Ideal for a dose of sustainable-led adventure, Mantis has announced three new 2026 openings that will expand its global eco-luxury footprint across Africa and the Middle East
Offering guests the chance to experience incredible off-grid luxury, each of three new properties reflect Mantis’ commitment to conservation-led hospitality, community partnership and nature-based travel experiences. Mantis Hiddn in Addo in South Africa will provide a secluded mountain sanctuary opening early March 2026, whilst Saij Mountain Lodge by Mantis in the UAE will mark the brand’s first property in the country. Opening towards the end of 2026, Basiqat by Mantis, Saudi Arabia will encompass an expansive eco-luxury resort near Riyadh.
These openings arrive as new travel patterns emerge across the Mantis portfolio. Insights from the Mantis Travel Desk, the brand’s personalised concierge service that designs bespoke itineraries and manages both traveller and agent enquiries, show that for 2026, South Africa, Rwanda and Botswana are the top destinations of interest.
Solo travel enquiries have risen around 9%, multi-generational trips continue to dominate, and more guests are seeking volunteer or community-focused experiences as part of their journeys. Geographically, enquiries remain strongest from the UK (32%), US (27%) and Europe (21%), with notable growth emerging from the Middle East.
Mantis Hiddn
Mantis Hiddn in Addo will introduce a new level of remote luxury to South Africa’s greater Addo region. Set within an 800-hectare private reserve above ridges and valleys, the lodge operates entirely off-grid through solar power, water harvesting and recycling systems.
Its 12 mountain suites and two private villas are designed to blend seamlessly with the environment, featuring calming earth-tone interiors, fireplaces, handcrafted KolKol wood-fired tubs and expansive decks overlooking the mountains. Daily life centres on guided wilderness experiences, curated botanical-inspired wellness, and access to Addo Elephant National Park. Rooted in the values of the AmaXhosa people, the lodge offers guests a profound reconnection with nature and the rhythms of African landscapes.
Saij Mountain Lodge by Mantis
In the UAE, Saij Mountain Lodge by Mantis, will bring travellers into an immersive retreat shaped by silence, mountain design and the raw beauty of Jebel Jais. Built from local materials that echo the surrounding terrain, Saij’s 70 lodges prioritise intimacy and intentionality. Experiences will include guided hikes, beekeeping, and farm-to-table dining shaped by the mountain’s ecosystem — inviting guests to slow down, reconnect, and engage deeply with the land.
Basiqat by Mantis
Basiqat by Mantis marks a major milestone in the brand’s expansion across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. The development comprises two distinct sites and will feature 218 keys, including suites, villas, desert tents and exclusive Zad Palace Suites.
The resort will offer landscaped gardens, multiple dining venues, a full hydro spa, indoor and outdoor pools, yoga pavilion, souk, kids’ club and dedicated event spaces. Developed by Design & Build in partnership with GIB Capital and the Tourism Development Fund (TDF), Basiqat will set a new benchmark for eco-inspired luxury hospitality in the region.
“With these three openings, Mantis continues to evolve while remaining true to our core ethos: conservation, community, and connection to place,” says Craig Erasmus, CEO of Mantis Collection.
“Booking and enquiry insights from the Travel Desk show a growing appetite for nature-led, and purposeful travel. The new properties in Africa and the GCC make these journeys possible, offering guests adventure, wellness, and meaningful cultural connections.”
The momentum across Africa and the Middle East underscores Mantis’ growing portfolio. Alongside upcoming developments, the brand recently opened Hawar Resort by Mantis in Bahrain, strengthening its position as a leader in conservation-focused luxury hospitality.
Start the adventure
Find out more and make a booking via mantiscollection.com
