Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
The lodge is located in the 34,000 hectare Welgevonden Private Reserve located just north of Johannesburg. Here one can enjoy unlimited traversing through the reserve and experience an environment where biodiversity conservation and game viewing are managed in harmony. The reserve protects a unique and special environment and the reserve’s management is deeply committed to ongoing conservation research and development. The reserve is governed by a charter which states that the area is dedicated to conservation standards of the highest degree. The reserve as a whole is managed by one hundred and twenty staff members who are recruited from the local communities. This is a diverse group of employees and varies from the CEO to the field staff that monitors fence lines and maintain security within the park. The economic benefits to the adjoining areas of the reserve can be seen in the expansion of the villages and the development of local support services such as electricians, plumbers, builders, food supplies, schools, co-operatives producing indigenous art etc.
This evocative wilderness offers an intimate experience of the African bush with only a limited number of guests having access to the reserve at any one time. No private vehicles are permitted, which ensures minimal human impact and the ultimate wilderness experience. Historically, wildlife on the reserve has never been hunted so game viewing is always up close and personal. There is also ancient and delicate Bushman rock art to be found here.
This is mountain bushveld with rivers running through it and sweeping views to far horizons. The area is high altitude, temperate and malaria free all year. The preservation of the land and its assets has provided a rich avenue to benefit and enhance local communities who are proud to be a part of this successful conservation area.
A private school has been built and funded by owners from the reserve and the Directors of the lodge individually support a local Soccer team. Funding their equipment, school supplies and education. We offer and pay for our employees to take courses to improve their skills, for example courses in guiding offered by FAGASA (this is the recognized training program for field guides in South Africa), driving instruction, cooking courses and instruction in basic kitchen skills. We have brought instructors onto the property at our own expense to teach staff courses in how to select and serve fine wine, and courses in basic stock taking and house keeping.
We also work closely with the fund raising and development department of the Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg and have been involved in auctions held in New York, and Johannesburg offering not only an auction item but commissions on sales to benefit the medical school. The Directors are involved with the international organization of Save the Children and have visited clinics in out lying areas of South Africa as well as Malawi offering assistance to the NGO’s. Following up the trip by producing and presenting a slide presentation at the Explorers Club in New York defining the needs of these communities.
The philosophy of the lodge and indeed of the reserve as a whole is to preserve the natural environment and in situations where it is necessary to remove the “Imprint of man”. The reserve is managed by a professional staff of scientists and naturalists who study the soils, plants, grasses and the game carrying capacity of the area. In addition a code of ethics is in place that monitors water use, septic systems and waste disposal and the number of vehicles and guests permitted to utilize the natural resources of the land. No off road driving is permitted on the reserve as this philosophy extends to preserving the grasses, plant and insect life that can be severely damaged. We have sponsored the relocation of Caracal onto the reserve from an area in the Orange Free State where they were being destroyed by farmers. Last year we funded the relocation of a breeding herd of elephant to the Western Cape. This was a highly successful endeavour as our area was becoming over populated and the herd has settled well into their new environment.
White Rhino are thriving on the reserve and a program is in place with Botswana exchanging Rhino for Roan antelope which have not been seen in Welgevonden since 1950. Eighteen white Rhino have already been relocated. Our scientists are working on the cutting edge of Elephant contraceptive programs and studies have already been completed on Lion populations and Elephant feeding habits and social behaviour. In addition to this a new study is to commence shortly on the Leopard population which will also encompass Brown Hyena activity. Welgevonden is a very successful reserve and this formula for conservation and social, financial and economic development has been cited as an excellent example to follow through out South Africa.
The lodge provides employment to the local people. With the understanding that the camp is small – accommodating only 10 guests we employ 14 in staff. We also sponsor a local soccer team, providing them with uniforms and equipment. The lodge is also part of the fund raising efforts for the Witwatersrand University.
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