld-based DHR properties Finfoot Lake Reserve, Mjejane Bush Camp, Jackalberry Ridge, and Burchell’s Bush Lodge, form the ‘Bushcats Cluster’, a collaborative group working together to support local conservation and social responsibility projects.

Dr Lindy Thompson with a Cape Vulture.

“As part of DHR’s official non-profit entity, Touching Dreams, the EWT will be a national partner, and our selected Bushcats partner,” Marlene explains. “Our specific focus is their Birds of Prey Eye in the Sky project. This incredible aerial and ground-based conservation effort focuses on protecting African vulture populations and the ecosystems they support.”

The EWT’s Donor Relations Officer, Tammy Baker, highlights the vital role vultures play in maintaining healthy ecosystems: “Vultures are nature’s cleanup crew, preventing the spread of harmful bacteria and disease. Despite their ecological importance, they are often misunderstood, largely due to negative portrayals in pop culture. Movies like The Lion King have painted them as ominous and sinister, but in reality, they are one of the most crucial species for environmental health.”

The Eye in the Sky initiative uses aerial surveys, GPS tracking, and dedicated ground teams to monitor and protect vulture populations across South Africa. However, Tammy emphasises how conservation is a team effort: “There is an ongoing need for funding, so every contribution helps keep our teams in the field.”

In 2023 alone, the initiative demonstrated its effectiveness by identifying key illegal wildlife activities and critical areas of concern. This included the detection of 37 poisoning incidents, 36 poaching camps, and the removal of 3,049 snares across project sites.

John Davies with a White-backed Vulture.

“By supporting this project, Olifants River Lodge and the Bushcats Cluster are not only helping to safeguard critically endangered vultures but also contributing to a healthier, more balanced environment for future generations,” Tammy adds. “We’re fortunate to have built a relationship with Marlene and her team. Her dedication to the cause is truly rare.”

Through the numerous projects EWT is engaged in, Dream Hotels & Resorts will be expanding its involvement through Touching Dreams.

Reflecting on Olifants River Lodge’s commitment to conservation, Marlene emphasises that the lodge is more than just a retreat, but a place of impact. “You can have strong convictions and make tough decisions while still leading with empathy,” she says. “We want to leave a lasting legacy, not just in hospitality, but in the way we care for the environment and all the living beings that call this region home.”

Under Marlene Maree’s leadership, Olifants River Lodge is “a place to belong and inspire hope”, she reaffirms. “With Touching Dreams and Dream Hotels & Resorts backing this vision, alongside the unwavering dedication of the Bushcats, I know Olifants River Lodge is destined to become a spectacular lodge and conference centre on the Mpumalanga Highveld, delivering world-class hospitality with conservation at its heart.”

As custodian of Olifants River Lodge, she is proud to lead a team that values excellence, growth, and teamwork. “I am blessed to have the Olifants team behind me. My vision is to create a culture of continuous improvement. A place we are proud to call ours. A special corner of the world where they find purpose, where their hard work matters, and where together, we can achieve something greater than ourselves.”

With Soekie Van Staden as her co-custodian and an incredible team behind her, Marlene is confident that Olifants River Lodge is on the path to even greater success. “Together, we will take the lodge to the next level, creating unforgettable travel experiences that connect people for a brighter future.”

With a dedicated team, a supportive community, and a vision that goes beyond hospitality, Marlene Maree is not just managing a lodge – she is shaping a legacy of kindness, which in a world that so often forgets the power of compassion, matters more now than ever.

The beautiful view at Olifants River Lodge.