Mongena Private Game Reserve

24/08/2026

Early prediction is in for this weekend’s second Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test Match 🏉

Lima Sopoaga Kevin Richardson and All Blacks supporters joined us this morning for important conservation work on two of Africa’s most iconic and threatened animals.

24/08/2026

This morning, Lima Sopoaga exchanged his All Black jersey for a khaki shirt as he and a group of All Blacks supporters joined us in undertaking crucial conservation work on a black rhino and an elephant bull. Both animals were darted and safely woke up after the necessary work was carried out.

23/08/2026

The DGR F2 cheetah female and her 4 cubs are thriving and have reached the 6 month mark and have become a highlight during our drives the past few weeks with regular sightings.

The survival of these cubs is a remarkable turnaround for this cheetah female, considering she had lost her previous litter to the Tembe lionesses late last year.

Video by Andrew Bourne

19/08/2026

19/08/2026

We had the privilege of sharing our part of the world with members of the All Blacks and introducing them to the incredible wildlife that calls Mongena home.

Amongst the memorable sightings during the game drive, the highlights included the dominant Welgevonden male lion, the DGR F2 cheetah female with her four cubs, as well as hippo, white rhino and giraffe.

12/08/2026

At Mongena, there is much more to your stay with us than a standard game drive.

From walking through the bush with experienced guides, to exploring Mongena Dam by boat, each activity offers a different way to experience the reserve.

Spend time observing wildlife from our underground photography hide, learn more about the conservation work taking place on the reserve, or slow down and discover the smaller details of the bush on foot.

Each experience reveals a different layer of the bush and the wildlife that calls Mongena home.

07/08/2026

A somewhat unusual sighting from this week when Field Guide Cheyenne and her guests followed the Northern Pride female and found her close to Mongena Main Lodge.

The old lioness, the only surviving lion from the first four lions introduced back in 2011, entered the cold water of a small dam and reappeared with a drenched and old bushbuck carcass.

Lions are opportunistic scavengers and the carcass proved to be an easy meal for the old lady. Her behaviour over the past weeks suggests she is increasingly targeting easier prey and food sources.

Video by .hearted.adventures

04/08/2026

he break-away Nkawu female and her sub-adult cubs were spotted on the plains next to the Barnhouse early morning where they were eating on a blue wildebeest kill.

We suspect that they hunted the wildebeest in the early hours of the morning. Unlike his cousin, this young male is still being tolerated by the Welgevonden Male.

The sub-adult lions of the break-away Nkawu lioness are about four months younger than their cousins.

31/07/2026

A successful hunt played out on the plains in front of Mongena Main Lodge as the Nkawu lioness took down a kudu cow.

Her sub-adult daughters and the Welgevonden Male were close by and joined her shortly afterwards to share in the spoils.

Video by Michael Lombard

29/07/2026

Introducing the Jackal & Hide, Mongena’s new underground photography hide.

Built in collaboration with Kevin Richardson and Cameron Scott, the hide has been designed to offer an eye-level view of a waterhole in one of the Reserve’s most wildlife-rich areas.

The hide seats up to eight guests, is fully solar powered, and is positioned to make the most of the soft light during the early mornings and late afternoons.

Hide sessions are three hours long (including transfers to and from the hide) and are available to both in-house guests and day visitors. Guests staying at one of Mongena’s camps receive a discounted rate.

For more information, please visit Safari Experiences on our website. https://www.mongena.co.za/safari-experiences/