Every detail has a story
Luxury means different things to different people. It can be found in a breathtaking view, a beautifully designed suite or a quiet moment in nature but, at Hiddn by Mantis in Addo, luxury has a deeper meaning. It is in the detail … such as the natural and sustainable building materials, décor, the people and their stories.
Built high up in the Zuurberg Mountains of the Eastern Cape, Hiddn has been designed to bring guests closer to nature, while offering a sense of quiet, considered luxury. It’s the handcrafted furniture, locally inspired artwork and the ‘diamond fibre’ mohair rug or throw on your bed. Beautiful, woven, tactile pieces made to order for Hiddn by Barnard Mohair, a second-generation family business, based in the small Eastern Cape town of Alicedale.
At Mantis, conservation has never been confined to protecting wildlife and wilderness. It’s about protecting communities, heritage, knowledge and skills that make a place unique.
That philosophy is particularly relevant in the Eastern Cape and the lodge’s commitment to sourcing local means that, where possible, the economic value from tourism stays within the region – supporting local businesses, artisans and skills.
Rather than importing luxury textiles, Mantis chose to work with a regional business and create something specifically for Hiddn. The collaboration with Barnard Mohair for bespoke throws and rugs is distinct.
Creating the throws was far from selecting something from a catalogue. Working closely with interior design company, MI Design, Barnard Mohair developed a unique colour palette, inspired by the earthy contrasts to mirror the surrounding wilderness. Existing palette options weren’t a fit, so the team developed new shades, with multiple samples and test runs until the desired result was achieved.
The weaving process itself was also customised, creating a more raw, natural and textured finish. Each fibre was hand-scoured, while preserving the softness for which mohair is renowned. The result is a collection created exclusively for Hiddn.
Few people realise that South Africa produces more than half of the world’s mohair, 48% originates in the Eastern Cape: It’s the mohair capital. Angora goats thrive in the region’s harsh, semi-arid landscape and generations of farmers, processors, spinners and weavers have built an industry around this remarkable natural fibre.
Called a noble fibre – one of five in the world classified as such – mohair is prized for its natural lustre, warmth, softness and durability. It is also dyes exceptionally well, allowing designers to create rich, distinctive shades.
Choosing locally ‘grown’ and produced mohair is not simply about selecting a premium material, it’s about celebrating one of South Africa’s distinctive treasures.
It is, in many ways, a perfect reflection of the Eastern Cape: Resilient, natural and beautiful.
Behind each Hiddn rug and throw is an intricate 16-stage production process requiring patience, precision and considerable skill.
The raw fibre is carded and hand-dyed, sometimes using stainless steel vats heated with locally sourced ‘alien’ wood, before being naturally dried in the sun. The mohair is then spun into slightly irregular yarns and woven onto handlooms … with 670 individual threads painstakingly tied into place before weaving can begin. This meticulous process provides employment to local women and sustains the artisanal traditions of the region. Once woven, every piece is inspected, finished and checked by hand.
The result is a beautiful fusion of years of textile knowledge and hours of human craftsmanship.
Barnard Mohair employs eight full-time staff, seven are women. Several have more than 40 years of experience, carrying knowledge of dyeing, weaving, finishing and machinery that has been built up over decades.
The company is also committed to training younger team members, ensuring these valuable skills continue into future generations and that traditional craftsmanship does not disappear.
Larger commissions provide temporary work for women from the surrounding community. Every order or commission matters in a rural business – it contributes to sustaining employment, supporting local families and strengthening the regional economy.
When you choose to stay at Hiddn, your visit becomes part of that story. It’s the less visible side of luxury: The impact that can extend far beyond the finished product.
Conservation is about far more than protecting wildlife. It is also about protecting heritage, preserving traditional skills and creating meaningful economic opportunities for local communities. By choosing local suppliers wherever possible, Mantis aims to ensure that tourism creates positive ripple effects. It’s a philosophy that celebrates people, place and purpose.
So, when you visit Hiddn, take a closer look at the mohair rugs and throw across your bed, chair and the interiors. Feel its softness. Notice its texture. Look at the colour.
Every thread tells a story.
Mohair by the numbers
