Experience the wild: Family-friendly luxury at Letamo Lodge in Waterberg
Letamo Lodge in the Waterberg is perfect for parents and kids.
Image: Instagram
There’s something magical about the Waterberg in Limpopo with its rolling hills, endless skies, and the call of the wild echoing across the savannah.
Just three hours’ drive from Lanseria, I discovered a family-friendly safari that blends luxury with authenticity: Letamo Lodge in the Qwabi Private Game Reserve.
Inside one of only two UNESCO-declared savannah biospheres and, importantly for families, a malaria-free area, Letamo offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for families.
From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel at home. While waiting to check in, we were welcomed with refreshing mocktails and soothing hand massages by the lodge staff - the perfect start to a bushveld getaway.
Accommodation
Unlike many smaller safari lodges, Letamo has 58 rooms, including 10 luxury suites and interleading options designed with families in mind.
My premium suite combined safari chic with modern comfort: a thatched roof, a king-sized bed, cosy lounge, Nespresso coffee station and complimentary minibar. Sliding glass doors opened onto a private balcony with panoramic views of the bush - the perfect spot for morning coffee or sundowners.
Activities
What sets Letamo apart is its commitment to families. The lodge is large enough for children to explore safely within its gated grounds, and childminders are available.
The kids’ clubhouse is a dream for children aged 4 -12 years old – complete with toys, games, a jungle gym and a kiddies’ pool. For older children, there’s table tennis, foosball, PlayStations and even a padel court.
Parents can relax by the rim-flow pool, overlooking a waterhole often visited by hippos and baboons, knowing their kids are happily entertained.
Of course, the heart of any safari is the wildlife. Our enthusiastic young ranger took us on sunrise and sunset drives across 11,000 hectares of pristine bushveld, framed by the Waterberg mountains.
We watched hippos wallowing in waterholes, giraffes browsing treetops, and zebras grazing on the plains. We were lucky enough to see both black and white rhinos, herds of buffalo, elegant sable antelope, and even the drama of a lioness on a hunt.
Cuisine
Each new day presented delicious dining experiences: alfresco breakfasts on the patio, high tea laden with sweet and savoury treats, and, of course, traditional sundowners with sweeping mountain views.
On our final evening, we gathered around the firepit in the boma for a truly African feast under the stars – a memory that will linger long after leaving.
For parents wanting downtime, the spa offers an indulgent menu of treatments, and the gym looks out onto a serene indigenous garden.
Guided bush walks and stargazing sessions add another layer to the experience, reminding you that connection with nature doesn’t only happen from the comfort of a game vehicle.
Whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones, introducing your children to Africa’s iconic wildlife, or simply taking a breath away from city life, Letamo Lodge is a rare find.
IOL Travel is giving away a 2-night stay for two people at Letamo Game Reserve, including full board, game drives, and lodge experiences/access to the facilities.
To enter email competitions@iol.co.za and tell us why you want to experience Letamo Game Reserve.
IOL Travel