Safari Adventure to Marakele and Welgevonden, South Africa

Winter is well on it's way to southern Africa inendeavour to stimulate your " thirst for Our
June, so Claire & I decided to visit the warmer,Africa ". We put great credence in integrity, well
rain free Waterberg region north of Tshwanegrounded knowledge and in the case of wildlife
(new name for Pretoria) and call on two relativelyexperiences, the ranger responsible to introduce
little known neighbouring private game reservesyou to Mother nature.
of Marakele and Welgevonden, 33000 and 35000Dave did us all proud! He exuded confidence,
hectares in size respectively and offering the Biganecdotes abounded, and his knowledge of both
5 experience. We selected three leading propertiesflora & fauna was substantial. Over the eight
for our evaluation.hours in Dave's hands (two game drives), his
A little more about the reserves before wesense of purpose, transfer of knowledge and
knock on their front door. Exclusivity is assuredinter guest rapport was exceptional. As we would
through the banning of private vehicles within bothexpect at a Relais & Chateaux property, the
reserves. Guests arrive at a peripheral welcomingaccommodation was excellent, spacious and in
area and are met by their lodge hosts. This is antune with the environment. We met for pre
excellent idea and affords excellent managementdinner drinks with the other guests in front of a
of the Reserves. Another distinct advantage isroaring fireplace. Another special time of the day
the malaria free environment. In today's world,on an African safari, when stories are shared, the
many of our clients are requesting wildlifeconversation is light and the enticing fragrances
experiences in malaria free facilities. For thewaft through from the kitchen. Debbie (Dave's
wilderness and African safari purest, the diversitywife and co host) had ensured our meal requests
of their topography had Claire & me held inwe well looked after. Gathered around a large
raptures, endless vistas, slow, winding riverstable in the company of interesting co guests and
meandering across hard bedrock combined with ain the very capable hands of Dave & Debbie, the
strong influence of various habitats.evening was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Our first port of call promised to be exciting andOur last port of call was to be Makweti Safari
a revelation. Marataba Safari Company in theLodge. Whether this was arranged as our last
Marakele Private Game Reserve is billed as one ofport of call deliberately or not, it certainly was a
the finest lodges within the Waterberg region. Wegreat one with which to end our trip. Makweti
expected a mercurial combination of a bygoneSafari Lodge, in the same vein as Tshetshepi is in
era blended with the demands of today's modern,the hands of a management couple. It is obviously
discerning safari client. We were not let down. Thekey to have the right couple at the right
entrance to Marataba combines elements ofproperties. This young, effusive and energetic
water, flora and earth in an enchanting and yetcouple fit Makweti like a glove. On our afternoon
purposeful manner. Part of the Hunters Hotelsand early morning game drives, we witnessed a
portfolio with an awesome pedigree to match,number of interesting mammals big & small. We
their management team gave Claire & me awere well informed as to the balance between
glimpse of what a well-run, team-orientated lodgeman & Mother Nature and how at Makweti, a
should feel like. It would be remise of me tonumber of in house projects were underway to
forget to talk about their tented accommodation.ensure the correct management of their area of
These units were amongst the very best I haveresponsibility.
experienced in ten years of African travels.You will appreciate that we have witnessed and
Spacious, well appointed and offering the littlesighted a large number of the wildlife on offer in
touches only the very best properties do, it wasAfrica. Here though we spotted the illusive bush
an absolute pleasure to spend the little time wepig and caught a fleeting glance of brown hyena.
had ensconced within our room.As the only guests in house, Claire & I were
Unfortunately we have to share with you oneafforded our own rooms (a luxury we seldom
aspect of a technical nature. A successful Africanexpect) and had dinner in the company of our
wildlife or safari experience is based not so muchtwo attentive hosts. We dined on creative cuisine,
on the appointments of your accommodation, ordrank a bottle of the best South African sparkling
in the prowess of the team at base, no, it iswine and celebrated the first anniversary of
found in the experience and knowledge of yourAfrica Tamed Tours & Travel! Claire's dream of
ranger. You will spend in the region of eight to tencreating a very different travel company instilled
hours a day in his/her company and because ofwith her own ideas, experiences and keen sense
this, their ability to transfer their knowledge toof integrity came of age tonight. In true modesty
you at the level you request is paramount. We didfound within Claire, she graciously blew out the
not find this to be the case at Marataba. We havecandle poised in her grandiose Pavlova pudding,
taken this up with both camp management &thanked our hosts for recognising the special
their company directors and have received aoccasion and uttered the inimitable words "we
favourable response from them in this regard.have only just begun… "
Both dinner & breakfast were superb! BeautifullyWelgevonden Private Game reserve has a
prepared and presented by not only very amiablenumber of alternative properties, some privately
and competent staff but also by theowned, some open for commercial use. Our
management team, a strong showing of teamevaluation would indicate this an ideal Reserve to
work. Marataba is ideal for those wishing to getvisit to initiate you to an authentic wildlife and
away to a five star lodge where pampering,safari experience but found the density of the Big
consummate hospitality and hugely knowledgeable5 to be a little disappointing but this should be
staff abound.weighted up against the exemplary level of
Our second port of call was at theaccommodation and that key element of
recommendation of a colleague of ours.passionate bushwhackers looking after you!
Clearwater Lodges have two intimate, separateYou will have gathered by now that we are
and very private lodges within the Welgevondencompletely at one with Mother Nature and aim to
Private Game Reserve and we stayed atshare this passion deep within both of us with
Tshetshepi Lodge. Five suites is the extent hereyou. Our selection of properties is taken from our
supplying ten guests with the traditional Relais &own (and from similar minded colleagues)
Chateaux five C's - Care, Calm, Charm, Cuisine &experiences and research we do prior to setting
Character. Nestled against a towering mountainup our monthly visits. However, we would like to
and with the sound of a gentle brook nearby, ourextend this to places and properties you may
hosts welcomed us into their "home" with greatwish to know more about. Places you, your
pride and obvious concern for our welfare. Ourcolleagues or friends may have visited or maybe
aim at Africa Tamed is to bring you, our clients,a property you have seen in an in-flight magazine
friends and African Tamed family our evaluationor glamour mag. Drop us an email and let us bring
of properties we feel warrant this in theyou our evaluation and ideas for your visit.