Botlierskop Game Reserve - Western Cape Gallery
With the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains as a backdrop and sweeping views out over the glistening Indian Ocean below, lies Botlierskop Private Game Reserve. Just 4.5 hours’ drive from Cape Town, it’s midway between Mossel Bay and George, on South Africa’s scenic Garden Route.
Come and share the bounty and breathtaking beauty this 4,200 hectare reserve has to offer. Botlierskop Game Reserve will ensure you enjoy a uniquely South African Safari Experience, with a range of luxury accommodation from sumptuous tented lodges and stately manor suites to spectacular, self-catering villas and an entire village built with children in mind. This gracious family-owned and privately-operated game reserve is malaria-free and home to four of the Big 5 (lion, elephant, buffalo and rhino) as well as a host of antelope, including rare black impala, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, hippo and more.
Spend a memorable day – or come and stay. Day visitors are as welcome as overnight guests at Botlierskop with a range of activities from safari game drives, horseback safaris, pampering spa therapies, restaurant options, children’s activities, spacious decks and swimming pools, there truly is something for everyone.
All this and a very warm welcome awaits you!
With the Moordkuil River meandering lazily past them, each of the 21 spacious and elegant Botlierskop Luxury Tented Suites are spaced apart for privacy and rests gently on its wooden deck, blending seamlessly into their leafy, riverine and mountainous surrounds, offering splendid views out over the river and the mountains beyond.
Shaded by a canopy of ancient African trees, these tents are Colonial only in style. Every modern convenience and thoughtful touch will make you feel welcome and pampered.
Raised wooden walkways connect the suites to each other and the Main Lodge with its spacious lounge areas and open-plan Fireplace Restaurant that leads out on to the spacious wooden deck with wrap-around views of the valleys below. Within walking distance of the Main Lodge lies the original and historic Manor House. Small and intimate, the Manor has seven en-suite rooms with showers only. It has its own swimming pool and guests also make use of the Main Lodge facilities and restaurant. Children aged 6 and over are welcome at both the Luxury Tented Camp and The Manor House. Welcome to the elegance of a gracious bygone era, with every comfort in store.
Facilities
Botlierskop offers free internet at the lodge (no internet available in the rooms) and has 2 Swimming Pools, Tennis Court and a Bush Spa.
The newly renovated, air-conditioned Manor House Suites on the reserve are located in the original old farm house, dating back to the mid 1800s, with views of the plains of Botlierskop and is located close to the Botlierskop Tented Lodge. At the Manor House we do not accept children under the age of 6.
Facilities
Botlierskop offers free internet at the lodge (no internet available in the rooms) and has 2 Swimming pools, Tennis Court and are located next to the Fijnebos Spa & Wellness facility.
Lay your head on a pillow cloud and drift off to the distant sounds of lions roaring. Or hippos grunting, seemingly outside your expansive windows. Tucked away in a remote northern corner of this fynbos-bedecked 4,200 ha private Reserve, with access to Villas via Great Brak River, most of these beautiful Bush Villas overlook an expansive, active waterhole frequented by wildlife visitors of many kinds. Villas are packed with all the luxury touches one could ask for including en-suite bathrooms complete with guest amenities, bathrobes, and slippers, a fully–equipped kitchen including a dishwasher, dining area, air-conditioned lounge with a TV, indoor and outdoor fireplaces, and most Villas have a private plunge pool. Sliding glass doors open up to an expansive, furnished deck offering a spectacular view.
The Villas are serviced daily, but if you’re not up for preparing meals at any time, the Village Lodge (7.3 km away) is open to all Villa guests for meals and activities. (Please note reservations are essential.) You’re also welcome to use any of the facilities and activities offered at Botlierskop Day Centre and Bush Spa – an easy 27 km drive along a scenic road or book a Botlierskop transfer through the Reserve (15 km).
Children are welcome at the Villas but adult supervision is advised at all times. There is no playground or restaurants on site as at the other lodges so we advise you to shop before arrival. Only a single-strand electric fence separates each Villa from the free-roaming wildlife that surrounds it. Every thoughtful touch and convenience has been included to make your stay as pleasurable and as memorable as possible.
Facilities
Villas can be booked on a self-catering basis and Guests are welcome to book any additional activities at Botlierskop or nearby attractions. Daily transportation to and from Botlierskop through the reserve is available at additional charge of R250 per vehicle ~ please book times with reception.
Just 6.4 km from the original Botlierskop Game Reserve lies the newest addition to the family – The Village Lodge, remote enough for a country escape, near enough for a wonderful day out. Offering magnificent views of the majestic Outeniqua Mountains, the Lodge is set on the landmark Kleinvlei Farm, which now forms part of this picturesque 4,200-hectare, malaria-free reserve. The child-friendly, 16-bedroom Village Lodge is located on the northern side of the Reserve, close to the historical Friemersheim, the original mission station and site of the slave quarters for Great Brak River.
The Village is a harmonious collection of new and vintage houses, some dating back to the 1800s. Each house is individual in style, but uniform in luxury, style and comfort. These have been lovingly-restored to blend in with their modern, contemporary-country style counterparts. Each unit is en-suite with spacious, light-filled open-plan interiors. There is also a family wing where each of the four suites has its own entrance and patio with either a garden or mountain view.
The expansive herb and vegetable gardens are laid out in a wagon-wheel formation with central focal dams Watermollen (Watermill) and Perdedam (Horse Dam) – also known as Grootdrink of Dors (Large Drink or Thirsty). The water flows past the houses in a series of canals.
The abundant fresh produce that’s lovingly coaxed from these gardens supplies the popular Bellevue Restaurant, formerly the district’s school house. Local legend has it that one of the last pupils of The Bellevue School in 1938 maintained that Kleinvlei had one of the strongest athletics team of all the rural schools in the area.
The Village Lodge is child friendly and all ages are welcome. Aside from sailing paper boats in the canals, your young ones can enjoy the playground, spacious lawns, sandpit, swimming pool, tadpole fishing and pony rides, while you take time out to relax at the Botlierskop Bush Spa, go on a guided bush trail or horseback safari.
Facilities
Fijnebos Spa is custom-built according to the wishes and suggestions of our guests, we’re sure you’ll find it has all you could ask for.
Exclusively housed in its own building, The Spa promises to give you the ultimate in tranquillity, privacy and sublime relaxation. With all the sumptuous style, comfort and attention to detail you’ve come to expect at Botlierskop.
Botlierskop Tented Lodge guests have free access to heated pool and gym.
Day visitors and guests from other Botlierskop Lodges have access to all spa facilities when a treatment is booked.
With floor-to-ceiling windows, fold-away doors, and life size murals on each of the five intimate treatment rooms, it’s as though the indoors and outdoors merge with the surrounding African bushveld. Yet, you’re safely enveloped in privacy, ready for pampering.
Let our expert and empathetic therapists soothe away your stress with a range of revitalising African-themed treatments and signature oils.
Before or after your treatment of choice, feel free to soak away your cares in our balmy indoor pool … or invigorate your senses with a plunge into our cool outdoor pool with unsurpassed views out over the surrounding game-rich bushveld.
Or catch up with your fitness regime in our airy, climate-controlled and professionally-equipped gym, open 24 hours. Or simply decompress in our comforting ‘cocoon room’ or outdoor relaxing area where you can unwind after treatment or training before making the transition to the ‘real world’ once again.
Make any excuse to get here. Whether it’s a spoil-session for a wedding party, a romantic treat for two or a much-needed timeout to re-energise yourself for today’s fast-paced lifestyle.
Most of our Garden Route Activities are offered for day visitors as well but there are some for overnight guests only. Please also see special overnight kids’ activities as well as age limits on various Botlierskop Activities. Kindly note that ALL DAY VISITOR activities need to be booked in advance. Overnight guests activities we recommend to be booked before arrival to ensure availability. Guests who book any day activities will receive a FREE pass for the day to the leisure area. Guests can bring their own towels or rent towels from reception.
Botlierskop Rhinos
Guided Game Drives
A real Garden Route Safari experience! Enjoy close encounters with Rhinoceros, Lions, Elephants, Buffalo, Giraffe, the rare Black Impala, Golden Wildebeest, Mountain Zebra, Hippos and more! Our Game Reserve is 4200ha and comprises of over 26 different species of animals and over 200
resident bird species.
Due to COVID we will only operate private drives for family groups
Horseback Safaris
Enjoy an exciting horseback safari and escape to the majestic mountain valleys and beautiful fynbos for a 1, 2 or 3 hour horse ride and experience nature like never before. Explore our diverse plant life including woodlands, coastal and mountain fynbos and spot free roaming wildlife (cannot be guaranteed). All experience levels welcome (child 7+).
Due to COVID we will only operate private drives for family groups
Horseback Outrides
The Outrides are adventures and are rarely on marked roads but through thick bushes and over mountainous terrain at working speed which makes these rides ideal for game viewing on horseback. Upgrade your package and end off with breakfast, lunch or dinner as optional extra. The Horseback Outrides are 3.5 hours for experienced riders only.
Guided Bush Trails
Experience and enjoy the Garden Route’s abundant fauna and flora on foot. Follow a Botlierskop field ranger as he tracks for 2 ½ hours through diverse habitats such as coastal renosterveldt and Cape fynbos. You’ll have the chance to see wild animals while exploring the wonders of insects, ecology, birds (Knysna Touraco, African Fish-eagle, Jackal Buzzard and more) and the medicinal values of the plants.
Fijnebos Spa & Wellness
Exclusively housed in its own building, Fijnebos Spa promises to give you the ultimate in tranquillity, privacy and sublime relaxation. With all the sumptuous style, comfort and attention to detail you’ve come to expect at Botlierskop. Tented Lodge guests have free access to heated pool and gym while day visitors and other Botlierskop lodges guests have access when booking a treatment.
Veterinary Safaris
Veterinary procedures involve darting the animal with a specially-formulated anaesthetic by our wildlife vet. Various procedures involving elephants and lions are scheduled. Funds are donated towards the AWCF to continue their conservation projects in Africa.
Fishing
Try your hand at fishing with an experienced guide or take off time on your own and ask your guide to arrange a fishing rod and tackle. Fish species you are likely to catch are Blue Carp, Largemouth Bass and Fresh Water Eels. A fishing license fee of R220.00 is charged for this activity.
Tennis
The Botlierskop Tennis court is located below the koppie of the Botlierskop Main Lodge and is ideal if your idea of relaxation is getting some fresh air outdoors and exercise. Guests can rent out the tennis court for an hour or more, day or night. We will supply tennis rackets and balls. Available from 09:00am till 17:00pm.
Canoeing
Why not pack a picnic (Provided by Botlierskop) and head down to the Moordkuil River Dam and enjoy a paddle up the 1 km Moodkuil river, passing the tented suites. Enjoy views of the mountains while spotting some bird life and if you’re lucky, animals roaming the banks. Life jackets are provided and children are welcome.
All activities above are suitable for children 6 and older. Kids can take part in Horseback Safaris and Guided Game Drives. The Fishing excursion, Junior Ranger Programme and Kids Spa Treatments with various massage treatments and face painting opportunity, is ideal for your kids.
Guided Fishing excursions
Your Botlierskop Ranger will take the kids for fishing (catch and release) while you can relax in your room or at the Botlierskop Lodge.
Spa Kids
Children can enjoy the African Face Painting options and kids short massage treatments like the giraffe back, neck, and shoulder massage.
Junior Ranger Programme
A Botlierskop Ranger will take the children on a walk to identify animal footprints, fauna and flora. A certificate will be given once complete.
Imagine a romantic and intimate Western Cape Wedding at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, set in the dramatic beauty and tranquility of the wild African bush. The perfect venue for adding a touch of magic and style to your wedding day. Tranquil, serene and picturesque, providing a natural but very romantic atmosphere.
All you need to do is sit back, relax and leave the wedding preparations to us whilst you enjoy relaxing massages, indulge in sunset cocktails and morning or afternoon safaris. Your safari style wedding will be a celebration of love, tradition and unforgettable memories. Whether you are looking for a South African bushveld wedding venue or a wildlife safari honeymoon destination, Botlierskop will treat you to the most luxurious and adventurous experience imaginable. From delightful fine dining meals to luxury tented accommodation and a large variety of activities.
Services at Botlierskop include: wedding co-ordinating services, day spa, sauna, swimming pool, honeymoon suite, library, Internet facilities, mini-bar in room, reception, conference room, curio shop, guided game drives, horseback safaris and luxury tented suites.
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