Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa goes off the grid

Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa is celebrating their 5th birthday with an unveiling of its beautiful revamp. The 5-star lodge, situated in the Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg won three categories in the 2020 Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards which voted Mhondoro the Best Family Villa on a Global level; Best Pool Villa in Africa; and Best Safari Lodge in South Africa.

Just a 2h45-minute drive from Johannesburg, the landscape is breathtakingly rich and diverse, stretching across 35 000 hectares. The reserve is home to the Big 5, including a large white rhino population that is protected within the malaria-free reserve. Guided walks are popular with guests, as is watching the ‘resident’ herd of elephants who visit the waterhole at the lodge on a daily basis and who love a drink from the natural, salt-water swimming pools. #poolellie

Mhondoro is the proud owner of the largest solar operation (620 solar panels and batteries) at a lodge in Limpopo which has successfully taken the operation off the grid to be self-sufficient in terms of all its electricity requirements.

Other projects include investing in a grey water filtration system for irrigation around the lodge, and the use of glass decanters and personalised steel water bottles for guests to minimise the use of plastic water bottles. Guest check-in is being done online to reduce the use of paper and re-usable leather wallets have been introduced for staff gratuities that will save 2000 envelopes per year. Mhondoro recycles all glass, paper and plastics used at the lodge, and has an agreement with Nespresso to recycle used coffee pods and grinds.

Lodge improvements include the refurbishment and redesign of guest suite bathrooms, the extension of decks and the addition of plunge pools to all suites (excluding Family Suites for child safety reasons). Soft furnishings and décor items have also been updated throughout the lodge.

Mhondoro has purchased two farms measuring about 2 400 hectares adjoining Welgevonden Game Reserve. These tracks of derelict farmland are being rehabilitated and over time will become protected wilderness areas. A section of one of the farms is already being utilised to grow fresh produce for use at the lodge. It includes a chicken coop for farm fresh eggs and a greenhouse where herbs and vegetables are grown, with surplus produce donated to the surrounding communities.

The superb wildlife experience is complemented by Mhondoro’s luxurious accommodation, indulgent spa treatments, fine cuisine and passionate service. Dutch-owned, Mhondoro is a gourmand’s delight and a fusion of African chic and edgy European influences. The exclusive 5-star lodge sleeps only 24 guests, with accommodation including two child-friendly Family suites, a romantic Honeymoon suite, and a 2-bedroom Executive Suite. Guest suites are spacious with full bathrooms, outdoor showers, private decks and most have private plunge pools.

Mhondoro Villa is the ultimate in luxury and privacy for families or friends travelling together. It features a magnificent master suite and two additional bedrooms and comes with a private gym, yoga or massage room and a heated swimming pool, a game-viewing safari vehicle with personal guide, and the services of a chef, butler and housekeeping staff.

Unique features at Mhondoro include the ultimate photographer’s dream: a waterhole with underground hide that is connected to the main lodge by a tunnel, as well as a stardeck and three heated swimming pools with an infrared sauna. The Spa offers facials, manicures and pedicures, as well as a private, outdoor spa deck overlooking the reserve to offer the ultimate relaxation.

Unique features include a custom-built stargazing ‘star deck’ and a waterhole with underground game viewing hide that is connected to the main lodge by a65m reinforced concrete tunnel.Other lodge facilities extend to a gym, infrared sauna and heated swimming pools for all year-round swimming, and a dedicated Spa complete with a private, outdoor spa deck and bath.

Picture: Supplied

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