It’s like an African safari retreat on the inside. A range of tribal prints, a four-post plush bed and several one-off pieces of African sculpture litter the home, evoking an atmosphere of rich culture and great adventure. But right outside, a different scene unfolds. It’s already night time, but a busy town continues through the night.
At 35-feet high, the Virgin Holiday luxury treehouse juxtaposes a taste of African adventure with the stunning urban backdrop of cosmopolitan London. Its two bespoke bedrooms are exclusively designed by Hubert Zandberg, who made the list of House and Garden’s 100 Leading Interior Designers.
Unfortunately, the treehouse is not forever. Inspired by the South African Lion Sands Game Reserve treehouse accommodation, the installation will only be on Southbank till the end of the week. A chance to stay the night in the treehouse awaits the lucky reader who registers their interest on the Virgin Holidays website.
The winning package also includes a six-course menu courtesy of Masterchef contestant Petrus Madutlela, but with a twist. With dishes such as tempura meal worms with induja mayo, shaved ostrich bilton, braised terrine of crocodile and smoke goal fillet with chakalaka sauce, it certainly concludes with an otherworldly experience like no other.
“Although I live in the UK, South Africa is always going to be in my heart,” Petrus said in a statement to Virgin. “This is an incredible experience, and I wanted to offer a menu that matches.
“Although a lot of these ingredients are seen as a bit wild and eccentric, they are actually exceptionally tasty and good for you. I cook a lot with Bughu, a lemony herb native to South Africa, and it’s perfect for this time of year with a valuable source of vitamins A, B, C, E and a whole bunch of antioxidants,” he adds.
(Photos: Virgin Holidays)
