World Rhino Day
Conservation is an emotional sport. You win some, you lose some but you cannot give up the game. It’s not a professional sport at that, there is certainly very little funding available for the incumbent players and most go unnoticed, the mere minnows that are overshadowed by the big names. It makes for a fantastic
Read MoreSpice up Heritage Day with Makweti Malay Sosaties
Grilling is a big part of the culture in many countries. Here in South Africa, across all of our cultures, it’s almost a part of our DNA! Traditionally, it’s called a braai (an Afrikaans word, which means “grill or barbecue”) and these tender, spicy sosaties are a popular favourite. Where Does The Name Sosatie Come
Read MoreJust Ask Us! We often see Wildebeest and Zebra together, and there are many more Zebra on the Reserve, why?
Josphat Responds. When it comes to wildlife survival is of utmost importance. If animals are ‘together’ it means many senses are put to use to protect themselves. Zebras have got good eyesight whilst wildebeest have a good sense of hearing, coupled with eyesight. Both species are grazers and prefer open plains. Feeding together is beneficial
Read MoreSpring on the Welgevonden – celebrating the Makweti tree
On a beautiful Spring Day like today, we are especially grateful for the makweti trees that flank the Makweti Gorge – a rocky ravine over which our luxury lodge as has been built, with expansive views toward the Taaibos River Valley. These spectacular, unique trees bring us such beauty every day and are particularly breathtaking
Read MoreBee-ware!
I have never been one for surprises, good or bad. A proverbial planner with a backup plan for every plan including the backups suits me far better. However, when one bears witness to the unexpected, that certainly gets me going. There is no doubt that we would rather be out in nature than
Read MoreJust Ask Us! Why are some areas burnt and others not, especially where a road is a dividing line?
Colin Responds Wildfires start naturally in our area, especially at the onset of the rainy season before any substantial new growth has sprouted and while it is still extremely dry. Often enough, a storm with a huge electrical element and very little rain occurs, and a lightning strike sets the parched veld alight as
Read MoreReminiscing Makweti’s Nostalgic Winter Recipes
At Makweti Safari Lodge, we’ve found ways to give the winter chill a certain charm, with our blazing fireplaces, plush blankets and steaming morning drive coffee laced with a smooth shot of Amarula. To bring warmth to the bellies of our guests, our chefs have also turned to some of our most-loved winter recipes –
Read MoreJust Ask Us! Does it ever snow on the Reserve?
Josphat responds No, not really. But in some areas, we receive frost, and quite a bit of it. The reserve is in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, an area located more to the northern side of South Africa where it is drier in general throughout the year. South Africa lies between 23°S and 35°S, so quite
Read MoreBlack and White
Nature does not operate in grey areas. There can be no question that systems in nature are clearly defined with opposing principles appearing quite clearly in black and white. The areas in between are just as clearly defined and the infinite links that exist between everything, have just as well-defined purposes as the next, and
Read MoreEnjoy the Big 5, but learn to love the little things at Makweti Safari Lodge – Sunday Times
This Waterberg lodge distinguishes itself by offering everything you expect from a five-star resort, and everything you don’t, writes Damien Armstrong – Sunday Times View the online article here. When in unfamiliar territory – as Lovely Wife and I find ourselves one afternoon in late February – it’s best to hang tight and wait for
Read MoreJUST ASK US: We see quite a few open areas on the Reserve suddenly appear, almost as Islands, what causes this?
Colin responds. An open area may form naturally in any wooded area for various reasons. Just one example is an area where a termite mound has ceased to exist. The remaining underground plant material the termites did not consume fertilizes what was a bare area and grass grows. Grazers happen upon the area and use
Read MoreMakweti Traditional Breakfast
While we all enjoy a traditional english breakfast from time-to-time, here at Makweti, we love to introduce local flavour into our cuisine! One of our favourite dishes is our Makweti Traditional Breakfast, where we bring boerewors, chakalaka and Zulu steam bread to the breakfast table in style and true South African flavour! A few fun
Read MorePerspective
Perspective. The appearance of something relative to one another. We gain perspective daily of our own lives, our purpose in society, our roles as parents and children, of politics, religions, celebrities and more. All of us are constantly fed information from a wide range of sources, constantly changing how we see things, creating emotion and
Read MoreA Mothers’ Nature
Mothers, we all have one, whether we like it or not. They come in all shapes and sizes, colours, and temperaments. Although some may seem to think that the ‘grass is greener’ on other peoples’ mothers, there is one thing no one can deny, we cannot be without them. The role of a mother is
Read MoreJUST ASK US! How do Brown and Spotted Hyena differ in appearance and behaviour?
Neil responds. We are fortunate to host both species of southern African Hyena on the Welgevonden Game Reserve, and although their numbers are lower than that of other top predators, they feature on the ‘wanted’ list amongst Guests. Both are well adapted to the area, with the Brown Hyena being a species that inhabited the
Read MoreBringing the Beach to the Bush – East Coast Prawn Curry
In the words of novelist Jonathan Safran Foer, “Food is not rational. Food is culture, habit, craving and identity.” Few foods are as culturally-rich and – if we’re honest – irrational as a spicy-hot east coast curry. And yet, the cravings arise. We’re not all beef and venison in the bush – Even here, we
Read MoreButternut and Lentil Strudel
Visiting an African wilderness is a deeply personal experience for any traveller. At Makweti, we aim to make every aspect of your stay special – even the food – and with a wonderful repertoire of mouthwatering vegetarian dishes, we help all our guests to celebrate their personal dietary preferences. Personally yours, to try at home,
Read MoreJust Ask Us! We don’t see many ‘Thorn Trees’ on Welgevonden Game Reserve, why is that?
Josphat responds: Welgevonden Game Reserve is a conservation game reserve, but there used to be farms in this area. We believe that the indigenous thorn trees were taken out by farmers years ago, as they would have impacted the farming activities. Some of South Africa’s thorn trees also release chemicals that prevent other trees from
Read MoreGiant Bullfrog
There is a little water pan on the Reserve. For the most part it goes unnoticed, lying dry as a bone in the African sun. A small depression of dust and sand littered with the heavy footprints of bovids who in days past plodded through it, in the hope of bringing some relief to their
Read MoreUnusual suspects
On Saturday morning we woke to Zebras alarming in the ridge behind the waterhole. As we left for Game Drive, we found fresh tracks on the road, left behind by the possible cause for the all the alarm. We stopped and investigated and pieced together an interesting sighting, not witnessed by anyone. An Aardvark had
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