Botsebotse Bush Retreat Waterberg

The 5 star Botsebotse Game Lodge is an extraordinary bush retreat situated in the malaria-free Zebula Game and Country Reserve which is only a two hours' drive from Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ideal for guests who are looking for a relaxing and tranquil country getaway, the Botsebotse Game Lodge is a haven of luxury and exclusivity. Wildlife, golf, spa and culinary delights make a stay at the Botsebotse Game Lodge memorable.

The Botsebotse Game Lodge is constructed of natural materials, which blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, and the rare African artifacts with the luxurious thatched indoor and outdoor spaces enhance the African lodge style design of Botsebotse.

A safari styled Lapa, shaded teak decks, a swimming pool and a comfortable outdoor lounge invites for relaxation and game spotting. Guests are invited to enjoy the views of the surrounding unfenced bush from one of two indoor lounges or to soak in the teak hot spa tub, a stone throw away from the drinking hole, lit up at night.

Visitors at the five star Botsebotse Game Lodge may take pleasure in the roaring fires in the main or bush boma which are suitable venues to gaze at the amazing stars of a clear African sky. The cosy bar is available with a flat screen satellite television and piped music is available in the indoor lounge areas and outdoor lounge. A flat screen television for DVD viewing is available in one of the outdoor lounges, plug and play modems are available to access the internet as the Game Reserve does not have fixed telephone lines.

Accommodation at the Botsebotse Game Lodge

Leading off a vast thatched walkway, accommodation at the Botsebotse Game Lodge is offered in 4 luxurious 30 square meter en-suite boutique facilities with large comfortable beds dressed with handcrafted linen.

Other features of the rooms at Botsebotse include:

• Remote controlled air conditioning
• Remote controlled Ceiling Fans
• Remote controlled and portable emergency lights
• Queen beds
• Safari nets
• Duvets, summer and winter blankets
• Seating areas in each room
• Refreshment stations
• Mini-bars
• Electronic safes
• Private courtyards, each with a water feature, umbrella, dining table and 4 chairs
• A private entrance leading into the courtyard
• Covered parking next to room
• Locker for golf gear
• Two waterproof golf umbrellas in each facility
• Hair dryers
• Radio/CD player with CD's available for use
• A "Goodie Box" with Sewing Kit, torch, Universal Plug, shoe horn and whistle for emergency attention
• A potable buzzer to page Guest Relations, Kitchen and Housekeeping staff
• Magazines, games and books.

The rooms at the Botsebotse Game Lodge feature spacious 10 square meter en-suite bathrooms with lavish egg-shaped baths, oversized showers, double vanities with a door which lead to an enchanting private outdoor shower baths in a 16 square meter enclosed out door area.

Bathroom items at this exclusive country retreat include the following:

• Two sets of bath robes for each guests (waffle weave and cotton robes to suit guests preferences)
• Slippers
• Luxury toiletries that include body wash, shampoo, hair conditioner, body lotion, mosquito wipes, vanity kit, bath crystals and foam bath.
• Two sets of bath sheets, bath towels, hand towels and face cloths.
• Two sets of swimming towels (bath sheet and bath towel)

At the Botsebotse Bush Retreat, guests receive special surprise turndowns, these are never the same and could include: special hot chocolate and chocolates, chocolate dipped strawberries and sparkling wine, little bottles of liquor, special messages in fortune cookies etc. Guests are welcomed with a drink and chocolates in their rooms.

Dining at the Botsebotse Game Lodge

The country lodge's delicious culinary delights are prepared by Botsebotse's professional chef and are served accompanied by the finest South African wines. The menu at this bush retreat is for the most discerning palette ranging from small intimate dinners through to special events including wedding parties. The selection of food is as wide as the selection of dining venues, which include the dining room, outdoor decks, a cozy bar, two bomas, guests' own private courtyards, even a picnic in a secluded spot or under the starry sky.

Safari Activities at the Botsebotse Game Lodge

A personal Guest Relations Officer/ Field Guide co-ordinates guests itineraries during their stay at Botsebotse.  Safari activities can be undertaken under the guidance of a trained field guide or guests may choose to venture out on their own. With no predatory animals, Botsebotse is ideal for walking and truly understanding to love the African bush.

An area of 1,400 ha offers the unique experience to view and photograph over 300 bird species and 600 head of game which roam freely in the reserve. The area is home to animals such as warthog, zebra, kudu, eland, waterbuck, bushbuck, giraffe and many more. Animal sightings are frequent and animals visit the Bush Retreat daily.

The Eco Safaris include walking safaris and mountain bike safaris which are a truly amazing experience allowing guests to get close to the animals without disturbing them. Guided game walks and drives on Zebula Game Reserve are also on offer.

• Big 5 guided game drives
• Big 5 guided horse back safaris
• Big 5 guided quad bike safaris
• Big 5 Air balloon safaris

The Big 5 safari activities are available at the neighbouring Mbalingwe Private Game Reserve, Botsebotse has fence to fence traversing rights with this game reserve, and the Big 5 Mabula Private Game Reserve which is situated 3 km's from Zebula's gate

Health Spa: Zebu Wellness Centre

The award winning Zebu Health Spa at the Botsebotse lodge offers a wide range of skin, body and hydro treatments. Treatments such as the Kwassa Beat Massage, the Ginger and Mango Massage and the Theranaka massage using wooden dumb bells and African body butter nuggets, draw inspiration from African culture and will rejuvenate body, mind and soul. Use of the heated swimming pool, steam room, Jacuzzis in the spa garden and refreshments from the snack bar are included.

Other Activities

Gym, squash, tennis courts, clay target shooting and archery are offered at Zebula's Clubhouse and designated areas in the reserve. The clubhouse is situated a 5 minutes drive away from the Botsebotse lodge and complimentary transfers are offered to guests.

• Swimming pools at the Botsebotse lodge and the clubhouse
• Teak Hot Tub Jacuzzi
• Bird watching: with over 300 species of bird, Botsebotse is a great birding destination
• Fishing: excellent fishing is available at the ten regularly stocked dams
• Golf: award winning 18-hole Peter Matkovich golf course. The award winning 18-hole Peter Matkovich designed golf course, which was voted the "Best New Golf Course" in the 2004 Golf Digest, offers a clubhouse, pub, halfway house, restaurant, golf carts and pro-shop. Guests are invited to experience a true African golf course where animals often visit the fairways.
• Animal care centre with lion and Bengal Tiger cubs: Zebula is sponsor to one of the local Tiger breeding programs and home to animals in need of care.
• The Shingwedzi Cheetah And Wild Dog Breeding Ranch: The Shingwedzi Cheetah and Wild Dog Breeding Ranch accommodates a satellite project of the world-renowned De Wildt Cheetah and Wildlife Centre and offers an unforgettable and highly educational experience at close quarters with South Africa's most endangered species - the cheetah and wild dog

More activities in close proximity to the Game Lodge

Being located in the Limpopo Province's Waterberg region, which offers some of South Africa's best-kept sightseeing and wildlife secrets, guests staying at the Botsebotse Lodge may enjoy trips to nearby attractions.

The Nylsvley Nature Reserve

The Nylsvley Nature Reserve is the biggest and best conserved floodplain in Southern Africa with 412 recorded bird species, almost half the total number of bird species in South Africa and offers a variety of superb bird watching experiences. The reserve offers walking trails, bird hides and picnic spots.

The Waterberg Biosphere Reserve

A geographical wonder supporting a biome of some 14 500 square km launched in 2001 as one of some 400 UNESCO-registered biosphere reserves established around the world. It is the only "savanna" reserve of this type in southern Africa.

The Big Five Marakele National Park

The Big Five Marakele National Park is a sanctuary to a vast variety of wildlife due to its location in the transitional zone between the dry western and moist eastern regions of South Africa. The Big Five as well as an amazing variety of birds, including the largest colony of endangered Cape Vultures in the world, have settled here. Rare finds of yellowwood and cedar trees, five metre high cycads and tree ferns are also found here. Guided game drives are available early in the morning and in the late afternoon and can be booked on behalf of guests. A scenic trip to Marakele gates takes 50 min by tarred road from where game drives depart.

Makapans Valley World Heritage Site

The Makapans Valley World Heritage Site is the sister to the Cradle of Humankind and sediments, fossils, bones and artifacts found, preserve the most complete record of hominoid habitation and evolution dating back 3,3 million years - from the ape-man, Stone Age, Iron Age up to the present day. It is here where Raymond Dart found the fossil remains of Australopithecus Africanus, a 3,5 million year-old apeman.

Pedi Potters Traditional African Village

Pedi Potters Traditional African Village is a beautifully decorated example of the local Pedi building culture and traditional Pedi clay pots made by the women from the village can be bought here.

Romance at Botsebotse

The Botsebotse Game Lodge is a wonderful romantic destination offering relaxing massages at the spa, unforgettable champagne safaris for 2 with the own ranger and picnic lunches in the bush. Romantic turndowns, candlelight and paraffin lamp lit dinners in a number of intimate romantic settings, foam baths with candle lights and champagne as well as comfortable outdoor safari bush shower baths from where one can gaze at the stars can also be arranged.

Access and directions to the Botsebotse Game Lodge

Transfers or chartered flights, which include light aircrafts and helicopters, can be arranged and guests will be collected from the reserve's tarred landing strip.

Directions from Johannesburg:

• Take the N1 to Pretoria. Follow the N1 signs towards Polokwane (Pietersburg).
• Take the R516 to Warmbaths turn off, turn left going towards Bela-Bela (Warmbaths).
• At the T-junction, the waterfront will be in front of you, turn right. Go over the bridge, first robot left.
• Follow the road around a sharp right bend.
• At the next road turn left, go past the Aventura Resort on your left. At the roundabout, turn left.
• Drive approximately 35 km passing the Mabalingwe Game Reserve on your right.
• Turn right at the tar road on your right that says Rooiberg, with a large Zebula Sign on the corner of the turn off.
• Drive approximately 4 km and turn right at the Zebula sign.
• Approximately 5 km down the newly tarred road the ZEBULA gate will be on your right hand side.
• Pass through the Zebula gate.
• Turn right at the first road after the gate and follow the road all the way next to the Zebula fence and past the airstrip.
• Once past the airstrip follow the signs to Site 52. A map and directions are available at the gate.