Letamo Lodge Assessment
Time spent within the wilderness gives a soul-stirring escape from the hustle and bustle of every day life, offering a much-needed respite that reconnects you with the pure world. As you traverse the sun-kissed savannas, you’re transported right into a world that throbs with life, with each sight, sound, and scent portray a vivid tapestry of the wild.
When life in Johannesburg turns into overwhelming, it is a true blessing to have a wildlife sanctuary just like the malaria-free Qwabi Non-public Recreation Reserve inside straightforward attain, to supply a much-needed escape from the city chaos. Situated simply three hours away from Johannesburg, the Huge 5 reserve is ready in one in all solely two UNESCO-declared savannah biospheres in Africa, within the Bela-Bela area of Limpopo. Considered one of South Africa’s latest reserves, it was opened to the general public in December 2022.
Sunken Lounge
Over the lengthy weekend, we had the chance to go to the luxurious family-friendly Letamo Lodge within the reserve. A second property, Babohi Lodge, an adults-only retreat, opened after our keep there and a 3rd lodge, Semela, is scheduled to open in 2024. All of the lodges are managed by the famend Newmark Resorts and Reserves.
We have been welcomed with refreshing mocktails and seated within the fashionable sunken lounge, the place we have been handled to some of the entertaining check-in procedures we’ve ever skilled, by the hilarious Nellie, one of many admin workers members. Her humour and heat immediately set the stage for an gratifying keep on the lodge.
Our suite
The property is pretty massive for a safari lodge, with 58 rooms of various sizes, together with 10 luxurious suites with non-public plunge swimming pools, and inter-leading rooms for households. Our premium suite was each comfy and splendid. With its excessive thatched roof, it exuded genuine African stylish whereas offering ample house for rest. The suite was thoughtfully designed, that includes an enormous king-sized mattress, a snug lounging space with a tv, ample wardrobes, a handy espresso station with a Nespresso machine and a complimentary minibar. The toilet featured aromatic brown-sugar-and-fig-scented facilities by Woodbury & Co.
Our balcony
Full-length glass sliding doorways opened onto an expansive balcony, full with a seating space that provided the right vantage level to look at the encircling bush. We liked sipping on our coffees and unwinding there in between sport drives.
Recreation Drive – Sundowner Spot
Safaris at Letamo Lodge have been really memorable. Our enthusiastic sport ranger, Frikkie, guided us on exhilarating sport drives amid the putting landscapes of the 11Â 000-hectare Qwabi Non-public Recreation Reserve, in opposition to the backdrop of the traditional Waterberg mountains. A sleepy cheetah lazing after feasting on an ostrich, hippos coming up and down within the water, a stressed lioness on a hunt, a puff adder slithering throughout the highway, an elephant herd crossing our path and a mom rhino along with her cute child struggling to maintain up along with her, have been simply a few of the unimaginable sightings we loved. We additionally noticed buffalos, sable antelopes and elands, in addition to different extra frequent animals.
Among the wildlife we noticed
After every morning sport drive, we have been greeted with a hearty al fresco breakfast consisting of a chilly buffet unfold and scorching a-la-carte choices. Excessive tea awaited us earlier than the afternoon sport drives, providing a pleasant array of candy and savoury treats. Nonetheless, the evenings have been the principle spotlight. On our first night time, we gathered round a roaring fireplace within the boma for a standard African dinner. The second night was much more particular, as we have been whisked away to the highest of a mountain immediately from our sport drive. There, underneath the starry African sky, we indulged in a scrumptious dinner whereas being entertained by the rhythmic and charming efficiency of gumboot dancers.
Meals at Letamo Lodge
Kids are welcomed and well-catered for at Letamo Lodge, and we noticed many youngsters of all ages having enjoyable throughout our keep there. Youngster minders can be found too. The children’ clubhouse is thoughtfully designed with an array of video games, toys, a jungle gymnasium and a kiddies pool to maintain the little ones entertained. The older children are usually not forgotten with entry to PlayStations, desk tennis, and foosball.
The swimming pool
For adults, the on-site wellness centre gives a collection of pampering therapies, whereas the well-equipped gymnasium overlooking the bush permits health fanatics to take care of their train routines. A rim-flow swimming pool overlooks the waterhole the place hippos preside. Different actions embrace safari walks, stargazing and padel on the on-site padel court docket.
Outside seating
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Communal Lounge
With luxurious lodging, distinctive eating experiences, pleasant workers and unforgettable wildlife encounters, a keep at Letamo Lodge is the right approach to reconnect with nature and rejuvenate the soul, with out the necessity for a protracted drive from the town. Embark on this rejuvenating journey and expertise the magic of the African bush proper at your step.
For extra data, go to Letamo Lodge or e-book right here.
Sundown at Qwabi Non-public Recreation Reserve
Good to know
The lodge has some nice specials operating and it was refreshing to see that many of the friends have been native South Africans.
There’s a +/- 30 km stretch of gravel highway resulting in the lodge. A 4×4 is beneficial though not important.
