About Tshwene Lodge
With just 5 lovely suites on a hillside giving wonderful views of the mountains of the Waterberg, this is a great choice for couples looking for a romantic break!
Tshwene Game Lodge lies deep in the foothills of the Waterberg plateau, (named after the plentiful supply of clear water) in a game sanctuary so unspoilt, so abundant in indigenous flora and wild fauna that its name is well deserved – Welgevonden (or “well found”!)This privately owned reserve, with its rolling wooden mountains and deep rocky ravines and gorges is a huge 37 500 hectares in size and adjoins the Marakele National Park and soon game will be moving freely between the 2 reserves to create a massive area of more than 100 000 hectares! Increasingly Welgevonden is gaining great popularity in the South African market due to a number of factors: the gorgeous landscapes, the fact that this is a non-malarial area, the high quality game lodges found here, some excellent game viewing and, a major plus point, the fact that the reserve lies just 3 hours north of Johannesburg and is therefore perfect for an accessible weekend away.
In fact, what you do need to bear in mind is that the 3 hours travelling time is to the reserve’s main gate where you leave your vehicle (no private cars are allowed in Welgevonden) but this is effectively when your holiday starts as this is also where you will be greeted by the lodge with an ice-cold drink for the enjoyable 1 hour transfer cum game drive to the lodge itself. Unlike sister-lodge Ekuthuleni which is positioned more on the grassy plains of the reserve, Tshwene (named after the Chacma baboon) is located on a hillside with great views out over the reserve. The managing company positions Tshwene as the more couple’s orientated of the 2 lodges and it’s not hard to see why - the lodge’s suites are all tastefully furnished and offer exhilarating views of the valleys below and the hills beyond (note that sister lodge Ekuthuleni is situated in close proximity and the 2 can work together very well if you have a group_
Tshwene’s rooms allow you to unwind in comfort and in total privacy with each boasting an en-suite bathroom with a gorgeous romantic standalone bath (big enough for two) looking out into the bush and an indoor and outdoor shower with breathtaking views. The rooms at Tshwene are elegant with typically conservative but classy safari décor style. From your private wooden deck you can listen to the calls of the birds flitting about in the surrounding trees or watch the African sun set the bush ablaze as it sinks over the horizon!
The good news continues at Tshwene’s main lodge complex which features two elegantly furnished lounges and an indoor dining area with a large fireplace that creates an intimate and cosy atmosphere, especially on those chilly winter nights. There's a huge wooden deck with magnificent views where you can unwind or wallow in the cool swimming pool whilst watching game passing by. Evening meals are enjoyed either inside, out on the view deck or in the traditional boma under the stars around the open fire with the sounds of the bush as your background soundtrack. After dinner you can relax with a cognac at the bar whilst exchanging tales of the day’s game drives with fellow guests, or if you wish to get an amazing insight of the night sky, a qualified sky ranger can give you an evening of astronomical entertainment!
Whilst the views from the lodge at Tshwene are gorgeous, the good news is that game drives will give you even more exposure to the stunning landscapes found in Welgevonden. This has to be the most scenically diverse and beautiful of all of the South African reserves, ranging from majestic mountains to expansive grassy plains slashed by ravines and river valleys – the landscape seemingly changes around almost every corner and would be enough to keep many guests enthralled even before you add in the game viewing that’s on offer here.
Historically this area supported a wide diversity of mammal species, but by the end of the 19th century most of the large species that were present here, had been exterminated by uncontrolled hunting. Following one of the largest game relocation programmes ever undertaken on private land in the early 90’s, Welgevonden has once again became home to the Big Five as well as many species of antelope, zebra, giraffe, baboon, hyena, wild dog, and other fauna foraging on the plains and wooded slopes, while perennial waters hide crocodile and offers sustenance to over 250 bird species. One of the highlights of the Welgevonden has to be the excellent rhino sightings on offer, with the reserve boasting perhaps the largest population of white rhino on a private reserve anywhere in Africa!
Two daily game drives are conducted by experienced rangers who will provide and entertain you with intimate details of the abundant flora and fauna - many of which are unique to the Waterberg! On these thrilling game drives you will be seated in open 4x4 vehicles as you experience the excitement of seeing the Big Five and other game in their natural habitat. One thing to note though is that, unlike most of the lowveld reserves, off-roading in pursuit of sightings is not permitted in Welgevonden to keep the environment as pristine as possible, which means that the sightings may not be quite as up close and personal as elsewhere as the animals are given their space. The great thing about this reserve is that only a limited number of guests have access at any one time – with no private vehicles permitted – ensuring an awesome wilderness experience with minimal sight of any other people! So what are you waiting for? What’s the point of staying for the weekend in Johannesburg or Pretoria when a gorgeous weekend breakaway is just a few hours away!
