South African-born hospitality group, Mantis Collection announces the official opening of Mantis Hiddn in Addo, a luxury, off-grid, mountain retreat, set within an 800-hectare private reserve in the greater Addo region. The new property will strengthen its Eastern Cape footprint and support regional tourism growth and conservation in one of the country’s most biodiverse landscapes. Perched high on top of a mountain, inside Addo Elephant National Park, Hiddn expands the province’s growing reputation for high-end nature tourism.
‘Mantis Hiddn in Addo marks a return to our Eastern Cape roots, where our story began and continues to unfold,’ says Craig Erasmus, CEO of Mantis Collection. ‘Hiddn is rewriting the script for wellness, nature-led experiences and sustainable luxury travel. This remote retreat overturns the rule book. Here, rituals replace rigid scheduled and tick-box activities.
‘The name reflects both its physical, secluded setting and philosophy: A place of quiet discovery for travellers seeking transformative, curiosity-led experiences rather than conventional tourism.’
The Hiddn journey
Every guest stay is co-created with a dedicated Experience Guide, who begins shaping the journey weeks before arrival and continues the relationship beyond departure with post-stay tailored touches. Guest experiences are shaped around intention and mood to restore, inspire and reconnect with self.
Private luxury in harmony with nature
The property is designed to prioritise privacy. The 12 luxury suites and two private villas are designed to blur the lines between interior and exterior landscapes. The Panoramic Mountain Suites and two-bedroom Panoramic Suites feature king beds, en-suite bathrooms, indoor fireplaces and private decks with uninterrupted mountain views. Select suites include freestanding KolKol wood-fired tubs. For complete seclusion, the four-bedroom Mountain Villas offer infinity pools, expansive decks and private butler service. Villas welcome all ages, while suites accommodate guests aged 12 and above.
The retreat is powered by solar energy and supported by water harvesting and recycling systems. Architectural design blends with the surrounding landscape, using eco-friendly, locally sourced materials designed to minimise environmental impact. The development also focuses on rewilding the surrounding reserve, restoring walking trails and offering nature-led experiences rather than traditional game drives.
Wellness
Wellness is rooted in the five dimensions of the Mantis Wellness Wheel: Physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and environmental, culminating in what Mantis calls the state of ‘BE-ing.’ Wellness unfolds as a multidimensional restoration journey in nature, not just a traditional spa experience, creating space for rest, emotional reset, renewed energy or creative expression.
Experiences are highly personal and can include art therapy, lymphatic detox botanical therapies, oxytocin relaxation rituals, African clay and red earth purification immersions, barefoot reflexology walks, KolKol botanical bathing ceremonies, aromatherapy sleep preparation, guided breathwork, meditation and yoga. Technogym’s ‘Gym-in-a-Box’ system is available on request, allowing guests to train privately in-suite or on their deck.
A culinary journey wakes the senses
Food and beverage form a central part of the journey, beginning with a botanical welcome elixir made from locally sourced indigenous botanicals on arrival. Chef and guest co-created menus may incorporate ingredients foraged during guided walks, weaving the surrounding landscape directly into the dining experience. A dedicated sommelier curates an exceptional South African wine list, featuring selections from the country’s leading estates. Cuisine centres on seasonal local produce, open-fire techniques and personalised menus shaped around each guest’s preferences and pace. Dining unfolds across indoor terraces, open-air bomas and pop-up bush tables set in secluded locations.
Empowering communities, enriching lives
The Greater Addo area is home to the AmaXhosa people with rich traditions. However, it faces significant economic challenges. Through ecotourism, training programmes and strong community partnerships, Mantis is establishing pathways to upskill and create careers and generational upliftment
Hiddn will continue to invest in initiatives that strengthen community resilience, support education and celebrate cultural heritage, through projects such as:
- Langbos Creche
- Nomosantke’s Afya Football Youth Academy
- Isipho Charity Trust
- Watch-Me-Grow Garden project
- Ukuthula Komhlaba: Empowering female entrepreneurship.
Insider tips
- For a distinctive regional experience, guests can opt for a 1.5-hour helicopter Marine Photography Excursion along the Eastern Cape coastline that tracks the wildlife-rich shoreline towards the Gamtoos River Mouth, offering the opportunity to spot dolphins, whales, turtles, rays, seals, Cape gannets and, on occasion, great white sharks
- The retreat offers exceptional stargazing opportunities thanks to minimal light pollution and its elevated mountain setting. Guests can observe the Southern Cross and the Milky Way while enjoying guided introductions to celestial navigation and sky-reading traditions linked to regional ancestral knowledge
- Mantis Hiddn in Addo can also be seamlessly combined with stays in Cape Town, Kruger and Shamwari, allowing guests to blend city, beach, wellness and safari experiences
Rates are fully all-inclusive.
For further information on Mantis Hiddn in Addo please visit: https://www.mantiscollection.com/hotel/mantis-hiddn-in-addo/