Welgevonden, Exclusive 5 chalet Lodge, IMW1

A very special, luxurious Welgevonden Lodge with central entertainment & 5 separate chalets, guaranteed to provide an African wildlife experience of a life time.

Elevated over the Tshwene Valley Gorge and secluded in the malaria free Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, Wooded Peaks provides an intimate African experience for just 10 discerning guests. Wooded Peaks is an exclusive luxury five seal lodge, stylishly decorated, cool and comfortable, and just 3 hours drive from Johannesburg.

Each one of the five tasteful and spacious log-cabin style chalets provides sanctuary for 2, in absolute luxury, with magical bush and valley views. The en-suite bathrooms provide privacy while inviting the bush in through large sliding glass windows, allowing you the luxury of huge corner baths and inside showers. Or, let the cool, cheeky breeze caress you while you indulge in a private outdoor shower. Overhead fans and ceramic fireplaces provide for your comfort.

All the bedrooms are en-suite with double beds. They only have ceiling fans.

The main lodge area with lounge / dining room, bar and games room all have air conditioning

Game Drives & Walks: Passionate, qualified guides conduct 2 game drives daily and promise to reveal some of Welgevonden’s many hidden secrets. The reserve encompasses over 40 000 hectares of the most scenic Waterberg landscape – part of the Waterberg Biosphere – and is home to a rich diversity of fauna and flora, amazing geological features, ancient rock art, superb bird life in the lush green of summer, and excellent game viewing of Africa’s big game. Maximum of 10 guests (including children) allowed on the game drive

Bushman's Paintings: Some of our country's rich bushman history can be found in the area.

The games room: pool table, dart boards, Foosball table & board games. Great for when you want a place to relax indoors or in the evenings.

Welgevonden Game Reserve:

Rolling wooded mountains cut by deep rocky ravines and majestic gorges make Welgevonden Game Reserve an evocative piece of Africa.  Aptly meaning ‘well found’, this is a place of rare and rugged beauty, plentiful wildlife and prolific birdlife.

Welgevonden is home to over 50 different mammals, including the Big Five. There are rare and unusual species too, such as brown hyena, pangolin, aardwolf and aardvark – all best seen at night.

The grassy plains abound with antelope from the largest eland to the diminutive duiker, and cheetah, lion and leopard are always close by. It is the diversity of habitat on the reserve that encourages such a wide range of wildlife as well as over 300 bird species, including rare blue cranes.

At 34,850ha in size, Welgevonden Game Reserve lies in the Waterberg plateau, about 250km north of Johannesburg. Here guests enjoy unlimited traversing through the reserve and experience an environment where biodiversity conservation and game viewing are managed in harmony. Welgevonden protects a unique and special environment and the reserve’s management is deeply committed to ongoing conservation research and development.

The evocative wilderness area offers an exclusive, intimate experience of the African bush with only a limited number of guests having access to the reserve at any one time. No private vehicles are permitted, which ensures minimal human impact and the ultimate wilderness experience. Historically, wildlife on the reserve has never been hunted so game viewing is always up close and personal. There is also ancient and delicate Bushman rock art on Welgevonden.

Welgevonden offers the discerning visitor something completely different. This is mountain bush-veld with rivers running through it and sweeping views to far horizons. It’s high altitude, temperate climate and malaria free makes it worth a visit all year round. Welgevonden is certainly one of the finest places to watch wildlife, sense wilderness and touch the spirit of true Africa.

Information & Guidelines:

Unless otherwise arranged arrival pick up time at the Welgevonden Main Gate is at 14:00 and departure time on the day of departure is 11:00am. Our ranger will collect you from the Main Gate. Our lodge is a 20 – 30 minute drive from the Main Gate so please do let us know if you require alternative pick up times and if you are running early or late.

The road has been newly resurfaced and is in excellent condition for the majority of the drive. However, please beware of potholes before the towns of Modimolle and Vaalwater as this can cause damage to your tyres and vehicle.

Upon arrival at the MAIN GATE, you will sign in and be given an entrance slip – please give this slip to our staff upon arrival as this slip must be stamped by Wooded Peaks and then returned to you upon departure to return to the gate when you leave the reserve.

At the main gate you will park your vehicles (there is safe and secure parking) and the staff will transfer your luggage to the game viewer and transport you to the lodge.

It is a requirement that you complete and sign an indemnity form before entering the game reserve. Our staff will provide one for signature before leaving the Main Gate.

It is an approximately 20 - 30 minute game drive from the Main Gate to our lodge. On the drive you are sure to spot some of our fabulous wildlife.

This is a self-catering lodge (unless you have made arrangements for a chef). However, in the event that you do run out of food or forget an item, our staff can transport you back to the Main Gate to enable you to self-drive to Vaalwater. Vaalwater is about a 10 minute drive from the Main Gate. There is a SPAR in Vaalwater which stocks basic food and supplies. There is also a bottle store next to the SPAR. Please note that there is a fuel surcharge of R200.00 should you need to be transported back the Main Gate for food or other forgotten items.

Our staff will be on hand to ensure your stay is magical. The staff will service your chalets each morning and perform a turn-down service in the evening. They will set your tables for meals and attend to the cleaning thereafter but are not able to assist with meal preparation.

All towels and linen are provided.

Weather permitting, there will be two game drives per day. Each drive is approximately 3 hours long, depending on sightings. In summer, the morning drive generally departs at 06:00 and the afternoon drive at 16:00. In the winter, the morning drives generally depart at 06:30 and the afternoon drive at 15:30. Your ranger will advise you of the rules for Welgevonden Game Reserve for the game viewing vehicle and drive. Please ensure that the rules are adhered to for the safety of our guests and our wildlife.

We recommend that you bring rusks and / or muffins for your morning drives and biltong, crisps and other snacks for your evening drives.

The water is very clean and it is safe to drink from the taps.

The Waterberg is a Malaria Free Area

The use of mosquito and bug repellent is still suggested at all times and especially on game drives / safari.

The wooden walkways and bridges and decks become very slippery when wet, especially from the dew late at night and early morning! Please walk carefully.

You are in a game reserve with wild and dangerous animals, reptiles, birds and insects – please be aware of your surroundings and act accordingly – GOLDEN RULE: Look where you put your feet when you walk and look where you put your hands on hand rails etc

ONLY the provided toilet paper can be flushed down our toilets – we work on a septic tank and all other items will cause a blockage (i.e. ear buds, face wipes, ladies sanitary items etc) – We appreciate your understanding and compliance in this regard!

Certain items (bathrobes, hairdryer etc) have been provided for your comfort in your chalet for use during your stay – please leave them in your chalet upon departure

We do not have a laundry service available

There is a gratuity box on the bar for the staff. Should you feel that they have contributed to your amazing experience, please tip them accordingly.

Here’s a list of items that you may wish to take that are often forgotten

• Bottled water for the drives;

• Fruit juice for breakfast;

• Cold drinks;

• Alcohol and mixers;

• Butter;

• Olive oil;

• Rusks;

• Biltong and other game drive snacks;

• Mosquito repellent;

• Swimming costumes;

• Sunscreen

• Hats;

• Sunglasses

• Warm stuff for the drives (beanies and scarves and jackets etc) – in winter months;

• Binoculars

• Camera