Proud owner and founder of the Majestic 5 Group, Ivica Puskas has now become an expert in the hospitality sector. After being in the construction industry for many years, Ivica Puskas felt that it was time to aim at his all-time love: hospitality.
His journey began in the first town of Botswana, Lobatse, where after being part of different activities in the construction industry, the owner felt it was time to head towards what he has always been passionate about: combining his knowledge of construction with the dedication to others.
Therefore, in 1999, the self-made man moved to own his very first, 11 rooms lodge, the “Rest Inn.” This new enterprise taught Ivica Puskas a lot on the hospitality sector and gave him the incentive to expand and continue his lifelong dream of hosting guests from all around the world.
In 2002, focusing on the capital city, Ivica Puskas seized the opportunity to invest in Gaborone. Using his construction background, he began to build a new hotel from scratch. However, this did not scare him the least, on the contrary: “I was looking forward to expanding in Gaborone and when the opportunity presented itself, I didn’t think twice,” he explains. This is when Big 5 Lodge was created in 2004. Since then, the group has expanded to five different properties in total, including the Majestic 5 Lodge in Palapye and the Big Valley Game Lodge located only an hour away from Gaborone.
The Big 5 Lodge
The Big 5 Lodge, located in the heart of Gaborone, opened its doors in 2004, making it the only specialty lodge in the region. Offering a total of 87 individual chalets, as well as a conference room hosting up to 450 people and catering for all sorts of events, Big 5 lodge is now the biggest lodge of Gaborone.
Staying at Big 5 Lodge, guests are able to sense the African Feel that the places gives, as well as the different experience that the group looks to portray in each hotel of the brand.
As of 2015 The Big 5 lodge is proud to have a new management structure. The Lodge is able to cater to international business clients that are looking for a quiet retreat in the capital, as well as tourists looking for a stop during their road trips and looking for an authentic experience in the capital of Botswana.
Majestic 5 Hotel
After running the Big 5 Lodge for four years, the idea to expand started to form in the owner’s mind. This is when the group found a land in Palapye in 2008 and opened The Majestic 5. With 168 rooms, as well as nine self-catering apartments, Majestic 5 Hotel is today the third largest hotel in Botswana. Situated in the secluded and tranquil environment that is Palapye, this hotel has catered for corporate clients since 2012, due to its central and strategic position.
Not only does the hotel stand out by its unique architecture designed entirely by the owner, but also by its swimming pool and lush surroundings – the most important aspect being the enormous contrast between the small town village and the high-end, upscale standard that the hotel offers. Lost in nature, Majestic 5 offers the quiet and peaceful environment that its clients come looking for.
Big Valley Game Lodge – the eco tourism you have been looking for
Big Valley Game Lodge is Majestic 5 Group’s most recent and most exciting project yet. Keeping in mind the idea of pleasing the clientele and offering an alternative to traditional hotels, the owner designed his fifth hotel of the group just an hour away from Gaborone.
The hotel aims to combine high-level accommodations, as well as a 3×3 square Kilometre of bush, where more than 700 wild animals can wander freely.
Guests going to Big Valley Game Reserve will be able to enjoy the best of both worlds, being entertained with game drives during the day, and living a unique Boma experience at night. Moreover, what makes the lodge so unique and exceptional is that it is fed on solar energy power, making the whole property sustainable for electricity each night.
Activities at Big Valley Game Lodge will range from the traditional Game Drives, where guests will be able to see giraffes, kudus, ostriches, impala, leopards, hyenas, a wild selection of birds, but where tourists will also be able to use the camping site, go fishing, but also camel and horse riding.
Today, Big Valley Game has 21 rooms, out of which 7 are executive bedrooms, always focusing on mixing peaceful and up to standard accommodation with traditional flora and fauna.
The concept of Game Lodge that the owner of Majestic 5 came is the first one to see the light in Botswana – it will however not be the last one. Indeed, Ivica Puskas is full of ideas for the future. Among the projects flourishing in his mind, is a Majestic Delta Lodge in Maun, overlooking the river, as well as a Big Chobe River Lodge in Kasane. These projects should see the light in the upcoming years, therefore expanding the Majestic 5 Brand and heritage throughout the four corners of the country.
Future plans
Although each hotel has its own distinguished feel, The Majestic 5 Group makes sure that each property stays true to the brand’s atmosphere. Therefore, guests will always find good service, good food and clean rooms, as well as swimming pools and the Oh-So-Recognisable African Feel in each hotel and lodge of the Majestic 5.
Keeping in mind to “offer an alternative to the traditional hotels, and pleasing the customers”, Majestic 5 Group is proud to say that their concept of Specialty Lodge has been “copied, but never equaled”.
Today, Majestic 5 Group and its owner Ivica Puskas are known to be the Pioneers of Lodges, a strong contributor to the Touristic economy within Botswana, as well as a contributor of Botswana’s image and awareness worldwide.
Ivica Puskas now passing on his passion for the hospitality sector to his son, Romeo, currently Assistant Director of the Majestic 5 Lodge in Palapye following training in Switzerland’s finest hospitality and hotelier sector, worldwide renowned, therefore ensuring the tradition of quality and service, already established by the Majestic 5 brand.
Father and son work hand in hand in order to stay on top of the market, please international and local guests visiting their hotels, and always innovate for their hotels. Romeo says, “I have learned a lot from my father’s ambition and determination, and I am ready to apply this to the family business as well.”
