Overview

This is a perfect one-week private bush adventure that caters to a family group of all ages, from grandparents who love birding to energetic younger children who want to do more than sit in a safari vehicle. It’s a relaxed, immersive 7-night safari in the beautiful, Big 5 wilderness of the Welgevonden Private Game Reserve, then the Waterberg Biosphere, with exclusive-use lodges and a focus on fun, flexibility, and family connection.

Days 1–4: Ethuleni Lodge, Welgevonden Game Reserve

Highlights:

Private, luxurious lodge set on a ridge with sweeping bushveld views. Daily guided game drives in a Big Five reserve, bush walks tailored for older children and adults. Sundowners with a view, storytelling by the firepit, and relaxed family dinners. Spacious suites with interconnecting options for families.

Ethuleni offers the thrill of game viewing in a Big Five reserve, while still being intimate, flexible, and family-friendly. The private guide and vehicle ensures complete control over the pace of each day – key for managing the energy levels and needs of multiple generations.

Days 5–8: Jembisa Bush Home, Private Waterberg Reserve

Highlights:

Exclusive-use homestead with tennis court, pool, and sprawling lawns. Bush walks, mountain biking, fossil hunting, and fishing with a local guide. Cooking in the boma with the chef and storytelling with the staff around the fire in the evenings. Visits to a nearby community school and conservation project. Tailored childrens’ programme: tracking, crafts, and scavenger hunts.

Jembisa feels like a home away from home—laid-back, safe, and endlessly engaging. Your family has full flexibility to spend mornings out in the bush and afternoons napping, swimming, or playing games. Grandparents can enjoy birdwatching from the veranda, while the children are kept busy with all the amazing bush activities.

What makes this trip special:

Exclusive-use lodges for maximum privacy and flexibility. Safe, malaria-free Big 5 game viewing. Activities designed to suit all ages — from 7 to 75. No-fuss logistics with easy access from Johannesburg