If you live in the Gauteng area and are looking for a quick trip to the bush, the Waterberg's Qwabi Private Game Reserve should be next on your to-visit list.
As someone who was brought up on trips to the Kruger National Park, I have always been somewhat biased in my opinion that your best bet for a bush break is the Lowveld. End of story.
However, after being afforded the opportunity to explore the Waterberg's bushveld offering, I must admit that my views have been changed.
The Waterberg is stunningly beautiful and the perfect location for a bush adventure. The lush green terrain and plethora of mountain peaks make for serious eye-candy as you seek out the Big Five and the accompanying critters that make up the African bushveld.
Qwabi - which is Sesotho for 'African Wildcat' - is located in the heart of the Waterberg, which was designated as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 2001. With 11,421ha of mountainous bushveld, Qwabi is spoilt with natural beauty that is so eye-catching, it almost felt as if I had been transported to a foreign land - and not a mere three-hour drive from Johannesburg.
During my two-night stay, I was put up at the Babohi lodge, which is one of two lodges within the Qwabi reserve. Billed as the 'adult lodge', no guests under 16 are permitted. For a more family-oriented bush adventure, Qwabi's Letamo is the perfect location.
Babohi houses different accommodation types. My room was aptly named Buffalo 2, and is perfect for couples who want to relax and get away from fast-paced city life. The room has its own private plunge pool and deck, a gorgeous bed inside a large bedroom area and a stunning bathroom equipped with an adjacent outdoor shower - for the adventurous among us.
While the accommodation was rather lovely, what made it extra special were the little touches. A DIY gin station had been set up with craft gin, while a hand-picked scent (nose-picked, maybe?) was diffused within the room before my arrival. They even put fudge on my pillow upon my return from dinner - which I think they knew was my guilty pleasure.
In terms of the food, you certainly will never go hungry at Qwabi. If we weren't having buffet-style brunches and high teas, we were tucking into delicious breakfasts of Turkish eggs and dinners of perfectly-cooked kudu. An incredible treat was provided on the last night when we were taken for a bush braai, where tomahawk steaks and lamb chops were piled up into a mountain resembling those of the area, and braaibroodjies were cooked to perfection with various fillings.
While I can't guarantee that you will see every animal in the reserve (it's the luck of the bush, after all), what I can guarantee is that you will never go hungry, as the service is truly top notch in ensuring you are able to enjoy the finer things in life. I was also able to visit the spa for a massage. I think I fell asleep a few times, which kind of says it all really.
So now that I've covered the accommodation, food and pampering situations, the only thing left to highlight is the game viewing.
At Qwabi, self-driving isn’t an option, so you're paired with a dedicated bush guide to help you explore the reserve. Personally, I’ve always believed that a safari experience can be completely transformed by the guide. It’s not just about spotting wildlife; it’s about how they connect with guests, share their knowledge and set the tone for the adventure ahead. And in this case, we were in very good hands.
I can confidently state that our game viewing experience was amplified by the exceptional guide we had, Damien. His passion for the bush was a joy to behold, with his deep knowledge enhancing our search for creatures both big and small. Our chat about braaibroodjies was also a highlight, with the debate somewhat settled at the bush braai later that evening.
Damien played a big part in seeing lion, cheetah, buffalo, eland, zebra, giraffe and wildebeest, among loads of other species. Not for the want of trying, we unfortunately did not see any elephant, but we did see a load of a certain animal which I will not directly mention. Sadly, which is often the case, the leopards eluded us... but there is always next time!
I would highly recommend you check out Qwabi's Babohi lodge for your next bush break. It is a proper treat made all the more special by the attention to detail shown by all the staff. From warm towels after game drives to preparing your room before bedtime, you will feel like royalty in what is a truly magnificent part of South Africa.
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