Clifftop Exclusive Safari Lodge is perched regally amidst the bush willows on the tip of a magnificent gorge overlooking the Sterkstroom River and is your idyllic sanctuary in the African Bush.

A romantic, secluded hideaway from the world’s worries that caters to an intimate encounter with the magnificent UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere inside Welgevonden Private Game Reserve.

Sip a soothing G&T as you relax in your very own plunge pool overlooking the gorge, or disappear into the depths of a comfortable wicker chair to watch the glorious scenery and varied wildlife.

Clifftop is a serene sanctuary amidst spectacular scenery; a wildlife retreat of extraordinary beauty and home to a myriad of animal and bird species that call the rocky ravines and rolling wooded mountains of this stunning private reserve home.

Your precious privacy is interrupted only by the sound of the bushveld from your elevated suite deck and the sound of the roaring river a hundred meters below.

Relax on your private deck enjoying the cool breeze or sip a full-bodied red wine in front of one of the lodge’s cozy fires.

Whether you are on honeymoon or simply seeking a romantic sojourn, Clifftop Exclusive Safari Lodge will soothe your soul; its characteristic silver, grey and white tones, private nooks, and natural wood and stone features create a sense of calm throughout.

The seclusion and romance throughout Clifftop Exclusive Safari Lodge make it an incredible wedding destination and heaven for honeymooners.

Spend the best day of your life or the days thereafter in intimate surroundings with the one you love.

Clifftop Exclusive Safari Lodge brings the bush to life, delivering a secluded, romantic retreat within Limpopo’s beautiful Waterberg, just three hour’s drive from Johannesburg.

Romance the bush at Clifftop and it will romance you right back.

Accommodation at Clifftop Safari Lodge

At Clifftop, we believe that tranquility, seclusion, and peace of mind begin with design and the careful use of space.

Each suite of our eight-room lodge is a luxurious cocoon that offers unrivaled views of the ruggedly beautiful Sterkstroom River gorge and Waterberg surroundings.

The careful use of natural elements and tones, including wood and stone, paired with the opulence of our well–appointed amenities, create an irresistible feeling of sanctuary.

You never have to leave the serenity of your private suite to relax in breath-taking surroundings, reenergize, and detox from everyday worries.

Enjoy a quiet read in the comfort of your own lounge area shielded from the outdoors by massive floor-to-ceiling glass French doors, or step outside onto your private timber deck complete with your very own plunge pool, an outdoor seating area, and splendid views of the Sterkstroom river gorge.  

You need never leave the comfort of your private Clifftop sanctuary.

Relax in breathtaking surroundings, reenergize, de-stress, and detox.

Room Facilities include Mini-bar, Private Sala, Private Plunge Pool, Safe, Hairdryer, Separate Bath, Indoor / Outdoor Shower, Luxury Bathroom Amenities, Air-Conditioning, and Tea/Coffee Facilities.

 Dining at Clifftop Safari Lodge

Every dish served at Clifftop Exclusive Safari Lodge is a culinary masterpiece.

Personalized dining experiences, brought to life by your personal butler, entail unforgettable moments that even the most discerning foodies will adore

Enjoy a hearty cold and hot breakfast at Clifftop’s restaurant deck overlooking the Sterkstroom river gorge; the roaring river below and the happy chatter of birds accompanying a delicious starter of fruit, homemade granola, cheese, and pastries, followed by the tastiest hot English breakfast or omelet.

You may be full but when that clock strikes one thirty, you will be scurrying back to devour a delectable lunch of rib-eye steak, lamb chops, Nicoise salad, or even sushi, to name but a few of the mouth-watering dishes served up in stunning surroundings.

A delicious dining experience at Clifftop is incomplete without our delectable desserts.

Indulge in our famous crème caramel, strawberry sensation, or a myriad of tasty pastries that our patisserie has on offer

After an evening’s safari and sundowners, you will be ushered to your private dining area, specially selected, and decorated for you by your personal butler.

Oxtail, lamb shank, and venison are just some of the incredible dishes prepared by the talented chefs at Clifftop.

A ginger and lychee sorbet clears your palate before you tease your taste buds with cheesecake, apple crumble, or a traditional South African malva pudding.

All washed down with some of South Africa’s tastiest, award-winning wines.

Then it’s off to the bar for an Amarula nightcap before retiring to the comfort of your Clifftop sanctuary in preparation for yet another gorgeous African day.

Safari Experience at Clifftop Safari Lodge

Cross through rivers and travel up the rugged hills as you explore the pristine UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere inside Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, accompanied by our experienced guiding team. As a pioneering Private Game Reserve, Welgevonden is home to more than 65 mammal species, including the famous “Big Five”, cheetah, brown and spotted hyena, caracal, aardwolf, and over 300 different bird species.

Witness the extraordinary ability of elephants to teeter up the steep and rugged mountainside in search of food, soak in a proudly South African sunset in the company of lions as they prepare to embark on their nighttime adventures, and spend quality time up close with white rhinos crossing the open plains or taking a relaxing mud bath.

Spot the mighty eland, revered by so many, the elusive leopard, and the brash honey badger as they go about their daily bush business.

Observe the wonders of the bush undetected; your expert guide helps to decipher the mysteries of the bush and its creatures.

Engage in the art of tracking in search of hyenas, cheetahs, and more, spot a hippo pod hiding from the heat of the African sun, and admire the cacophony of bird calls and a plethora of rare bird sightings through the changing landscapes.

Conferencing at Clifftop Safari Lodge

Get down to business in the bush. For companies, Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway offers basic conferencing facilities for up to 16 delegates.

But it’s certainly not all work and no play as you set off on your safari, devour delicious bush cuisine, and bond with your colleagues within a breathtaking setting.

The lodge has been designed for the purposes of catering for corporate workshops, merger & acquisition meetings, and other senior management meetings of a private nature.

As the only official fully commercial site in a reserve designed to be private, we offer companies a secure total experience, away from prying eyes.

In addition to the 16-seater boardroom, the lodge boasts numerous “break-out” areas for workshops and brainstorming.

Located in the Welgevonden Nature Reserve

The Waterberg Biosphere: a hidden treasure of South African Heritage: 

In 2001, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) designated the Waterberg area of South Africa as a recognised Biosphere Reserve. Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, our home, is located in the heart of this Biosphere, and adjoins Marakele National Park.

The UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere Reserve is a 6,500 square kilometre (650,000 hectare) paradise named after the water-rich nature that the low mountain ranges and escarpments produce in an otherwise arid region. As one of three major mountain ranges in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, the Waterberg Mountain Range also contributes to a major water catchment area of the Limpopo Basin. The unique nature of the mountainous region, coupled with the water-rich soil, produces an abundance of flora and fauna that are endemic to this region. According to UNESCO, the Waterberg’s rich biodiversity is evident with the presence of more than 5,500 species of plants, of which 43% are endemic to South Africa. The region is also home to at least 18 threatened plant species, 18 mammal species 11 bird species, 4 reptile species, 4 species of fish, and one butterfly species that are all deemed of the utmost importance for biodiversity conservation. From a socioeconomic perspective, the region is equally rich and unique. The Waterberg has been inhabited for hundreds and thousands of years and is home to one of the most important San rock art areas in South Africa. Today, more than 80,000 people live in the Biosphere Reserve. The ideology of a Biosphere Reserve is to preserve both the socioeconomic and environmental distinctiveness of the Waterberg region, helping to strike a balance between the pressures of economic development, the need to generate direct benefits to the local communities and the conservation of the area’s natural resources. As tourism is the primary source of income in the region, the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve Committee—an organisation set up after a five-year consultation process with all stakeholders concerned—is tasked with ensuring that the needs of all stakeholders are dealt with in an equitable manner.

Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway is privileged to contribute to the innovative conservation of the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere through Welgevonden Private Game Reserve’s pioneering conservation model. Through industry-leading, innovative conservation management, Welgevonden itself is home to more than 65 mammal species, including the famous Big Five, cheetah, brown hyena, caracal, aardwolf, and over 300 different bird species. Located just two and a half hours away on road, or a mere 45-minute by flight, from Johannesburg, the UNESCO Waterberg Biosphere’s accessibility and malaria-free status make it one of the finest places to watch wildlife, soak in the wilderness, and experience a hidden gem of South African heritage. As South Africans around the country are waiting with bated breath for the next opportunity to travel, we encourage everyone to explore the hidden treasures of our exceptional country.

At Clifftop, we believe that successful ecotourism must generate sustainable outcomes for the environment, for the surrounding communities, and for our commercial viability at every stage of our guest experience. We reaffirm our commitment to creating an exceptional experience that will generate sustainable benefits for the local community, for tourism, and for the conservation of our country’s inimitable heritage

Access is either by:

Access by road: An easy drive on mostly highway and excellent provincial roads. Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway is accessed via Welgevonden East Gate or, in the event of heavy rains and flooding, via Welgevonden Main Gate.

Access by air: Fly directly from either OR Tambo International Airport or Lanseria Airport to the reserve landing strip. Guests are collected and transferred to the lodge. Guests are collected and transferred to the lodge, located a 1 ½ hour drive from the landing strip. Alternatively, the lodge has two helicopter landing pads

Welgevonden Game Reserve is ideal if combining a safari with other destinations in Southern Africa.