UNIQUELY LUXURIOUS MALARIA FREE WILDERNESS LODGES
Vast, remote and serene, the Lapalala Wilderness awakens the senses with its deep valleys and spectacular cliffs echoing to the sound of tumbling streams. From crystal clear rock pools to wide open plains, this is an area rich in an abundant array of wildlife and largely untouched by man.
Lepogo Lodges consists of two separate lodges, both of which can be booked in their entirety. Noka Camp is the first to open and sleeps 12. Melote House will be an exclusive use house, sleeping up to 16 and will open in 2023.
Noka Camp
Noka Camp is the first of two properties to be launched by Lepogo Lodges. It is set on an astonishing 100ft clifftop with breathtaking views overlooking the winding Palala River. At night your sky bed experience provides for one of the most romantic settings you can imagine as you choose to either sleep outside under the stars or inside your stunning villa in unparalleled luxury. Noka Camp is nestled in the heart of the malaria free Lapalala Game Reserve and offers an exquisite base from which to explore the 50,000 hectares of pure African wilderness.
Dining
First class chefs have created an exquisite menu using local produce where possible. Whether dining on the main veranda, lookout deck or from the privacy of your own room, your dining experience will be full of flavour and complemented by fine wine from the cellar.
Sky Bed
Bring the wonders of the night sky into your own room totally immersing you in the romance of the incredible African night skies. Each room has its own beautifully positioned outdoor sitting area, allowing you to enjoy the endless views at your leisure.
Sunken Bath
Enjoy the breathtaking views and spectacular sunsets from the luxury of a sunken bath. The bathrooms are designed to incorporate the great outdoors and truly allow you to soak up the natural environment.
Private Pool
Each room has its own heated plunge pool built into the platform on top of the cliff, there aren’t many pools that will offer such a view. This takes the infinity pool concept to a new level.
Yoga & Spa
Either on the yoga platform in the treetops or from the privacy of your own room, we offer various massages and treatments for your relaxation.
Lapalala Game Reserve
On the banks of the Palala River in the Waterberg region of Limpopo province in South Africa lies Lapalala Game Reserve. Comprising 50,000 hectares of breathtaking natural beauty, this is a place unlike any other in the world. Lapalala‘s vision is to continue to protect and conserve the biodiversity, uplift its neighbouring communities and create a responsible and sustainable model to secure its conservation status into the future.
Lapalala benefits from a wonderful diversity of habitat but also it’s many years of preservation as a wilderness. Many species have been naturally drawn to the area with a year round supply of fresh water and spectacular variety of vegetation. Mammal species number over 60 and include elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion, cheetah, leopard and wild dog as well as an abundance of plains game. For the same reasons there is a huge variety of birdlife. You can see the African fish eagle at Kubu Dam, its call being the iconic sound of Africa or search for another of 300 plus different species with the help of the in house ecologist.
Conservation is synonymous with Lapalala which is not only one of the leading private rhino sanctuaries in South Africa but is also recognised as one of the foremost eco-projects as well. Research is a key component of the conservation effort with a number of projects ongoing at any one time. A species breeding project aimed at the reintroduction of once indigenous species is already underway with roan antelope, white and black rhinoceros, and cape buffalo. Projects have also focused on the architectural richness of the reserve such as studies of the Bushman’s Paintings and the mystical Melora Iron Age site.
The Lapalala Wilderness was founded in 1981 by two conservationists, Dale Parker and Clive Walker. Their shared dream was to purchase farms and create a reserve by returning the land to its natural state and conserve the indigenous fauna and flora. Over time further adjoining land was purchased and embedded into the conservation vision. The result is the spectacular Lapalala Wilderness, 50,000 hectares rich in biodiversity and ecology and now a key component of the Waterberg biosphere reserve.
Lapalala became the first private reserve in South Africa to acquire black rhino when five of these highly endangered animals were brought to the reserve in 1990. Lapalala’s commitment to preserving these magnificent creatures continues to this day, and it is now one of the leading private rhino sanctuaries in South Africa. Environmental education has always been one of the cornerstones of The Lapalala Wilderness vision. The Lapalala Wilderness School (LWS) was established by Clive Walker in 1985 and, since then, more than 85 000 young people have had the unique opportunity to experience and enjoy the spectacular scenery and natural beauty of Lapalala. The school now boasts an excellent reputation for offering environmental education.
Experiences
Explore 50,000 hectares dedicated to conservation and immerse yourself in the large variety of habitats that Lapalala has to offer. Restore your spirit and recharge your soul in this stunning environment whether out in the bush or from the beauty of the lodges.
Game Drives
Experienced guides will take you out for morning, afternoon or even all day game drives to explore the vast expanse of the Lapalala Wilderness at your leisure. With no fixed routines and fine dining surprises throughout, guests will leave with unforgettable memories of a magical stay.
Bush Walks
Guides will lead the more adventurous guests through the landscape on foot. The walks are designed to be informative and interactive yet with safety of paramount importance. Walks can be tailored to be a gentle educational stroll or a more energetic hike taking in the staggering plains and gorges.
Water Safaris
Explore the variety and abundance of birdlife from the water itself. Guides will take you along beautiful shorelines while fish eagle call from above. Watch as kingfishers prey on small fish and heron stand like statues amongst the reeds. Fishing is also possible on the boat safaris.
Bush Camping
If you are staying for several nights, you may want to spend one of those under the stars on one of the original sites of the Lapalala forebearers. With a clear sky above and the crackle of an open fire to keep you warm there is no better way to immerse yourself in the wilderness just as they did 100 years ago.
Iron Age Site
Explore the Iron Age site at Melora. Be one of the few to be able to explore this unique and extraordinary site. Contemplate how these dwellings came to exist on the mountain top. Even the walk up to the site is not to be missed.
Bushman Paintings
Due to its remoteness and rugged inaccessibility the Waterberg has always been sparsely populated. However the area is rich in rock-art sites of both San people, Khoi and Iron Age Farmers known as Bushman Paintings. Lapalala itself has identified 13 sites within the reserve, one of which is directly below Noka Camp.
Yoga, Spa & Wellbeing
Relax on the yoga deck with meditative views across the landscape. Surrounded by the calm solitude of the wilderness enjoy an engaging open air yoga class or the tranquillity of a variety of treatments either at the retreat or in the privacy of your own room.
Wilderness School Visit
From humble beginnings more than 30 years ago, the school has grown into a beacon of conservation, sustainability education and hope for the future. Their vision is to help the children and youth of the nation to discover the true value of the biodiversity of the natural world and their place within it.
Map and travel information
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Visit
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 10am – 4:00pm
1 Market Place Mews, Gardiner Place,
Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2AH