South Africa · Safari destination
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Malaria-free Big Five, guided drives only.
An exclusive Big Five reserve in Limpopo with 5-star lodges limited to ten guests each, offering panoramic bushveld views and unmatched tranquillity.
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Malaria-free Big Five, guided drives only
Welgevonden is a malaria-free Big Five reserve in the Waterberg, about 2.5 hours' drive from Johannesburg or a 45-minute charter flight. No self-drive vehicles are allowed inside: every game drive is guided and vehicle numbers are strictly limited, so sightings stay quiet in a way few reserves this close to the city can match.
The reserve carries more than 50 mammal species, from the Big Five to cheetah and the seldom-seen brown hyena, alongside close to 300 bird species. A non-hunting history has left the animals relaxed around vehicles, which makes for unusually close, calm encounters.
Lodges are small, secluded and eco-conscious, most hosting no more than ten guests, with options from exclusive-use villas to child-friendly camps.
- Is Welgevonden Game Reserve malaria-free?
- Yes. Welgevonden sits in the Waterberg region of Limpopo, which is classified as malaria-free. This makes it an excellent choice for families with young children or guests who prefer not to take antimalarial medication.
- Can I self-drive inside Welgevonden?
- No. Welgevonden does not permit self-drive game viewing within the reserve. All game drives are guided by experienced rangers in open safari vehicles, which keeps vehicle numbers low and ensures a more exclusive, quieter experience than reserves with public roads.
- How do I get to Welgevonden from Johannesburg?
- The drive from Johannesburg takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours via the N1 and Vaalwater. Alternatively, a charter flight from Johannesburg lands at the reserve’s airstrip in about 45 minutes. Several lodges can arrange the charter as part of your stay.
- What is the best time of year to visit Welgevonden?
- May to July (dry winter) offers the best game viewing, as animals congregate around water sources and vegetation is sparse. August to October warms up with occasional late-afternoon storms. November to April is the green season, with warmer temperatures, migratory birds and lush scenery.
- What does a stay at Welgevonden cost?
- Rates start from around ZAR 9,660 per person per night at Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway and rise to approximately ZAR 12,510 at Mhondoro Safari Lodge. Rates are typically fully inclusive of meals, drinks and twice-daily game drives.
- How does Welgevonden compare to Madikwe or the Kruger?
- Welgevonden is the closest premier Big Five reserve to Johannesburg, roughly 90 minutes nearer than Madikwe. Unlike Kruger’s public roads, Welgevonden is entirely private with no self-drive traffic, so sightings are quieter and more intimate. Nightly rates start below ZAR 10,000, a fraction of what comparable Sabi Sand lodges charge.
Tailor-made safaris
Safaris in Welgevonden Game Reserve.
Most requested · 4 days · South Africa
4-Day Malaria-free Big 5 Mhondoro Safari
All activities · All transfers
- 3 nights in a luxury pool suite at Mhondoro Game Lodge
- Set in malaria-free Welgevonden Game Reserve, Limpopo
- Two daily safari activities: game drives and guided walks
- Big Five sightings with skilled rangers and trackers
From
R 47 370
per person, complete package
≈ R 94 740 for two · international flights excluded
Most requested · 16 days · South Africa
16 Day Self Drive Bush & Garden Route
Most meals · Most activities · Most flights & transfers
- 2 nights at Mhondoro Game Lodge in Welgevonden Game Reserve
- 2 nights at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge in luxury waterhole tents with twice-daily safaris
- 2 nights at Angala Hotel in the Franschhoek winelands
- Whale-watching base at Harbour House Hotel in Hermanus
From
R 87 230
per person, complete package
≈ R 174 470 for two · international flights excluded
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Brochure
Southern Africa Guide
Southern Africa's icons, shaped into one itinerary: Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and Cape Town.
Where to stay
Lodges in Welgevonden Game Reserve.
3 lodges
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Premium Live availabilityMhondoro Safari Lodge
Mhondoro offers a sophisticated yet sustainable safari experience, making it a perfect choice for those seeking an intimate and luxurious African adventure.
From R 12 510 per person · night
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Affordable Live availabilityClifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway
Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway is an intimate eight-suite lodge perched on a rocky ridge in the malaria-free Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg. Each suite has a private plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers, and sweeping views over the Sterkstroom River valley. Twice-daily open-vehicle game drives explore Big Five country, three hours from Johannesburg.
From R 9 660 per person · night
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Lux Live availabilityMarataba Mountain Lodge
Marataba Mountain Lodge is an intimate five-room retreat perched above Waterfall Valley in the malaria-free Waterberg, within Marakele National Park. Scandinavian design meets African wilderness in a solar-powered hideaway where vast views, deep silence and a quiet, attentive team make space to genuinely disconnect.
From R 14 080 per person · night · normally R 21 120
Special offer available
Rates per person sharing, per night.
January
Green mountains, dramatic light
Best time to visit
The Waterberg year.
Guided-only drives keep every season quiet; the mountains add their own weather to the bushveld cycle.
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Your guide to Welgevonden Game Reserve.
When
The Waterberg is warm and temperate, with three broad seasons.
May to July is the dry heart of winter and prime game viewing: the grass is short, animals gather at the remaining water, and days reach a comfortable 72F (22C) while nights can drop below 37F (3C), so pack layers for early drives.
August to October warms towards 81F (27C) by day and stays largely dry, with late-afternoon thunderstorms building as the season turns.
November to April is the green season: days just under 86F (30C), nights rarely below 59F (15C), with rain peaking in December and January. Migratory birds arrive and plains game drop their young, which sharpens predator activity.
Where
Welgevonden lies in the Waterberg, a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve in Limpopo, north of Johannesburg. Most guests drive up via Vaalwater; charter flights land at the reserve's airstrip. Inside, your lodge's guides handle all the driving.
Imagery
Welgevonden Game Reserve, in pictures.
Recent travellers
Word from people who have just been to Welgevonden Game Reserve.
Quotes pulled directly from Trustpilot. Where we have specific reviews mentioning Welgevonden Game Reserve, those come up first. Otherwise these are recent five-star notes from across the trips we have planned.
"Very helpful with itinerary and excellent arrangements of transport from and to Cape Town, and Idubi in Sabi Sands and Lukimbi in Kruger. Although a rep for Safari.com said a letter from a doctor was not required, such a letter IS REQUIRED to go on bush walks if older than 65. Fortunately, we checked the reserve web site and had a doctor's letter."
"The professional, polite and efficient attitude towards us,was paramount. Qualities rarely used and found these days . Thankyou. Mrs Ina Climas."
"Monica was an amazing advisor. Patient, highly responsive and she tailored an imaginative and original itinerary for us. It is clear she knew much about the various options and listened to what we needed to come up with a great solution. Extremely proactive and responsive, making the booking a pleasure"
"I got the package I wanted! No hard sells or upsells. The price matched booking directly, but with safari.com I also got free travel insurance and an eSIM card for my trip. Communication was fast and efficient. I can’t wait until my trip."
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