The best place to see Rhinos
Welgevonden Game Reserve
Do you wish to see Rhinos in their natural habitat and well protected? The Welgevonden Game Reserve is one of the best places where Rhinos are very well protected. As our guide Charlie said, “Rhinos are falling from the trees”.
Mhondoro Luxury Lodge is the last place we stayed on our trip in South Africa. This is the best way to end a trip in Africa, in total luxury! One of the most exciting parts of our trip to Mhondoro lodge is that upon arrival to the reserve gate, you have an hour ride “safari” to the lodge itself. On the way to the lodge we saw many animals and even some baby animals!
The Lodge
Approaching the lodge, the staff will welcome you with hot hand towels and hot chocolate (if it’s winter!) This is the beginning of the luxury experience. To be honest, this lodge was one of the nicest places my husband and I have ever stayed at! The suite we stayed in had a pool and giant deck with sun bed. It is such a peaceful environment. If you stay at the Mhondoro lodge, you will be super happy with the hospitality and comfort.
I highly recommend utilizing their spa services. This is the place to treat yourself on a safari vacation! My husband and I enjoyed a couples massage and bath in between safaris one day. This is the perfect way to unwind and let your body relax after all the excitement.
Safari Time
After enjoying a three course lunch, we set out for our first safari in the Welgevonden Game Reserve. On the first safari, we already seen many rhinos! Charlie was not kidding, Rhinos were falling from the trees! I am so happy to see Rhinos so well protected and thriving in this reserve. One of the cutest things to see are the baby rhinos. I wish I could of brought one home!
For our first afternoon drive we stopped in a clearing that had three rhinos. We were allowed out of the vehicle to get amazing photos of them with the sunset. Being in an open field with rhinos is a little nerve racking, not going to lie! Rhinos do not have the best eyesight so they will get close to figure out what you are. If you make a loud animal call, they will run off since they are unsure.
Some other memorable parts of our safaris at this game reserve include seeing two handsome male lions together. We were lucky to see them twice in one day in the same spot. These are the only two male lions in the whole reserve, so we were very fortunate! Dinokeng is the name of one of the male lions and my photo of him is my favorite! With his long beautiful mane and unscarred face he looks like a model.
The morning after seeing Dinokeng and Tembe (the other male lion), we were lucky to see Cheetahs again! We watched these cheetahs play and let me tell you, they run really fast! Even when only playing! On the Welgevonden game reserve you will also see plenty of zebras, wildebeests, and warthogs. We saw so many animals, rhinos especially, and saw many rare occurrences, but we were only missing one other experience. Animals on a kill or a successful hunt.
Our last Safari
On our final morning safari before leaving for the airport, we set out with no expectations. My husband and I were extremely happy with the safari experience we had that we just wanted to soak in the last few hours in the bush. When you set no expectations, that is when the best things happen! Our guide got the call that lion cubs were spotted eating on a kill. Tembe and his whole pride were there eating feet from the road. We sat there for two hours just watching everything unfold. This was truly an incredible sighting to experience.
I can tell you that we wish we could of stayed in South Africa. South Africa unexpectedly stole our hearts and will return one day soon.
You can read about our amazing giraffe experience here. Leave a comment with your thoughts on our amazing safari experience! I would love to answer any questions you may have.
Wander On,
Christina
