GAME RESERVES NEAR KNYSNA IN A RADIUS OF 40-200KM:
Garden Route Game reserve
Experience African wildlife at the malaria-free Garden Route Game Lodge. Enjoy thrilling game drives with an expert ranger, spotting lions, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, and cheetahs. The lodge is also home to giraffes, zebras, and various antelope species. Game drives last 2-3 hours with refreshment stops at lookout points. Afterward, savor a delicious lunch at Serengeti’s Restaurant overlooking the reserve. Immerse yourself in a day filled with adventure and reflection at Garden Route Game Lodge.
BOTLIERSKOP PRIVATE GAME RESERVE
We offer a range of Garden Route activities for both day visitors and overnight guests. While most activities are available to day visitors, please note that some are exclusive to overnight guests. Additionally, we provide special activities for kids and have age limits for certain Botlierskop activities.
To ensure availability, it is essential to book ALL DAY VISITOR activities in advance. We highly recommend overnight guests to pre-book activities before their arrival. As a bonus, guests who book any day activities will receive a complimentary pass for the day to access our leisure area.
Guests have the option to bring their own towels or rent them from our reception. Whether you’re visiting for the day or staying overnight, we strive to offer an enjoyable and convenient experience during your time at Botlierskop.
GUIDED GAME DRIVES:
Embark on an authentic Garden Route Safari experience! Get up close and personal with a variety of majestic creatures, including Rhinoceros, Lions, Elephants, Buffalo, Cheetah, Giraffe, the rare Black Impala, Golden Wildebeest, Mountain Zebra, Hippos, and many more! Our expansive 4200ha Game Reserve is home to over 26 different species of animals and over 200 resident bird species, ensuring a rich and diverse wildlife encounter. Prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure as you explore the wonders of our remarkable Game Reserve.
Botlierskop Reserve is proud to be in alliance with the African Wildlife Conservation Foundation (AWCF) in our shared commitment to wildlife conservation. We believe in making a tangible difference and invite you to be a part of our wild veterinary safaris, where you can witness and participate in scheduled procedures aimed at the well-being of our wildlife.
Updates and specific time schedules for these safaris will be shared with you as soon as they become available. In addition to the scheduled procedures, our team is always ready to engage in impromptu rescue efforts to save injured animals, ensuring their safety and care.
We extend an invitation to join our team effort in making meaningful changes in conservation and safeguarding our planet. By participating in our Wild Vet Safaris, you become an integral part of our conservation endeavors.
At Botlierskop Reserve, we carry forward the conservation legacy instilled by the late Dr. Dirk Neethling, a renowned wildlife vet (1962-2007). Today, under the ownership of his son, Arnold Neethling, we continue to uphold this legacy by exploring new and innovative ways to promote wildlife conservation.
Our partnership with AWCF allows us to focus on special needs projects, working closely together to ensure a sustainable and enduring future for Africa and its magnificent inhabitants, both human and animal. Join us on this exciting journey as we strive to protect and preserve the remarkable continent we call home.
RELOCATION OF THE OXPECKER TO BOTLIERSKOP RESERVE:
The Oxpecker Project, initiated by the Endangered Wildlife Trust in 2002, is dedicated to the conservation and expansion of the Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) population in South Africa.
The project’s primary objective is to reintroduce these birds to areas where they were once abundant but have become extinct due to the use of organophosphate sheep and cattle dips. Botlierskop and AWCF actively participate in this endeavor, aiming to restore the endemic tick problem that plagues the Garden Route region.
Red-billed Oxpeckers play a crucial role in maintaining the balance between land-living mammals and tick infestations. By reintroducing these birds, we hope to regain control over the tick population and promote ecological harmony. Additionally, local farmers are being educated and mentored on the importance of using only Oxpecker-friendly dips, emphasizing the value of these birds in natural tick control.
Through the Oxpecker Project, Botlierskop and AWCF demonstrate their commitment to conservation and sustainable practices, working towards a healthier ecosystem for both wildlife and local communities.
GROUND BREAKING RESEARCH ON ANTI- CARCINOGENIC GENES IN ELEPHANT DNA RE- WILDING OF ELEPHANTS
At present, Botlierskop is home to a group of five free-ranging elephants, each with a unique story. Three of these elephants were rescued and successfully reintegrated into the wild at Botlierskop, while the remaining two were born within the reserve.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting African bush on a thrilling 2-hour game drive through our vast 2,200-hectare reserve. Witness the awe-inspiring wildlife and captivating scenery nestled at the base of the Tsitsikamma Mountains. Prepare for an unforgettable adventure as you explore the natural wonders of this remarkable landscape.