Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa

Located in the malaria-free, ‘Big 5’ Welgevonden Game Reserve, Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa features spectacular views and luxury accommodation, fine dining cuisine and passionate hospitality and service.

The ultimate ‘big sky’ destination, Mhondoro boasts unimpeded sunrises and sunsets over the Waterberg mountains and valleys. Guests can expect varied terrain, breath-taking landscapes and a diverse natural habitat featuring the ‘Big 5’, including a large white rhino population. Guided walking safaris with trained game rangers are offered by special arrangement.

Viewing Hide

A unique feature at Mhondoro is the photographic game viewing hide at a waterhole, connected to the Main Lodge by a 65-metre long tunnel, and accessible to all guests at any time of day or night. Located at ground level, the hide provides excellent photo opportunities from a distinctive perspective, as well as the excitement of being up close to elephants and other wildlife drinking from the waterhole.

Facilities

Other lodge facilities include heated swimming pools for year-round swimming, a fully equipped gym and sauna, the Mhondoro Spa, and a custom-built star deck with telescope, offering stargazing on clear nights. For honeymooners or a romantic breakaway, the secluded Honeymoon suite comes with a private heated plunge pool and a day bed with views across the reserve and the waterhole. Couple’s spa treatments are offered, in addition to romantic private dinners set up on the deck overlooking the waterhole.

Families

Mhondoro is the ideal destination for families, as the reserve is 100% malaria free. It is family-friendly and caters for children of all ages. Various age-specific activities are available for kids; including cookie baking, kids’ walks, and learning about animal tracks and signs. Children under 12 receive a Kiddies’ Activity Pack, including a Mhondoro bag with an activity booklet. Special ‘Kids Bumble Drives’ can be arranged for parents and little ones under the age of 6, who are too young to join the regular game drives. Child-minding services can be arranged for parents who want to go on safari without their children; or just enjoy some quiet time, indulging in a spa treatment or a romantic dinner, while their children are being taken care of.

The Kids Play Area is located a short distance away from the suites in an enclosed area with electric fence to keep them safe from the animals. Here children between the ages of 2 and 10 years can keep themselves busy (or be supervised by a babysitter) playing on the jungle gym, swings, trampoline and in the sandpit. For older children or on rainy days, there is a (soundproof) playroom downstairs inside the Main Lodge, equipped with board games, puzzles, PlayStation, an air Hockey machine and many other toys to keep them entertained for hours.

Accommodation

The Main Lodge sleeps a total of 18 guests in 5 individually situated guest suites, spread out over an extensive area.

Honeymoon Suite

Situated furthest away from the main lodge, to ensure maximum privacy, and with breath-taking views. King-size bed, en-suite bathroom (with bath & shower), outside shower, hair dryer, gas fireplace, mini bar and coffee & tea station, air conditioning, room safe, heated plunge pool, outside deck area with relaxing day-bed, overlooking the waterhole. Sleeps 2.

Executive Suite

Two separate bedrooms (king-size beds/twins) each with en-suite bathroom, (bath & shower), hair dryer, outside shower for each room, air conditioning in each bedroom, gas fireplaces in each bedroom, communal lounge area with additional wood fire place, room safe, mini bar and coffee & tea station, large outside deck with lounge chairs and a slightly heated plunge pool overlooking the waterhole. Sleeps 4.

Luxury Pool Suite

King-size bed/twins, en-suite bathroom (with bath & shower), outside shower, hair dryer, fireplace, mini bar and coffee & tea station, air conditioning, room safe, outside deck with deck chairs, a slightly heated plunge pool, and a relaxing day-bed overlooking the waterhole. Sleeps 2. Suite number 4 is also wheelchair accessible with a wheelchair-friendly bathroom.

Family Deluxe Suite

Two bedrooms (king-size beds/twins) each with its own en-suite bathroom, hair dryer, one outside shower, air conditioning in each bedroom, living area with dining table, one gas fireplace, room safe, bar fridge with coffee & tea station and kitchenette area, outside deck with deck chairs (bush view, with limited view over the waterhole). Sleeps 4.

Family Suite

Two separate bedrooms (king-size beds/twins) with one shared bathroom with separate entrance doors to the bathroom from both bedrooms with bath & shower), hair dryer, air conditioning in each bedroom, gas fireplace in communal lounge area with dining table, room safe, mini bar, coffee & tea station with kitchenette area, outside deck with deck chairs. No view of waterhole. Sleeps 4.

The Mhondoro Villa

The ultimate in luxury and privacy; the beautiful and very spacious Mhondoro Villa is perfect for families or groups of friends travelling together. The Mhondoro Villa accommodates 6 people, but can dine up to 10 people. The Mhondoro Villa is available for exclusive-use only and comes with the luxury and flexibility of a private guide, private chef and dedicated butler.

Master Bedroom

Study, electric fireplace, TV, king-size bed, walk-in closet, en-suite bathroom with large bath tub, rain shower and separate toilet, air conditioning, room safe, outside shower with ‘window’ to view the waterhole, outside deck with relaxing day bed overlooking the waterhole.

Deluxe Rooms

King-size bed/twins, en-suite bathroom with separate toilet, room safe, air conditioning, outside deck with chairs overlooking the waterhole.

Other Features

• Inside dining area
• Living room area with wood fireplace and TV
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Bar area
• Outside dining area
• Outside lounge area with wood fireplace
• Large deck with lounge chairs and sun umbrellas overlooking the waterhole
• Heated swimming pool
• Yoga room
• Fully equipped gym
• Two outside showers overlooking the waterhole

The Mhondoro Villa includes all meals, teas and coffees, soft drinks, local branded beers (except Craft Beers), hand-select house wines and hand-select house spirits.The Villa comes with exclusive use of a game viewing safari vehicle with personal ranger and the services of a personal chef, butler and housekeeping staff, giving guests the flexibility to arrange their own programme and choose times for game drives and meals to suit their needs. Children of all ages are welcome to join the game drives, when booked into the Mhondoro Villa. Although it is a complete lodge on its own, guests are welcome to make use of any of the facilities at the Main Lodge, such as the Kids’ Play Room and the underground hide, which is only accessible from the main lodge but only a minute’s walk from the Mhondoro Villa.

Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa FAQs

How do you get to Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa

Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa is in Welgevonden Game Reserve about 250km North of Johannesburg, which is about 3 1/2 hours drive. After arriving at the Welgevonden main gate, guests are met by their guide, who then takes them to the lodge in a safari game viewer 4x4, with plenty to see en route.

Alternatively, it's possible to charter light aircraft flights from Johannesburg to Welgevonden airstrip, which takes a mere 45 minutes. Similarly, guests are met at the airstrip and taken to the lodge by safari viewer.