Geelslang Paradise
A dream retreat in the heart of South Africaâs nature
Sometimes, an adventure begins with a simple idea. For Maaike ten Have and her partner, the dream of owning a holiday home started during their many travels. âWe always looked at houses just for fun, without any concrete plans,â Maaike recalls. South Africa stole their hearts, and when the opportunity arose to buy a home in Marloth Park, they grabbed it with both hands.
From lockdown to holiday home: the road to Geelslang Paradise
In early 2020, Maaike and her partner bought their first house, âJackals Dream,â just before the world went into lockdown. Construction had to be managed remotely through video calls and creative solutions. With her background as a graphic designer, Maaike was still able to perfectly capture the right atmosphere. âIt was tough, but this was our dream, so we kept going.â By the end of 2020, the doors of Jackals Dream opened. But the dreams didnât stop thereâthe couple wanted to design a home completely from scratch. Thatâs how the plans for Geelslang Paradise took shape, and by late 2023, this little paradise in the African bush was ready to welcome guests.
In the middle of nature
Geelslang Paradise is located in Marloth Park. From the patio, you overlook protected parkland where no construction is allowedâmeaning uninterrupted views, full privacy, and plenty of wildlife. Giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and countless birds roam freely right outside your door. âNature is literally at your doorstep.â The village itself has all amenities, from supermarkets and restaurants to a water park. Within twenty minutes, you can reach the entrance of Kruger National Park, and even Mozambique and the Panorama Route are easily accessible.
They respond quickly, and user requests are implemented right away.
A system that just works
Keeping track of bookings from different countries and platforms quickly proved to be a challenge. Maaike wanted something that simply workedâwithout unnecessary complexity. âWe found MyTourist through Google. It was clear, easy to use, and exactly what we needed.â The channel manager made all the difference: no double bookings, seamless integrations with Booking.com and Airbnb, and easy rate management. âWe have accommodations in both South Africa and the Netherlands, so itâs crucial that everything stays in sync.â The collaboration is also a big plus: âThey respond quickly, and user feedback is implemented immediately. The integration with Lekkeslaap, a popular platform in South Africa, was added right away. That kind of service makes all the difference.â
