Imvelo Safari Bloemfontein is the Free State capital’s most compelling game farm and bush lodge destination — a luxury private safari lodge and game breeding farm at Marigold Farm 2051 on the T104/N6 Reddersburg Road, just 25 km outside Bloemfontein, where sable antelope, springbok, blesbok, blue wildebeest, gemsbok, lechwe, impala, buffalo, and zebra roam freely across the farm’s expansive landscape — and where a “magnificent lodge” appears without warning after turning off the N6, as if the African bush materialises from nowhere amid the more traditional Free State sheep and cattle farms along the Reddersburg road. Founded by owner Xolile Dasheka — a former traffic officer who transformed his passion for farming into one of the premier game lodges in the Free State — Imvelo Safari combines “African tradition and modern luxury” in a full-service lodge that offers accommodation, a restaurant and bar, a spa and wellness centre, a swimming pool, a sauna, conference facilities, wedding and function venues, and expert-guided game drives, all 35 km from Bram Fischer International Airport and within easy striking distance of Bloemfontein’s urban amenities.

The Farm and Its Wildlife: A Private Safari 25km from the City

The discovery that a genuine private game farm exists within 25 km of a South African city of Bloemfontein’s scale is, for most visitors, genuinely surprising. Yet Imvelo Safari is exactly that — a working game breeding operation surrounded by the wider Free State farmland, where the experience of arriving is itself part of the story.

The farm’s game species list is impressive for a private operation at this scale:

• Sable antelope — one of Africa’s most striking and sought-after species, with curved horns and a black-and-white face mask that makes them unmistakable
• Buffalo — the “Black Death” of African game, large, unpredictable, and powerfully impressive in the bush
• Zebra — iconic striped plains game visible from the lodge
• Blue wildebeest — the quintessential Free State plains species
• Springbok, blesbok, gemsbok, lechwe, and impala — completing a full complement of antelopes across different size ranges and habitat preferences

A Food For Mzansi journalist who visited described the experience precisely: “More traditional Free State farms, with sheep, cattle and horses grazing in the veld, greet you along the gravel road after taking the turnoff to Imvelo Safari from the N6. And suddenly, without seeing it coming, the picture changes. You stumble upon the magnificent lodge and see antelope and zebra grazing in the distance.”

The Lodge: 8 Rooms, Spa, Pool, and Restaurant

Imvelo Safari Lodge provides accommodation in 8 rooms across suite, double, and chalet formats. All rooms are air-conditioned and include:

• Satellite flat-screen TV
• Bathroom with bathtub and shower
• Tea and coffee making facilities
• Microwave and fridge (self-catering capable)
• Safe deposit box
• Outdoor dining area and terrace

The full-service lodge infrastructure includes:

• Restaurant and bar — full-service dining with diverse food options
• Outdoor swimming pool with pool views
• Spa and wellness centre
• Sauna
• Children’s playground with slides
• Braai/barbecue zone for outdoor grilling
• Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
• Reception desk with activity and local area information

Check-in is from 14:00; check-out by 10:00. Bram Fischer International Airport is 35 km away. Note: the property operates on a cash-only payment basis for on-site amenities.

One reviewer praised the attentiveness of the staff: “The people were attentive to our needs during the stay. Special requests were carried out beautifully and the stay was made pleasant.” Destination South Africa describes the lodge as “consistently praised for its superb staff and high-quality service.”

Conference Facilities and Banqueting

Imvelo Safari offers a dedicated conference hall and banquet hall for business events and formal occasions. The combination of a rural bush setting 25 km from Bloemfontein, full accommodation on-site, and professional conference infrastructure makes it an appealing option for corporate retreats, strategy days, team-building sessions, and awards dinners where participants benefit from the restorative quality of a game farm environment.

The African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA) hosted their third Agribusiness Transformation Conference at Imvelo Safari — a significant corporate endorsement that reflects the lodge’s credentials as a professional conference and event venue.

Weddings and Functions: “Celebrate the African Way”

Imvelo Safari markets its event offering under the tagline “Celebrate The African Way” — a positioning that reflects the combination of African bush atmosphere, game farm backdrop, traditional ubuntu hospitality philosophy, and modern lodge facilities. The venue accommodates weddings and private functions in its dedicated spaces, with the game farm setting providing a uniquely memorable ceremony and reception backdrop that no urban venue can replicate.

Note: the property does not accommodate hen, stag, or similar parties.

The Founder: Xolile Dasheka’s Passion for the Land

The story of Imvelo Safari is inseparable from that of its founder, Xolile Dasheka, whose journey from traffic officer to successful game farmer and lodge proprietor is one of the more compelling entrepreneurial narratives in the Free State agricultural community. Dasheka’s passion for farming began at a young age, and his transition from public service to game breeding and hospitality required both agricultural expertise and business acumen. His farm now stands as evidence of what that combination can produce — a world-class game operation and lodge that hosts conferences for national agricultural organisations and delivers authentic safari experiences to visitors from across South Africa and the world.

Location and Getting There

Imvelo Safari is at Marigold Farm 2051, T104/N6 Reddersburg Road, Bloemfontein, Free State, 9300 — 25 km south of Bloemfontein on the N6 toward Reddersburg. From Bloemfontein, take the N6 south toward Reddersburg and look for the Imvelo Safari turnoff. Bram Fischer International Airport is 35 km away. Aliwal North Golf Club is 46 km from the farm.

Tel: 073 683 5236
Email: imvelosafariandgamebreeders@gmail.com

For accommodation bookings, conference enquiries, wedding packages, and safari activity information, visit Imvelo Safari’s official website.

Explore more safari lodges and event venues in the Bloemfontein area through our Bloemfontein event venues directory, or browse all Free State event venue listings for venues across the province.