Mhondoro Safari Lodge Review: Ultimate Escape in Welgevonden

Suppose you’re searching for a luxury safari lodge near Johannesburg that promises not just the Big Five but genuine rhino encounters, fine food, and a sense of quiet privilege. In that case, Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa in Welgevonden Game Reserve stands out as a rare gem.

Daily visitor. We had an elephant at our pool both days. They love the saltwater.

This Mhondoro Safari Lodge review is based on a real, two-night media stay in June 2025, flying from Cape Town to Johannesburg before transferring to the lodge. All opinions and insights are my own, no fluff, just honest experience.

I recently had the chance to experience Mhondoro firsthand and left convinced that, for the right traveller, it’s one of South Africa’s best safari secrets.

The Team Enjoying a Glass of Bubbly and some Snacks on Evening Game Drive

Quick Take Review: Mhondoro Safari Lodge and Villa

• Location: Welgevonden Game Reserve, 3 hours from Johannesburg

• Highlight: 40+ rhino sightings in 2 days (with horns intact)

• Unique: Underground photographic hide, chef-driven fine dining, heated pools

• Who it’s for: Families, photographers, luxury safari travellers

• Best time to visit: May–September (dry season, best wildlife)

Beautiful Sunset light over the grass plains in Welgevonden Private Game Reserve

Why Mhondoro? Big Five, Rhinos & Real Privacy

Let’s start with the basics. Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa is tucked inside the 38,000-hectare Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, just three hours from Johannesburg and within easy reach for travellers flying in from Cape Town or overseas.

Unlike the sprawling crowds of Kruger, Welgevonden is home to only a handful of lodges, offering an exclusive, quietly luxurious safari that’s surprisingly accessible. What sets Mhondoro apart, though, is its reputation for rhino sightings with their horns intact, a real rarity these days.

Elephants at their local dam. Loved the Winter/Autumn colours at sunset

Getting There: Access, Closest Airport & Transfers

Getting to Mhondoro is refreshingly simple. OR Tambo International (Johannesburg) is the closest major airport, with the lodge arranging private transfers that take you directly to the reserve gate about three hours’ drive through classic South African landscapes. For travelers used to long journeys to the Kruger, this accessibility is a huge bonus.

An Elephant walking past the lodge's dining area.

Tip: If you’re short on time but want the whole safari experience, Welgevonden is hard to beat.

Arrival & The Lodge Experience

My first impression was of quiet, understated luxury. On arrival, we were welcomed at Mhondoro’s private “base camp,” where the hospitality began with a hands-on, garden-to-table lunch. Harvesting fresh vegetables and herbs before settling in for a beautifully presented spread, including venison pie, chicken pie, homemade pestos, and dips, was an inspired touch.

Fresh Herbs and Salad we Harvested ourselves

It’s this focus on detail and experience that sets Mhondoro apart.

The game drive from the entrance to the lodge doubles as your first safari, and it didn’t disappoint. The landscape here is mountainous and rocky, very different from Kruger’s plains, and immediately felt more private, more “yours.”

Spacious Main lodge interior of Mhondoro Private Safari and Villa

Rooms & Villa: Private Luxury with Safari Soul

Heated plunge pool on a wooden deck with stunning views of a game reserve at sunrise.

My suite was spacious and welcoming, featuring a fireplace to ward off the winter chill, a heated plunge pool on the deck, and small touches that made it feel personal, such as a towel folded into an elephant or a chocolate placed lovingly by the bed each night.

Beautiful morning light in my room's bathtub

The thatched roof and classic safari styling kept things authentic, but there’s no mistaking the comfort level: think luxury bedding, generous bathrooms, and oversized windows overlooking wild country.

Love this spot on the deck that overlooks the watering hole

Mhondoro’s private villa 

Mhondoro’s private villa deserves special mention. Suppose you’re travelling as a family or group. In that case, it offers the ultimate in privacy, multiple bedrooms, a private pool, your own boma for fireside evenings, and even a private chef and gym.

Mhondoro Private Villa Pool Area with Elephants in the distance

It feels like having your own lodge in the bush, which is rare even among South Africa’s top safari lodges.

Mhondoro Private Villa lounge with Fireplace

Elephants by the Pool and Lodge Life

Now, one of the standout experiences, which happened twice in just two days, was having elephants casually stroll up and drink from our plunge pool. It’s rare to get that kind of close-up, especially from the comfort of your deck, wine in hand. It made for phenomenal photos and a surreal moment that stuck with me.

Nighttime Visitor at the Villa

When I wasn’t watching elephants from the plunge pool, I was chilling on the deck overlooking the main watering hole, or unwinding in my room, which was always immaculately made up.

One night, I came back to a little towel elephant on the bed, and a chocolate on the pillow. The fire was already going (gas-powered but very cozy), and I loved the thatched-roof style. It felt quintessentially safari.

Food & Hospitality: Standout Service, Next-Level Dining

Dinner at Mhondoro is a highlight all its own. Chef Patrick and his team deliver multi-course tasting menus that wouldn’t be out of place in Cape Town’s best restaurants.

Chef Patrick Making Magic for our Private Dinner at the Villa

Each course, from the salmon tartare to the springbok loin with poached pear and honeyed nuts, was beautifully plated and paired with South African wines.

Springbok, prepared the Chef's way. OUT OF THIS WORLD delicious!

It’s not just the food: the service is warm and attentive without ever feeling intrusive. Oupa, our primary host, ensured that our drinks were full and our needs were met, always with a smile.

Elegant appetisers artfully presented on wooden boards, paired with fine wine, set the scene for a private dinner at Mhondoro.

It's these personal touches, from the chefs’ “gifts” at the start of dinner to the gas fireplace lit in your suite each night, that turn a stay into a memory.

Decadent chocolate fondant, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and drizzled with caramel sauce, on a speckled plate, creating a visually enticing dessert experience.

What’s included:

• All meals, snacks, and house drinks

• Twice-daily game drives

• Use of the underground hide, gym, pools, and sauna

• Walking safaris, spa (treatments extra), and more

Sunset Serenade: A charming drinks stop in the bush with South African Cap Classique and snacks, set amidst a tranquil landscape and wildlife.

Wildlife & Activities: Rhinos, Elephants, & The Hide

Let’s get to the game viewing, because for me, Mhondoro’s “rhino capital” status is the headline. 

A rhino mother and her calf graze peacefully at Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, showcasing their majestic horns intact against the backdrop of lush greenery.

In just two days, I had around 40 rhino sightings, often up close and with their horns intact. An experience that’s becoming vanishingly rare in South Africa and Africa in general due to poaching.

A herd of buffalo wades through the tall grasses and splashes in the water as they drink at the dam.

It’s not just the rhinos: we saw elephants (including a herd of 40 that surrounded the vehicle), buffalo, and a scattering of classic plains game like impala, wildebeest, and warthogs.

A majestic herd of elephants, including a baby, walks closely together, creating an awe-inspiring scene as they surround us in the wild grasslands.

Lions, leopards, and cheetahs are present, but sightings can be tough since Welgevonden doesn’t allow off-roading for predators. If you’re a photographer or passionate about seeing rhinos, Mhondoro is hard to beat.

A cheetah gracefully stands amidst the tall, dry grass, blending seamlessly with its surroundings in the vast wilderness.

“Our Female guide Zaan’s enthusiasm for tracking rhinos was contagious and her local insights made every sighting feel special.”

A herd of wildebeest grazes peacefully on the vast, sunlit plains with a solitary tree providing shade amidst the rolling hills in the background.

Unique Feature: The Iconic Photographic Hide

Now, let’s talk about the real gem of Mhondoro: the photographic hide.

You enter through an underground tunnel, probably about 100 meters long, and emerge right next to the watering hole, eye-level with the animals.

The hide itself is stunning: furnished like a boutique lounge with bar stools, plush seats, an espresso machine, a minibar, wine, beer, the works. It’s not some barebones structure; it’s stylish and peaceful.

Underground hideout at Mhondoro, offering a cozy viewing spot next to the waterhole, complete with comfortable seating and observation areas.

And the wildlife? It comes really close.

Majestic elephant captured from an underground hide, gracefully standing on the water's edge amidst blooming lilies.

It’s a peaceful, almost meditative way to experience wildlife. There’s a coffee bar, drinks fridge, and comfortable seating.

Baboons gather at the serene watering hole, their reflections mirroring the tranquil surroundings from the vantage point of the hide.

I spent hours there, camera ready, sometimes alone and sometimes joined by excited kids or other guests.

A zebra stands majestically at the watering hole, its striking reflection mirrored in the still water, framed by a tranquil wilderness backdrop.

Over the course of a few visits to the hide, I saw zebra, impala, baboons, elephants, and more. A rhino came through, too, though I missed that moment. What’s fascinating is how used to people the animals are, even with kids making noise in the hide. It doesn’t seem to spook them, which says a lot about how often wildlife visits and how well integrated the hide is into the environment.

Warthogs peacefully drink water, their reflections mirrored in a tranquil pool, observed from a hidden vantage point.

If you’re into photography or want a quiet place to soak up the bush, the hide is pure magic.

Rhinos on Foot and Roads Less Travelled

We also did a walking safari, which focused on tracking rhinos, and that was a standout experience. There’s something primal and humbling about being on foot, following rhino tracks with your guide. It adds a deeper layer to the usual game drive rhythm.

A majestic rhinoceros stands poised in a black-and-white landscape, embodying strength and resilience.

And to be honest, I appreciated a break from the vehicle. Some of the roads had been damaged by recent rains, making drives a little bumpier than usual. But that’s part of the reality of wild spaces. You adapt.

Rhino Heaven

Let’s talk rhinos.

Throughout my short stay, I saw dozens of rhinos, many with their horns intact. That’s incredibly rare these days. Many reserves remove rhino horns as a precaution against poaching, and sightings are becoming harder and harder to come by. Welgevonden is a sanctuary for both white and black rhinos, and the reserve’s effective anti-poaching initiatives have been an impressive conservation achievement .

Mhondoro must be one of the best places in Africa to See Rhinos. Craig Howes - African Safari Mag

There was a moment when I saw 10 rhinos walking in a line across a clearing, two by two. It felt prehistoric. And honestly, I’ve been to reserves across Africa, and this is probably the best rhino viewing I’ve ever had.

Wellness in the Wild: Spa, Gym, Pool, & Villa Life

I made use of the onsite gym, which overlooks the watering hole a pretty motivating view while you’re working out. I also booked a spa treatment: a 30-minute back, neck, and shoulder massage that was far better than I expected. The spa space itself is beautifully done, and the massage therapist? Strong hands, excellent technique.

• A fully equipped gym overlooks the waterhole, making even a workout feel like a safari

• An Infra-Red sauna is perfect after chilly winter evenings

• The spa delivers skilled massages and treatments. My 30-minute back, neck, and shoulder session was genuinely restorative.

Workout with a view: The gym at Mhondoro overlooks a serene swimming pool and a scenic watering hole, offering an idyllic exercise experience.

The villa’s private pool is occasionally visited by elephants (yes, really) on two occasions during my stay; herds came to drink from the pool, an experience that never gets old.

Honest Pros & Cons (at a Glance)

Pros:

• Incredible rhino sightings (often with horns!)

• Luxury suites and private villa, perfect for groups or families

• Underground hide: unique, world-class for wildlife photography

• Excellent food, standout staff and hospitality

• Accessible from Johannesburg; less travel than Kruger

Cons:

• No off-roading for cats: lion/leopard/cheetah sightings possible, but our sightings were limited due to temporary road closures after flooding

• Some roads were damaged after storms (temporarily, but worth noting), which impacted the routes we could drive and possible cat sightings

• Reserve is smaller than Kruger, so routes may repeat, especially when sections are closed due to road damage.

• Premium price point (but still value vs. Sabi Sands’ top lodges)

Close-up of a majestic male buffalo, showcasing its impressive horns and rugged features against a natural backdrop.

Who Should Book Mhondoro Safari Lodge?

Mhondoro is ideal for families, groups of friends, wildlife photographers, and anyone seeking a luxury safari experience close to Johannesburg, with a strong focus on conservation. If seeing rhinos is high on your wish list, or you want the privacy of a villa with five-star service, this is your spot.

An elephant gracefully strides through the golden expanse of long grass under the warm glow of the setting sun.

It’s also great value for money compared to some of the mega-luxury Kruger lodges, especially given the all-inclusive package and sheer comfort level.

FAQ: Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Welgevonden

How much does it cost to stay at Mhondoro Safari Lodge? Rates start from around R9,000–R15,000 per person per night (depending on season and suite/villa choice). Includes meals, most drinks, game drives, and activities.

How do I get to Mhondoro Safari Lodge? Fly into OR Tambo International (Johannesburg), then enjoy a scenic three-hour road transfer arranged by the lodge. (Fly in Safari) Fly-ins directly to Welgevonden Game Reserve are also possible.

What animals can I see in Welgevonden Game Reserve? All of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino) plus cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hippo, and abundant birdlife. Rhino and elephant sightings are a real speciality.

How many rooms and villas does Mhondoro have? Six luxury suites and a villa sleeping up to 6, each with a private deck, ensuite bathrooms, and bush views.Most of the suites also have heated, private plunge pools.

What activities are included? Twice-daily game drives, walking safaris, use of the underground hide, gym, pool, sauna, and kids’ activities.

What’s the best time to visit? Dry winter months (May–September) offer cooler weather, fewer mosquitoes, and easier wildlife viewing.

Is Mhondoro family-friendly? Very offering a choice of Family rooms, or the villa, a dedicated kids’ area, family activities, and staff that go above and beyond for little ones.

Capturing an unforgettable moment, African Safari Mag Editor Craig Howes snaps a selfie with a curious elephant at the poolside in Mhondoro.

Final Thoughts: The Verdict

I left Mhondoro feeling both inspired and deeply relaxed. It isn’t “Sabi Sands” for guaranteed cat sightings. Still, for rhino lovers, photographers, and anyone wanting true privacy and next-level service, it’s one of the best luxury safari lodges in South Africa.

And with every stay, you’re directly supporting rhino protection and local community employment in the reserve, a rare chance to travel with purpose.

Add in the underground hide, the top-notch food, and the easy access from Joburg, and Mhondoro truly is a Welgevonden highlight.

Ready to plan your safari?

Start your once-in-a-lifetime adventure here or, for more on the region, read our Welgevonden Game Reserve Guide and see why this part of South Africa should be on your bucket list.

A zebra stands gracefully in profile, showcasing its distinct black and white stripes against a clear sky.

About African Safari Mag African

African Safari Mag is your online guide to the best of luxury and authentic African travel. We share first-hand lodge reviews, expert planning tips, conservation stories, and honest advice for every kind of safari-goer. Our team is passionate about connecting travellers with Africa’s wild places—whether you’re planning your first trip or your next great adventure.

About the Author

Craig Howes is a safari photographer, filmmaker, and the founder of African Safari Mag. With over a decade of travel experience across Southern and East Africa, Craig shares honest, immersive reviews of Africa’s top lodges and wildest places. He visited Mhondoro Safari Lodge in June 2025 as part of a two-night hosted stay.