Qwabi - A safari for the senses
No matter how often I get to spend time in the lowveld, my wish is always threefold. I want a true African thunderstorm. One that turns the tree trunks black. I want at least one night with clear skies, with the milky way splattered against the night’s pitch-black canvas as if its Painter had used an almost empty spray can. Lastly, I want a warm, sunny day for drinks by the pool and the smell of sunscreen that lingers into the early evening as the fires get lit for a proper ‘bosveld braai.’ As we drove into the brand-new Qwabi Private Game Reserve, that was once again my wish.
Clouds of the migrating Brown-veined White Butterflies welcomed us as we drove through the gates and in the distance, things looked promising for a late afternoon thunderstorm. The Waterberg was showcasing it’s most magnificent colours once again and it was good to be back.
The stay at Qwabi
Owned by a family from the UAE, Qwabi Private Game Reserve had been used privately for more than a decade. However, with such a large accommodation offering, it only made sense for them to open their gates to the public. The family has since taken hands with Newmark Hotels and after R120 million’s worth of renovations, the first of three lodges – Letamo Lodge – was launched just before the festive season. They welcomed their very first guests on 15 December 2022. Letamo Lodge has more than fifty rooms, including deluxe, premium and luxury rooms, as well as interleading family rooms and a room specially equipped for guests in wheelchairs.
In addition to Letamo Lodge, which is a family friendly lodge with loads of activities and a kiddies’ play room for kids, Qwabi will soon also be launching and additional two lodges. The 25-room Babohi will be a more exclusive adults-only lodge (complete with beds that can turn into whichever view you would like to wake up to) and Semela will mainly focus on group bookings, corporate getaways and special events, offering 24 rooms.
Whilst the stay (and the humungous outdoor shower) at Letamo Lodge was lovely, it was really the reserve’s setting and its efforts toward nature conservation that was the drawcard. The rangers ensured some fond memories were made, with stories from their varied South African cultures, their incredible knowledge of the bush and their clever jokes. Game drives happen twice a day, allowing you to experience the sights and sounds of the bush both with sunrise and sunset.
Did you know?
The Marula tree has some interesting significance in the Tsonga culture. The first fruit that drop are given to the king, whereafter they make beer to respectfully present to him.
The tree is also known as the marriage tree in the Tsonga culture. Labola is negotiated under it, and it’s also under its leafy canopy that Tsonga couples get married.
Furthermore, the Marula tree also acts as mediator. When a married couple has issues, they get tied to the tree back-to-back, which forces them to work out their issues.
Preserving the land
Home to the big 5, Qwabi is located on a 11 000-hectare piece of land in in Limpopo’s Rooiberg region. They have recently introduced female elephants to the reserve and hope to bring elephant bulls in soon. The rhino protection unit is of the highest standard with veterinarian, Dr Andre Uys at the steer. According to him, the Waterberg is currently the country’s stronghold for rhinos, having lost only thirteen of the species over the past five years.
Qwabi is also home to beautiful and unique bird species. Summer is, of course, also the best time for birders, since all the migrant birds from Europe and Africa come flocking in. In a matter of two days, we got to spot the Forktail Drongo, Starlings, the Diederik Cuckoo, European Bee Eaters, Knob Bill Ducks, Violet-backed Starlings, the Lilac Breasted Roller, Sunbirds, Booboos and the Woodlands Kingfisher among others.
Opening Qwabi up to the public was (and will continue to be) a huge commitment to conservation and a very welcome economic investment for towns like Bela Bela, Thabazimbi and Rooiberg. According to Dr Uys there have also been some very constructive conversations around linking Qwabi with surrounding properties like Marakele and Welgevonden, which will strengthen conservation efforts and allow more space for wild species to roam happily and freely.
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