Nungubane Game Lodge

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Pricing

pp/night sharing

normal price: R6 500 (save: 34%)

Within 7 Days of Travel

1 Oct - 31 Dec '25

R 4320

2 Night Minimum Stay

SA Residents Special

1 Sep - 31 Dec '25

R 4800

Includes:

Luxury accommodation
All meals
Teas/Coffees & Snacks
Two game drives per day
Transfers to and from the Welgevonden West Gate

NOTE: Rates apply only to SA residents

Our Verdict

Nungubane is known for the warmth of its welcome, the friendliness of its staff, and for its magnificent, tranquil ambiance.

Lodge Gallery

Our Ratings

7.6

Overall

7.5

Luxury & Style

8.0

Setting

8.0

Game Viewing

7.0

Romance

Our Ratings

7.6

Overall

7.5

Luxury & Style

8.0

Setting

8.0

Game Viewing

7.0

Romance

What's Hot

Relax on your bed and you'll still be able to enjoy gorgeous views out over the spectacular Waterberg through the expansive glass sliding doors
Coming back to your room after a chilly winter's game drive and you'll find the fire lit and hot water bottles in your bed – the type of little touches that Nungubane specialises in
We love the understated and traditional yet elegant styling and décor of Nungubane – it makes you instantly feel completely at home and relaxed
This has to be the most scenically spectacular of all the major reserves – you won't be sure whether to keep your eyes peeled for the animals or just drink in the gorgeous views!

What's Not

Welgevonden still doesn’t have the same reputation as the lowveld reserves in terms of game viewing (and off-roading isn't allowed either) – then again it completely blows them away as far as beautifully scenic landscapes are concerned!
At Nungubane you don't get the private plunge pools or jacuzzis that you find at quite a few of the other lodges in the Welgevonden

Nungubane Game Lodge a lovely traditional game lodge with the typical thatched roofs, gorgeous timber decks, over stuffed sofas in front of crackling fireplaces, boma dinners under the stars and an understated general décor style that carries hints of old Colonial safaris

Lodge Profile

Nungubane is known for the warmth of its welcome, the friendliness of its staff, and for its magnificent, tranquil ambiance.

Quick Overview

Location

Welgevonden

Drive Time

3 hours from Johannesburg

Malaria

Setting

Overlooking the bushveld

Rooms

5 Chalets

Aircon

Yes

Pool

Yes

Spa

In-room massage

Camp Fenced

Yes

Tracker

No - only ranger

Off Road

Child Policy

no children under the age of 12

Nungubane lies in the far western sector of the Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, at the heart of the spectacular Waterberg Plateau in Limpopo Province - one of South Africa's last unspoilt wildernesses. Here rolling wooded mountains cut by deep rocky ravines and majestic gorges make the reserve an evocative piece of Africa with some of the most spectacular scenery of any reserve in the country – that it boasts excellent game viewing and is malaria free on top of this come as huge bonuses. And perhaps best of all if you just fancy a quick weekend away, the reserve is just a 3 hour trip from Johannesburg.

There are loads of lodges to chose from in the Welgevonden and Nungubane has been around for longer than most but remains a firm favourite. If you're looking for a traditional game lodge with the typical thatched roofs, gorgeous timber decks, over stuffed sofas in front of crackling fireplaces, boma dinners under the stars and an understated general décor style that carries hints of old Colonial safaris, then Nungubane will probably be just perfect for you! This is the type of lodge that we love at Bushscapes – where you feel instantly at home and relaxed as soon as you step onto the view deck and take in the gorgeous view.

The spacious chalets are really lovely and elegant, each featuring a cozy fireplace for those chilly winter evenings, air-conditioning or an overhead fan for those hot summers, crisp white linen on the comfy bed with romantically draped mosquito netting and an en-suite bathroom with a oversized bath and shower – and the added extra of an outside shower with a view of the bush! The private deck is an awesome place on which to soak up the majestic views over the reserve or the most amazing sunsets in Africa. The special touches though is what makes staying at Nungubane such a wonderful experience – get back after your game drive on a chilly winter's evening for example and you'll find that fire has already been lit and hot water bottles are already snuggly in place under the covers of your bed (and if that's not enough don't forget the complementary sherry to warm you from the inside out!)

The main lodge is similarly typical inviting and warm with traditional game lodge architecture that combines thatched roofs with exposed timber trusses, dark wood furniture and comfy sofas in front of a welcoming fireplace in the lounge. Heading out onto the large timber deck you'll drink in the incredible views of the Welgevonden. If it's a warm day then descend a level to the gorgeous pool deck for a refreshing dip whilst looking out over the valley below. Inside you can chat with fellow guests around the bar, whilst the inside dining area with two fireplaces that add warmth makes for sociable dinners with great food where guests can regale each other with tales of the best sightings from the day's game drives. Alternatively you may dine in the boma where meals are prepared under the stars on open fires. After dinner you can relax in the main lodge or back in your own chalet with a sherry to finish the evening off perfectly.

Game drives are especially rewarding for rhino and you've got a good chance in fact of seeing all of the Big Five (leopard as always are the trickiest) whilst the grassy plains abound with antelope from the largest eland to the diminutive duiker – there are also a number of rarer and more unusual species that you may be lucky enough to spot, like brown hyena, aardwolf and aardvark. These drives are conducted on open 4x4 vehicles by a knowledgeable and experienced ranger who will make your trip truly enriching with their explanations and understanding of the ecosystem and of the bush in general. The best part about this reserve is the fact that only a limited number of people have access at any one given time and no private vehicles are permitted, which ensures minimal human impact - interestingly enough, historically, wildlife on the reserve has never been hunted so game viewing is often up close and personal (note though that the Welgevonden doesn't allow vehicles to go off-road in pursuit of sightings in order to conserve the environment)

Pricing

pp/night sharing

More Information

Booking Notes

Minimum two nights stay
Welgevonden Park Fee payable directly to the Lodge - R165 per person, per night
Please note, special offers are not applicable over long weekends, public holidays, Easter, Christmas & New Year
Clients will be collected at the West Gate of the Welgevonden in an open Land Rover at 12h30 or 14h30 - on the day of departure, guests will be transferred back to the West Gate 11h00
Terms & Conditions apply
Subject to availability