AUTHENTIC. EXCLUSIVE. PERSONAL.
WELCOME HOME (About Us)
Situated along the banks of the Mokolo River in the Malaria free, Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, this family-friendly Reserve has created a variety of unique visitor experiences around the awesome natural beauty of this 8,800 Ha (21,754 acre) reserve.
We are so much more than just a game reserve - with thirteen kilometres of water frontage along the biggest river in the Waterberg, with direct access to the biggest dam in the Waterberg, with the most space per person per hectare in the Waterberg, with the most pristine wilderness areas in the Waterberg, and with the most diverse landscapes.
Kaingo offers a truly unique combination of excellent nature viewing in unsurpassed scenery, with a diversity of indigenous fauna and flora, rolling plains and majestic cliffs.
It is one of the few reserves that can offer authentic accommodation and top notch service yet maintain the balance between the ecological integrity of the large natural landscape and the wellbeing of the animals throughout the year.
UPS AND DOWNS (The Landscape)
The Reserve offers large unspoilt wilderness areas where the discerning nature lover can experience the best of the Waterberg in its original state, and the only tracks are those made by indigenous animals in their natural habitat.
The Mokolo River, meaning "deep and silent" in the Tswana language, threads its way along its' thirteen kilometre route through the Reserve until it settles briefly in the Mokolo Dam, before continuing its timeless passage towards the mighty Limpopo River.
The mighty Mokolo river has left behind massive cliffs, sandy beaches, natural causeways, potholes and waterfalls, all surrounded by breath-taking beauty.
The diverse landscape with three distinct topographical areas -plains, valleys and hills, and mountains - is rich in natural beauty, natural history and never ending views, and hosts a diversity of indigenous fauna and flora.
TOUCH THE WILD (Game Viewing)
The reserve boasts a large variety of sought after game including leopard, lion, hyena, elephant and buffalo, while other naturally occurring wildlife species such as giraffe, kudu, zebra, wildebeest and impala roam the open plains.
There are a host of other creatures, many of which are to be seen at night, with honey badger, aardvark, pangolin, caracal, and porcupine often spotted on a regular basis.
Crocodile and the occasional hippo frequent the river and the dam, which also are home to a variety of fresh water fish including kurper, barb, yellowfish, catfish, tilapia and bass.
Our Guides are all highly qualified and have extensive experience in Big 5 reserves, and will ensure that your safari experience is unsurpassed.
Other Activities
In addition to offering game drives, wildlife and other natural history experiences, particular attention is given to activity based, adventure loving, comfort seeking, nature tourists who want to learn more about wildlife and those who appreciate the outdoors and the comfort of our home from home.
The birdlife is prolific and the reserve is a birdwatchers paradise with a variety of eagles, nightjars, sunbirds, flycatchers, bee-eaters, shrikes, starling, hoopoe, kingfisher, storks and too many others to mention.
Kaingo has created various Botanical Routes, where guests can either walk or be driven, by one of qualified guides, to view some of the magnificent flaural species that are found on the Reserve.
The Reserve is extremely rich in history, with many San and Pedi (Northern Sotho) rock art sites dating back to the dawn of man.
Where else on one exclusive Game Reserve can the discerning traveller participate in a myriad nature based tourism activities, such as birding, elephant tracking, fishing, 4x4 game drives, hiking, lion tracking, kloofing, star gazing, rock art tours, picnicking, swimming, walking, photographing or simply just relaxing in five star luxury while we do all the work?
SLEEP TIGHT (Accommodation)
The Main Lodge is situated in the centre of the Reserve and is a true oasis surrounded by bush and mountains. Our gem of the Bushveld is an ideal retreat for the more refined traveller who prefers an authentic, private and personal experience.
The Lodge on KaingoGame Reserve offers authentic lodging for both the local and international traveller.
The Lodge has, 12 Authentic Safari Rooms, catering for a maximum of 24 guests. Each air-conditioned room is equipped with tea and coffee making facilities, an electronic safe, a mini bar fridge and hairdryer. The rooms also offer a choice of satellite television channels.
Exclusivity is a Reality
The Lodge can also be taken on an exclusive use basis, whereby a single party has private use of the entire lodge, game viewers and all facilities.
TASTE THE GOOD LIFE (Dining)
The Deck
The Deck is where you will find our restaurant, coffee bar, private lounge and library, bar and pool deck. This is the ideal place to relax after a hectic day in the bush and spend some intimate moments with your family and friends.
Whether you want a light snack or a slap-up meal, the Deck at Ka'Ingo is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Our restaurant features indigenous and rich flavours of Africa, with meals available throughout the day.
A choice of English or Continental Breakfast is available daily, light meals are served all day, and scrumptious dinners offer wide variety of meals from exotic game meats, roasts, barbecues, stir-fries, Indian cuisine, or vegetarian dishes
You can also enjoy a casual meal on our deck, pool side, or in your room.
Our à la carte dinner menu changes frequently, according to seasonality and availability of locally sourced fresh ingredients: venison from the local butcher and vegetables from growers in the area.
Garden Picnics
Ask the Chef, and he will prepare a picnic basket for you to enjoy, lying on a blanket under one of the many trees in our beautiful garden.
Alternatively, speak to our Head Guide, and you will be whisked away to enjoy your picnic at one of the many unbelievably beautiful spots found on the Reserve.*
Boma Dinners
Our Chef will spoil you with a sumptuous offering of fire-grilled meats, traditional "pap en sous", a selection of pot-cooked vegetables and freshly made salads, followed by the super sweet "malva pudding" and other delicious desserts.
Drinks
Our wine and beverage selection offers the best from South African wine estates, or one can enjoy freshly ground coffees, hot chocolate or a cappuccino at our coffee bar.
Because the produce we source is always the freshest and the best, our menu changes frequently.
LET'S MEET (Groups and Conferences)
Kaingo's convenient location, only 3 hours from Gauteng and a mere 45 minutes by aircraft, ensures its popularity not only as a conference venue, but also as an ideal incentive group destination and package tour combination.
Here, excellent service, in a spectacular bush setting go hand-in-hand to create a unique location for any executive conference. Surrounded by nature and wildlife, conference delegates, incentive tour members and corporate guests are removed from the stresses and strains of everyday life
Our small conference facility can cater for conferences up to 12 guests and offers total exclusivity for any conference or meeting.
WHO ARE WE? (Our Staff)
Kaingo employs a team of dedicated and qualified professionals, who are passionate about ensuring that this pristine game reserve remains one of the most beautiful, unspoilt and bio-diverse in the Waterberg, and to guarantee that the range of tourism products have a minimal impact on the ecology of the reserve.
We will always offer a warm and friendly guest-centric approach, with ever attentive yet unobtrusive, staff that always give that little extra in their service delivery.
WE CARE (Management Principles)
Declared a protected area, Kaingo Game Reserve is run along pure, sustainable management and development principles, with an exceptionally low development and tourist footprint offering unrivalled exclusivity and privacy.
Unlike most commercial game reserves which develop their product to satisfy short-term game viewing demands by introducing large numbers of non-indigenous and exotic species, which results in degraded ecologies and stressed wildlife, Kaingo Game Reserve has taken a longer-term approach by employing ethical management practices and sound conservation principals.
To balance the ecological integrity of the large natural landscape that encompasses all eco types that the Waterberg offer, the wellbeing of the animals throughout the year, and still to be able to offer a well-balanced and natural eco-experience for our visitors, the reserves’ carrying capacity is carefully monitored and sustained in a natural way, by fostering only indigenous faunal and floral species.
ABOUT THE WATERBERG
The Waterberg (Northern Sotho: ThabaMeetse) is a mountainous massif of approximately 14,500 square kilometers in north Limpopo Province, South Africa. The average height of the mountain range is 600 m with a few peaks rising up to 1400 m above sea level.
Vaalwater town is located just north of the mountain range. The extensive rock formation was shaped by hundreds of millions of years of riverine erosion to yield diverse bluff and butte landform.[2] The ecosystem can be characterised as a dry deciduous forest or Bushveld. Within the Waterberg there are archaeological finds dating to the Stone Age, and nearby are early evolutionary finds related to the origin of humans.
Waterberg (ThabaMeetse) is the first region in the northern part of South Africa to be named as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
WHERE ARE WE? (Directions and Access)
The Reserve is easily accessible, being less than three hour's drive from OR Tambo International Airport, Sandton, Johannesburg or Pretoria on an excellent road. For the more adventurous, it is less than an hour's flight to our fully fenced, 1200 m grassed airstrip.
Map & Directions: Please see our Directions below.
Game Department Activities: Exclusive use drives, extended drives, bush dining (picnic, breakfast, lunch, dinner) guided walks, supplement feeding experience, rock art tours, fishing, tracking, mountain biking
Dining Experiences: private dining, additional snacks, drinks, picnics, other excluded meals.
MEALS INCLUDED
Breakfast: Full English and Continental breakfast is served each morning from 07:00 until 10:00.
Lunch: Is served daily from 12:30 until 14:00
High Tea: High tea will be served daily at 16:00 (subject to minimum numbers)
Dinner: Dinner is served daily from 19:00 until 21:00
MEALS EXCLUDED
Snacks and light meals are available from our all day snack menu, which operates from 10:00 until 19:00, at an additional charge.
Picnics: Picnic baskets are available by prior arrangement. Picnics may be enjoyed under the trees around the Lodge, or in the bush or on one of the beaches, accompanied by a Field Guide, by prior arrangement.
Private Dining: Meals may be enjoyed in the privacy of your room, by prior arrangement.
Please note: There is limited room service available.
ACCESSIBILITY
There is limited access for guests with mobility disabilities, as access to our restaurant, bar and to all our rooms require climbing stairs.
Should you or any of your fellow travellers have a problem climbing steps, please notify us when making a reservation, so that we may allocate a room closest to the facilities.
STRICTLY NO PETS ALLOWED
STRICTLY NO FIRE ARMS ALLOWED ON THE RESERVE
CHILDREN'S POLICY
Children are welcome at Kaingo, however in order for us to ensure the comfort of all guests, we have implemented a Children's Policy.
Whilst this may appear strict, we can relax the policy should circumstances permit. For example, should there be no other guests in in camp, or should a guest book a private drive (at an additional cost), then we will be more lenient with game drives.
All rooms at Kaingo only allow for a maximum of two people sharing, although children under the age of two years, who sleep in a cot, may occupy the room with their parents. No extra beds will be permitted in rooms.
We have two rooms that is interleading. If this is available a family of four will be able to share this.
Children under the age of six years of age will not be permitted on a standard game drive (safari). A separate, shorter duration game drive for children under the age of six years of age can be arranged, out of standard game drive viewing times.