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Press & Recognition
Independent recognition for conservation-led development
Independent recognition is the clearest measure of a development consultancy. It comes from juries, partners and the projects themselves.
Recognition has come from South Africa and the United Arab Emirates, from an operating off-grid eco-lodge in Addo Elephant National Park to Bruce McNicol’s winning eco-resort concept on Al Marjan Island.
African Property Awards
2026-2027 WINNER · HOTEL DEVELOPMENT · SOUTH AFRICA
Mantis Hiddn in Addo, a 14-key off-grid eco-lodge within Addo Elephant National Park in the Eastern Cape, was named a South Africa winner in the Hotel Development category of the 2026-2027 African Property Awards, part of the International Property Awards. The final level of the award is announced in London on 22 October 2026.
Co-founder and Development Director Bruce McNicol carried the project from scouting the site to opening day, overseeing feasibility, architectural design, sustainability integration and the guest experience framework. The lodge was developed for the Hiddn Group and is operated by the Mantis Collection.
“Hiddn took years of walking that land and working through every decision with a remarkable team of contractors and specialists. Seeing it recognised means a great deal to me and to everyone who built it.”
Bruce McNicol
Co-founder and Development Director, Terra Nova Create
Grand RAK Design Competition
WINNER · DESIGN COMPETITION · UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Bruce McNicol won the Grand RAK Design Competition with an eco-resort concept on Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates.
His concept integrates coral conservation and regional Arabian architectural principles, pairing experiential travel and luxury marine hospitality with sustainable infrastructure systems.
The same disciplines now shape every Terra Nova Create project: market appraisal and positioning, master planning, architectural concept, infrastructure strategy and financial feasibility.
In the press
FEATURED IN GREENECONOMY.MEDIA
Mantis Hiddn in Addo Emerges Within South Africa’s Untouched Wilderness
GreenEconomy.Media reported the completion of Mantis Hiddn in Addo by Terra Nova Create. The lodge sits on steep terrain that had no existing infrastructure, runs fully off-grid and forms part of a wider rehabilitation effort that removed around 40 kilometres of stock fencing to open wildlife corridors towards Addo Elephant National Park.
“This project challenged every part of the development process. But ultimately, those challenges became part of what makes Hiddn in Addo so unique.”
Bruce McNicol
Co-founder and Development Director, Terra Nova Create
Read the feature on GreenEconomy.Media
THE LODGE IN THE TRAVEL PRESS
International travel and lifestyle titles have reviewed and featured Mantis Hiddn in Addo. Their coverage focuses on the guest experience at the lodge.
Forbes. South Africa’s New Off-Grid Wellness Eco-Lodge: Mantis Hiddn In Addo
The Telegraph. Hiddn in Addo hotel review
Condé Nast Traveller. Hiddn in Addo hotel profile
Luxurious Magazine. Inside Mantis Hiddn In Addo, South Africa’s New Ultra-Luxury Wellness Lodge
Media enquiries
We welcome media requests. For interviews, project information and images, please reach Terra Nova Create through our contact page.
We can speak to conservation-led hospitality development, off-grid lodge infrastructure and site selection in protected landscapes, with reference to Mantis Hiddn in Addo and our wider portfolio.