On a family-run reserve close to the town of Vaalwater, Ant's Nest and Ant's Hill are two of the most family-friendly lodges to be found anywhere in South Africa.
Courtesy Ant Collection
Rhinos —
Ant's offers a wide range of bush activities that include walks, game drives and even sundowners with rhinos.
Christopher Clark
Nungubane Lodge —
The rustic Nungubane Lodge is among the very best in Welgevonden in terms of value for money, location and intimacy.
Images courtesy Ian Finlay
Seclusion —
Nungubane is one of several secluded luxury lodges in the region, most of which are much more reasonably priced than their counterparts in better-known parks and reserves such as Kruger or Sabi Sands.
Images courtesy Ian Finlay
Marataba Private Game Reserve —
Marataba Private Game Reserve is on the northwest edge of the picturesque Marakele National Park.
Christopher Clark
Marataba Trails Lodge —
The newly opened Marataba Trails Lodge is perched on a hillside with jaw-dropping views across the dramatic sandstone peaks and gorges of the Marataba reserve.
Christopher Clark
Walking trails —
What really makes this lodge remarkable are the trails that give it its name. They offer back-to-basics bush walks with expert guides through the ever-changing habitats and ecosystems of this Big 5 game reserve.
Christopher Clark
Nylsvley Nature Reserve —
Nylsvley Nature Reserve is one of the most important and populous bird habitats in southern Africa.
Courtesy Mich Veldman
Lookout tower —
Nylsvley is home to almost 400 bird species and a total population of 80,000 birds when the flood plain is at peak water level in the wet and warm summer months. You can view it all from on top of the lookout tower.
Welgevonden boasts one of South Africa's healthiest white rhino populations, as well as an abundance of elephants.
Christopher Clark
Cheetah —
Welgevonden has also had great success with the notoriously tricky reintroduction of cheetahs.
Christopher Clark
Makapan aves —
Makapan Valley, just outside Mokopane, is home to a series of limestone caves where a remarkable number of ancient animal remains and fossils were found in the early 20th century.
Courtesy Tim Bouwer
The Waterberg Meander —
The Waterberg Meander is a 350km self-drive route that takes tourists right through the heart of the Waterberg Biosphere and incorporates many of its highlights.
Christopher Clark
Warmbaths —
Bela-Bela's Warmbaths has an array of water features and slides -- centered around the natural warm baths themselves -- as well as a host of other activities including go-karting, mini golf and ziplining.
