How to get to Welgevonden
Aside from the draw of its luxurious lodges and pristine wilderness feel, Welgevonden is also one of South Africa’s most accessible reserves, just an easy 2.5-hour jaunt from Johannesburg and a little less from Pretoria.
If you’d rather fly, there are two airstrips in Welgevonden and it’s a mere 45-minute flight from Johannesburg. Or if you really want to arrive in style, there is also helipad access.
The 250km / 155mi road route from Johannesburg to the main gate is straightforward:
- Follow the N1 north towards Polokwane.
- Shortly after the Kranskop Toll Plaza, take the off-ramp onto the R33 towards Modimolle.
- Head straight through from Vaalwater on the R517 towards Ellisras.
- After 24km / 15mi on the R517 from Vaalwater you will see the main gate on your left.
On arrival at Welgevonden, no private vehicles are allowed inside the reserve; this helps minimise human impact. The lodge will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation.
Some lodges have a single, set pick-up time (usually at around noon, working on the assumption that you will leave Johannesburg or Pretoria after breakfast), though most of these can arrange for an alternate time at an additional fee. Other lodges have two pick-up times during the day. Be sure to confirm these details with your lodge before arrival at Welgevonden.
Google map co-ords to main gate: -24.274928, 28.052515
Degrees, Minutes & Seconds to main gate: S 24 16.499, E 28 03.149
