Mhondoro Safari Lodge & Villa has introduced an exclusive collection of five artisanal South African spirits, created in collaboration with Primal Distillery. The collection enhances the premium guest experience while celebrating the landscape, wildlife and sense of place at the heart of the lodge. Named Sterkstroom after the river running through Welgevonden Game Reserve, meaning a strong or powerful current, it reflects the energy and character of the land.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Each of the five spirits draws inspiration from one of the reserve’s iconic animals. Elephant Gin features the rare Rex Union orange, a distinctive South African heritage citrus, alongside Eastern Cape juniper and fresh botanicals grown by Primal in Johannesburg. Lion Light Rum, made from South African sugar cane, reflects the confidence and warmth of its namesake. Buffalo Cape Reserve Brandy is rich and characterful, made from grapes sourced from established South African wine regions. Rhino Premium Grain Vodka is triple-distilled for a smooth, full-bodied profile with subtle herbal notes. Leopard Limoncello is made in-house through Mhondoro’s Farmhouse Project, combining Primal vodka with lemons grown on the organic Vygeboom farm adjacent to the reserve, using a recipe developed at the lodge.
Based in Johannesburg, Primal Distillery brings a contemporary, craft-driven approach to the collaboration, with a focus on ingredient quality, provenance and the stories behind each spirit. Sterkstroom therefore brings together the energy of city life and the wild, unhurried character of Welgevonden, offering guests a taste of the landscape they have come to explore and the opportunity to step away from the city to breathe, slow down and reconnect with the natural world.
The Sterkstroom collection of artisanal spirits complements Mhondoro’s wider commitment to thoughtful, distinctive hospitality. Its culinary offering draws inspiration from menus created by chef Luke Dale Roberts, alongside a premium wine list and exclusive house wines produced by boutique winemaker Snow Mountain Wines. These include Elcat Sparkling Chardonnay, as well as Wit Voël Chenin Blanc and Rooi Voël Syrah from old vines in Wellington, and Wit Voël Chardonnay and Rooi Voël Merlot made from Stellenbosch grapes.
Sterkstroom spirits are designed to be enjoyed as part of the safari experience, whether as a cocktail or a classic pour at sunset, surrounded by the sounds of the bush and the changing colours of Welgevonden. In this setting, sundowners become a celebration of the place that inspired the collection.
For Mhondoro owner Frank Vogel, the Sterkstroom collection is a natural extension of the lodge’s philosophy that luxury is increasingly defined by provenance, authenticity and a strong sense of place. ‘Creating our own collection of spirits felt like a natural next step for Mhondoro. A premium experience is not defined by an international label, but by the quality, provenance and story behind what we serve. Working with Primal Distillery has allowed us to select the ingredients, develop the flavour profiles and ensure every spirit reflects the quality we want our guests to experience’, says Vogel.
‘It is equally important that the collection is made here in South Africa. Local production supports exceptional South African craftsmanship while reducing transport distances and our environmental footprint. We wanted spirits with a genuine connection to Mhondoro and Welgevonden, and a story our guests can take home. It is a collection we are proud to put our name to’, he concludes.
