Tshwene Lodge

Tshwene occupies a rocky ridge amid Welgevonden Game Reserve’s wooded slopes, overlooking the Taaibos River valley in South Africa’s Waterberg. The reserve is malaria-free and home to the Big Five. Guests park at the Welgevonden main gate and transfer by lodge vehicle—private cars are not permitted inside—preserving the quiet, low-impact experience on game roads. The drive from Johannesburg typically takes around two-and-a-half to three hours, with optional charter flights to in-reserve airstrips. From the elevated decks, bird calls carry across the valley and sunsets ignite the Waterberg hills.

The lodge offers six accommodations: four spacious suites and a separate honeymoon suite, each positioned for sweeping valley views. Interiors are warm and contemporary, with king beds, lounges, and en-suite bathrooms that feature both indoor and private outdoor showers. Private decks invite dawn coffee and dusk birding—Welgevonden lists 350+ species—while fireplaces or heaters ward off winter chills. Children 10 years and older are typically accepted by arrangement, keeping the atmosphere serene for couples and small groups seeking a quiet, nature-first stay.

Daily rhythm is unhurried: morning game drive with coffee stop, hearty brunch, languid hours by the pool or on the viewing deck, high tea, then an afternoon or early-evening drive that may extend into night when conditions allow. Evenings conclude with boma or deck dining beneath clear Waterberg skies. Central spaces include a bar, lounges and dining areas; spa treatments can be arranged on site. There is no public self-drive inside the reserve, reinforcing the lodge’s tranquil atmosphere and protecting wildlife along the limited road network.