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The Welgevonden area is fairly<br />
rocky and hilly, but the lodge is<br />
built overlooking a flat plain, with a<br />
waterhole in front to which animals<br />
drift all day ... families of warthog<br />
and a dazzle of zebras ... the ellies<br />
appear to ignore it completely and<br />
head straight for the pool, much to<br />
the delight of the guests – most of<br />
whom are international, so imagine<br />
the thrill!<br />
Besides what turned out to include<br />
some sensational animal sightings,<br />
a highlight of our stay was also the<br />
food ... this five-star lodge prides itself<br />
on the fine dining options offered,<br />
and deservedly so. While the boma<br />
dinner was been-there-eaten-that,<br />
other meals were exceptional ...<br />
think eggs Benedict with truffle oil<br />
hollandaise or French toast with<br />
thyme-infused honey and nuts for<br />
breakfast, or later in the day a dish of<br />
beetroot elements (pickled beetroot<br />
and beetroot sorbet, goat’s cheese<br />
and rocket, topped with pumpkin<br />
seed ... bliss), a wonderful wild<br />
mushroom risotto with truffle oil and<br />
Parmesan, and quite possibly the<br />
best rack of lamb we’ve ever eaten.<br />
As much of this as possible comes<br />
from the lodge’s large, flourishing<br />
veggie and herb garden – and it’s<br />
leaning towards being totally selfsufficient<br />
and off-the-grid within the<br />
next year or so.<br />
Accommodating just 26 guests in<br />
total, there are a few chic-African and<br />
edgy European-decorated suites to<br />
choose from, as well as a romantic<br />
Honeymoon Suite, which has a<br />
Honestly. Is there anything<br />
more dramatically wonderful<br />
than an African sunrise or<br />
sunset? We think not!<br />
Fine dining with a view.<br />
heated plunge pool and outside<br />
deck with day bed that overlooks<br />
the waterhole. The suites – think<br />
mosquito-net-draped beds and<br />
roaring fireplaces – sleep either<br />
two or four guests ... but there’s a<br />
magnificent three-bedroom villa. A<br />
marvellous choice for a family or<br />
group of friends, the villa comes with<br />
a private butler, chef and ranger,<br />
is exceptionally equipped with a<br />
pool, lounge, dining and outdoor<br />
entertainment areas, (it even has its<br />
own gym, for heaven’s sake).<br />
Other standout features at the<br />
lodge, where children of all ages are<br />
welcome, include the underground<br />
waterhole hide, which is connected<br />
to the main lodge by a tunnel,<br />
allowing you to safely race off and<br />
see the animals close up, a lovely<br />
spa for those who need even<br />
more spoiling than being out in<br />
the bush provides, a heated pool<br />
and sauna and two great areas<br />
for youngsters – one indoors, one<br />
out. There’s a shooting range, and<br />
rock art excursions, bush walks and<br />
rhino tracking, and really brilliant<br />
yoga retreats can be arranged – get<br />
together six or more yoga friends<br />
and experience yoga in the bush at<br />
dawn or sunset ... how amazing!<br />
Rates range from R5 675 a person<br />
a night, sharing, with children under<br />
two free; three to nine paying 50 per<br />
cent of the adult fee, 10 upwards<br />
paying full rate. The Villa exclusive-use<br />
rate is R45 455 for four guests, R9 091<br />
per extra adult and R5 051 per extra<br />
child between three and 11. There are,<br />
however, often specials, so keep an eye<br />
on the website. All rates are inclusive<br />
of meals, selected house drinks, two<br />
game drives a day and reserved<br />
entrance, as well as scheduled transfers<br />
from the Welgevonden main gate.<br />
Children can’t go on regular game<br />
drives, but Bumble Drives can be<br />
arranged and there are babysitters,<br />
as well as fun activities. The area is<br />
malaria-free, and the drive is a little less<br />
than three hours from Joburg and OR<br />
Tambo airport – unless you happily<br />
drive along in a daze and miss the N3<br />
turn-off, when you could, as we did,<br />
take the road (much) less travelled, in<br />
which case add, oh, say two hours or<br />
so to your drive time!<br />
Details: res@mhondoro.com,<br />
087 150 2314, mhondoro.com<br />
<strong>Aug</strong>ust <strong>2019</strong> Get It Joburg <strong>West</strong> 33