Termite-mound pizza & starry sleepouts: the magic of Jembisa
I’ve visited the Waterberg, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a few times in the last 18 months and each time I return, I enjoy it more.
I had heard great things about Jembisa and decided to book a couple of nights there for my son’s 8th birthday last month. I knew that it was well known for being a great place for families, but the experience we had there exceeded my expectations.
If you want to see the big five, then Jembisa is not for you. They have no dangerous animals on the reserve. However, if you want to connect with your family and nature in authentic and unexpected ways, this is definitely the place for you.
The lodge is a converted family home, and it truly feels like one, only better. The comfort, the service, the garden, the views, and the setting are all wonderful, yet you never feel as though you’re in a formal five-star hotel where you’re afraid to leave your kids’ shoes lying around or worry about keeping them quiet.
We arrived for lunch, and as we sat in the garden, I felt all the pressure of the week dissipate. The staff were extremely thoughtful and flexible, and the entire weekend was centred around us and what we wanted to do. What a privilege and the ultimate luxury! The activities they planned for us were exceptional – from eating pizza in the bush (cooked in an unused termite mound!) to learning about animal tracks, seeking scorpions with a UV light and fishing in the Palala River. It was the perfect blend of activity and rest.
On our last night, the staff at Jembisa set up a bush braai (barbeque) for us. The night sky was clear and the stars shone brilliantly. We didn’t get to do the sleepout under the stars, but it’s something I’d love to do on another visit. Having no dangerous animals on the reserve means that it’s very safe to do bush sleep outs, nature walks and outdoor dining. These activities are all fun and foster a deeper connection to the world around us.
Our children enjoyed exploring the garden and playing with the two very well-behaved dogs, Milo and Astro. The staff were wonderfully good with them too, taking time to speak to them and play with them.
To me, happy children make a happy family holiday! I’m certain that your children will be happy at Jembisa too! If you’re planning a family trip to South Africa, I highly suggest combining Jembisa with a Big 5 reserve to experience the best of the bushveld.
If you’d like help curating the perfect family holiday in Africa, we are here to help.
Happy travelling,
Diana
P.S. We’ve launched the second season of the Leopard podcast! If you want to unwind and explore Africa without leaving your armchair, visit Spotify or our YouTube channel to listen to interviews with lodge owners from vastly different wild spaces, from Zambia to the Seychelles.
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