The 5-star lodge, situated in the Welgevonden Game Reserve in the Waterberg (Limpopo province), also earned three major accolades recently when the 2020 Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards voted Mhondoro the Best Family Villa on a Global level; Best Pool Villa in Africa; and Best Safari Lodge in South Africa.

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 reason), as well as updating soft furnishings and décor items throughout the lodge.

In line with the vision of the Dutch owners, Frank and Myriam Vogel to further reduce the carbon footprint of the lodge, various eco-friendly initiatives have been put in place. These include glass decanters in the lodge and personalised steel water bottles for guests to minimize plastic water bottles; online check-in to reduce the use of paper; as well as re-usable leather wallets for 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.

Mhondoro invested in a grey water filtration system for irrigation around the lodge and is the proud owner of a major solar power installation of 620 solar panels and batteries. This is the largest solar operation at a lodge in Limpopo province and has successfully taken the lodge off the grid to be self-sufficient in terms of all its electricity requirements.

Other recent additions to the Mhondoro footprint includes the purchasing of 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 being utilized 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.

Mhondoro sleeps a total of only 24 guests in 2 Luxury Pool Suites; a 2-bedroom Executive suite with en-suite bathrooms and a plunge pool; a 2-bedroom Family Deluxe suite with 2 en-suite bathrooms; another Family Suite with 2 bedrooms and a shared bathroom; a romantic Honeymoon suite with a private plunge pool and viewing deck with a daybed; and an exclusive-use Villa that can accommodate six adults.

Unique features include a custom-built stargazing ‘star deck’ and a waterhole with underground game viewing hide that is connected with the main lodge by a 65m 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.

Mhondoro is a mere 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