Set on 150 acres of river-kissed wilderness within a 3200-hectare Crocodile River Reserve, Lethabo is not just a place to stay, it’s a sanctuary where love slows down, deepens, and breathes.
Here, we’ve dropped our fences and raised our stewardship of this precious valley, reintroducing zebra, wildebeest, kudu, and giraffe, to name a few, and sharing our land with shy, beautiful creatures – otters, nyala, brown hyena, eland, and even leopard.

Birdsong is constant, the river is your soundtrack, and our animals wander freely, from the horses who greet guests to the guineafowl tapping on your door.
Food is fresh from the earth, our garden grown from heritage seeds, and every experience is built to feel organic, heartfelt, and quietly luxurious.

“Lethabo” means JOY, and that is exactly what lives here in the wildlife, the river, the food, the fires, and the gentle, unhurried magic that wraps around every couple who visits.

Now choose the perfect romantic escape, not too little, not too much… just right.

Wanting to spend one on one time with your new love interest, maybe you need to reignite the passion in your relationship or perhaps escape the hum-drum routine of everyday life? 
If you’re from South Africa needing a romantic weekend break, or a traveller from abroad wanting to experience exotic Africa, why not treat yourself and your significant other to a revitalising unforgettable stay at Lethabo Estate, situated on the outskirts of Pretoria in the province of Gauteng, South Africa.

South Africa is rated highly on the romantic getaways destination list. It is not only known for its romantic beaches and world class luxury hotels but also for its idyllic and exotic luxury lodge experiences on private reserves, surrounded by rich historical culture, breath-taking natural beauty and its majestic wildlife. 

Sometimes the best gems are not the obvious ones – Often, when planning luxury romantic getaways, the more well-known cities in South Africa come to mind, but please don’t make the mistake of overlooking the incredible diverse landscape and astounding beauty of our exclusive lodge, situated in the private Crocodile River Nature Reserve. Our gorgeous estate offers a choice of five lodges for couples as well as self-catering accommodation for larger groups. The self-catering accommodation comprises one unit with two rooms that sleeps 4 and another larger unit with four rooms that sleeps 8.

Our venue is the perfect setting for celebrating weddings, however, not only honeymooners deserve romance right? Birthdays and anniversaries could also be the perfect opportunity to fan those flames of love.

Romantic getaways are the perfect way to show your partner how much they mean to you. A trip away with just the two of you allows you to spend quality time together without the interruptions of jobs, timetables, children and household chores, but for those of you that may find it difficult to plan a getaway, here are some tips, you might find useful –

So what does romance look like should you choose to stay at our lovely rustic lodge accommodation?

• An exclusive luxury lodge that is splendidly furnished and tastefully decorated to blend in with the beautiful natural scenery surrounding you. The much needed privacy that our lodge provides, will give you and your partner the opportunity to relax and enjoy each other.
• Private picnics day or night at a number of secluded spots are available for your use. Exclusively designed for ultimate comfort and romance, whilst enjoying the inspiring panoramic vistas and some of our delectable cuisine catering to all dietary needs. 
• Delight in some fun in the sun whilst swimming with otters or plunging into a private rock pool to cool off from the South African heat.
• Cosy up in a hammock, feel the African breeze softly caressing your skin, listening to the melodic flowing water and birds calling in the background. Let nature sweep you off your feet.
• While looking over the picturesque nature reserve at dusk, submerge in a Jacuzzi bath surrounded by candles enjoying delicious snacks and wine or bubbly. Is there a more beautiful backdrop than mother nature?
• Allow us to take you on a gastronomic joy ride, enjoy an intimate candle lit dinner for two, overlooking the captivating Crocodile river. 
• Take an evening stroll. It’s not only the day that provides you with magnificent views but also the glorious African night where the moonlight shimmers across the dramatic landscape and alluring stars adorn the night sky. 
• During the colder months, our private lodge will keep you cosy as you wrap each other up in bed with a fireplace to keep you warm and music to set the mood. Alternatively, you can snuggle up and watch movies under the covers of our large luxurious bed.
• Pamper yourself with a treatment at our resident Namaste Spar. We offer a variety of treatments catering for every need –
• Facials
• Manicures
• Pedicures
• Massages 
• Let our Riverside Restaurant take care of all your culinary desires. Join us along the serene Crocodile River for a scrumptious meal. Our cuisine is created from organic produce procured from local markets and carefully prepared by our Chef.

Should the need arise to take a break from all the R & R (romance and relaxation), there are some activities and attractions on the outskirts of the estate that may be of interest –

• The Lion Safari Park – roughly 11 kilometres travel from Lethabo Estate. The Lion Park has become Gauteng’s number one tourist attraction due to its friendly staff and the amazing wildlife experience it offers. Attractions at the park include – safari drives, game drives, Giraffe feed, bush walks and interaction as well as restaurants and an African shopping experience. This world class tourist attraction is in the heart of the Cradle of Humankind, another must see attraction.
• The Centres for the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site – around 50 kilometres travel from Lethabo Estate. The Cradle of Humankind was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999. The area is of vital universal value, because it contains complex palaeo-anthropological sites, which have unearthed some of the most valuable evidence world-wide, of the origins of modern humans.
• Croc City Crocodile and Reptile Farm, approximately 15 kilometres travel from our estate, gives you the unique opportunity to get up-close and personal with a baby crocodile, exotic snakes, and a tarantula. 

If you wish to venture further out, Pretoria and its surrounds is a great place to start. A beautiful city affectionately known as Jacaranda City is draped with purple blossoms when the Jacarandas are in bloom. Here are some attractions in and around Pretoria that may be of interest –

• The Hazel Food Market – Discover a uniquely international food market in the heart of Pretoria’s old East. The tastes and smells of the world will have you salivating with food from Greece, Portugal and Italy to name just a few.
• The statue of Nelson Mandela – This magnificent statue is positioned in front of the Union Buildings in Gauteng, Pretoria, with beautiful surroundings and awesome scenic views.
• The Union Buildings – The official seat of government and houses the offices of the President of South Africa. Considered South Africa’s Architectural masterpiece, was designed and built by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1913. Herbert Baker chose Meintjieskop in Pretoria for the site because it reminded him of the acropolises of Greece and Asia Minor. The overall design is influenced by the neo-classic architecture of the Italian Renaissance as well as Cape Dutch.
• The magnificent Voortrekker Monument – Is situated in the northern part of South Africa in Pretoria. It is a unique Monument which commemorates the Pioneer history of Southern Africa and the history of the Afrikaner. Today it is the most visited heritage site of its kind in Gauteng and one of the top ten cultural historical visitor attractions in the country.
• Sammy Marks Museum – a Victorian mansion and heritage site on the farm Zwartkoppies, 20 kilometres east of Pretoria and treasures the legacy of Samuel Mark (1844-1920) the industrial, mining and agricultural magnate, a symbol of entrepreneurship in South Africa.
• Johann van Heerden’s Art Gallery – Situated roughly 20 kilometres from Pretoria. This contemporary art gallery hosts 34 exhibitions per year, featuring the works of an array of artists from across South Africa. The gallery boasts a menu on deck with various meals, an art class studio as well as a picture framing shop.
• Wonderboom Nature Reserve – Situated in the north of Pretoria, it straddles the Magaliesberg Mountains. Its major attraction is the massive wild fig tree, more famously known as the Wonderboom or ‘Miracle Tree’, which is over 1 000 years old. Enjoy scenic hikes with remarkable mountain views as well as a man-made cave and waterfall.

   

So if your ideal romantic getaway includes delicious food, having some fun, communing with nature, unwinding, rejuvenating and reconnecting with your partner, then consider Lethabo Estate, the hidden African gem you shouldn’t miss out on.