Mongena Private Game Reserve

Mongena Private Game Reserve Private Big 5 Game Reserve with four unique safari lodges, just one hour from Johannesburg, within the Greater Dinokeng Game Reserve.
(1921)

Mongena Private Game Reserve is situated in the malaria-free, north-western section of the greater Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve near Hammanskraal. It is accessible by tarred main road or tarred private airstrip – a convenient 40 minutes drive north of Pretoria. It consists of four safari lodges, each with their own unique style:

Mongena Main Lodge can sleep 63 people, has a stylish bar and is open to day visitors for game drives and to enjoy a meal at the famous Kingfisher Restaurant. Little Mongena Tented Camp is a fully catered lodge and accommodates 20 people in luxury safari tents with en-suite bathrooms. It has sweeping views over largest dam in the game reserve, Mongena Dam. Tandala Trails Camp sleeps 12 people in two-person tents and is aimed at those that enjoy being closer to nature. Self-catering and catered options are available. The Barnhouse is a self-catering, exclusive, off-the-grid house situated in an exclusive part of the game reserve. It sleeps five people and is aimed at groups that want to reconnect with nature.

07/10/2026

This young serval has been seen regularly over the past couple of weeks along a stretch of road next to the Boekenhoutspruit.

Field Guide Andrew and his guests spent some time with the youngster and the serval’s habituation has been interesting to follow. The shy cat has become increasingly more relaxed as the weeks have passed, with fleeting glimpses at first now turning into sightings lasting much longer. As this youngster grows, so does its confidence and hopefully also the time it will allow us to view her.

Video by Andrew Bourne





04/10/2026

The Welgevonden Male has been on the trail of the oldest lioness of the Nkawu Pride over the past week and was seen mating with her over the past few days.

As is customary with lions mating, both lions are sporting some new scratches to the face, with the female having a visible cut next to her right eye.

Video by Andrew Bourne





01/10/2026

The breakaway Nkawu lioness and her three sub-adult cubs have spent the last few weeks in the northern most parts of the Reserve. Occasionally being joined by the Welgevonden Male, the two young males are still being tolerated by their father for the time being.

Field Guide Andrew and his guests found the youngsters with their mother on a large kudu bull that they had managed to hunt.

Video by Andrew Bourne





27/09/2026

The breakaway Nkawu Pride have been preferring zebra on the Reserve over the past two weeks.

Wildlife Monitor Danelle found the Nkawu breakaway lioness and her youngsters with two different zebra kills during this time. On one occasion, the youngsters took advantage of an opportunity to separate a young zebra foal from the herd, making an opportunistic kill.

The three youngsters are now approaching an important stage in their development. As they grow older, their father, the Welgevonden Male, will begin pushing them away from their mother as they gradually become more independent.

Video by Danelle Mostert





24/09/2026

Field Guide Cheyenne and her guests stumbled across this spotted hyena on the move just before sunrise.

Spotted hyenas are usually always on the move in the early mornings looking to hunt or scavenge, and with a bit of patience, might lead to an unforgettable sighting.

Video by Cheyenne| Bush/Ocean • Photography • Wildlife





Today, on World Rhino Day, we celebrate one of Africa’s most iconic animals and reflect on the importance of protecting ...
22/09/2026

Today, on World Rhino Day, we celebrate one of Africa’s most iconic animals and reflect on the importance of protecting them for generations to come.

White rhino and black rhino are a regular part of life on Mongena, and every encounter is a reminder of the privilege we have of sharing this landscape with these remarkable animals.

Yet both species continue to face serious threats to their survival, from habitat loss and fragmentation to poaching. Protecting rhino means protecting the wild spaces they call home and the wider ecosystems they are part of.

Through conservation, anti-poaching, wildlife monitoring and responsible wildlife management, we remain committed to playing our part in protecting these remarkable animals.

Photos by Tristan Masterton and Daniel West Wedding Photography and Videography





20/09/2026

Field Guide Andrew and his guests were treated to a wholesome sighting of the newest elephant calf in the Reserve.

The little elephant does not lack confidence and we will be following his journey to adulthood with a keen eye.

Video by Andrew Bourne





18/09/2026

A phenomenal experience for all who attended this incredible setup during the recent Rugby Greatest Rivalry Tour in conjunction with All Blacks Travel & Hospitality, Chiefs Tented Camps and Old School Group.

We are sharing some devastating news from the past weekend. The DGR F2 cheetah female’s remains were found by Wildlife M...
15/09/2026

We are sharing some devastating news from the past weekend.

The DGR F2 cheetah female’s remains were found by Wildlife Monitor Danelle when she did a routine check on the cheetah mother and her 7-month old cubs.

It is believed that she had been killed by members the Nkawu Pride of Lions. The DGR F2 female had lost her previous litter to the Tembe lionesses about a year ago.

With no sign of the four cubs, an urgent search was initiated.

Fortunately, the four youngsters were found alive huddled together. A carefully coordinated operation followed, with all four cubs successfully darted and safely transported to the facilities of the Kevin Richardson Foundation.

At the facility, they will be raised under expert care until they reach adulthood, with the long-term goal of returning them to the wild.

Photos by Danelle Mostert




07/09/2026

Sibling Love

Earlier this year, Field Guide Rebecca came across the sub-adult youngsters of the Nkawu Pride close to Main Lodge, enjoying a golden-hour session of bonding, playing and the occasional bout of play fighting.

Video by Rebecca dennis





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Rust De Winter Road, Dinokeng Game Reserve
Hammanskraal
0400

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