Tholo Lodge, Mabalingwe Nature Reserve

Tholo Lodge is a private self-catering lodge located in the Waterberg Mountains, forming part of the Mabalingwe Big 5 Game Reserve near Bela-Bela. It accommodates 10 guests and consists of 4 luxury en-suite bedrooms, with three bedrooms featuring outdoor showers overlooking the bush. The loft area can serve as an additional bedroom and has a lounge suite and a double sleeper couch.

The lodge includes a well-equipped open-plan kitchen, an entertainment area with a pool table, a huge deck with stunning views, a boma, a braai area, and a private jacuzzi. DSTV is provided, and the lodge is fully serviced. The master bedroom is situated in the main lodge and features a luxurious en-suite bathroom and an outdoor shower and garden.

Rooms 2, 3, and 4 are connected to the main lodge by a walkway. One room has a queen-sized bed, and the other two rooms have two single beds each, which can be made up for couples if required. The loft room is located in the main lodge and has a double sleeper couch, as well as a second lounge area and a pool table.

Guests can relax in the jacuzzi while enjoying picturesque sunsets and breathtaking views. The surrounding area offers various activities, including game drives, game walks, and mountain biking. The main camp at Mabalingwe, 10km from Tholo Lodge, offers tennis, squash, putt-putt, heated pools, horse safaris, and an a-la-carte restaurant and bar. Guests can also pack a picnic basket and enjoy a quiet picnic at one of the dams or drinking holes around the reserve.

Tholo Lodge offers a self-drive game drive vehicle for rent at R800 per day, excluding fuel usage. A flat fuel levy of R1500 applies. Two well-known golf courses, Zebula Golf Estate and Elements Golf course, are located in close proximity to the lodge. Both are 18-hole championship courses designed by Matkovich and Hayes. A chapel and restaurant are available for a Bushveld wedding experience, and there are two spa facilities in the reserve, with bookings being essential.