July 2027 August 2027 Sept. 2027 More info.
Awesome Mammals Including Big Five: Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant & Buffalo. 300+ Bird Species, 270 Flowers & 100+ Different Trees.
Malaria Free, UNESCO Waterberg Mountains Reserve.
An amazing unique Safari opportunity in our full-service exclusive, private 5☆ lodge, UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, Limpopo Province, Northern South Africa.
No shots / vaccinations & visas required for U.S. passport holders traveling from the USA.
Eight+ Guided Game Photo-Safari Drives
Spectacular campfire dinner in the bush & night safari
Traditional African champagne brunch overlooking wildlife having lunch!
Champagne and sunset at Leopard Rock
Tribal Evening with traditional cuisine, singing & dancing
Waterberg Ancient Rock Art & Stone Age Heritage:
Explore ancient rock paintings and archaeological sites that reveal thousands of years of human history in the Waterberg.
Sheep Rock Shelter:
Visit a natural rock shelter used for thousands of years and discover ancient paintings, stone tools, beads, and other archaeological finds.
Mokolo River Wildlife Cruise:
Cruise the Mokolo River while enjoying beautiful scenery, abundant birdlife, wildlife viewing, and excellent photographic opportunities.
One night of 4-star hotel accommodation in Johannesburg.
JNB Airport-to-hotel shuttle service upon arrival (approximately 10 minutes).
Tuesday-night hotel stay, with the tour beginning Wednesday morning after breakfast with our group.
Sightseeing: Johannesburg Apartheid Museum, Pretoria Capital, Sterkfontein Caves, Maropeng Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site, ...
No hidden charges - All Meals, Accommodation, Taxes, Entrance Fees, Reserves, Safaris, Events & Tours Included.
ALL INCLUDED and more...
Agenda subject to change and additions/upgrades based on local conditions and opportunities!
Instagram & Facebook from our phones on previous Safari tours
Trip SWAG, group escort & more!
Price, per person, based on double occupancy.
Group flight options are available, or meet our group at Johannesburg Airport.
Dates listed correspond to the departure from and return arrival in the USA on our group flights.
Our African land program runs from Tuesday through the following Wednesday and includes one night B&B in Johannesburg on Tuesday, followed by seven nights at the 5-star Elephant Lodge from Wednesday to Wednesday.
View every detail of your account/reservation on-line any time.
Secure your spot with a $495 deposit. Payment plan available with final by 15-MAY-2027.
Exclusive Promotional Tour; Open to qualified applicants (some restrictions).
Call 888.828.0096 or email any time (7 days) for more details
Welgevonden Private Big Five Game Reserve
Welgevonden is one of the absolute highlights of our safari program and one of South Africa's premier private Big Five wildlife reserves. Located within the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, this magnificent protected wilderness covers approximately 36,000 hectares-nearly 90,000 acres-and supports more than 65 mammal species and over 300 bird species. Our open-vehicle photo safari offers excellent opportunities to search for lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, antelope, and many other species across dramatic mountains, valleys, grasslands, and wooded savannah.
Welgevonden is a true private-reserve experience, is not open to day visitors and private vehicles are not permitted. Only a limited number of guests have access to the reserve at any one time. Strict access and vehicle controls help prevent crowded wildlife sightings, providing a quieter, more intimate safari experience with fewer vehicles and greater respect for the animals and their natural environment.
Conservation is central to everything at Welgevonden. The reserve actively protects its wildlife, habitats, and biodiversity through professional wildlife management, scientific research, biomonitoring, environmental education, and the development of innovative conservation practices. Visiting Welgevonden is therefore much more than an exceptional Big Five safari; it also supports the long-term protection and responsible management of one of the Waterberg's most important wilderness areas.
Kaingo Game Reserve & Research Foundation
Kaingo is a spectacular private Big Five reserve covering approximately 16,400 hectares-more than 40,000 acres-within the malaria-free Waterberg. A declared protected nature reserve and core area of the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, Kaingo features an extraordinary variety of landscapes, including open bushveld, savannah, river valleys, mountain terrain, ancient rock formations, and 13 kilometres of the beautiful Mokolo River.
The reserve is home to the Big Five and more than 50 mammal species, together with over 250 bird species and an exceptional variety of plant life. Access is carefully controlled, and Kaingo's low vehicle-to-reserve ratio creates a peaceful and personal wildlife experience, with excellent opportunities for viewing and photography in a vast, uncrowded natural environment.
Kaingo operates with a "Conservation First" philosophy and an exceptionally low development and tourism footprint. Tourism income directly supports the reserve's conservation work, helping protect its wildlife, ecological integrity, landscapes, and cultural heritage. Through the Kaingo Research Centre and projects supported by the Kaingo Reserve Foundation, researchers from South Africa and around the world study conservation ecology, biodiversity, climate change, archaeology, and the unique natural environment of the Waterberg.
Our Kaingo experience adds a distinctive combination of Big Five wildlife viewing, conservation, research, scenery, and ancient human history to the safari week. Depending on water levels, weather, and local operating conditions, the visit may also include a solar-powered cruise on the Mokolo River, ancient rock-art and Stone Age heritage sites, and scenic stops offering outstanding wildlife and photographic opportunities.
Private Reserve Game Drives
Some of the best safari moments happen close to the lodge. Our private reserve game drives are relaxed, scenic, and personal, with limited vehicles, knowledgeable guides, and excellent opportunities to view and photograph wildlife. These drives are a major advantage of the program because everything is close by, there is no changing accommodation, and there is very little wasted time. You can be on safari, back at the lodge for a meal or swim, and then out again for the next experience.
Night Safari
The African bush changes completely after dark. On our night safari, we travel by open safari vehicle with spotlights, listening and watching as a different animal world begins to emerge. This is when the bush feels especially alive, with new sounds, moving shadows, and the possibility of seeing nocturnal wildlife that is rarely active during the day. It is one of the most exciting and memorable safari experiences of the week.
Bush Dinner at Flintstone Cave
Our night safari includes one of the most atmospheric meals of the trip: a bush dinner at Flintstone Cave. Surrounded by the African night, with a roaring fire and dinner served under the stars, this is much more than a meal. It is the kind of special safari moment people remember long after the trip is over.
Guided Bush Walk / Soft Trekking Safari
A safari is not only about what you see from a vehicle. On our guided bush walk, our guides introduce the smaller details of the Waterberg: animal tracks, plants, birds, termite mounds, antelope behavior, and the landscape itself. It is an easy, educational walk designed to help you understand the bush in a more personal way. Self-guided walking opportunities may also be available within the safe lodge/reserve area, giving guests more ways to enjoy the surroundings between scheduled activities.
Christina’s Wallow Wildlife Hide
Christina’s Wallow is a wildlife hide overlooking a waterhole used by animals in the reserve. To reduce disturbance, part of the approach may be completed on foot with our guides. From the hide, guests can quietly watch and photograph wildlife as animals come to drink. It is a wonderful change of pace from the open-vehicle safari drives and a great opportunity for close-up observation and photos.
Champagne Bush Brunch at Kudu Rock
One morning we leave shortly after sunrise, one of the best times of day for wildlife viewing. After our early game drive, we stop at Kudu Rock for a traditional African Champagne bush brunch overlooking the surrounding landscape. It is always a fun group highlight: great views, good food, a relaxed safari setting, and one of the most memorable meals of the tour.
Sunset Rock
Sunset Rock is one of the signature moments of the safari. In the late afternoon, we head out by open safari vehicle and end the drive at a beautiful viewpoint overlooking the Waterberg Mountains. As the sun drops and the sky turns red, orange, and gold, we enjoy a glass of bubbly and take in the view. It is peaceful, scenic, and a perfect finale to a day on safari.
Tribal Evening
Our Tribal Evening adds an important cultural element to the safari week. This special evening features traditional cuisine, local customs, music, singing, and dancing, offering insight into the history and traditions of the local people. It is festive, educational, and a great shared group experience after several days focused on wildlife and nature.
Waterberg Ancient Rock Art & Stone Age Heritage
The Waterberg is not only a wildlife destination; it is also a landscape shaped by geology, early human history, and ancient culture. Journey through time as you explore ancient rock art, archaeological sites, scenic rock shelters, and other significant natural landmarks.
Our guided visit brings these historical treasures to life, revealing the stories, culture, and deep human history behind the artwork and surrounding landscape. Combined with wildlife viewing, this experience adds a fascinating new dimension to the safari and helps explain why the Waterberg is so special beyond its remarkable animals.
Mokolo River Wildlife Cruise
Cruise the Mokolo River aboard a solar-powered vessel and experience a different side of the African bush. As you glide along the gentle waters, enjoy beautiful scenery, birdlife, and excellent photographic opportunities, with the chance to spot wildlife along the riverbanks. This peaceful and scenic river experience adds another memorable dimension to the safari.
Cradle of Humankind: Maropeng
The Cradle of Humankind is one of the world's most important regions for understanding human origins and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Maropeng, the official visitor centre, our guided experience follows the remarkable story of life on Earth, from the formation of our planet through millions of years of evolution and the development of humankind.
Engaging exhibits bring complex science and ancient history to life, revealing how fossils, changing environments, and evolutionary discoveries have helped shape our understanding of who we are and where we came from. This fascinating introduction to humanity's shared origin story adds depth to the journey and creates a natural connection between the Cradle of Humankind, the ancient heritage of the Waterberg, and the wildlife landscapes experienced throughout the safari.
Sterkfontein Caves
Journey underground into the famous Sterkfontein Caves, one of the world's most important sites for the study of human evolution. The surrounding dolomitic rock began forming approximately 2.5 billion years ago, while the cave deposits preserve fossils and stone tools dating back more than 3.6 million years. Sterkfontein has yielded thousands of fossils, including the more than two-million-year-old "Mrs. Ples" skull and the nearly complete 3.67-million-year-old "Little Foot" skeleton - one of the most complete early hominin skeletons ever discovered. These extraordinary finds helped establish Africa's central place in humanity's origin story.
Our guided visit explores the remarkable cave environment where these discoveries were made and explains how its geology preserved evidence of our distant ancestors for millions of years. Experiencing the caves in person transforms the story of human evolution from a museum exhibit into something tangible, offering a rare opportunity to stand within a landscape that fundamentally changed our understanding of humanity's ancient past.
Everything Included in One Easy Safari Week
Our safari is built for travelers who want the full experience without having to decide which major events to add later. The lodge, meals, guided safari drives, Big-5 reserve opportunities, night safari, bush dinner, Champagne brunch, Sunset Rock, Tribal Evening, walking safari, wildlife hide, JNB transfers, and more are part of the program. You can join every activity or skip any and relax at the lodge, pool, bar, spa, gym, or walking paths.
Join us for our proven African safari program, designed to make a true wildlife adventure exciting, comfortable, and easy to join. Our groups experience tremendous variety, and it is not unusual to see most, if not all, of the Big 5. This safari wins because of its private-reserve atmosphere, limited vehicles at wildlife sightings, excellent guides, beautiful Elephant Lodge, and easy access to outstanding Waterberg safari areas, including Welgevonden and Kaingo Big-5 private reserves. With no change of accommodation, eight-plus guided game drives, all meals, special safari events, transfers, one night in Johannesburg on arrival and 7 nights at one comfortable lodge, you get more time on safari, more included experiences, and a well-planned program that has been proven with our groups over the years.
This is the perfect trip if any of the following apply to you:
Best time for Safaris, as it is "dry season" with pleasant weather, where the animals congregate around the waterholes and are not hidden in the shade. (Southern hemisphere, opposite seasons)
All wildlife relatively local, so no switching hotels or distant travel required to enjoy this beautiful part of the world.
With no public access and a limited number of guests, our three private safari reserves ensure the best possible wilderness experience - up close and personal!
No special precautions required around our accommodation, lodge and within the pedestrian boundaries of our private reserve. Go for walks or hikes anytime!
Avoids all the normal Safari pitfalls, all-inclusive with excellent flight options, no up-sell or "mandatory" options and limited guests/vehicles at sightings, ensuring a more upfront and personal experience! Five-star "high culinary level" meals, great Safaris and an awesome agenda, all included! Some on our previous trips skipped a few events/safaris, as again, every option and event is included! If you choose to do everything, there's still plenty of time to enjoy our magnificent lodge on our private reserve, hang by the pools, at the bar, go for nature walks, enjoy the SPA & wellness center and more.
Species List:
Limpopo is celebrated for its biodiversity, featuring a plethora of species across diverse ecosystems like savannahs and forests. Home to over 500 bird species, a myriad mammals including the Big Five, and an extensive array of plant life, Limpopo's varied habitats underpin its rich biological diversity. This makes it a key conservation area and a captivating spot for wildlife enthusiasts. Explore Limpopo on platforms like iNaturalist to discover species and view photos. Below is a partial list of species from the reserves on our safari.
| Animals | Birds | Plants |
|---|---|---|
Limpopo on iNaturalist - Discover species and view photos.
Flowers by Color - Welgevonden
Pilanesberg National Park on iNaturalist
Waterberg Biosphere - Wikipedia
Waterberg Bioquest a great resource for the Waterberg region, featuring photos and information on local fauna, flora, geology, landscapes, and history contributed by a community of enthusiasts.
Lepidopterists' Society of Africa - Study and conservation of butterflies and moths in the Afrotropical region.
Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) - Provides information on species found in the Waterberg, contributed by a global community of scientists and nature enthusiasts.
Flora of Southern Africa (FSA) - An online database providing detailed descriptions and distribution maps of plant species found in the Waterberg Biosphere.
Waterberg Biosphere Reserve Official Website - Provides comprehensive information on the biodiversity, conservation efforts, and ecological significance of the Waterberg region.
