Shibula Safari Lodge

Set within the heart of the renowned Big Five Welgevonden Game Reserve, Shibula Safari Lodge occupies an exceptional position close to the Western Airstrip and the wildlife-rich Fig Tree Plains. Surrounded by the dramatic beauty of the Waterberg, the lodge enjoys sweeping views across the bushveld towards a striking cliff face, an area known for regular leopard sightings and one that adds a particularly special character to the setting. Designed for effortless safari living, the main lodge is both generous and beautifully positioned, with its entertainment areas opening towards the surrounding wilderness and waterhole. A standout feature is the impressive 25-metre lap pool, complete with a broad submerged step that creates the perfect place to relax in the water while taking in the views and watching the landscape unfold beyond. The main lodge facilities are extensive and well suited to both private and hospitality use. Spacious living and entertainment areas are complemented by a boma, a dedicated conference area, and a curio shop, while the substantial industrial kitchen includes a walk-in cold room and provides the infrastructure required for catering on a significant scale. Shibula currently offers accommodation for 18 guests, with every guest room positioned to take advantage of the surrounding views. There is significant potential to expand the lodge to approximately 24 beds, with additional structures already in place and requiring completion and furnishing. One of these structures also presents an exciting opportunity for conversion into a private bush spa or wellness retreat, creating the potential to further enhance the lodge's luxury offering and guest experience. A particularly rare feature of Shibula is that the property comprises two separate stands within the reserve. The additional stand provides valuable flexibility and creates the opportunity to increase guest capacity, accommodation and game-viewing infrastructure while maintaining the character and exclusivity of the lodge. The operational infrastructure is equally impressive. The property includes an owner's residence, two manager's houses and approximately ten staff accommodation units, providing more than sufficient support accommodation for a lodge of this scale. Shibula is effectively off-grid, with a comprehensive solar and battery installation supported by a John Deere backup generator, allowing the lodge to operate independently while retaining reliable backup power. The property is currently equipped with a low-mileage Toyota Land Cruiser game-viewing vehicle, with the capacity to add a second game viewer as the lodge expands, together with a Ford Ranger utility vehicle for operational and lodge use. Situated within the malaria-free Welgevonden Game Reserve, with traversing across approximately 38,000 hectares of pristine Big Five wilderness, Shibula Safari Lodge offers a compelling combination of location, infrastructure, scale and future potential. With its striking views, established lodge facilities, two-stand configuration, expansion potential and opportunity to introduce a dedicated wellness offering, Shibula represents an exceptional opportunity to create a highly distinctive private safari retreat or luxury hospitality destination in one of South Africa's most sought-after private game reserves.