Newmark Hotels has announced the opening of Letamo Lodge at Qwabi Private Game Reserve. The family-friendly luxury lodge—the first of three that have jointly undergone an extensive R120 million ($7.1 million) refurbishment—is situated within the Waterberg region of South Africa’s Limpopo province.
Falling within one of only two UNESCO-declared biospheres in Africa, Qwabi Private Game Reserve is located within the richly diverse savannah biome of the malaria-free Waterberg; the property harbors over 5,500 species, including several uncommon birds and animals like white-backed night-herons, aardvarks and brown hyenas. In the Waterberg wilderness, the pay-off is the dramatic scenery and wildlife, fronted by Africa’s "Big Five"—lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhinoceros.
Letamo has 58 room, which includes 10 luxury suites with private plunge pools. All have been refurbished by Cape Town-based design firm Francois Du Plessis Interiors. Amenities include a padel court, two swimming pools—one of which overlooks a watering hole—and a luxury boutique bush spa. Diners will enjoy the main restaurant, intimate dining nooks for couples, and the outdoor boma. Bush dinners under the night sky and stargazing are highlights on the experience agenda.
For the kids: Lindsay Whitton, the activities coordinator, has devised the “Junior Conservationists Program” to encourage a deep and long-lasting appreciation of the natural world. On arrival at Letamo, each child receives a backpack that contains a hat, a bird and animal list, stationery and reusable straws and water bottles to demonstrate the move away from plastic and to advocate sustainability. Kids will have the chance to learn about tracking, see how indigenous seeds grow or hang out in the Junior Conservation HQ.
Pretty cool: Qwabi is a refuge for a thriving white rhino population that is under constant high-tech surveillance.
The Reserve is approximately three hours by road from Johannesburg and 37 miles from the town of Bela Bela. Qwabi is easily accessible for self-drive visitors, although guests may also fly into the reserve via helicopter.
For more information, visit www.newmarkhotels.com.
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