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Situated in the Malaria free and
Crime free Western Cape in South Africa, Botlierskop Private Game Reserve
is blessed with a great diversity of habitat and wildlife. Visitors have
an excellent chance of experiencing close encounters with rhinoceros,
lions, buffalo, giraffe, rare black impala and many more, in an
exhilarating 3 hour guided game drive.
This unique 4x4 game viewing drive in an open vehicle or
quad bike, is a stimulating mix of bush craft and exciting game viewing
for the outdoor enthusiast. Your experience starts at the restaurant,
where the well trained and knowledgeable guides will welcome you and
introduce you to true South African hospitality.
For those who love the smaller things in life, we now offer
guided nature walks, packed with information and breathtaking scenery.
To experience the complete safari, stay in the luxurious
tented suites with an en-suite bathroom, situated on the river bank in the
midst of a bird sanctuary.
4 x 4 Game
Drives
Botlierskop is a well
stocked, free roaming private game reserve, which gives
visitors the opportunity to view African wildlife from
the safety of 4x4 vehicles, in its natural habitat. Rhino's, buffalo, giraffe,
zebra, eland, bontebuck and 20 more species, make up a total of more than
1800 animals. We are also proud of our
relationship with the IFAW, which enabled us to assist in the rescue of 4
African lions, which are also seen during the game drive. The meandering rivers, forest-areas,
valleys, mountain tops and plateaus, ensure an adventurous scenic
4x4 route, with steep up and down hills.
Wildlife Safari's
Day
Package
Safari's at Botlierskop are a
unique African experience. Guided by skilled, knowledgeable and
well-trained guides, guests are sure, not only to embark on an adventure,
but also to take a little bit of our rainbow culture back home with them.
From fresh brewed coffee at the camp fire, to getting up close and
personal with rhino's, lions, buffalos, giraffes, zebra's and many more. Be sure to experience our full day
packages, which includes a game drive, lunch and a nature walk or quad
biking. This can be extended to the ultimate package, including
accommodation and many more. All the safaris are operated from the
restaurant, The Fire Place (Die Vuur Herd), which gives our visitors the
opportunity to enjoy either breakfast, lunch, South African style high
tea, dinner or drinks before they set off on their guided
adventures.
STORY OF THE ELEPHANTS
 The Botlierskop team is happy to announce that the first
elephants arrived at Botlierskop on 13 June 2004 and this will be the
first time that elephant back rides are offered in the Garden
Route.
The two elephants that joined the Botlierskop team, Sam and
Tsotsi, are orphans surviving a culling[1] program in the Zambezi
Valley, Zimbabwe. The male, Sam is 24 years old and the female, Tsotsi,
is 19 years old. Tsotsi means naughty or mischievous for she was quite a
troublemaker as a youngster.
Viv Bristow and his sons, the owners of the elephants, run the
family business his farther started in 1973. They help out with problem
animal control. Animals (mostly orphans) from the culling programs in
Africa were sent to Europe to establish breeding programs there. That
ensures a ‘back up’ population exists in Europe to repopulate Africa
should that specific species become extinct.
 Viv believes
animals must generate their own income to support themselves. Sam and
Tsotsi were first kept at The Lion and Cheetah Park in Zimbabwe. They
were used for educational purposes: educating people about elephant
behaviour, how they bath themselves, walking with as well as riding
them.
The two also became movie stars and featured in a couple of
movies in Kenya where trained elephants were needed. Some of the movies
they featured in were:
FAR OF PLACE: Sam and Tsotsi featured, as well
as others elephants.
ELEPHANT BOY: Both Sam and
Tsotsi.
A film staring Isabella Rosselini where she bathed with
Tsotsi.
PRIDE: Sam and Tsotsi will be seen in this
movie and it is to be released December 2004.
In September
2003 with the political instability in Zimbabwe, war veterans also
invaded Viv’s property. In order to save as many animals as possible,
Viv moved some of his animals to the Ranch Hotel near Polokwane (former
Pietersburg) in the north of South Africa.
The owners of Botlierskop approached Viv in the beginning of 2004
to bring his elephants to Botlierskop and continue the educational
program he started in Zimbabwe. This will include: Elephant back rides
and Elephant Picnic's.
Special Functions at The Fire
Place
African Theme
Evenings
T
he
Fire Place is a 120 seater restaurant, and is designed to accommodate and
spoil your guests without compromising on intimacy and comfort. To further
enhance the experience, locally produced life entertainment in the form of
a pianist or African dancers can be arranged. Both these are highly
recommended and adds to the uniqueness and special memories.
Wedding
ceremonies are as popular at Botlierskop as our roaring fires, lions and
venue! On the wooden deck many a happy couple has exchanged vows in front
of friends, family and the presence of natural beauty and overwhelming
tranquility.
Wedding
Photography
The game reserve has many opportunities for breathtaking
photography and to make sure your memories are as precious as your wedding
day, ask the wedding co-ordinater to direct you to the best available
options.
Extras
The provision of Botlierskop's standard supply of furniture,
decor and equipment is at no extra charge
This includes:
- Tables & Chairs
- African Table Settings
- Table Numbers
- Cutlery, Crockery & Cruet sets
- All Glasses
- Table Cloths & Serviettes
- Centre pieces, candles & candle holders
- Ice Buckets
- PA System
- Fully licensed bar
Luxury Tented
Accommodation
All luxury tented suites on wooden decks offer breathtaking views of
the river and tranquil mountainous surroundings and are situated in a bird
sanctuary with free roaming animals.
The
tents are elegantly decorated in a colonial theme with four poster beds
and mosquito nets. Each secluded tent has an en-suite bathroom, a mini
bar, telephone, private deck and personal ranger service. Most of the
tents also offer their own private jetties for guests to explore fishing
opportunities and all the tents are linked to the restaurant and lounge
area with elevated walkways
Quad Biking
The
guided 2,5 hour quad bike drive offers an exhilarating drive through
picturesque fynbos, rocky mountains and scenic valleys. Viewing the
amazing African animals from a quad bike is a complete different
experience. It offers the daring and young at heart an experience of a
lifetime. Not much can beat viewing a white rhinoceros at eye level.
The quad bikes are not a
threat to the animals, allowing you to get particularly close. The guide
will always be there to direct you and keep you at a safe distance. The
guides take great care in showing every visitor how to drive the
bike.
Guided quad biking is safe, a lot of fun and easy
enough for anyone to enjoy.
Unfortunately we cannot accommodate children under
16, due to legal regulation in South Africa.
Nature Walks
There is
a great need for many tourists visiting Botlierskop Private Game Reserve
to experience nature on foot. Botlierskop also wants to cater for the
needs of the growing Avitourism market (tourism based on birding or bird
watching) by offering them a walking safari.
The Nature Walk consists of a 2 hour
guided walk through diverse habitats like riverine forest, marsh areas,
fynbos and plains. During the walk the guide will point out, identify and
explain the medicinal use of some trees.
A directional microphone system will be
used to record and call some elusive forest birds like the Knysna Lourie,
Knysna Woodpecker and Narina Trogon.
There is
also a good chance for the guest to see all 5 Kingfisher species resident
on the banks of the Moordkuil river flowing through the game reserve.
The guide will point out and identify the
tracks of animals ranging from the very elusive Cape clawless Otter to the
Cape Buffalo. Guests might also be fortunate enough to see various game on
foot, ranging from the small bashful Bushbuck, the large Eland and even
white Rhinoceros. All this will be complemented with a small picnic at the
halfway mark where guest might be joint by a troop of Vervet
Monkeys.
The Nature Walk will truly enable guest
to experience and appreciate nature at an exceptional close
level.
Restaurant
/ The Fire Place / Die
Vuurherd
A Matchless
Setting
A large open-air deck,
overlooking the valleys, brings together fauna and flaura with relaxing
African sounds in the distance. Here, where heaven and earth collide you
can relax and enjoy glorious sunsets on summer nights, while two indoor
fireplaces can assure a cosy winter atmosphere. This elegant thatched roof
and volcanic rock restaurant provides the perfect setting for a unique
dining experience you won't want to miss.
Fine Dinning
At "The Fireplace", you can indulge into
our well renowned Traditional Buffet, serving true South African cuisine
with a modern twist and not to forget our scrumptious salads, light
lunches and ever so famous specialty coffees and
confectionaries!
True South African hospitality
Here guests can enjoy refreshments
before and after game drives while relaxing with the tranquility of the
river, valley and unspoiled vegetation as backdrop. It serves as meeting
place from where game drives depart as well as an oasis to replenish
thirsty souls on the return.
Directions
From Cape Town/Mossel Bay on the N2
(400km from
Cape Town)
Take the Klein Brakrivier/Little Brak River
(Exit 401) off-ramp
Turn Left at STOP
Turn Right at T-junction
±4km ahead, turn Right at Botlierskop signboard, onto the
Gonnakraal road.
±4km ahead, turn Right at earth toned
gate.
Pick-up service from Mossel Bay
available
From George/Knysna on the N2
(90km from
Knysna)
Take the Klein Brakrivier/Little Brak
River (Exit 401) off-ramp
Turn Right at STOP and cross the bridge over
the N2
Turn Right at T-junction
±4km ahead, turn Right at
Botlierskop signboard, onto the Gonnakraal road.
±4km ahead,
turn Right at earth toned pillar gate.
Pick-up service from George
available
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