When I was younger, my parents would take our family on little road trips out into the bush. Whether it was running along the river, hurling clay at each other or getting lost amid the endless veld on a 10km hike, I came to associate nature with family and connection.
Arriving at Finfoot Lake Reserve, 170km from Johannesburg, with a group of strangers and no parents in sight, I wasn’t sure what would define this experience. As it turns out, nature and adventure can foster connection among even the most disparate of people.
WELCOME TO THE WILD
Set in the tranquil Greater Pilanesberg in the North West province, the reserve is just a 90-minute drive from Johannesburg. We were greeted by one of the reserve’s young rangers, Lungisi Kweayama, who welcomed us with chilled orange juice. Conversations sparked immediately — excitement for the game drive and Segway safari, and mild trepidation about early morning canoeing.
While the reserve spans a large area, it quickly became clear that its true charm lies not in its size but in its sense of intimacy. A five-minute stroll to my chalet revealed how community-driven the place feels. With just four rangers and a small team running the kitchen and facilities, you get to know the staff well over the course of your stay.
The lodge offers 26 chalets, a luxury self-catering villa, and three luxury tents, all a short stroll to the Vaalkop Dam. The chalets are a lesson in the comfort of simplicity: a large king-size bed, a small wardrobe, a tea-and-coffee station and an en-suite bathroom. In a country where electricity falters and water can vanish with little warning, the simplest pleasures feel sacred. A soft, deliciously warm bed on a crisp winter morning or the much-needed heat of a bonfire shared with good company can silence the endless noise of this information age.
PADDLES, PEDALS AND PAUSE
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Adventure is always within reach at the reserve, and Finfoot caters to bush enthusiasts of all kinds. Fishing, clay pigeon shooting, hiking, mountain biking and kayaking offer plenty of action, while the spa, game drives, bush walks, barge cruises and Segway safaris invite you to slow down and savour the wilderness.
Early on Saturday, our group set out to go kayaking on one of the reserve’s smaller lakes. Our ranger, Christiaan Jordaan, who had taken us on a game drive the evening before, carried a calm, confident presence that eased some guests' nerves about tipping into the chilly water and taking an unwelcome swim.
It was a serene experience, drifting across the still surface of the lake, listening to Jordaan point out the birds that call the reserve home. I’d only ever heard the piercing call of an African fish eagle before, so spotting one gliding across the sky was a breathtaking moment.
WHEELS ON THE WILD SIDE
The reserve is home to over 300 bird species, nine graceful giraffes and a host of other animals, from zebra and wildebeest to shy buck and curious warthogs, all of which you might glimpse during a game drive, bush walk or Segway safari.
The Segway safari was a highlight, pulling childlike giggles out of all of us as we (at first, very cautiously) hummed along the winding dirt roads. By the time we reached the paved entryway on our way back, no-one wanted to get off. We spent a few extra minutes looping around the drop-off point, reluctant to let go of the fun.
After a day of exploration, we returned to our chalets before gathering for dinner at Finfoot Restaurant. Both breakfast and dinner are served buffet-style, with a generous spread to suit all appetites. Slow-cooked oxtail so tender it fell off the bone, zesty salads bursting with colour and a smoky South African braai showed off the kitchen team’s skill and heart. Everything was served with warmth.
A MOMENT TO BREATHE
As I sat in front of the crackling bonfire, chasing the chill from my bones, I had to remind myself to take a long, deep breath. To pause and appreciate the stillness. To savour the starlit sky and the chirping crickets hidden in the veld. It brought to mind a line often attributed — though some say wrongly — to Irish poet William Butler Yeats: “There are no strangers here, only friends you haven’t met yet.”
Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a couple seeking solitude, or a city-dwelling family craving offline connection, Finfoot offers something worth rediscovering, be it bird calls, bush walks or simply your breath.
RATES: From R2,680 per night for two people and activities from R145 per person. See dreamresorts.co.za/hotels-resorts/finfoot-lake-reserve for more information.
