Botlierskop Private Game Reserve

Take a 3-hour guided game drive at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, and experience close encounters with rhinos, lions, giraffes, buffaloes and more. Situated in spectacular mountains near Mossel Bay, the reserve boasts a great diversity of habitats and 26 different species of wildlife.  The 4,200 hectare reserve is a paradise for bird watchers, with more than 200 species to be seen. In an open game viewing vehicle, your guide will take you to the best locations to spot lions, zebras, elephants, and other animals. After the game drive, spend some time enjoying the facilities, including a restaurant and an open-air swimming pool.

Take a 3.5 hour guided game late afternoon drive at Botlierskop Private Game Reserve, and experience close encounters with rhinos, lions, giraffes, buffalos and more. Located in spectacular mountains near Mossel Bay, the reserve boasts a great diversity of habitats and 26 different species of wildlife. The 4,200 hectare reserve is ideal for bird watchers, with more than 200 different varieties to be seen. In an open game viewing vehicle, your guide will take you to the finest locations to spot lions, zebras, elephants, and other animals. After the game drive, spend some time enjoying the facilities, including a restaurant and an open-air swimming pool.

Day 1: Botlierskop, Oudtshoorn Travel route about 450km / 6 hrs daily. Leave Cape Town or Stellenbosch early morning ( between 6am to 7am) and trade the silhouette of Table Mountain for the lush green scenery of the start of the Garden Route region after about 450km of driving. The first game reserve visited is 5 hours driving away (subject to weather, stops and traffic), but the route is scenic with a few photo and rest stops along the way. The 3500ha Botlierskop private game reserve is located in a malaria-free area and home to an abundance of wildlife including four of the Big Five, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, well over 26 different species of animals, and more than 200 bird species. Spot some of Africa’s wild animals from the back of an open-top 4x4 vehicle and particularly keep your eyes open for lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino sightings. Leopards are nocturnal hunters, evasive and not contained by fences so it's unlikely to see them during these game drives.  During the 2-hour game drive you may get a more personal encounter with nature on a short tranquil bush walk (subject to weather & safety). Hop off the safari vehicle for about 5 minutes, following your game ranger to look for smaller wildlife and plants of the coastal Renosterveldt region.  A short drive to end your day in Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world. Enjoy your evening at leisure under the Klein Karoo's twinkling starry skies. Ask your guide to book a restaurant meal or optional 'braai' barbecue dinner - subject to availability - to taste local delights, such as ostrich 'sosatie' kebab & 'pot brood' bread. Overnight in Oudtshoorn as per your stay package selected: Uthando Backpackers (Dorm or Own Saver package) or 88 Baron van Reede guesthouse (Comfort package) or Buffelsdrift (Luxe package) or Mooiplaas guesthouse (Farmstay package) . Day 2: Oudtshoorn, Route 62 After breakfast, jump straight into the thick of the Klein Karoo bush this morning as you set out on an open-topped 2-hour 4x4 bush drive to seek out more of Africa’s smaller wildlife at Buffelsdrift Private Game Reserve. Your expert guide and ranger will help spot wildlife and share some of nature’s secrets while teaching you about the region’s fauna and flora. This bush drive focuses more on looking closer to see details of nature as the reserve is not home to many big game. Join elephant guides on an optional Elephant Observation in Nature activity (at extra expense) to see three rescued elephants in their natural habitat near the waterhole. Learn about these gentle giants, under the watchful eye of the elephant guides. As you observe these lovable creatures you can take photos and ask ellie-related questions. End-off the day with a 400km drive along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world! Capture the beauty of high mountains, twisting passes, and rugged Karoo plains before arriving in Cape Town or Stellenbosch by evening (between 8pm to 10pm).

Day 1: Route 62 Start with a morning pickup (6am to 7am) from your accommodation in Cape Town and Stellenbosch. Travel about 450km ( about 6 hours driving) along Route 62, the longest wine route in the world, with a wine-tasting stop (non-alcoholic tasting available too) before reaching Oudtshoorn by afternoon. For a close encounter with Mother Nature, opt in to join elephant guides on an Elephant Observation in Nature (at extra cost) and observe 3 lovable rescued elephants in their natural Cango Valley bush veld habitat. Overnight Stay at Uthando Backpackers (Backpack package) or 88 van Rheede Guesthouse (3 star Comfort package) or Hlangana lodge or similar (4 star Luxury package). Ask to upgrade to Buffelsdrift at extra fee. Day 2: Oudtshoorn Travel time today is about 250km/3 hours. Visit a working ostrich farm and see the largest flightless birds in the world. Next, head to the mountains to go deep underground in the illuminated wonder world of the Cango Caves, exploring vast halls filled with ancient stalactites before traveling onward for about 400km to reach the Addo town region. Overnight Stay at Avaco Cabins (Backpack package) or Happy Lands (Comfort package) or Addo Wildlife lodge or similar (Luxury package). Day 3: Addo, Jeffreys Bay Travel route about 300km/3 hours. Rise early for the best chance to spot wildlife as the bush awakes in Addo Elephant National Park, the 3rd largest national park in South Africa. Join your own group after breakfast for the included 2-hour van game drive with your guide to search for some of the big five animals; if lucky you'll spot elephants, buffalos, lion & more. Travel about 200km to J'bay to either spend free time at the beach or choosing between optional surfing or beach horseback riding (extra cost). Overnight at Island Vibe (Backpacker package) or Sea Whisper (3 star Comfort package) or On The Beach Lodge or similar (Luxury package). Day 4: Tsitsikamma, Sedgefield Travel route about 300km/3 hours. After breakfast, drive inland to experience an optional highest Bungy jump bridge in the world, optional Waterfall Zipline over waterfalls in Tsitsikamma forest (both at extra cost) or choose to have free time and arrive early to spend more time in Tsitsikamma National Park. After all had some time to explore the park, drive onward with a photo stop at Knysna's lagoon en route to Sedgefield. Overnight at Pili Pili Backpackers (Backpacker package), or The Rex (Comfort package), or Protea Hotel Knysna or similar (Luxury package). Day 5: Garden Route Safari Travel route about 400km/6 hours. Take the road back along the coastline until a 2-3 hour safari activity stop in the heart of the native bushveld. Search for most of the Big 5 and other wild animals from an open 4x4 vehicle in the Botlierskop Reserve. Journey back to Cape Town with evening drop-offs in Cape Town or Stellenbosch (between 8pm to 10pm).

Day 1: Cape Town to Oudtshoorn: Cango Caves and Buffelsdrift Bush Safari Game Drive Pick-up is between 06:00 and 06:30 am from your Cape Town accommodation. Our 5-hour trip to Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich Capital along the Garden Route, includes breaks for refreshments and rest stops. When we reach Oudtshoorn, we'll visit the Cango Caves for a 1-hour Heritage Tour of these ancient caves. Join a guided walk through the caves and delve deeper into one of the prominent attractions along the Garden Route. Following the Cango Caves visit, we'll drive for about 20 minutes to Buffelsdrift Game Reserve for an Afternoon Safari Experience. At 13:30, we'll have lunch. Following our Bush Safari Experience at Buffelsdrift, we'll journey to Chandelier Game Lodge for dinner and overnight stay. Day 2: Chandelier Giraffe & Ostrich Tour and Botlierskop Big 5 Safari Rise to the sounds of African wildlife and enjoy breakfast at Chandelier restaurant around 8:00 am. The morning includes a 30-minute Giraffe encounter at 9:00 am and a 1-hour Ostrich Tour at 10:00 am. After these experiences, guests will check out and head to Botlierskop. After morning activities and check-out, we'll depart Chandelier Game Lodge for Botlierskop Game Reserve. Enjoy lunch and a thrilling 3-hour afternoon Big 5 safari starting at 14:00. Encounter Rhinoceros, Lions, Elephants, Buffalo, Cheetah, Giraffe, rare Black Impala, Golden Wildebeest, Mountain Zebra, Hippos, and more! Following our thrilling Big 5 safari game drive at Botlierskop, we'll leave the Garden Route and head back to Cape Town. The journey will take roughly 4 to 4.5 hours, and we anticipate arriving in Cape Town around 21:00.

Day 1: (Travel about 400 km) Start with a morning pickup to journey along the Route 62; passing vineyards and orchards along the longest wine route in the world before arriving at Viljoensdrift winery for a peaceful river cruise at noon. Meander along the Breede River, flanked by indigenous trees teeming with birdlife, while wine tasting onboard an elegant flat-bottomed riverboat. And a picnic lunch (optional with extra cost) is the perfect way to spend a laid-back afternoon. Continue to reach Buffelsdrift, a private game lodge on the outskirts of Oudtshoorn, for a serene "Shy Five" bush drive after sunset. Learn about the natural landscapes and wildlife of the Klein Karoo - look out for buffalo, giraffe, kudu, porcupine... Return to the lodge for dinner on the deck overlooking the waterhole dam before you turn in for a peaceful night in your luxury glamping canvas tent nearby. Day 2: (Travel about 300 km) Awake to sounds of wildlife as the bush come to life around you. After breakfast, you'll leave behind the vast plains inland to reach the lush forest-coastal paradise of the Wilderness region. Visit the Wilderness National Park for an immersive walk at this bird-watchers' dream, looking out for colourful Kingfishers or the illusive Knsyna loerie. In the afternoon drive towards the Knysna lagoon for a 2 hour luxury catamaran cruise (subject to weather conditions). Take in sunset views while enjoying a complimentary glass of bubbly. Search the horizon for pods of dolphins and other ocean life and as dark falls you'll return to land for some free time at the Knysna Waterfront and your overnight stay at Knysna Quays hotel. Day 3: (Travel about 200 km) After breakfast you'll set course to Botlierskop Game Reserve for an exhilarating 4x4 safari; traversing vast hills and valleys in search of some members of the African Big 5 with a knowledgeable game ranger at your side. This 4200 hectare reserve with sprawling views of the Outeniqua mountains and the Indian Ocean is home to four of the Big Five and host unrivalled wild animal viewing opportunities of the region. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of Africa’s apex predators, the lions! Head on to Agulhas Ocean House for the night. Day 4:(Travel about 400 km) Wake to spectacular ocean views, and today the first stop on the return to Cape Town is at the very Tip of Africa; Cape Agulhas – the southernmost point of the continent and the spot where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans collide. Continue along the coast to reach Hermanus, known around the world for its unparalleled land-based whale watching. Set off on a leisurely stone-cliff path walkways to watch whales leap forth right before your eyes during whale season (June to November). Before the journey draws to a close, you'll visit the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens for chance to see a secluded waterfall within this magical fynbos parklands and then wind along the spectacular Clarence Drive to return by early evening in Cape Town.

DAY 1: The tour commences with a pick up from your accommodation at 06:30am by our professional private tour guide. Then we start the journey en route to Garden Route. Experience a scenic drive along the N2 passing through small towns such as Caledon and Riversdale. Our first quick stop will be in the Albertina Aloe Vera factory for a cup of coffee. Then we drive to Botlierskop Game Reserve for a delightful lunch between the times of 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm. After lunch we start the exciting game drive at 2:30 pm in a 4x4 open truck, affording you a wonderful experience to spot the renowned Big 5. We continue the journey passing through George town and stopping in the adventure-filled town of Knysna for a drop-off at your accommodation. There will be a 2-hour gap between 18:00 and 20:00pm for dinner transfers to restaurants by your professional tour guide. And after dinner, a drop off at your accommodation. DAY 2: The following day's adventure begins after breakfast and check out from your accommodation. Then we take a scenic drive along Knysna Heads for 15 minutes and thereafter stop at the enchanting Garden of Eden for a quick guided walking tour. We make our way to the greatest bird sanctuary in the Southern Hemisphere to visit the Birds of Eden affording you an enchanting and wondrous moment with a variety of birds. We also visit the monkeys at Monkeyland. Continuing in the spirit of adventure, we visit the Tsitsikamma National Park where one can take an exciting 900m hike to the suspension bridge at Storms River Mouth. Thereafter a serving of lunch will occur at Cattle Baron restaurant. We leave for Oudtshoorn, the land of the ostriches. Staying for the night at a hotel in Oudtshoorn and having dinner at the hotel. DAY 3: On the third day, this tour starts after a pick-up from your accommodation after breakfast.Then your tour guide will take you on a drive to the historical Cango Caves site where you'll get an exciting chance to experience a guided tour of the caves. The adventure continues with a stop at the Cango Wildlife Ranch, a habitat of over 90 species of animals. Explore and spot the exotic giant White Bengal Tiger or the crocodiles that lay at bay. Our last destination for this tour ends at the ostrich capital, Oudtshoorn. We will spend 2 hours here exploring the exotic African ostriches on a 4x4 Game drive and end off our experience with lunch at Ostrich Show Farm restaurant. Following lunch we depart for Cape Town via the R62 ensuring comfort stops along the way.