epogo Lodges, situated in South Africa’s Limpopo Province and one of Africa’s few entirely … [+]
Lepogo Lodges, situated in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, is one of Africa’s few entirely non-for-profit safari lodges. Lepogo Lodges has proudly announced the successful reintroduction of cheetahs and buffalo into the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve. Blending opulent luxury with an immersive appreciation of the African wilderness, Lepogo Lodges provides an exceptional safari encounter where the awe-inspiring “magnificent seven” freely roam.
With an unwavering dedication to community development, and preservation of the beautiful surroundings for its inhabitants, Lepogo incorporates environmentally friendly practices into every aspect of their operations. This includes the successful reintroduction of a herd of buffalo and a number of endangered cheetah into the reserve.
Lepogo Lodges’ Noka Camp is situated within the Lapala Game Reserve – on the banks of the Palala … [+]
With an inspiring commitment to the protection of these native animals, Lepogo is honoured to play a vital role in their preservation for future generations. The Lapalala Wilderness is now also on its third generation of lions, following another successful reintroduction program, and wild dog pups, another very endangered species, have been born in the reserve too.
Surrounded by 50,000 hectares of wilderness, strict building regulations ensure that no more than three commercial lodges will be built in the reserve – providing wildlife with an abundance of untouched and undistributed land to roam, and guests with private and peaceful sightings. Lepogo’s commitment to preserving the pristine landscapes and protecting the abundant wildlife proves that luxury and sustainability can exist harmoniously – offering guests the epitome of responsible travel.
Designed sensitively so that only 1% of the build touches the land, Lepogo is the first luxury lodge … [+]
A family-run business and developed to create an exceptional conservation legacy, Lepogo is entirely energy self-sufficient and one of the first luxury camps in Africa to fully offset every guest’s carbon footprint from the moment they leave their house to the time they return – in support of local community and conservation projects. Currently, Lepogo Lodges consists of one lodge, Noka Camp, sleeping up to 12 guests and featuring five stilted villas perched atop a 100 foot cliff with stunning views of the Palala River below. Melote House, Lepogo’s second property and designed for exclusive use, sleeping up to 16, will open in January 2024.
Preserving the cheetah is at the very heart of Lepogo Lodges, with the name ‘Lepogo’ derived from … [+]
Cheetah Reintroduction
Preserving the cheetah is at the very heart of Lepogo Lodges, with the name ‘Lepogo’ derived from the Sotho word for cheetah. Land’s fastest animal, cheetahs are considered a cherished emblem of Africa’s wildlife heritage but are facing numerous challenges in the wild are now highly endangered – largely due to human activity threatening their habitats.
Since opening in 2019, Lepogo Lodges has supported multiple cheetah reintroductions, with ongoing and extensive research, and was delighted that this past year saw two cheetah cubs born in the reserve become fully independent – highlighting the success of the reintroduction program. Guests of Lepogo are fortunate enough to not only witness cheetahs in their natural habitat while on game drives and walking safaris, but also to learn about the sponsorship of ongoing conservation projects first-hand from the lodge’s expert guides.
Kate Hughes, Operations Director of Lepogo Lodges comments, “We have always loved and been fascinated by the cheetah, with its natural grace, elegance and incredible speed. The fact that these beautiful animals are now so endangered struck a chord with us and before we even opened, we pledged to do whatever we could to help in their conservation and protection, which forms the ethos of our lodge.”
Herd of African Buffalo
Buffalo Reintroduction
This spring, Lepogo Lodges also sponsored the reintroduction of a herd of 50 buffalo and four bulls into the reserve – another key move in the conservation of pre-existing wildlife. Buffalo play a very important role in regenerating the land by providing the soil with more nutrients and protecting the longevity of the reserve – where grazing resources vary considerably across the vast landscape. The grazing habits of the buffalo, an animal that is constantly on the move, ensure that the nutrients are equally distributed and as bulk grazers, the animals open up the grass areas for other species too.
