There’s a rhythm to the African bush that resonates deep within the soul – a pulse that connects and draws visitors from around the world to its dusty doorstep. At Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa, the frantic buzz of city life feels worlds away; instead, elephants move with silent grace, lions rule with quiet authority, and mornings start with game drives and a sense of untamed possibility.  Whether you’re a visitor from afar or call Africa home, the spirit of the bush envelops you, forging a bond that reconnects you with this land in a way that lingers long after you’ve left.

Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa

Tucked away in the heart of Limpopo’s Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa offers a unique fusion of luxury, wildlife, and now, fine dining, that makes it a standout destination for nature and food lovers alike. From awe-inspiring wildlife encounters to world-class cuisine crafted by one of Cape Town’s most celebrated chefs, Mhondoro brings the wilderness to life in an unforgettable way. Over two days, we immersed ourselves in everything the lodge had to offer: thrilling game drives, luxurious accommodation, and a culinary experience that is sure to put the lodge on the foodie map.

Mhondoro, meaning “spirit of the lion” is more than just a safari – it’s an experience that will tie a part of your soul to Africa.

A Gourmet Escape in the Wild

Mhondoro’s culinary offering has been curated by none other than Luke Dale-Roberts, a name synonymous with fine dining in South Africa. Luke, known for his illustrious culinary career (The Test Kitchen, Salon, The Pot Luck Club, The Shortmarket Club, Fledglings), has partnered with Mhondoro to elevate the lodge’s dining experience.

Not only has he designed the new menu, but members of his team from his restaurants in Cape Town and Johannesburg, have been spending time at the lodge alongside him, training the in-house team to offer an extraordinary menu, quite unlike what you’ll find at most safari lodges.

In Luke’s true style, the menu at Mhondoro blends local ingredients with global techniques, creating dishes that are sophisticated yet grounded.

From our first bite at lunch – served at Mhondoro’s new and exclusive reception area (pictured below), at the gates of Welgevonden – it was clear that we were in for something special. This experience in particular is unique to Mhondoro – it allows guests, like us, who have travelled by road from Joburg for three hours, to ease into the safari experience with a relaxed meal, before embarking on the further one-hour drive from the gate to the lodge itself. It was a very welcome start to the experience and one that I think seasoned safari guests, foodies in particular, will fully appreciate.

Elevated Dining

The lodge’s menu has been infused with creativity and flair and, over the course of our stay, we enjoyed meals that were both artfully presented and bursting with flavour, quite different from the typical lodge fare.

Mhondoro will be offering its guests a superlative dining experience, with dishes like beef fillet with Luke’s famous truffle and pepper café au lait sauce (divine), kudu tartare and duck and citrus salad with truffle & port dressing. The menu will continue to evolve and adapt according to seasonality and availability.

…over the course of our stay, we enjoyed meals that were both artfully presented and bursting with flavour, quite different from the typical lodge fare.

I must also make mention of the gorgeous harvest table lunch, featuring tartlets, mini pies, and beautiful salads – made with veggies picked from Mhondoro’s own gardens. This harvest table offering is bound to become a signature lodge favourite.

On our last evening, the lodge’s boma area came alive with a roaring bonfire at the centre, and we gathered to enjoy a traditional South African braai, while the staff sang for us. The highlight for me was the savoury pap tart and a beautifully moist sticky toffee pud for dessert. Enjoying this under the stars made it all the more special.

Big Five High Five

Our two days at Mhondoro were filled with game drives that brought us close to the wild in ways I had only imagined. Guided by the lodge’s experienced head ranger, Jaces, we were fortunate enough to get the ‘Big Five High Five’ – a celebratory high five marking the rare occasion when you see all of the Big Five animals during your stay. How lucky were we?

On our first day, we saw a mother cheetah and her two teenage cubs with a fresh kill, a sight that felt straight out of a National Geographic documentary. We also tracked Nyasa and Shaka, two lions newly released into the reserve. Shaka, true to his name, was regal and powerful, and our trusty ranger spotted him lounging just as the sun had dipped below the horizon.

On our first day, we saw a mother cheetah and her two teenage cubs with a fresh kill, a sight that felt straight out of a National Geographic documentary.

The next morning, as we set out on another game drive, we were treated to a bush tradition – Ranger’s Coffee – a delicious blend of coffee, hot chocolate, and Amarula, which was whipped up effortlessly by Jaces. We enjoyed coffee and snacks while we took in the sunrise over the koppie, and some of us were initiated with our first-ever bush bathroom break! (Note to bush newbies: thinking of coffee ahead of a bumpy game drive? Proceed with caution!).

The wildlife sightings kept getting better. Giraffes drinking at the watering hole, springboks darting through the grass (the 4-legged kind, not the green and gold kind) and we saw so many rhinos that we began calling ourselves the ‘rhino magnets’. Because Welgevonden is private and inaccessible to poachers, these rhinos live a blissful, unthreatened life, with their beautiful horns intact and no signs of PTSD – as it should be.

We even had the rare opportunity to witness a mother and baby rhino wandering mere meters away from us during a stunning sunset stop. The Mhondoro team had set up a sundowner snack table with ice-cold Cap Classique, which we sipped on while enjoying the perfect golden hour light, marvelling in sheer awe at the experience.

A Close Encounter at The Hide

One of Mhondoro’s most unique features is its 65-meter underground tunnel, leading to an exclusive game-viewing spot called The Hide, which is directly in front of the lodge. The tunnel opens up to a viewing window at a watering hole.
We were lucky enough to spend a few mesmerising moments at dusk, quietly observing a herd of elephants that wandered in, with their gentle yet giant presence and large ears flapping gently as they slurped water just metres away. This level of intimacy with the animals is rare, and it’s one of the many ways that Mhondoro brings guests closer to the heart of Africa.

Adding to the magic, Mhondoro’s saltwater swimming pool is another hotspot for wildlife sightings – elephants frequently wander up to drink from the pool, offering the perfect opportunity for an ‘ellie selfie’ if you’re lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.

Luxurious Living in the Wild

The lodge itself is a sanctuary of quiet luxury, where attention to detail elevates every experience. Our Executive Suite, a spacious two-bedroom retreat with a private pool overlooking the watering hole, felt like a serene escape within an escape.Each evening, we returned to find the rooms carefully prepared, nets drawn down over the beds (even though this is a malaria-free area), and on one particularly special night, a bath drawn and waiting for us to sink into. Our rooms also each had an outdoor shower in case we wanted to take that connection to the great outdoors even further (admittedly that’s too much nature for this city girl).

The Spirit of Africa

On our last morning game drive, on the way back to the lodge, we were lucky enough to hear a radio call for a sighting of a female leopard. We found her sunning herself on a rock in plain sight, absolutely unperturbed by the desperate attempts to quell oohs and aahs and clicks of cameras. Having just enjoyed freshly flipped pancakes with salted caramel sauce, prepared at a stop mid-way through our morning game drive, it felt like a real gift to have ticked, what must surely be, just about all the ‘bush boxes’ there are to tick.The experience at Mhondoro went beyond its luxurious setting and exceptional service – it’s a place where I truly felt reconnected to the spirit of the land I live in. You can’t help but feel in awe of the raw, unspoiled wilderness and the animals that call it home – it’s a connection that many South Africans, myself included, sometimes take for granted, but one that is revitalised with a visit to a place like this.

The experience lingers long after you’ve returned to city life, leaving you with a deeper appreciation for the wild beauty that defines our country.

mhondoro.com | Facebook | Instagram