asian girl smile leopard pants jeep safari botlierskop south africa agirlnamedclara
Travel

Safari in Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, South Africa

Hi, guys! This week, let me take you to a beautiful private game reserve in South Africa: Botlierskop.

While Kruger National Park makes you feel like Indiana Jones ready to explore the unexpected, Botlierskop offers different excitement.

I was happy that my tour package included a 3-hour safari in Botlierskop, so I could experience both.

A short safari here felt relaxing and very comfortable, thanks to the luxurious lounge, great services, and magnificent view of Outeniqua Mountains.

Safari: Our Lucky Day in Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, South Africa

impala among grass botlierskop private game reserve south africa safari agirlnamedclara

Some of you may think that sitting on a jeep for three hours is a long time, but in fact, it’s pretty short for safari.

First of all, this family-owned private game reserve is 4,200 hectares. You would want to explore as far as you can to see many animals, especially the Big Four (Botlierskop doesn’t have leopards).

Remember, you need to make your way back too!

tourist traveler girl smile get ready hop on safari jeep botlierskop south africa agirlnamedclara
Choose the high jeep so you could see the animals up close!
safari ranger driving jeep botlierskop safari entrance south africa agirlnamedclara
Entering the animal’s area…

Second, national parks and private game reserves in South Africa are different from zoos. In zoos, you’ll know where to find the animals that you want to see.

In national parks and private game reserves, the animals roam free and are hunting for their own food.

So, if you can see all of the Big Five (lion, leopard, black rhino, African bush elephant, African buffalo) and other animals, you’re lucky!

see elephant jeep inside view botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
buffalo buffaloes eating grass botlierskop safari south africa agirlnamedclara
three zebra eat grass botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara

Generally, you’ll see many zebras, impalas, kudus, and giraffes when doing safari. But the Big 5? You could join a 10-hour game drive and didn’t see a single lion. So yes, I will say it again:

When in South Africa, go BIG.

Go for full day(s) and half day(s) safari. Do more than one safari, take a break for a few days if you need, but do more than one.

You may see some animals that you had seen yesterday, but who knows what you would see next? I will share this with you my 3 full-day safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa, next week 😉

It was challenging to wake up at 4 am for two days in a row, but it was worth it!

lion lioness sleeping relaxing middle of road botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
lioness on grass botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
The lioness was very close to my jeep. I didn’t even have an extra zoom in lens…
So, choose the high jeep!
tourist traveler take photo from mobile phone safari botlierskop south africa agirlnamedclara

Me and my tour group were lucky that we managed to see all of the Big 4 during the three-hour safari. FYI, there are only three lions in Botlierskop Private Game Reserve (two females, one male).

At first, we didn’t have a high expectation that we would be able to see the lions. 4,200 hectares and a three-hour game drive… But it turned out, we were able to see them. We were so happy!! 🤩🤩🤩

wildebeest botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
Wildebeest
burnt dry tree branch mountain background botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
giraffe eat leaf botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
impala butt back botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
Its butt is like a bull’s eye 😆 We call it “McDonald’s” (for the lions)
impala eat grass botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
safari ranger asian woman traveler smile botlierskop private game reserve day safari south africa agirlnamedclara
Baie dankie for showing us the animals! Remember to tip the driver, guys👍

Also read: “Admiring God’s Wonderful Creations in South Africa”
Also read: “Safari & South Africa Budget Trip: How Much You Need”

Tea Time in the Charming Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, South Africa

unique beautiful lounge interior design cultural botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara

Alright, it wasn’t a hi-tea or exactly tea time but I really enjoyed drinking a cup of Rooibos tea in Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, South Africa.

After safari, we returned to the lounge where they served us coffee and tea, paired with a snack. I’m not sure what it was, but it seemed like a fried puff dough filled with honey. It was good!

botlierskop private game reserve day safari entrance signage south africa agirlnamedclara
wooden interior african dining room chandelier botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
Exotic interior design 😍
asian woman traveler tourist safari ranger in uniform smile botlierskop private game reserve south africa agirlnamedclara
When else you can take photos with a local in safari suit?
Don’t even know his name but baie dankie for the photo 😁
tea time snack refreshment botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
Rooibos tea/red bush tea, a must-try when in South Africa
This herbal tea is rich in antioxidant and caffeine-free

You can choose to sit outside to finish your drink while admiring the beautiful Outeniqua Mountains or relax in the culturally-rich, elegant lounge.

It was a difficult decision for me but as it was a bit cold outside, I chose to have my tea (and photo shoots) in the lounge.

asian woman enjoy drink tea botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
girl smile outeniqua mountains behind botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
mountain view botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
unique beautiful chandelier wooden interior design botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
plate table setting lounge botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
girl smile hug giraffe statue botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
souvenir shop dining room botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
You can also buy some souvenirs here
souvenir shop tshirt clothes botlierskop private game reserve safari south africa agirlnamedclara
woman hold dslr camera on jeep safari look for animals botlierskop south africa agirlnamedclara
That’s Jacquieline aka Jacquie, ready with her camera! 📸

Thank you, Jacquie, for helping me take photos! She was the bubbliest and had a lovely personality, also my new friend 😊💙 Not forgetting Paul (aka Chucky) and Willem, who always helped me take my photos.

I hope you enjoy this blog post. Have a nice day and see you next week at Kruger National Park!😊

Also read: “Digital Detox Trip: Nature Edition in Raja Ampat, Indonesia”
Also read: “Toraja Trip: Rammang Rammang, King Kong Cave & Pias Poppies Hotel

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