06 Dec Holiday Ideas – Experience the Big 5 in Luxury
Why Not Experience the Big 5 in Luxury this Holiday?
Like many South Africans, you have probably taken the family on a couple of day trips to a lion or rhino park in the past, and it’s pretty certain that you all thoroughly enjoyed yourselves. However, in terms of enjoying a true wildlife adventure, this is little more than a taster. Having had that taste, however, many of those weekend trippers are now keen on a chance to experience all of the Big 5 over a period of days, while spending their less-active periods in luxury at a well-appointed, bushveld safari lodge. Surely this has got to be one of the truly great ideas for the upcoming holiday?
While the members of this iconic wildlife quintet are all on the large side, their size is not the reason for the naming of the group. In practice, this was a title given to them by hunters, and it was intended to indicate that they were the most difficult and dangerous of all Africa’s wildlife to pursue.
Difficult and dangerous, or not, the sad truth is that hunting has continued to decimate their numbers to a point where, without the protection afforded by private and national game reserves, the lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and water buffalo, along with dozens of other animal species, would seldom be seen outside of a zoo today. Despite the many measures adopted by game rangers, poaching of endangered species remains a problem.
In the ongoing battle to save these magnificent creatures, wildlife tourism has become a vital means by which to contribute to the huge expense of expanding and improving security and conservation efforts. This, of course, helps to explain why so many people’s lists of holiday ideas now include a destination where they can experience the Big 5. While some may still opt for a campsite stay, a growing number of safari fans now choose to indulge in a little more luxury.
There are, of course, a number of venues around South Africa where it is perfectly possible to pursue a great safari adventure from the comfort of some exceptional accommodation, and the Kruger National Park is a classic example. A near neighbour of the Kruger is the UNESCO Heritage Site known as the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, and within it lies the magnificent 35 000 hectare Welgevonden Game Reserve. This region of Limpopo is bushveld beauty at its best and, in addition to the huge plus of being a malaria-free area, the reserve is also home to each one of the world-famous Big Five. With these features in mind, it only remains to find the ideal accommodation.
That said, if your holiday ideas include an opportunity to experience the Big Five in their natural habitat and to do it in style, then you are unlikely to find greater luxury than at our game lodge known simply as Fifty Seven Waterberg.
Don’t let its simple title deceive you, however. Our lodge is conveniently located in the heart of the Welgevonden Game Reserve and each of our five, privately located, exceptionally spacious and beautifully furnished suites offers the last word in comfort at the start and the end of your busy days. Private patios, excellent meals, a sparkling pool and guided safaris complete this perfect wildlife vacation choice.