The serene and malaria-free sanctuary of Welgevonden, nestled in the heart of the UNESCO-accredited Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, is a realm of majestic wildlife and expansive skies. And, for those who yearn to leave the chokehold of the city behind, it’s a short, easy drive away.
South Africa has no shortage of remarkable destinations within driving distance from our major hubs. The Welgevonden Private Game Reserve in the Waterberg is not only a habitat for over 50 diverse mammal species and more than 250 bird species but also holds historical significance dating back to the Middle Stone Age.
Besides abundant wildlife (including the Big Five), Welgevonden is also home to Mhondoro Safari Lodge and Villa, an exquisite, bespoke getaway deep within the reserve’s 38,200 ha expanse.
Visiting Welgevonden by road from Johannesburg (three hours) and Pretoria (two and a half hours) is an easy drive on mostly highway and well-maintained provincial roads – a journey that we recently undertook in the upgraded Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD-6 4×4 VX.
GO-ANYWHERE ATTITUDE
The Fortuner, also extremely popular among South African families, is the market leader in the D-SUV segment for good reason. Its seven seats, excellent go-anywhere attitude, uncompromising reliability, and overall value for money ensure that it snaps up a good share of the market each month.
Recently refreshed to incorporate Toyota’s latest design language, it boasts new lights front and rear, with a new bumper and grille in the front. Although its predecessor certainly was not unsightly, the contemporary updates have worked wonders to bring the Fortuner in line with the rest of Toyota’s product range.
FINDING SOLACE
Mhondoro Safari Lodge and Villa exudes an exquisite blend of tranquillity and subtle grandeur. Seamlessly integrated with Welgevonden’s natural surroundings, the lodge’s spacious interiors effortlessly merge with expansive outdoor areas. The decor also harmoniously combines African and European aesthetics, luxurious linens, earthy colours, and organic wood elements, creating a superbly welcoming environment.
At Mhondoro, the culinary offerings are equally five-star, with every meal, including the snacks provided for the drives, lovingly homemade.
The lodge’s allure is further enhanced by its array of amenities, including a well-equipped gym, sauna, massage suite, spa, and a delightful gift shop. From the warm greetings and refreshing towels that welcome guests, to the expertise of the safari guides, invigorating walks, and memorable sundowners in the wilderness, the Mhondoro experience ensures an unparalleled sense of ease and indulgence.
A CONTEMPORARY DRIVE
Although evolutionary rather than revolutionary, interior updates to our road trip steed – the Fortuner 2.8GD-6 4×4 VX – are relatively minor. The leather upholstery has new red accents, and a recent specification-level adjustment now includes JBL speakers, dual-zone climate control and USB ports for rear passengers.
Under the skin, however, is where the uprated Fortuner shines. There is noticeably less body roll, and the steering is decidedly more accurate. Our trip from Pretoria to Welgevonden spanned nearly 500 km, most of which comprised highway cruising, and here the Fortuner behaved substantially better than before.
Under the hood beats Toyota’s proven 2.8 GD-6 engine, offering 150 kW and 500 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via Toyota’s six-speed torque converter automatic transmission, or to all four wheels when four-wheel-drive is selected (on the fly, up to 100 km/h) by means of a selector switch on the centre console.
HARMONY OF EARTH AND SKY
Mhondoro accommodates up to 24 guests and offers various accommodation choices, including the opulent Luxury Pool Suites, a two-bedroom Executive Suite, and a two-bedroom Family Deluxe Suite boasting a private plunge pool and a viewing deck.
However, the epitome of luxurious seclusion can be found in the exclusive-use Mhondoro Villa. This ethereal haven caters to six guests and features a breathtaking master suite complete with a dressing room, a living room, and an open-air shower. Additional amenities include a private gym, a massage room, a heated pool on the spacious deck, and elegant dining and social spaces. The Villa experience also includes the services of a personal chef, a butler, and a housekeeper.
On the hospitality front, Mhondoro offers an array of creative and innovative experiences. Whether lounging in bed, relaxing on the deck, or savouring a sumptuous meal, guests are rewarded with breathtaking panoramas of distant mountains, surrounding plains, and the private waterhole. This extraordinary underground game-viewing hide, strategically located at the end of a 65-meter tunnel accessed from the main lodge, allows visitors to observe wildlife from close quarters as they gather around the adjacent watering hole.
Mhondoro’s remarkable offerings reflect the ingenuity of its visionary owners, Frank and Myriam Vogel. Their love for the environment is evident in every aspect of the lodge, from the captivating decor to the exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and ecological practices. At the core of their conservation efforts and commitment to reducing the lodge’s carbon footprint lies initiatives such as extensive solar panel installations, recycling campaigns, grey-water irrigation systems, a remarkable greenhouse for cultivating fresh produce, and the restoration of 1,100 hectares of neglected adjacent farmland into a protected wilderness area.
At night, the custom-built open-air Star Deck offers guests the chance to behold the beauty of the moonlit sky through a state-of-the-art telescope, under the guidance of an expert guide.
LAST WORD
However you choose to escape to the sanctuary of Mhondoro Safari Lodge and Villa, the updated Fortuner should rank high on your list of choices. Now also including Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) in the VX model, with blind spot warning, lane wander warning with lane assist, and collision warning with emergency brake assist, the Fortuner is a safe choice to get you to your destination in style.
| TOYOTA FORTUNER | ENGINE | POWER (kW @ r/min) | TORQUE (Nm @ r/min) | TOP SPEED (km/h) | 0-100 KM/H (seconds) | FUEL (l/100 km) | PRICE |
| Fortuner 2.8GD-6 4×4 VX | In-line 4-cyl; 2,755 turbodiesel | 150 @ 3,000-3,400 | 500 @ 1,600-2,800 | 180 | N/A | 7.9 | R915,400 |
Report by BERNIE HELLBERG JR | Images © MHONDORO / BERNIE HELLBERG JR
