After devastating floods in Limpopo, Sashwa River of Stars launched a fund to support staff whose homes were damaged and families were affected.
Greater Kruger, South Africa (11 February 2026) – I visited Sashwa River of Stars last year for work, but what stayed with me long after the game drives faded into memory was the people. The warmth of the team, the quiet pride in their work, and the sense that this lodge wasn’t just a place to stay, but a place that held purpose.
Earlier this year, that same community faced something far heavier than the usual rhythms of life along the Olifants River.
From mid-January 2026, persistent and unusually heavy rains swept across northern South Africa, causing severe flooding in parts of Limpopo, including areas surrounding the Greater Kruger where Sashwa is located.
While the lodge itself sustained minimal damage and is fully insured, the impact on staff members and their families has been deeply personal and, in some cases, devastating.
Homes were flooded, roofs damaged, and possessions lost. One of Sashwa’s team members, Believe, their beloved gardener, tragically lost his uncle during the floods. Others carry the trauma of watching waters rise around their homes, knowing they had little protection and no safety net to fall back on. Unlike the lodge, many staff members do not have comprehensive insurance, making recovery slow and overwhelming.
Sashwa is more than a retreat that offers wellness, conservation, and connection to nature. It operates as a social enterprise, with people at the centre of everything it does. That ethos hasn’t wavered in the face of crisis.
After receiving messages from past guests asking how they could help, they launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the staff members who were affected. Every donation raised through the fund will go directly to staff and their families, helping them repair homes, recover essentials, and access emotional support during this incredibly difficult time. Already, support has seen 57% of the fund covered by past guests, fellow employees and generous donors who just want to lend a helping hand.
Despite everything, the team has shown remarkable resilience.
Sashwa has always been about connection. Right now, that connection is flowing in the opposite direction, from those who have experienced its magic to the people who make it possible.
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