Nestled peacefully in the magnificent Waterberg Mountain Range in the Northern Province, Thandeka Lodge is the ideal getaway where the weary traveler can relax and revel in the exquisite natural beauty of the bushveld savannah and its rich wildlife heritage.
Come and experience spectacular vistas and this majestic wilderness in the luxury that is Thandeka Lodge. Only two short hours drive from Johannesburg, this privately owned and run reserve is a must for everyone, from the bushveld connoisseur to the romantic at heart.
Thandeka is a malaria-free reserve that homes an abundant variety of wildlife, birds and flora. The lodge offers a true Out-of-Africa experience, with the architecture designed around promoting close encounters with the unspoilt South African bushveld. The sleek main building rings of an era of colonialism with a contemporary twist, while the interior is exquisitely decorated in a colonial-contemporary style. Accommodation takes the form of individual, luxurious tented-lodges, each one decorated with unique touches, hidden in the splendour of the bush.
Accommodation
Choose from one of six exquisite tented suites that will soon be extended to fifteen. Each tent is tucked away separately in the secluded bush, complete with private salas. Thandeka caters for couples and families, with huge, airy double and family suites to choose from.
Each en-suite room has been individually named and decorated, ensuring a unique experience every time you visit Thandeka. Enjoy miles and miles of Africa from the beautiful sunken polished-sandstone bath or relax on the sala overlooking the bushveld plains.
Rooms
Room Facilities:
Stone baths and basins
Showers
Choice of luxury 2-bedroomed family tents or luxury one bedroom tents
Bar facilities in the tents
Private viewing deck / sala
Cuisine
Meals can be enjoyed in the magnificent main lodge building that houses the dining room, lounge, and conference room. Sip on a cocktail at the pool’s edge or relax in the lush lounge, all the time viewing the splendour of the bush surrounds. Thandeka offers three full meals a day, with the option of having breakfast or dinner in the privacy of your own tented-suite or on your sala.
Our staff’s emphasis is on exceptional service and attendants are on hand 24-7, with world-class cuisine at your fingertips. We offer a bespoke dining experience with no request too unusual or impossible – you imagine the dining experience and we will make it a reality!
Activities & Facilities
Discovery awaits the discerning traveler at Thandeka Lodge. Whether it’s a game drive or you prefer lounging at the pool, a variety of activities are on offer:
Sunset and sunrise game drives
Guided bush walks
Bird watching
Nearby golf facilities
Private customised dinners to your request
Children’s activities
Conference facilities
Intimate weddings, honeymoons and special occasions
Swimming pool and deck
Bar and lounge
Nearby horse riding
Cheetah sanctuary nearby
Mammals: Marakele is home to most of the large mammals synonymous with the African bush, including elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo, leopard and cheetah. Large Predators such as cheetah, wild dog, brown hyena, leopard and now also lion, occur in the park.
Birds: Arguably the Park’s biggest birding attraction is the largest colony of Cape Vultures in the world (around 800 breeding pairs). However the park is also appealing to birders as it falls within the transition zone between the dry western regions and the moister eastern regions of the country. Read More
While touring in the North West Province visit:
Madikwe Game Reserve Madikwe is a Big Five Game Reserve covering some 75,000 hectare. It is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa. Read More
Pilanesberg Game Reserve Explore the nearby Pilanesberg Game Reserve - in an ancient volcanic crater "The Volcano that gave birth to a game reserve" Read More
Top Destinations
Cape Town Hotels
With Cape Town's spectacular geography and its amazing vibe it is not hard to see why it is consistently voted amongst the world's best cities. It is also South Africa's oldest city, the point at which South Africa as we know it today started.Read More...
Garden Route Hotels
Travel to South Africa and visit the Garden Route. The Garden Route is one of the most scenic parts of South Africa. Situated on the Southern Cape Coast almost midway between Cape Town...Read More...
Pilanesberg Game Lodges
The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg National Park - a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago...Read More...
Addo Elephant National Park
The first settlers in the Addo region immediately decimated the big elephant herds, because they frequently devastated their fields and plantations. So the number of elephants continuously decreased...Read More...
Johannesburg Hotels
A city of astonishing contrasts, a huge metropolis where opulent wealth and desperate poverty live side by side: Johannesburg is the intriguing, dynamic heart of this turbulent country...Read More...
Day Tours and Scheduled Tours
Scheduled Tours and Day Tours from selected african destinations...Read More...
Kruger National Park
The Kruger National Park is the primary destination in South Africa for many international tourists. Each year more than half a million visitors are registered...Read More...
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe is a Big Five game reserve covering some 75,000 hectare. It is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa.The rich diversity of vegetation ensures a wide range of game and the topography offers ideal game viewing opportunities.Read More...
Durban Hotels
Delightful Durban is the largest city of the vast and varied Kwa-Zulu Natal province of South Africa. A coastal port with a more than equable sub-tropical climate and wide golden beaches washed by the warm Indian Ocean, Durban is a holidaymaker's paradise...Read More...
Entrance from 7:30am to 4:00pm
In summer gates close at 6:00pm
In winter gates close at 5:00pm
Handy Hints
Remember to bring a camera, binoculars, bird and wildlife reference books, a hat and sunscreen lotion. Take along medicines such as anti-histamine and lotion for insect stings and bites. Cool clothing for summer and warm for winter are advised as the region is subject to sudden weather changes, particularly in the mountains. Remember charcoal or wood as this is not available in the park. Visitors should also remember to take a torch along as the camp has no illumination at night.
Office hours
7:30am - 5:00pm – 1 May to 31 August
7:30am - 6:00pm – 1 September to 30 April
Wheelchair Access
Marakele is a wilderness area with limited tourism facilities for everyone. Much of the park requires a 4x4 vehicle. The safari tent camp has 10 units, one of which is accessible to people in wheelchairs, equipped with an access ramp and adapted ablution facilities (roll-in shower). No accessible facilities are available at the Bush Camp. The new reception block comprises of a unisex ablution block for the use of people with mobility impairment. One of the 3 circles at the camping sites is also equipped with access facilities.
This website is not affiliated, associated or connected in any way with The Welgevonden Game Reserve nor the Welgevonden Landowners Association. Its purpose is to provide great accommodation deals, news, information and opinion on the Welgevonden Game Reserve.