Elephants Crossing

Built around a private waterhole in Welgevonden Game Reserve, Elephants Crossing runs entirely on solar power. The lodge sits within the Waterberg Biosphere, a malaria-free reserve holding lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo alongside over 300 bird species. Three luxury tents occupy individual positions in the surrounding bush, each with a plunge pool, king-size bed, en-suite bath, and outdoor shower on a private deck. A separate tented suite offers a larger deck with a private braai area. The bush villa stands on a hill above the lodge with two queen-bedded rooms, each with an en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower, plus a living room, kitchen, and private boma.

The main lodge overlooks the waterhole from a viewing deck with a fireplace. You can watch animals arrive to drink. Meals are served on the deck, inside beside the fireplace, or under open sky, prepared by the lodge chef with ingredients sourced locally. Rangers lead morning and afternoon game drives in open vehicles across the reserve. Morning drives pause for coffee at sunrise; afternoon drives include a sundowner stop. The lodge is unfenced — zebra and klipspringer move through the grounds. Welgevonden enforces controlled visitor numbers and prohibits public roads, so sightings unfold without crowds. The reserve lies 3.5 hours by road from Johannesburg. Wireless internet, laundry, and meals are included.