Leshiba Wilderness In Summary

• Leshiba Wilderness is a 2500 hectare game and nature reserve located on top of the Soutpansberg Mountains in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.
• Leshiba has been certified by Fair Trade in Tourism in South Africa
• This is one of South Africa’s most bio-diverse environments and is home to a range of flora and fauna, many of which are rare and endangered
• Animals at Leshiba include white rhino, leopard, giraffe and most species of antelope
• Leshiba's birdlife includes nesting pairs of Black and Crowned Eagles eagles, Bat Hawks, the rare Narina Trogon and Knysna and Purplecrested Turacos, along with 255 other species
• Authentic Venda design and artwork make the experience uniquely African

Advisory

• Children 12 years and older welcome at the Venda Village Lodge and younger children subject to special arrangement.
• Children of all ages welcome at Hamasha self-catering bushcamp.
• Leshiba is unfortunately not that suitable for wheelchairs due to its very undulating terrain

Accommodation and facilities

Venda Village Lodge

• 5 thatched huts with original works of Venda art
• The village sleeps 9 – 2dbls, 2 twins, 1 single suitable for guide/child
• All have en-suite bathrooms (shower only)
• Thatched dining lapa overlooking the valley
• Deck with sunken fire pit and swimming pool
• Lounge with fireplace and beautiful views
• The village has an outdoor bathroom hut with an oval stone bath with a magnificent view and sculpted indoor and outdoor showers by artist Noria Mabasa
• Interactive African kitchen

Mwedzi (Moon) and Duvha (Sun) Luxury Suites

• Two luxury suites with views across the valley
• Secluded units with bedroom, dining room and lounge
• Each has an en-suite bathroom with a bath and double showers
• Outdoor shower
• Plunge pool
• The suites are also available on a self catering basis
• Fully equipped kitchen
• All food and beverages must be brought with you if self-catering!

Hamasha Bushcamp

• Remote eight-bedded bush camp, 5 kms. from Main Lodge
• Two separate units, each having two bedrooms
• Every bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower,
• Central braai area
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Adjoining lounge / dining room
• The camp is run off gas and paraffin
• Hamasha has no swimming pool but during summer there are rock pools below the Camp
• This camp is set approximately 5 km from reception and is self catering only.

Leshiba Centre of Indigenous Knowledge

• The Centre can sleep a maximum of 28 people sharing, made up of 2 twin rooms with bathrooms en suite, 6 other rooms as twins or they can be configured for 4 persons in bunk beds. It is however more comfortable if the double bunks are replaced with single beds resulting in 16 people being accommodated. The 6 rooms have two bathrooms one for each sex, with 2 shower units, with toilets and washbasins, in each
• It has been built with traditional mud and clay bricks
• There are 3 large rondavels divided into two, each sleeping 4 people (or two as discussed above) and two outside bathrooms with showers and toilets.
• A fourth rondavel has en suite facilities for both rooms and sleeps two each in either room.
• A large open plan thatched ‘hall’ with kitchen, lounge / dining and surrounding verandah offers a place to relax and interact.
• The Centre is solar powered and grey water is filtered into a nearby dam, which attracts game to the immediate area.
• All the systems have been designed to be eco-friendly and self -sustainable.

Activities

• Ten marked walking trails weave along cliff faces, down gorges and through the plains. Guests can wander freely amongst the rhino and other wildlife.
• There are rock pools to explore and swim in summer.
• Champagne breakfasts in Tolkiens forest
• Guided walks to Bushman rock art sites
• Game drives
• Mountain biking is permitted but guests need to bring their own bikes
• Horse riding for intermediate and experienced riders
• Game-viewing.

Community and Social Responsibility

Leshiba has been certified by Fair Trade in Tourism in South Africa.

Venda Culture and Heritages

Leshiba is committed to preserving and encouraging the culture and heritage of the indigenous Venda people. For example, its artworks include massive snakes carved out of wood, sculpted statues and ceramic urns are some of the pieces that adorn Leshiba. Many of the artist works are world renowned, including Noria Mabasa who transformed the Venda Village into a sculpted wonderland.

Leshiba, in conjunction with the local Venda Community established its Centre for Indigenous Knowledge to research, develop and promote the rich culture and heritage of the people of the area. This facility is open to everyone interested in the area and its people with the purpose of creating a cross-cultural dialogue. The Centre is set to become a “think tank” to secure indigenous knowledge and emerging technologies in fields as diverse as music, dance, healing, traditional medicine, medicinal plant harvesting, traditional building, agriculture, wood carving, rock art, pottery, oratory, textiles, dress-making and beadwork. When not used for the above it is available as a unique conferencing centre as evidenced by the international Biomimicry conference held there in 2009.

General Information 

Bar Purchases

All beverages are for the guests account with one bottle of complimentary wine per group

Children

All children are welcome but in the lodge any children under the age of 12 must be by special arrangement. As our lodges are in wildlife areas, children should be under the care of a parent/guardian at all times.

Communications

There is very limited cell phone reception for Vodacom and Cell C but no MTN reception. We have a landline at reception in case of emergencies.

Contact details

Leshiba reservations +27 (0) 11 483 1841

Lodge +27 (0) 15 593 0076

leshiba@leshiba .co.za

www.leshiba.co.za

Credit cards

Only Mastercard and Visa credit cards are accepted. No Debit Cards may be accepted

Dietary requirements

Brunch, tea and dinner are served, and our cuisine is African-western fusion. We will also cater to special dietary requirements wherever possible

Drinking water

Tap water is safe to drink at Leshiba

Electricity

There is no Eskom electricity at LESHIBA. The lodge and the 2 luxury suites and standard suites have solar power. The HAMASHA BUSH CAMP has a gas lighting and appliance system. Fire Hydrants Fire extinguishers are placed conveniently throughout all the facilities.

Gratuities

If you are satisfied with the service you have received, any gratuity that you may wish to leave for the staff will be greatly appreciated. We pool all these gifts of appreciation and divide them equally. This is entirely at your discretion. Any currency is acceptable but please note that local banks do not change foreign coins. We do accept Master and Visa credit cards for gratuities.

Immigration formalities and visa requirements

Please contact the relevant authorities to confirm current visa requirements and to ensure that travel documents are in order for the countries travelled through to get to us. It is important to ensure that arrival and departure times coincide with border times.

Languages

• English
• Afrikaans

Malaria

Leshiba is not known as a risk area for malaria.

Swimming Towels

We provide kikois around the pool.