Zebras Crossing Very Private Game Lodge – Relax Among Wildlife – In Africa and Beyond African Travel

Zebras Crossing Very private game shelter

“”Africa remains in the realm of the magical. It is a place of spectacular beauty and unpredictable passion. “ Sean Frazer

We trudged up the winding mountain paths that were surrounded by lush thicket. In the bushes in front of us, a herd of impalas sprinted past us like an illusion. We turned a bend and came across a giraffe looming over us. He eyed us curiously for a few minutes and then sauntered back into the woods. We continued on the gravel path flanked by pretty wildflowers. The view of the valley below grew smaller and smaller until we went down to the shimmering rock pools. It was the ideal place to catch your breath and relax.

Giraffe family

On the way back to the lodge we came across another giraffe, while some blesboks and wildebeests were looking at us from behind the bushes and a baboon was watching from a tree. Back at the lodge, the zebras were grazing near the swimming pool. They were often there with the giraffes and sometimes the impalas and ostriches.

Zebras Crossing

The scene of this wild animal utopia was the Zebras Crossing Very Private Game Lodge, hidden in the malaria-free Waterberg Mountains, a little more than 2 hours from Johannesburg. Understandably, it is one of the highest rated lodges by travelers in the Waterberg on TripAdvisor. On 300 hectares of bushland, it offers space for 16 people in six comfortable suites – which makes it very private indeed.

Land Rover outside the main lodge

Spaces

Promise, the pleasant lodge manager who has been at the lodge since its inception over twenty years ago and jointly owns it, gave us a warm welcome on arrival. Our temperatures were checked and we were given hand sanitizer. The sprawling space was great for social distancing as well as others Covid-19 protocols were also available.

Master bedroom

Each suite has its own bathroom and an outdoor shower. Two of them are family suites and children of all ages are welcome. Our family suite has a master bedroom and bathroom on the lower level and a twin bedroom in the loft for the kids. Cozy bathrobes and blankets with crosswalks were provided. A personal welcome note and some delicious snacks awaited us. As convenient as it was, when we weren’t sleeping or eating, we spent most of our time outdoors.

The loft

We loved watching the zebras and giraffes graze on the plains surrounding the lodge. It is surrounded by hills and forests where they – and other wildlife – roam free. Since there are no predators or other dangerous creatures, the area is ideal for hiking. Hiking is our new favorite thing to do and it was wonderful to have such wonderful trails literally on our doorstep. The lodge has five well-marked hiking trails, three of which we did during our stay. The best part was encountering wildlife unexpectedly.

Outside shower

The open main lodge has dining and lounge areas as well as a wraparound veranda. Free WiFi is available here. There is a reading nook in the attic with a small library that has some interesting readings in case you forgot to bring one. I fell in love with one of them!

Main lodge

There is a lovely pool with lounge chairs where you can be accompanied by the zebras. You can also play table tennis in the game room or play board and card games. My daughter enjoyed the library while my son had fun with table tennis. Children are welcome to bring their bikes to the lodge. One afternoon Promise took us on a bumpy game drive into the mountains, and we stopped at a panoramic lookout for sundowners while we enjoyed the view.

The swimming pool (see zebras on the other side?)

We got three meals a day plus afternoon tea and cake. Lunches were light and refreshing, but dinners were hearty three-course affairs. The meals were accompanied by delicious homemade breads. As it was the middle of winter, log fires were lit for us, but in summer you can dine outside.

We enjoyed some of the meals

As much as I love Big Five safaris, it’s more about the excitement than the serenity of the early morning game drives and late dinners. At Zebras Crossing, you can relax while the wildlife comes to you. Relax by the pool, in the hammocks or on the bush bed in the forest – or even in your cozy room.

The bush bed

The staff is attentive yet unobtrusive, the surroundings are magical, and the location is ideal for a weekend away from big cities or a stop on the way to or from a Big Five safari. The size makes it perfect for small family and friends gatherings, team building getaways, intimate weddings, and wellness retreats. You can easily book the entire lodge exclusively for your party at Prices that won’t break the bank . It is an idyllic place to escape from everyday life and immerse yourself in nature. In the end, it will feel like a home away from home.

hammock

For more information, visit Zebras Crossing Very private game shelter.

Here are some highlights of our stay.

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