About Oase
At 7 Star Lodges we create places where people come together to experience the emotion of Africa.
We are committed to offering guests a unique view of Africa that allows them to experience the spirit of its people and its wild places while relaxing in tranquil surroundings and enjoying superlative levels of luxury.
Founded on the principle of touching the earth lightly, our range of experiences are tailored to exceed expectations and create remarkable moments, connecting you with people and place in a perfect combination of the very best Africa has to offer.
Each destination aims to be completely off-grid, relying on solar energy for
power and boreholes for water. This is part of our commitment to the planet
to reduce our footprint as much as possible, given our often remote,
wilderness locations.
Our Journey
Originally from Australia, Audra and David Tucker have been passionate travelers to Africa for over 20 years, sometimes making multiple trips in a year. In 2019, while living in Dallas, Texas, they set a personal record of 9 trips to Africa in a single year. Throughout their extensive travels, they visited over 300 lodges across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Angola, Uganda, and Rwanda. As guests, they always took mental notes of what impressed them and what fell short.
Over time, they witnessed a shift in the safari industry—from authentic adventures to what now feels like wildlife theme parks. What used to be genuine exploration has become a routine of rushing to check off the "Big 5" as quickly as possible. Each lodge seems to follow a cookie-cutter pattern of welcome drinks, scheduled speeches, game drives, and repetitive routines that leaves many guests longing for something more authentic.
Audra and David felt compelled to change this narrative and offer a superior experience to guests. In 2020, amid the COVID pandemic, they built Oase from scratch on their 530ha private reserve located along the banks of the Blyde River in Hoedspruit, South Africa. The lodge was meticulously designed with privacy and comfort in mind, featuring a maximum of 6 luxury suites (one tailored for extended stays) and a 4-bedroom homestead. Unlike many other lodges, Oase does not have to fence out the Big 5, and instead is the lodge is open to the entire property without fencing. This allows guests the freedom to explore and enjoy our facilities independently throughout the day and as they wish.
At Oase, we prioritize guest satisfaction over regimented schedules - relaxation over daily 5am game drive wake up calls - wellness over convenience. Our approach revolves around accommodating our guests' needs: waking up and dining at their leisure, planning activities spontaneously, or simply unwinding and relishing Africa's natural wonders. Every suite comes with a dedicated butler, whose role extends beyond traditional service. Our butlers assist with everything from unpacking and meal service to activity planning and tour bookings. They can even accompany guests on excursions to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.
We're passionate about reshaping the safari experience and providing unparalleled hospitality at Oase. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, feel free to reach out. We look forward to welcoming you to Oase for an unforgettable journey in the heart of Africa.
People... Place... Perfection..
Our Core Values
Exceptional Service...
At 7 Star Lodges guests can expect a personally tailored experience with superlative levels of service throughout your stay. From luxurious accommodation to fine dining and the very best in state-of-the-art technology ensuring you are connected no matter how remote your location, every part of the 7 Star Lodges experience is intended to exceed expectations and redefine the essence of safari.
Bespoke Experiences...
Every 7 Star Lodge experience is crafted to connect you to Africa and create remarkable moments, whether it’s an opulent private dining experience under the stars, a picnic on a remote mountaintop only accessible by helicopter, a pampering spa therapy in a sensational location or a privately guided tour of local places of interest.
Phenomenal Location...
Oase by 7 Star Lodges is located on a private nature reserve just 10km from Hoedspruit - the safari capital of South Africa - in the heart of the Greater Kruger. It evokes the incredible emotions only an authentic African wilderness experience provides with outstanding natural beauty and proximity to places of interest. Oase is also being developed respectfully and sustainably, using off-grid technologies to minimise impact on the environment.
Our Sustainability Commitment
At Oase, our commitment extends beyond merely achieving sustainability; we strive to make a positive impact by achieving net zero carbon emissions. Our aim is to offset not only our lodge's carbon footprint but also that of our guests' travel to and from our location.
From the inception of Oase, sustainability has been at the forefront of our operations. We meticulously planned our infrastructure to coexist harmoniously with the surrounding flora and fauna, preserving natural habitats and wildlife corridors.
As we undertake construction projects, we prioritize the restoration and enhancement of the natural environment. We utilize native trees and locally sourced materials, such as naturally occurring stone, to minimize ecological disruption.
Our lodge is entirely powered by solar energy, with solar panels providing electricity for everything from LED lighting to air conditioning. In the rare event of prolonged cloud cover, we utilize generators minimally and offset their fuel usage by planting additional native trees.
Water, sourced from boreholes and the Blyde River, undergoes sustainable filtration processes powered by solar energy before being used for consumption and irrigation. Our purchasing practices prioritize sustainable packaging and waste reduction, with food waste composted and efforts to recycle cardboard into fuel for fire pits.
Staff and material transportation within the lodge is primarily done via electric golf carts, charged by our solar system. Any use of petrol or diesel equipment is meticulously recorded and offset through native tree planting.
Active land management initiatives address invasive species and erosion, ensuring the long-term health of the ecosystem. Additionally, a portion of our guest reservation revenue is allocated to carbon offset programs, further contributing to environmental conservation efforts.
At Oase, we are dedicated to safeguarding our planet for future generations, recognizing our responsibility in preserving the only home we have.