Led by expert rangers who are passionate about wildlife, daily game drives reveal the incredible biodiversity of the Waterberg and make your moment in the South African sun feel memorable. The animals are why guests come to Hippo Lakes. Everything else, the accommodations, the food, the landscape, deepens the experience. But it is what happens out on the reserve that stays with people long after they leave.
Game drives form the heart of the Hippo Lakes experience. Most days include at least one game drive, and often two, depending on the rhythm of the week and any additional experiences selected.
Drives take place in open safari vehicles, moving through the reserve at the pace the landscape sets.
Guests move through changing areas of the reserve, from open plains to wooded sections and water’s edge, with each drive shaped by wildlife movement, time of day, and the instincts of the ranger guiding the route.
No two drives are the same. Some begin in cool morning air when the reserve feels especially active. Others unfold later in the day as the light softens and the landscape changes character.
Hippo Lakes is home to a wonderful mix of wildlife with over 100 species (and counting). If you join an off-site Big Game Drive, you can also add lion and elephant to your list, giving you the full Big Five experience alongside the buffalo already at Hippo Lakes.
Expand the safari experience by touring a different reserve environment, where the chances of seeing lions and elephants increase.
Guests have the opportunity to meet these gentle giants up close, interact with them, and learn more about their intelligence, personalities, and care.
One of the most memorable experiences at Hippo Lakes. It follows an evening drive and brings guests together outdoors for an authentic South African BBQ beneath the night sky.
Sky Safari offers a bird’s-eye perspective of Hippo Lakes and the surrounding reserve, sweeping over plains, waterways, and wildlife-rich areas that feel very different when seen from the air.
Bush walks offer a more intimate connection with nature by slowing the pace and bringing attention to the details that are easy to miss from a vehicle.
A signature Hippo Lakes experience, the Tabletop Mountain Sundowner brings guests to a scenic vantage point for drinks and snacks as the sky turns gold and crimson across the bush.
With five distinct fishing decks, Hippo Lakes offers angling opportunities for all levels.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply appreciate a well-chosen glass, our guided tastings offer an unhurried way to wind down after a day in the bush.
From restorative massages to targeted body treatments, Hippo Lakes’ spa services are the perfect complement to days spent in the wild.