 |
| The entrance of Mashovhela Lodge, right on the N1 north. |
One
of my perfect winter destinations is definitely Limpopo province. As much as
it does get cold in the early mornings and late evenings, the afternoons are
warm enough for shorts and a vest.
Because
Limpopo is also home, I always visit going to my grandmother. But this time I
decided to visit the Limpopo province as a tourist. To rediscover the province
and find things for you guys to do and where to hide.
I
started off my 3 day winter get away at the Mashovhela lodge in Makhado,
previously known as Louis Trichardt. I had heard great things about this lodge
and how it is just so beautiful but I had no expectations just in case I get
disappointed.
This
was another one of my solo wanderings.
 |
| Mashovhela Lodge |
Mashovhela
lodge is nestled beautifully in a nature reserve. The drive into the lodge, I was welcomed
mostly by monkeys. You will drive 5km on gravel road but it is not a bad road so
your small car will survive this road and when you finally reach the lodge, the
drive will have been well worth it.
Mashovhela
lodge is about 16km out of the town. It is perfect bush holiday. You are far
enough from the city hustle and bustle. This place is ideal for a relaxing, be
lazy and take a moment to take in some fresh air and connect with nature.
 |
| Group table setting in the restaurant. |
Mashovhela
is the first graded lodge I have visited. It is graded 3 stars and your pocket
will love their rates. This is for those of you who don’t really want to go to
a backpackers and share a room with a lot of strangers but still want some
luxury without breaking the bank. The
rooms are furnished with queen sized beds,the headboards are just walls
painted with baobab trees, tea and coffee station. All the rooms are thatched
roof and they have stairs that lead to small open portion just above the
in-suite bathroom. The small space is not furnished but can be put in as a room
for those traveling with the small ones.
The
rooms have no TV or radio and cellphone reception is touch and go which makes it
even more perfect for just reconnecting.
 |
| My room at the lodge. |
Mashovhela
is family friendly and is also a eco-friendly lodge. They use only solar power and their
geyser is powered by a wood fire. The coolest geyser heater I have yet to see. I
really wanted to take that geyser heater home with me. You are always
guaranteed a hot shower.
 |
| Indoor Fire place in the restaurant |
Other
facilities include a fully equipped kitchen, a clean pool and a place for a
bonfire for you and your friends to share a few scary stories and drinks later
in the evenings. Of course the fire keeps all wild animals away. For those interested
in the local Vhavenda culture, chat to David the manager and he will
organise a tour to the Khavhambe village for you where you can learn more and
get to taste some traditional beer in traditional Tshivenda cups carved of pumpkins
and buy some beautiful bead work from the village grannies. And if its during
school holidays, the little people will gladly teach you some local games that
they play to keep themselves occupied during the day.
 |
| The Pool area. |
Some
of the rooms have balconies. Exceptional mosquito net covered balconies. In the
summer if you don’t want to sleep in the room and want to sleep outside, you can
have the lodge organise bedding for you on the balconies and you can sleep outside
in the balcony mosquito and bug free.
 |
| Outdoor Bonfire. |
And
for those group of friends that just want to have fun and not really sleep
apart, there's a better option for you which is my absolute favourite.
Mashovhela has 2 hammock camps that can accommodate up to 10 people per group.
The camps have heated showers, kitchens and braai facilities for you to use at
your own convenience. The hammock camps background is a beautiful natural
spring water waterfall right in the middle of the bushes. You won’t even know
the lodge was there. You don't need to bring anything to the hammock camp as the
hammock, pillow and sleeping bag are included in your rate.
 |
| Relaxing afternoon at the Hammock Camp. |
The
lodge also caters for conferences and beautiful garden weddings. The hammock
site is also open for day visitors that want to have a braai for the day.
 |
| A good book keeps all the boredom at bay. |
Although Mashovhela caters to family, friends, couples and everyone in between, because they are a nature reserve, you will need to keep the noises levels low in consideration of the wildlife around you.
The
area is also a malaria free zone.
x0x0
#TheSoloWanderer