Luxury game lodge in sunny North West

Thaba Phuti, a luxury game lodge, is situated 30 km from Rustenburg and close to the Magaliesburg village. Stylish accommodation is provided, combined with gourmet meals. Excellent facilities are available, including a sparkling pool, elegant restaurant, sport bar, cocktail bar, lounge, conference centre, laundry, and DSTV. Visitors to the luxury game lodge delight in the warm climate, diverse vegetation and animal life of the province.

Cultural heartland

The strikingly beautiful province is home to friendly and warm people from a number of cultures. Art and culture is part of every day life and can be seen in the way the they prepare food, how they dress, furnish their homes, and tell stories. Tswana, Ndbele, Sotho, and Zulu ethnic groups have populated the province. Apart from this, there is a little German town called Kroondal, traditional Afrikaner homes, and several colonial establishments.

Warm climate of the province

The summers are hot with temperatures ranging between 21 and 36 degrees Celsius. Fortunately for guests at the Thaba Phuti luxury game lodge, late afternoon thunderstorms bring much needed relief. The winter months have mild to warm day temperatures that range between 14 and 22 degrees Celsius from May to July. Temperatures can however drop to as little as 3 degrees Celsius in the middle of the winter.

Visitors and especially eco-tourists and adventure lovers, should take steps to protect themselves against the harsh rays of the African sun. The province is however, visited mainly for real African bush adventures and it is the warm, arid climate which is exceptional. The many water sport and recreation amenities in the province are thus a true blessing.

Plant and animal life

The largest part of the North West is located in the Savannah Bushveld. Only a third of the province forms part of the Grassland area, made up of dry areas and different types of grass.

There are ten vegetation types that all fall within the thorn, bushveld and grassland divisions. The climate and vegetation varies from the eastern to the western parts of the province. The western part of North West has thorn and shrub related bushveld vegetation, while the eastern part has mixed vegetation.

Several plant species are unique to the province. The Aloe peglerae that grows on the Magaliesberg is an example. Many of South Africa's endangered species such as the leopard, Cape vulture, and wild dogs are found in the province.

Between 2 and 3 % of the province falls in protected zones, including the nature reserves, parks and the Magaliesberg Mountain Range. It is however, still far below the required total. There are ten formal conservation areas and numerous game farms in the province. The luxury game lodge Thaba Phuti is also located on a private game farm adjacent to the Duikerbult game reserve. Mainly antelope such as kudu and duiker species are conserved in these areas. The sable, springbok, rhino and buffalo are also protected on some of the game farms.

Commercial fishing is limited and most of the fish stock is conserved for the pleasure of anglers. Yellow fish, carp, bass, and kurper are some of the freshwater fish that can be found in the dams and rivers.

Most of the surface water in the province is in dams and rivers. Since water is a scarce commodity in the province, preservation and strict regulation is needed. The main rivers are the Hex, Molopo, Crocodile, Vaal, and Elands river.

Considering the dryness of the western region, it is surprising that there are so many wetlands in the province. One of the wetlands called Barberspan has gained worldwide status as a sanctuary for migrating birds.

Water pollution by mines is at present a major concern as it threatens the already scarce and valuable resource. It is feared that the number of indigenous plants, birds, and mammals will decline if the pollution doesn't stop.

Visitors to the Thaba Phuti luxury game lodge will remember their wonderful and adventurous stay in the North West for years to come. The biodiversity, warm climate, magnificent places, and people cannot be found anywhere else in the world.