Concept
Bush Villas & Tented Safari Camps
A life of natural beauty, calm and mystique in Big-5 territory. An investment for busy urbanites in pristine African wilderness.
Our story
Connecting people to nature
Zululand is a place of mystique and natural beauty. Matshitsholo Reserve opens up this beauty to affluent, international (particularly but not exclusively Dutch) individuals seeking an experience different from the stresses of modern life. Their investment helps sustain both the reserve's ecology and its people. Whether it's for a holiday or as a place of retirement, Matshitsholo Reserve offers an experience and a business case otherwise unavailable to urbanites. To the Mbatha's, it represents substantial and sustainable prosperity and development.
Matshitsholo
Serviced Estate & Lodge
Book accommodation in the wild to experience walks in nature, sipping coffee while wildlife is roaming around your deck and venture into Big 5 territory.
Or buy your own piece of heaven and let your bush villa pay for your travels and retirement by renting it out to fellow travelers, fully serviced by Matshitsholo Estate.
The business case
Getting started
Funding stages
Round A - start up: Private investment
Round B - grow: Re-invest gains + tourism funding
Round C - scale: International funding (NL)
The Dutch Market
3rd Largest segment of foreign buyers of South African luxury real estate
Dutch wealth
A middleclass Dutchman who bought a R7m home 15 years ago, now holds R18m in value. He borrows excess value at 4% interest. R3m buys a 20m2 garage box in the Hague, or... a luxury villa in the African bush - an experience beyond his wildest imagination.
35.000 buyers every year
There are 5 Second Home expos in the Netherlands every year, dedicated to buying overseas real estate, with an astounding 35.000 visitors. 78% Of visitors expect to buy within the next 12 months.
R4-6m+ budget per buyer
78% of visitors have between R4-6m to spend, going up to R12m+. Dutch buyers are the 3rd largest segment of foreign buyers of South African luxury real estate (R10m+).
The Dutch already visit Zululand
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, Babanango and St. Lucia are among the top destinations for Dutch travellers. The area is well known and highly regarded. Real estate is scarcely available. Matshitsholo closes this gap in the market.
Access and timezone
Boarding direct flights from Amsterdam after work, Dutch buyers look at giraffes in the morning. The Netherlands and South Africa share the same timezone and a strong historical bond.
Matshitsholo marketing & sales
Matshitsholo Estate is represented by Dutch entrepreneur Ivo van Onna, marketing and selling directly to his home market. The estate will be showcased at the Second Home Expo and exclusive Private Clubs through stands and high-end publications.
Case: Hoedspruit (Kruger)
Since 2011, Zandspruit Aero Estate by Dutch entrepreneur Fred van Eijk sold 200 stands, most with bush villas, often priced at ~R4m+ each. Its primary sales and marketing channel has been the 2nd Home Expo in the Netherlands.
Neighboring Blyde River Estate prices for villas sit at R7-8m, often going up to R12m.
The people behind the concept
Meet our driving forces
Michelle Ntandoyenkosi Green-Thompson
Stakeholder Relationships
Michelle Ntandoyenkosi Green-Thompson was born in Ingogo, KwaZulu-Natal, in 1985, in a family of generations of Zulu and British ancestry, the embodiment of KwaZulu-Natal history. Growing up in a diverse environment of entrepreneurs, she was able to develop her talent to deeply connect to people across all cultures and layers of society.
Holding a BcomHon in Tourism Management and a BA in International Relations, with 15 years of experience and a deep network in the Aviation and Tourism industry, she is perfectly positioned to build relationships and realize mutually beneficial opportunities in hospitality and travel.
As the Ulundi Airport manager since 2022, she has become intimately involved in Zululand and its people. She is living and raising a family in the heart of Mystical Zululand.
Ivo van Onna
Strategy & Commercialisation
Ivo van Onna was born in the Netherlands (1979) and has been traveling throughout South Africa since 2003 where he settled permanently in 2015 to live with his family. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy and has two decades of experience in Business Analysis and Digital Transformation Consulting with Dutch Government and South African Corporates in Banking, Telcom and Insurance. Over time, his focus has shifted from operational design to strategizing new business concepts and initiatives.
Ivo develops Retreats, Bush-Estates, Air Connectivity and Real Estate Services, marketing directly to High Net-Worth Individuals in the Netherlands and EU, as well as Southern Africa.
Zululand, South Africa has Ivo's particular focus because of its pristine wilderness, unspoiled beaches, rich culture and heritage. Ivo is passionate about the Mystical Experience that Zululand has to offer: a much deeper connection to life. Ivo especially loves sharing this alternative way of being with those that, just like himself, are all too familiar with the stresses of highly developed western societies.
Upcoming events
Stay updated with the latest developments
Never miss a beat—stay informed with updates on our latest developments. Don't forget to attend our upcoming Investor Site Visit. Let's create a lasting experience and get to know about all the latest details.
Plan ahead
Key Events
Explore our key events to excite and attract affluent investors, aspiring to a life among the Big-5, a life altering experience in the Zululand bush.
Investor's Visit
16 December 2025
Matshitsholo Reserve
Investor's site visit to Matshitsholo
Join our Investors Meet Up with a Dutch business owner. The purpose of the visit is to experience the wilderness of Matshitsholo and discuss investment scenarios.
European Expo
18-20 September 2026
Brabanthallen, Den Bosch, the Netherlands
Second Home Expo, Den Bosch, the Netherlands
One of 5 expos in the Netherlands and Belgium, with a total of 35000 visitors. Visitors have budgets available between R4-6m and upwards, with 78% aiming to buy within 12 months.
The Hague Club Event
25 September 2026 (TBC)
Sociëteit De Witte, the Hague
Sociëteit de Witte, The Hague, the Netherlands
Amsterdam Club Event
26 September 2026 (TBC)
De Dam, Amsterdam
Koninklijke Industrieele Groote Club, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Club Event across from the Royal Palace in Amsterdam at the Royal Industrial Grand Club. An exposition of Zululand destinations and investment opportunities.
European Expo
23-24 January 2027
MECC, Maastricht
Second Home Expo, Maastricht, the Netherlands
Why it works
Competitive Offering
Direct access to affluent oversees market
Competitive pricing: lower end of R4-12m benchmark; upper mid-tier rental pricing in a luxury-oriented environment.
Exclusivity: only 12 stands (compared to 100-400), Big-5 access
Matshitsholo Estate offers exclusivity and superior value for money, in line with its values and conservation principles.
Exceptional value
"At Matshitsholo Reserve, I get paid to live in my own bush villa. Experiential value that just doesn't exist in The Netherlands. The perfect retirement investment."
Dirk Jansen
Dutch Business Owner
Get in touch with us
Let’s start creating the Mbatha legacy together
Connect with us today to start realising your legacy. Our team is ready to turn your vision into a spectacular reality. Let's make it happen!
Stay updated with our latest events, news and offers.