A pleasant 2.5-hour drive or an easy 45-minute flight from Johannesburg into one of the airstrips, makes Welgevonden Game Reserve one of the most accessible premier malaria free wilderness reserves in the country. It forms part of the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve which was officially declared by UNESCO in 2001 and currently covers an area in excess of 4000 km². The reserve comprises of mountainous terrain that is dissected by deep valleys and kloofs while flat plateaus characterise most hilltops. Altitude varies from 1080 m in the north to ±1800 m in the southern section of the reserve. Welgevonden is home to over 65 different mammals, including the Big Five. The diversity of habitat leads to a wide range of wildlife with grassy plains abounding with antelope from the largest eland to the diminutive duiker; and cheetah, lion and leopard are regularly seen close by. There are also numerous rare and unusual species such as brown hyena, aardwolf, pangolin and aardvark – all best seen at night. Over 325 bird species can be seen on the reserve, including rare blue cranes which breed in the southern section early in the year. Ancient rock art decorates rocky overhangs at two sites on the Reserve adding an opportunity to learn more about the early colonisers of the Waterberg
Welgevonden is a vast premier game sanctuary with a limited number of exclusive commercial or private safari lodges where guests can connect with nature. Each Welgevonden lodge is secluded, hidden from view with a private portion of pristine Waterberg bushveld as well as rights to traverse the whole Reserve. Most of these stunning lodges are limited to only 10 guests, and have been built to a strict aesthetic code.
