57 Waterberg, Welgevonden Game Reserve

Surrounded by over 35,000 hectares of natural beauty, 57 Waterberg is a fantastic lodge in the Welgevonden Game Reserve. My experience started at the gate with a pickup from the general manager, Stuart Hill and a great conversation followed. A warm welcome awaited me at the lodge before I was escorted to the room. I stayed in a stunning room with many impressive details.

The room had an outdoor area with a private swimming pool, from where it is possible to watch animals from time to time. Inside, the room had an impressive comfortable bed, a separate sitting area, a freestanding bathtub, a double sink and a great shower. After spending a little time in the room, I went for dinner, and what a dinner it was. I have stayed at many exclusive safari lodges, and the food has rarely been impressive. 57 Waterberg was an exception. The lodge has the best food of any of the many safari lodges I’ve stayed including Singita. A talented chef from Port Elizabeth made a great impression with his excellent cooking skills.

57 Waterberg has an impressive Booking.com guest satisfaction score of 9.6, which is very high, especially keeping in mind that these sorts of lodges receive a lot of discerning travellers. One of the main selling points of Welgevonden is the fact that it is malaria-free and that it is home to over 50 different animals, including the Big Five. I can highly recommend driving to the gate of the lodge yourself, as it, at least for me, is very exciting.

The safari experience was excellent as well with a professional guide and great game viewing. It makes a difference being a small lodge in a private game reserve. My two-night stay at 57 Waterberg was the best of all stays on my most recent trip to South Africa with the best meals I probably have had in years and a safari lodge I can highly recommend as one of the best in South Africa.