26 Jun Private Big Five Game Reserve
The Opportunity, Anticipation and Excitement of Viewing the Big Five
Nothing engenders so much eager anticipation and excitement among visitors to South Africa’s game reserves as does the prospect and actual sightings of the world famous Big Five, so named because the professional hunters of yesteryear considered these five species as being the most dangerous, hazardous and difficult to hunt successfully.
No one ever becomes blasé about a big game sighting in natural bushveld surroundings; no game viewing experience is ever similar or identical to another, not even for an experienced ranger or game viewing guide who is very familiar with a wilderness area, its creatures and their habitat and habits. Each and every experience is exciting and unique – most are memorable, and imbued with memories that last a lifetime.
Fifty Seven Waterberg, our private lodge and game reserve, is also unique in its own right, as a game reserve that’s exceptionally rich in South African game, reptile, bird and other wildlife species, which occur here in abundance, in the heart of the Waterberg region.
The greater game reserve in which we are located, the Welgevonden Game Reserve, is large, some 35 000 hectares in extent, consisting of natural terrain, features and vegetation that is completely indigenous to the Waterberg and its diverse wildlife inhabitants.
This is also the natural habitat in which the abundant wild creatures of the area roam freely and undisturbed by human activity and development. This abundance means that visitors’ likelihood of seeing and observing each type of game, particularly the Big Five, is excellent.
Bring Out the Big Five
African Elephant – the largest living land mammal on earth. The African elephant and its ears are larger than those of other elephant species. These giants seem to lumber along, stopping to eat and socialise with others in the herd, while being exceptionally protective over calves and youngsters against real or perceived threats.
- African Lion – the so-called “king of the jungle” that appears in children’s stories and that has fascinated mankind since time immemorial. Lions are the only sociable big cats that live in prides that consist of family groups. They’re territorial, unpredictable, and masters of camouflage, who stalk and then ambush their prey.
- African Leopard – powerful, solitary, well-muscled big cats that are elusive and generally avoid confrontation or contact with humans. Leopards may hunt during daylight hours, but they’re principally active during the night; nocturnal hunting is usually preferred.
- Cape Buffalo – most often considered to be the most dangerous of the Big Five, because they’re known to charge and act en masse if one of their number is threatened, and buffalo have also been known to double back and wait to ambush a person who is perceived to be a threat, particularly if the animal is wounded. Buffalo are extremely unpredictable.
Black/White Rhino – the primary visible difference between the two is found in the shape of their mouths. Black rhinos use their pointed upper lips to browse their food from trees and shrubs overhead, while white rhinos are grazers, feeding at ground level.
In addition to the Big Five, there’s lots more to peak your interest and take your breath away at our luxury 5-star game lodge and reserve. We are committed to making your leisure break and eagerly anticipated African wildlife experience unforgettably superb, exciting and precious.