Spotlight on the Luxury, Non-For-Profit Lepogo Lodges, South Africa
The first of it’s kind, Lepogo Lodges made up of Noka Camp and the exclusive use Melote House is a purely non-profit venture, 100% of their profits back into the reserve and conserving the wildlife.
Set in the vast and remote Lapalala Game Reserve, Noka Camp & Melote House are situated looking down upon the Palala River in the malaria-free Waterberg region of Limpopo province in South Africa.
The reserve is 50,000 hectares of breathtaking natural beauty with a mission to protect and conserve the wildlife and biodiversity as well as support the neighbouring communities and create a sustainable model to conserve it environment in the future.
With historic traditional rock art, crystal clear rock pools and wide open plains, this is an area rich in wildlife, culture and beauty.
Highlights
Malaria Free
Non-for profit
50,000 Hectares
Great number of white rhino
Historical rock art
3 hours drive from Johannesburg or 1 hour flight
Bush breakfast along the Palala River at Noka Camp
Non-For-Profit
As a fully not-for-profit venture and one of the few lodges in the world that dedicates 100% of any financial gain back into the reserve, Lepogo Lodges is not just about luxury; it is a commitment to conservation aimed at preserving the future of the land, wildlife, and local communities in the area.
Their vision is that by building beautiful high-end lodges without taking a penny of profit, so much can be put back into the conservation in the area, providing a wildlife safe haven for generations to come.
Where is Lapalala Wilderness
Nestled in the breathtaking Lapalala Wilderness, Lepogo Lodges provide unparalleled tranquillity and luxury, making them the perfect base for exploring 48,000 hectares of the pristine African wilderness. Find out more of the history of the area further on in the blog.
How to get to Lepogo Lodges:
1 hour flight to Lapalala’s airstrip
1 hr helicopter flight directly to the lodge
3 hour drive from Johannesburg International Airport
Noka Lodge
The lodge can sleep up to 12 guests across 5 rooms, 4 expansive villas and one lavish family villa. All set on a dramatic 100ft cliff-top with breathtaking vista’s overlooking the winding Palala River.
Facilities include:
a variety of dining areas
secluded look-out deck
tree-top gym & yoga deck
spa treatments.
Exterior View of Noka Camp Main Area
The Villas:
All villas have spectacular views and private plunge pools.
At night, the sky bed experience enchants guests with its romantic setting and guests can choose to sleep under the stars or inside their sumptuous villa.
Villa Facilities include:
Double indoor shower as well as outdoor shower
Sunken bath
Fully automated functioning lights and doors
Airconditioning and bedroom fan
Wood burning fire, heating and underfloor heating in the bathroom
Heated infinity pool
Outdoor relaxation area
Hair dryer & straighteners
Nespresso machine
mini bar
room safe
Bedroom area of the suite at Noka Camp
Sustainable & Environmental Considerations:
Huge efforts have been made to ensure Noka Camp has as minimal impact on the land and environement as possible. These include:
Only 1% of the Lodge & Villa’s actually touch the ground: they buildings have been built on small concrete pads to ensure a small impact on the land.
Completely off the grid: All electricity at Noka Camp is self-generated with an original bespoke solar walkway.
Carbon offset Programme: The carbon footprint of each guest is calculated depending on where they have travelled from from the moment they leave their home until their arrival at the lodge and a contribution calculated on this distance is made to a project of the guests choice.
A birds eye view of the villas and solar walkway at Noka Camp
Melote House
Melote House is an exclusive hillside retreat that sleeps 12 to 16 guests. The main house spans three tiers and accommodates 12 guests, while a separate cottage, with two ensuite bedrooms, a living area, and a kitchen, sleeps an additional 4 guests. There's also a small room available for guests traveling with their own staff.
Upon arrival, guests pass through a reception area featuring a beautifully curated curio shop, eco-center, and gallery. The spa is accessed from the reception, while the gym, rock pool, and bar (open during the daytime) are reached via a path to the right. The path to the left leads to the accommodation and main living area of the house. Walkways guide guests around the lodge, and an electric buggy is available for those who prefer.
Exterior View of Melote House
Suites:
All Suites include:
Minibar
Coffee & Tea Station
Nespresso Coffee Machine
Hairdryer
Hair Straightener
Aircon
Fans
Room Safe
Double vanity
Double indoor shower
Bathroom underfloor heating
The Baobab Suite
The master suite on the 3rd tier spans approximately 120 sqm indoors and includes an outdoor living space of 100 sqm. It features a private staircase leading to a 40 sqm skybed deck, perfect for daytime relaxation or sleeping under the African sky at night. The suite also boasts its own pool, double indoor shower, double vanity, bathroom with underfloor heating, bath, outdoor shower, walk-in wardrobe, hidden television, air conditioning, fans, minibar, coffee and tea station, and a bioethanol-fueled cocoon fireplace.
The Baobab Suite at Melote House
The Marula Suites
Situated on the 2nd tier, the Marula Suites consist of four rooms. Marula 1 and Marula 2 interconnect for families with younger children, as do Marula 3 and Marula 4. These suites can also be used independently and feature a double indoor shower, double vanity, bath, and outdoor shower. Each suite covers 100 sqm, including an outside patio area.
The Seringa Suite
Located on the main tier, closer to the main living area, the Seringa Suite mirrors the features of the Marula Suites, providing the same level of comfort and amenities.
The Cottage
Adjacent to the main house, The Cottage is a separate 250 sqm dwelling with two ensuite bedrooms, a central kitchen, living, and dining area. The bedroom suites echo those in the main house, and the well-equipped kitchen allows guests the option to dine independently if they wish.
The Seringa Bar & Lounge
This area includes a library and study, main living area, dining room, bar, wine cellar, guest kitchen, and outdoor living space. The outdoor area features a 100 sqm pool, various seating areas, and a shaded relaxation zone for maximum enjoyment. Additionally, there is a lookout deck near the waterhole.
The lounge, bar and outside pool area at Melote House
Sustainable & Environmental Considerations at Melote House
At Melote House, the living roofs have been built with wild roofs which small animals can graze from. The design has been built into the the rock and every element extracted from the earth has been carefully used in the building of the house to seamlessly blend it with the natural surroundings and limit the amount of building materials brought in.
These impressive earth walls allow for natural thermal stability and reduced use of energy consumption along with an innovative heating and cooling system significantly reducing the amount of power required.
Experiences at Lepogo Lodges
4x4 Safaris with experienced guides
Bush walks and animal tracking
Water safaris
Conservation vet experiences
Visits to the iron age site
Original rock art
Sleeping under the African Sky
Yoga & spa treatments
Visit to the Wilderness School
Astronomy
Fishing
Visit Mdoni Shelter Rock Art site
The highlight of the site is a stunning rock overhang featuring a remarkable panel of San rock paintings. Reaching these paintings involves crossing the Blocklands River, but the effort is well worth it! The Umdoni panel boasts an exquisite collection of figures, including an antelope resembling a tsessebe and several human figures. Protected from sunlight and rain, these drawings remain in excellent condition. The site is named after the Sepedi word for the waterberry tree (Syzigium cordatum), and you'll find many 'umdoni trees' along the river here.
Learn more about the Rock Art, Sans People and Mdoni Shelter.
The Rock Art at Mdoni Shelter
Join a Conservation Veterinary Experience
For nature enthusiasts, Lepogo Lodges offers an unforgettable opportunity to participate in a unique veterinary experience. Here, you can join in the thrilling activities of rhino or elephant immobilization and capture. Lepogo Lodges has played a pivotal role in the reintroduction of cheetahs into Lapalala, successfully kickstarting a breeding program. When there is a need for collar changes or other immobilization procedures, guests are informed and can choose to be involved.
Rhino immobilization is conducted to collect RhODIS DNA samples, ear notch, and microchip the animals for identification, research, and security. The Rhino DNA Indexing System (RhODIS) creates a unique genetic fingerprint for each sampled rhino, with blood, tissue, and horn samples collected for precise identification. These samples can even be used as evidence in court cases. Ear notching is combined with physical markings to help trackers and researchers monitor each rhino’s movements, interactions, health, and safety. Microchipping further aids in this vital work.
Elephants are occasionally immobilized to fit tracking collars and collect DNA samples for monitoring and research. These collars are crucial for tracking the movements of elephants within the reserve. Lapalala aims to restore the full spectrum of large mammals that historically roamed the Waterberg. In 2017, they reintroduced their first herd of elephants, followed by a second herd and several mature bulls in 2018 and 2019. Today, around 30 elephants thrive in the reserve, supported by research projects focused on sustainable population management.
At Lepogo Lodges, you can be part of these incredible conservation efforts, making memories that will last a lifetime while contributing to the preservation of Africa’s majestic wildlife.
Quick Facts:
Duration: 2-4 hours
Period: May to August for Rhino / All year for Elephant (dependent on management needs)
Minimum stay: 3 nights
Minimum age: 12 years
Cost: R 63 000 per game viewing vehicle (subject to change)
Protecting and Conserving Lepogo Lodges & Lepalala Wilderness
Lepogo Lodges is dedicated to preserving the environment, supporting local communities, and conserving wildlife for future generations. As a 100% non-profit venture, all profits go back into the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve, ensuring the continued enjoyment and thriving of wildlife and people in this incredible land.
White Rhino on the Lepalala Wilderness Reserve
Environment
Lepogo Lodges is committed to sustainability and minimizing environmental impact. As a carbon-neutral establishment, they have taken a sensitive approach to construction. At Noka Camp, villas and the main complex are built on small pads to avoid scarring the land. The lodges are "off-the-grid," with all electricity self-generated via a bespoke solar walkway. This setup powers amenities like heated pools, bathroom underfloor heating, Nespresso machines, and hair straighteners without further impacting the land.
Lepogo Lodges follows a Reduce-Reuse-Recycle principle. They avoid single-use plastics, using recycled materials for guest slippers and survival bags. Habitat conservation projects are actively undertaken, and they are producing honey and gin from local botanicals. The menu features sustainable produce, such as locally caught trout instead of imported salmon.
Carbon Offset Programme
Lepogo Lodges offsets every guest’s carbon footprint, from home departure to lodge arrival and return. They have developed an emissions calculator to accurately assess travel emissions. During their stay, guests can offset their carbon footprint by supporting one of several conservation projects.
Community Stove Project
As part of their offset programme, Lepogo Lodges launched the Community Stove Project in collaboration with the Lapalala Wilderness Schools Outreach Programme. High-efficiency stoves are donated to local communities, reducing wood consumption by up to 2.5 tonnes per household annually. This saves trees, reduces emissions, and lowers the health risks associated with traditional cooking methods.
SA Forest Trust
The South African Reforestation Trust enhances biodiversity by planting only indigenous tree species. This project aims to restore the natural forest landscape.
Stand for Trees
This global programme protects some of the world's most spectacular forest landscapes and the communities and wildlife that inhabit them. There are 16 conservation projects across Northern Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, DRC, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Madagascar, Brazil, Peru, and Colombia.
Community Engagement
Lepogo Lodges works with local communities to start businesses that supply the lodge and curio shop. They have helped start two businesses and support various community projects. Local artisans create soft toys, cushions, clothing, bed mats, and place mats for the lodge. Guests can also purchase unique hair oil, room spray, and amenities made by the Timola community.
Lepogo Lodges invests in community development by offering internships, work experience, and funding education and healthcare initiatives. They are building four classrooms and a kitchen at a local school and funding a mobile clinic to provide medical care to underserved communities.
Incredible Wildlife
Lepogo Lodges has introduced a cheetah and King Cheetah breeding and reintroduction programme. With Lepogo Lodges' support, the Lapalala Reserve is the only place in South Africa to see King Cheetahs in the wild. They also work closely with the TIKI Hywood Foundation to rehabilitate and re-release confiscated pangolins.
Lapalala is a leading private rhino sanctuary and home to the Big 5 in a malaria-free reserve. Several rare antelope species, once vanished from the area, are now thriving thanks to a successful reintroduction programme. Lepogo Lodges is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the natural habitat and wildlife resources. The expert safari guides, conservationists, and ecologists are eager to share their passion and knowledge with guests, making every stay at Lepogo Lodges a unique and enriching experience.
History of the Waterberg Region
Nestled in the heart of North Limpopo Province, South Africa, the Waterberg is a stunning mountainous region spanning approximately 654,033 hectares. This majestic massif features an average height of 600 meters, with some peaks soaring up to 2000 meters above sea level. Shaped over hundreds of millions of years by riverine erosion, the Waterberg boasts a diverse landscape of bluffs and buttes.
The area is rich in history, with archaeological finds dating back to the Stone Age. Nearby, early evolutionary discoveries provide fascinating insights into the origins of humans. In recognition of its unique ecological and historical significance, the Waterberg became the first region in northern South Africa to be designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Around two thousand years ago, the Bushmen made their way into the Waterberg, leaving behind fascinating rock paintings at Lapalala that include depictions of rhinoceros and antelope. Following them were the Bantu settlers of the Early Iron Age, who brought cattle to the region. This introduction of cattle led to significant ecological changes, reducing grasslands and allowing brush species to invade. The resulting outbreak of the Tse-Tse fly caused a devastating epidemic that depopulated the plains, though higher elevations remained unaffected as the fly couldn't survive above 600 meters.
The Waterberg's rich history continued with the arrival of Nguni settlers around 1300 AD. They brought with them advanced technologies, including the ability to construct dry-stone walls, some of which still stand today. Archaeologists are actively excavating the Waterberg to uncover more about the Nguni culture and their impressive architectural achievements.
Lepogo Lodges, located in the Lapalala Wilderness, is part of this historically and ecologically significant region. The reserve spans some 50,000 hectares within the Waterberg, making it a vital part of the area's conservation efforts. Lepogo Lodges is dedicated to preserving this pristine wilderness, ensuring that future generations can experience and appreciate the magnificent heritage of the Waterberg.
At Noka Camp, one of Lepogo Lodges' exquisite offerings, guests can immerse themselves in this extraordinary wilderness, enjoying luxury and tranquility while exploring the natural and historical wonders of the Waterberg.