African Safari Lodge Welgevonden, South Africa
Amenities NAME African Safari Lodge PROPERTY NUMBER 169 BATHS 5 BEDROOMS 5 SLEEPS 12 PRICE Please call RATING Gold Star TYPE Villa CITY Welgevonden REGION South Africa COUNTRY Africa VIEW Mountain, Landscape, Pool COMMUNICATION TRANSPORTATION airline commercial, airline private, automobiles STAFF housekeeper, houseman, driver SPECIAL PROVISIONS smoking permitted, pets not permitted AMENITIES pool, fire places, vehicles, outdoor bbq ACTIVITIES hiking, safari, naturalist
Description The main lodge, built from natural rock with wooden teak decks overlooking the Makweti Gorge is a visual delight. In the distance the circular sweep of tree-encrusted mountains enhance the unique beauty of the Waterberg. Local antique art and furnishings reflect the cultural heritage of Africa. Artifacts, Kelim rugs, sumptuous leather couches, hand beaded fabrics, all add color to the rich wood tones, thatch and natural rock of the lodge. Great care has been taken in creating subtle luxury without overpowering the wild atmosphere of the environment. Accommodation is provided for 12 guests, in secluded, thatched suites, each individually decorated, with indoor and outdoor showers, Victorian bathtubs, log fires for cool winter evenings, and private decks offering flawless views of the African bushveld. This is a place of peaceful enchantment where guests can relax in the plunge pool during the heat of the day or sit quietly at the waterhole in the camp at sunset watching the passing parade of animals. You set the pace. African Safari Lodge saw the addition of a new Indaba Suite at the end of 2001. The suite offers a spacious lounge with wrap around deck, overlooking a waterhole; complimented by a double bedroom, bathroom, with indoor and outdoor shower. The lodge's cuisine reflects an artful fusion of exotic spices with local delicacies. Our resident chef creates delectable menus daily consisting of home made soups, artfully presented varieties of game and fish, crisp fresh vegetables and Âto die forâ deserts. Fine South African estate wines from our cellars complement the gourmet meals. Candlelit dinners are served in the formal dining room, its table made festive with colorful local crafts, gaily painted plates, napkins and tablecloth in lively prints, so the meal becomes an event. On warm nights, informal suppers are held in the boma under the stars around a flickering campfire.
Welgevonden Private Game Reserve covers 38, 000 hectares of malaria free, pristine bushveld, watered by three major rivers which flow serenely through the awesome landscape flanked by steep hills and open plains. Vegetation - silver and fawn, gray-green and gold  all contrast sharply with the rust red soil of the terrain. Since 1994 several wildlife species have been re-introduced to this wilderness area. The reserve now contains 16 species of antelope, the largest private collection of white rhino in the world, lion, elephant, buffalo, cheetah, the rare brown hyena, leopard and many more. For bird lovers Welgevonden has in excess of 254 species. There is also an amazing diversity of vegetation, from proteas to fig trees, thick forest vegetation, yielding to open grass plains. Game Drives through this spectacular wilderness afford an abundance of wild life with sightings of White Rino, Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Eland, Zebra, Elephant, Lion, Buffalo and the elusive Leopard. Tsessebe and Red Hartebeest also appear, along with an abundance of birds. Night comes alive with the rare brown Hyena, Bush pig, Genet, Porcupine, Civet, and other nocturnal species. An excellent network of gravel roads take you through some of the most spectacular scenery in Southern Africa - high up onto the ridges of the Waterberg Mountain range, with commanding panoramic views, into the calm and tranquility of the deep valleys and finally onto the open plains. Daily activities such as morning game drives, walks, picnics, sundowner drives, night drives and even star gazing can be arranged. Safaris are conducted in open Land Rovers, custom built, to maximize comfort.