Mhondoro

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Pricing

pp/night sharing

normal price: R12 296 (save: 30%)

Luxury Pool Suites

1 Jul - 15 Dec '26

R 10009

Honeymoon Suite

1 Jul - 15 Dec '26

R 10309

Family Deluxe Suite - 2 Bedrooms

1 Jul - 15 Dec '26

R 8654

Minimum of 3 adults

2 Bedroom Family Pool Suite

1 Jul - 15 Dec '26

R 9231

(note - no view of waterhole)

Executive Suite - 2 Bedrooms

1 Jul - 15 Dec '26

R 36080

Prices shown are min per suite per night for 3 pax - call for prices for 4 pax

Includes:

Luxury accommodation
All meals
Teas & coffees
Selected soft drinks, local brand beers, spirits and hand selected house wines
Two safari activities per day, including game drives in open vehicles or bush walking safaris
Wi-Fi in the main lodge area
Return scheduled transfers from the Welgevonden Reserve Main Gate or the Welgevonden Airstrip to Mhondoro Game Lodge

NOTE: Rates apply only to SA residents

Our Verdict

Quite simply the most stylish and luxurious lodge in the Welgevonden reserve - the superb food, heated swimming pool and innovative underground hide are also worth singling out!

Lodge Gallery

Our Ratings

8.7

Overall

9.0

Luxury & Style

8.5

Setting

8.0

Game Viewing

9.0

Romance

Our Ratings

8.7

Overall

9.0

Luxury & Style

8.5

Setting

8.0

Game Viewing

9.0

Romance

What's Hot

Unquestionably the most stylish and luxurious of all the lodges in the Welgevonden reserve – if your taste (and budget) tend towards chic and sophisticated contemporary décor and design, then Mhondoro is definitely worth putting on your wish-list
The one-of-a-kind underground waterhole hide in front of the lodge (reached via a 65 metre long tunnel) is fantastic and allows some of the most up-close and intimate animal viewings you’re ever likely to enjoy - no need for zoom lenses and binoculars here!
Guests consistently rave about the food at Mhondoro – in fact the comments from the predominantly foreign guests are liberally sprinkled with references to “Michelin restaurant quality” meals!
The lovely swimming pool on the deck above the lodge waterhole features something almost unique and extremely welcome – it’s heated, making enjoying a swim here possible for a much greater period of the year!
We love the Spa’s outdoor bath on the open deck overlooking the waterhole – if that soothing massage hasn’t relaxed you enough, enjoying a soak here should do the trick!
A professional star gazing deck makes for an interactive and unique additional activity with the field guides after dinner

What's Not

It’s a pity that the 2 bedroomed Family Suites don’t boast private plunge pools like the smaller suites do which you would half expect given the luxury and style on offer otherwise
The absence of large established trees combined with the imposing styling of the still-new lodge can make it appear a little stark but this will no doubt soften as the lodge beds down more over time
The Welgevonden doesn't offer quite the same quality game viewing as the greater Kruger reserves (although it is more scenically beautiful, malaria free and easier to reach too)

Mhondoro the spectacular underground waterhole hide, reached via a 65 metre long tunnel, brings you virtually nose to nose with the animals as they come to drink at the waterhole!

Lodge Profile

Quite simply the most stylish and luxurious lodge in the Welgevonden reserve - the superb food, heated swimming pool and innovative underground hide are also worth singling out!

Quick Overview

Location

Welgevonden

Drive Time

3.5 hours from Johannesburg

Malaria

Setting

Overlooking a waterhole

Rooms

6 Suites (2 Luxury Pool Suites, Honeymoon Suite, Family Deluxe Suite, Family Suite and Executive Suite) and a Villa (3 bedrooms)

Aircon

Yes

Pool

Yes (heated) - and plunge pools in all the suites except the 2 Family Suites

Spa

Yes

Camp Fenced

Tracker

No - only ranger

Off Road

Child Policy

All ages welcome

What a stunning transformation! The original Mhondoro was a pretty bland mid-range lodge that unfortunately burnt down back in 2015. Perhaps the operative word should actually be “fortunately” because the new Mhondoro that emerged in its place is nothing short of sensational and has leapt right to the head of all the lodges in the Welgevonden reserve!

The Dutch owners have spared no expense in creating a supremely stylish and contemporary lodge that blends the colours and earthy texture of Africa with cutting edge European furnishings and design flair. The result is quite simply THE most luxurious and stylish lodge in the Welgevonden – in fact it holds its head up high with the biggest names in the top-end South African lodge market (but at a price that makes many of these big names look massively expensive by comparison)

There are 6 superbly luxurious Suites at Mhondoro and frankly you’re in for a treat whichever room you choose – first up for couples there are 2 Luxury Pool Suites as well as a Honeymoon Suite which enjoys the most secluded position of all the rooms in addition to a heated plunge pool and day bed on its deck; then there’s a Family Pool Suite and a Family Deluxe Suite, both with 2 bedrooms sharing a bathroom as well as a gorgeous lounge and dining area (the Family Deluxe Suite boasts nicer views whilst the Family Pool Suite doesn't have views over the waterhole); the Executive Suite also boasts 2 bedrooms but these are both en-suite (and so suitable for 2 couples of friends) and there’s also a comfy lounge area complete with fire place to keep those chilly winter nights at bay! It also enjoys it's own gorgeous swimming pool!

If you’re a family or group of friends travelling together though, it’s hard to look further than the spectacular Villa – a wonderfully luxurious 3-bedroom villa complete with its own swimming pool, gym and yoga room. Best of all though you’re pampered by your own dedicated team with a private chef and butler there to look after your every need. Naturally the villa also includes its own 4x4 game vehicle so you have true exclusivity and flexibility whilst out on game drive!

With the rooms being undoubtedly the most luxurious of all the lodges on Welgevonden, it comes as no surprise that the main lodge facilities are similarly impressive. The lounge and bar/dining area exudes chic contemporary décor and design flair whilst still remaining welcoming, with comfy sofas to snuggle up in next to the fireplace. The large heated swimming pool on the main deck overlooking the active waterhole is a feature of the lodge, whilst a stunning Spa (complete with a bath on the open deck overlooking the waterhole) and a fully equipped gym cater for all energy levels.

The signature feature of the main lodge at Mhondoro though has to be the spectacular underground waterhole hide, reached via a 65 metre long tunnel and which brings you virtually nose to nose with the animals as they come to drink at the waterhole. Forget those long telephoto lenses – you’ll need a wide-angle lens on your camera to fit the animals into the frame they’re so close!

The luxury safari experience at Mhondoro isn’t confined solely to its lovely rooms and public areas though: outside lies a rich malaria-free biodiversity boasting plentiful game. The Welgevonden doesn’t perhaps reach the heights of the greater Kruger reserves for example, but it remains a consistently decent Big Five reserve with over 35 000 hectares of traversing tucked between the blue mountains of the Waterberg. Note that unlike some other reserves, the delicate eco-systems of the Welgevonden don’t allow for off-road driving so you’re unable to career off into the bush in pursuit of lions or rhinos.

Back at the lodge there are a couple of things that definitely deserve highlighting – firstly the superbly friendly service guests enjoy courtesy of the enthusiastic lodge staff; then there’s the stunning quality of the dining on offer at Mhondoro. Look at the guest comments which are littered with regular references to “Michelin restaurant quality” food - and a bonus is that the rate also includes drinks. Who knows – perhaps you’ll need a visit or two to the gym during your stay, just to keep that happy waistline from expanding too much from all the delicious fare on offer!

Pricing

pp/night sharing

More Information

Booking Notes

Welgevonden Park Fees are excluded
Pick-up time is between 12h30 and 13h00 at Welgevonden main gate on the day of arrival.
Departure time from the lodge to Welgevonden main gate is 11h00 on the day of departure.
Additional transfers outside the normal times can be arranged on request and are charged at R 1000.00 per vehicle, subject to change and availability
There will be a supplement of 50% of the adult sharing rate for single accommodation
Rates are subject to change without prior notice
Subject to availability

Child Policy

Children 0 – 23 months: Free of charge
Children 2 – 9 years of age: 50% of the applicable adult rate
Children 10 years and older: Full adult per person sharing rate
Regret children under 6 years of age may not be accommodated on scheduled game drives when other guests are joining. Private game drives may be arranged for families with small children at an additional rate per game drive, subject to the availability of a vehicle and a ranger.

Useful Links

Lodge Website

Visit the official lodge site.

Trip Advisor

Read guest reviews for this lodge.

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Pricing

Luxury Pool Suites

1 Jul - 15 Dec '26

Honeymoon Suite

1 Jul - 15 Dec '26

Family Deluxe Suite - 2 Bedrooms

1 Jul - 15 Dec '26

2 Bedroom Family Pool Suite

1 Jul - 15 Dec '26

Executive Suite - 2 Bedrooms

1 Jul - 15 Dec '26