Botlierskop Private Game Reserve
A game reserve lying between the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains and unspoiled beaches of the Indian Ocean, The Botlierskop Private Game Reserve provides its visitors with a taste of Africa. It is situated on the world renowned Garden Route and easily accessible from the N2. It is a 4 hour scenic drive from Cape Town and a 30 minute drive from George airport. Botlierskop was bought by Dr Dirk Neethling in 1996, a game farmer with over 35 years of game farming experience at the time. It took him 4 years to rehabilitate the farm from its previous domestic farming state and reintroduce wildlife to the area, opening its doors to the public in the year 2000.
The farm was originally named Botlierskop after one of the rock formations on the reserve. The odd shaped rock formation is a landmark in this area. Legend has it that the rock formation was used as a lookout point in the late 1700s when the nearby town of Mossel Bay was developed as a busy export harbour. The legend tells that when ships came in, a huge fire was made on top of the rock formation as a sign to the nearby farmers that a ship was coming in. The farmers would then get ready to bring fresh supplies to the ship.
The Fireplace Restaurant opened in October 2001. The restaurant soon earned the reputation for quality food and service and became an important part of the reserve. The reserve increased in size to over 3000 hectares and took on a number of permanent staff. Between 2005 and 2008 the reserve saw a number of natural disasters including fires and floods which saw the reserve close for periods of time. Today the reserve has been fully restored and vastly improved and is open to visitors.
Amongst the animals which have been reintroduced into the park are elephants and lions. The reintroduction of the lions in October 1999 (into a 100 hectare enclosure) was a monumental occasion as the African lion had been extinct from this region in the Cape since the 1860s. The reserve also gives people the opertunity to Experience close encounters with Rhinoceros, Buffalo, Giraffe, rare Black Impala, Mountain Zebra, Eland along with many more species. The reserve comprises of over 26 different species of animals and more than 200 bird species.
Some of the activities at the reserve include 4x4 guided game drives, elephant feeding, helicopter flights, bush walks, horseback safaris, river cruises, elephant back rides, fishing, elephant picnics, as well as spa facilities. So no matter how you prefer to experience Africa, you can do it at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve.
Botlierskop also provides the perfect venue for conferences and weddings with the ability to cater for between a minimum of 30 guests and a maximum of 150 guests for a wedding. The services offered include a designated wedding coordinator, hair, nails, make up and even packages for the bridal party at the spa ensuring a wedding not to be forgotten.
For more information and rates please contact:
Tel: +27-44-6966055
Fax: +27-44-6966272
Or email:
info@botlierskop.co.za
Physical Address:
Botlierskop Farm
Gonnakraal near Little Brak River
Mossel Bay.
Directions from Mossel Bay on the N2
Pass the Hartenbos (Exit 397) exit
Take the Klein Brakrivier or Little Brak River (Exit 401) exit
Turn Left at the stop street.
In approximately 500m you will reach a T-junction: Turn right, following the brown Botlierskop signboards with the lion footprint on them from this point.
After approximately 4km you will cross a causeway, and 200m after that, turn right at the brown Botlierskop signboard, onto the Gannakraal road.
After approximately 4km on Gonnakraal road, you will see earthdam on right, turn right after earthdam at white pillar gate: Botlierskop.
