When most people think of a safari in South Africa, they usually think of Kruger National Park. But the truth is, there are many other Big Five safari destinations dotted all over the country. Over the years of exploring South Africa, we’ve visited many little corners with fantastic wildlife encounters.
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Our last trip to South Africa brought us to a new area just 3 hours north of Johannesburg called Welgevonden Game Reserve. This private reserve is not a well-known safari destination, so we weren’t sure what to expect.
However, our stay at Tintswalo Waterberg, a small family lodge within Welgevonden Game Reserve, exceeded our expectations and became one of our top safari experiences in South Africa.
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About Welgevonden Game Reserve, Limpopo
Welgevonden Game Reserve is a 36,000 ha private game reserve in Limpopo, South Africa. Though it can be considered more secluded, it is safe and accessible. The reserve is entirely malaria-free and is just a 45-minute flight or 3.5-hour drive from Johannesburg.
The grounds are part of the UNESCO-Recognised Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, home to the Big Five—the lion, leopard, cape buffalo, elephant, and rhino—and 50 other mammal species. Other animals at Welgevonden include kudu, giraffe, zebra, warthog, cheetah, brown hyena, honey badger, and almost 300 bird species.
There are 24 lodges on the reserve ranging from budget-friendly to luxury 5-star accommodation, with most having a limit of 10 guests. A restricted number of vehicles is allowed in the reserve, and a maximum of 4 vehicles are allowed at each sighting, making the overall experience quieter and more controlled.
About Tintswalo Collection
Tintswalo Collection is a group of family-owned and managed properties across South Africa. The brand is synonymous with luxury safaris and the group is also dedicated to sustainability and conservation, which is a big MUST for us when choosing lodges and safari operators in the country.
Tintswalo creates personalised, nature-centric experiences for all travelers, whether for a private getaway, a family safari, or a business retreat.
Tintswalo Collection includes 6 family-run lodges in South Africa, in 5 locations. These include:
- Tintswalo Atlantic in Cape Town
- Tintswalo Boulders on Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town, Cape Town
- Tintswalo Safari and Tintswalo Manor in Manyeleti Private Nature Reserve (greater Kruger National Park)
- Tintswalo Waterberg in Welgevonden Game Reserve, Limpopo, and
- Tintswalo Siankaba on the Zambezi River (Zambia)
Each one of their lodges is unique and different in its own way, offering a certain level of luxury in a variety of destinations across South Africa and Zambia.
This year alone, Tintswalo has garnered a number of awards and recognitions.
The company was awarded Top Gender Empowered Company by Standard Bank, Luxury Hotel Collection of the Year 2024 – Southern Africa and Leaders in Luxury 2024 by the Lux Life Hospitality Awards 2024.
Their lodges were also recognized in the 37th Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
With the expectations set high, we were excited to spend a few days at the Tintswalo Waterberg Lodge and see what the fuss was all about.
About Tintswalo Family Camp
Tintswalo Waterberg (also known as Tintswalo Family Camp) is a family-friendly lodge located in the Welgevonden Game Reserve, Limpopo. This property was once a holiday home for the owners and was always designed with families and children in mind.
Surrounded by wildlife in their natural habitat, the spacious camp offers electric fencing protection all around the property, offering guests (big and little ones) the freedom to roam the grounds freely and safely – even at night!
The lodge has 5 private suites and can accommodate up to 20 guests, including younger children. Tintswalo Waterberg is cozy and comfortably furnished and comes with several communal spaces, such as a main lounge, an expansive private deck overlooking the valley, and a swimming pool.
The lodge can also be booked out on an exclusive-use basis – ideal for bigger family groups, retreats or corporate getaways in the wild.
The Rooms at Tintswalo Family Camp
This African bushveld home has 5 spacious suites, ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms.
- 3 Bedroom Suites: The largest units at Tintswalo Waterberg are the 3-bedroom suites – Roller Bird Suite and Kingfisher Suite. Each suite consists of the main bedroom with a King Bed and a full en-suite bathroom, a second bedroom with a queen room and a third room with two single beds. The second and third rooms share a bathroom. The suite has a veranda overlooking the wilderness.
- 2 Bedroom Suite: The Eagle Suite features 2 bedrooms: the main bedroom with a King Bed and a full en-suite bathroom, and the second bedroom with two single beds and a full en-suite bathroom.
- 1-Bedroom Suites: Owl Suite and Crested Barbet Suite feature 1 King or 2 x Twin Beds with a full en-suite bathroom and a cozy lounge area with a fireplace and deck overlooking the wilderness.
All suites at Tintswalo Waterberg come with standard amenities like AC, ceiling fans, an electronic safe, a fireplace, a hairdryer and vanity table, and tea and coffee-making facilities.
During our visit, we stayed in the 1-bedroom Crested Barbet Suite and found it very spacious and super comfortable for a couple. We particularly enjoyed the lounge area, where we could enjoy a glass of wine in the evenings or relax with a book between game drives. The ensuite bathroom was another highlight. Featuring a beautiful claw foot tub and an outdoor shower, it was the perfect setting to soak and unwind after a long day on safari.
Room rates at Tintswalo Waterberg start at around $700/night for 2 adults sharing a room. As typical with safari accommodation in South Africa, the rates are all-inclusive, with all meals and house drinks, 2 game drives per day, laundry, and Wi-Fi offered as part of the experience.
Facilities & Amenities at Tintswalo Waterberg
The lodge itself felt like a cozy retreat, a home away from home. The main lounge, with its large fireplace, was the perfect spot to relax with a glass of wine and share stories after our game drives.
Meals were served in various places around the property to give us a unique view and experience depending on the time of day and weather. The spacious outdoor deck offered breathtaking views of the wilderness and was our favourite spot to dine on sunny mornings and at lunch. The indoor dining area offered a more romantic experience with a dimly lit setting ideal for evening meals.
The swimming pool and deck area below the main lodge were ideal for a refreshing escape during hot afternoons. It was quiet and peaceful, although the atmosphere is likely to be more lively with kids at camp.
Child-friendly focus
Tintswalo Waterberg caters primarily to families, so there are many kid-friendly activities and amenities on offer at the lodge.
The kid’s club room is an impressive space, filled with kids’ games, activity tables,a TV corner, books, and so much more. It truly is the kind of place where you can leave your child to play and explore while you enjoy some well-deserved downtime. The room is thoughtfully designed to keep kids entertained for hours, whether they’re diving into a puzzle, curling up with a book, or watching a movie in the cozy TV corner.
There are also organized activities tailored to younger guests, ensuring they have fun while learning about the surrounding wildlife and conservation efforts. From special child-friendly meals to mini wildlife walks or tailored game drives, it really does feel like the lodge goes above and beyond to ensure that little ones feel included in the safari experience.
The Food at Tintswalo Waterberg
During our stay at Tintswalo Waterberg, we were continuously impressed by the warm hospitality and the thoughtful details that made our experience so special.
Meals here were a true highlight, with every dish lovingly prepared by the in-house chef, Elizabeth. Her striking personality, friendly demeanour, and positive energy added a personal touch to every meal.
Whether it was slow-cooked succulent meats, abundant brunch spreads or delicious desserts, we were always blown away by the meals at Tintswalo. Given the lodge’s remote location, we were amazed by the freshness and quality of the ingredients used in every dish.
What truly set the dining experience apart was Elizabeth herself. She always came out to chat with us and share her plans for the upcoming meals to ensure our dietary needs and preferences were considered. It wasn’t just the food that impressed us—it was the warm, welcoming atmosphere she created.
Safari Experience at Tintswalo Waterberg
Wildlife watching is a big part of every guest’s stay at Tintswalo Waterberg, and it exceeded our expectations! We stayed for only 2 nights and saw not only the Big Five, but more! We caught impressive sightings of lions, leopards with a kill, and even a long-drawn cheetah hunt!
Each game drive was an adventure led by our incredibly knowledgeable and passionate guide, DJ.
DJ was fantastic at offering suggestions for where to go and what to do for the best sightings, but he was also very open to following our lead.
He didn’t hesitate when we asked to wake up early and start our morning safari at the crack of dawn, giving us the best chance to spot a leopard we had seen with a kill the night before. Our vehicle was the first one out of the lodge and the only one rewarded with a very special early morning leopard sighting.
When we saw a cheetah with two cubs, DJ encouraged us to be patient. We were happy to follow them for hours and were rewarded with a rare sighting of a cheetah hunting a Blesbok.
Another highlight of our safari at Waterberg was the number of rhinos we saw during our game drives. Seeing so many of these species protected in one area was both inspiring and heartwarming. Thanks to Welgevonden Game Reserve’s strong focus on conservation and the success of their anti-poaching efforts, this area has become one of the few in South Africa where rhinos are not dehorned and can roam freely without the fear of humans.
Every moment of our safari experience felt unique, thanks not only to DJ’s expertise and passion for the bush but the entire team’s hospitality and welcoming spirit.
The combination of exceptional guiding, personalized service, and the breathtaking beauty of Welgevonden Game Reserve created an unforgettable safari experience – one we’d be happy to recommend to anyone looking for a more intimate and hospitality-focused safari experience in South Africa.
Disclaimer: Our stay at Tinswalo Waterberg was made possible courtesy of Tintswalo Collection and Fivestar PR, but as always, all opinions expressed in this article are our own.
