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HOTEL: A South African Safari and Luxury Escape -Izingwe Lodge

Updated: Oct 13

Summary: Experience South Africa through the lens of Jody Holman, founder of Viewfinder Travel. This immersive journey blends private safari luxury at Izingwe Lodge offering curated adventures for families, groups, and discerning travelers seeking connection, wildlife, and regional authenticity.


Entrance of the lodge and main communal area

Izingwe Lodge is the brainchild of the internationally acclaimed interior architect and designer, Trisha Wilson, who transformed her private residence into the VIP section of the animal kingdom. Izingwe’s interior is almost a museum of African art and antiques- polished silver candelabras have tea parties with classic wood, stone, and thatch. This is a 5-star safari experience that is not just a lodge, but really a backstage pass to Mother Nature's greatest show!

 

Located in the Northern Bushveld of South Africa, in the UNESCO-designated Waterberg Biosphere, the lodge is nestled in a secluded mountain valley within the 36,000 hectares of the Welgevonden Game Reserve.  The Reserve is a conservation effort that protects and shows off the “Big 5”, and highlights the White Rhino, all still horned.  To get there, you can choose a comfortable, chauffeured ride or channel your inner VIP with a 50-minute helicopter or airplane flight.


 

At Izingwe, safari is the main event , and being an exclusive-use property ensures that you will have the lodge and its facilities entirely to yourself; it allows an escape from the hustle of larger commercial lodges and their time schedules. It is like having a backstage tour of the animal drama happening all around, as Marion and Angus will tailor your experience to your interests. 


People gather beside a safari vehicle at sunset on a grassy plain. The sky glows with orange clouds, and there's a small pond nearby. Travel planner :Viewfinder Travel
Cocktail hour in the bush

Picture yourself exploring the rich landscapes and diverse wildlife with a private guide and vehicle at your beck and call, sipping your favorite drink while lions casually roar in the background; if that sounds like your kind of cocktail hour ambiance, this is the place.  Game viewing, birding, and photography here are so good, even the animals want a selfie (truly, I half believed they posed).  


Our days there were packed full of over 20 animals, including a herd of elephant that came to visit Izingwe’s watering hole.  We sat in the hide to watch up close, so close we could hear them breathe, grab at the grasses and emit deep rumbles. That night, several came to visit my room, where I sat with them not 15 feet away as they munched on branches next to my deck. It was pure magic. 


 

The following days brought a visit with a pride of lions, including a few young’uns who were learning the art of hunting, more white rhinos than I could count, a herd of water buffalo, two cheetah brothers and a mom with three cubs, and miles and miles of other four-legged creatures.  Our host, Angus, stopped occasionally to look at tracks- “reading the morning paper”, they called it, in order to take us in a promising direction for viewing.  Marion was an educational delight with her knowledge of the area, flora, and animal behavior. Our evenings consisted of cocktails out on the savannah, followed by a delicious meal prepared by the staff chef or in the Boma grill.  After a day, I had run out of superlatives to describe this place- relaxingly remote, deeply engaging; it was enticing to stay another week!

 

 


The lodge offers both an all inclusive option, as well as a self-catering option for the more budget conscious.


FAQs

What makes Izingwe Lodge unique among South African safari experiences?

Izingwe Lodge is an exclusive-use property in the Welgevonden Game Reserve, offering guests a private, tailored safari experience. Designed by Trisha Wilson, the lodge blends African art, antiques, and luxury hospitality in a secluded mountain valley.

Where is Izingwe Lodge located?

Izingwe Lodge is nestled in the UNESCO-designated Waterberg Biosphere, within the 36,000-hectare Welgevonden Game Reserve in South Africa’s Northern Bushveld.

How do guests reach Izingwe Lodge?

Guests can arrive via chauffeured vehicle or opt for a VIP-style 50-minute flight by helicopter or airplane, landing directly at the reserve.

What wildlife can be seen at Izingwe Lodge?

Guests regularly encounter the Big Five, including white rhinos, lions, elephants, cheetahs, and water buffalo. Game viewing is guided and personalized, with close-up experiences from the lodge’s hide and private deck.

Is Izingwe Lodge suitable for families or groups?

Yes. As an exclusive-use lodge, Izingwe is ideal for families or small groups seeking privacy, flexibility, and immersive wildlife experiences tailored to their interests.

What is the safari experience like at Izingwe?

Safari at Izingwe is intimate and educational, led by expert guides who “read the morning paper” through animal tracks. Guests enjoy private game drives, bush cocktails, and close-up wildlife encounters.



Viewfinder Travel company is a boutique travel agency that designs unique, life enhancing experiences, and provides exceptional service.  Whether you are in search of cultural sustenance, a relaxing island unwind, a gourmet escape, a picturesque countryside or the invigoration of a city, Viewfinder Travel will find your recipe for travel magic.  We are reliable, detail-oriented, and have a flare for finding the beautiful, off the beaten path, “boutique” experiences so you can put your efforts into finding the fun and not into the logistics. 

 

Our trips are curated with love, as if they were our own.  Let our experience inform your discovery! 



About the Author Jody Holman is a boutique travel advisor, luxury travel writer, and photographer specializing in customized journeys through France, Hawai‘i, and Europe. She curates immersive group experiences, teaches wine classes, and shares sensory-rich stories through Viewfinder Travel. Her work blends editorial precision with a love of communal rituals, cultural depth, and off-the-path discovery.


© 2025 Viewfinder Travel


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