Letamo at Qwabi Personal Sport Reserve Evaluate

Letamo Lodge Evaluate

Time spent within the wilderness affords a soul-stirring escape from the hustle and bustle of day by day life, offering a much-needed respite that reconnects you with the pure world. As you traverse the sun-kissed savannas, you might be 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 Personal Sport Reserve inside simple attain, to supply a much-needed escape from the city chaos. Situated simply three hours away from Johannesburg, the Massive 5 reserve is about in one among solely two UNESCO-declared savannah biospheres in Africa, within the Bela-Bela area of Limpopo. One in all 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 Motels and Reserves.

We had been welcomed with refreshing mocktails and seated within the fashionable sunken lounge, the place we had 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 giant for a safari lodge, with 58 rooms of various sizes, together with 10 luxurious suites with personal 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 area for leisure. The suite was thoughtfully designed, that includes an enormous king-sized mattress, a cushty 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 proper vantage level to watch the encircling bush. We cherished sipping on our coffees and unwinding there in between sport drives.

Sport Drive – Sundowner Spot

Safaris at Letamo Lodge had been really memorable. Our enthusiastic sport ranger, Frikkie, guided us on exhilarating sport drives amid the hanging landscapes of the 11 000-hectare Qwabi Personal Sport 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 lovely child struggling to maintain up along with her, had been simply a few of the unbelievable 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 had been greeted with a hearty al fresco breakfast consisting of a chilly buffet unfold and sizzling a-la-carte choices. Excessive tea awaited us earlier than the afternoon sport drives, providing a pleasant array of candy and savoury treats. Nevertheless, the evenings had been the principle spotlight. On our first evening, we gathered round a roaring fireplace within the boma for a conventional African dinner. The second night was much more particular, as we had been whisked away to the highest of a mountain instantly 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

Youngsters are welcomed and well-catered for at Letamo Lodge, and we noticed many kids of all ages having enjoyable throughout our keep there. Baby minders can be found too. The youngsters’ clubhouse is thoughtfully designed with an array of video games, toys, a jungle fitness center and a kiddies pool to maintain the little ones entertained. The older youngsters aren’t forgotten with entry to PlayStations, desk tennis, and foosball.

The swimming pool

For adults, the on-site wellness centre affords a choice of pampering therapies, whereas the well-equipped fitness center overlooking the bush permits health fans to keep up their train routines. A rim-flow swimming pool overlooks the waterhole the place hippos preside. Different actions embody safari walks, stargazing and padel on the on-site padel courtroom.

Out of doors seating

Communal Lounge

With luxurious lodging, distinctive eating experiences, pleasant workers and unforgettable wildlife encounters, a keep at Letamo Lodge is the proper approach to reconnect with nature and rejuvenate the soul, with out the necessity for an extended drive from town. Embark on this rejuvenating journey and expertise the magic of the African bush proper at the doorstep.

For extra info, go to Letamo Lodge or ebook right here.

Sundown at Qwabi Personal Sport Reserve

Good to know

The lodge has some nice specials operating and it was refreshing to see that many of the company had 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.