4.5
4.5/5

Mosetlha Bush Camp

Madikwe Safaris

A safari to Mosetlha Bush Camp in Madikwe Game Reserve is an experience not to miss.

But why Madikwe?

Firstly, Madikwe Game Reserve is the fifth largest game reserve in South Africa spanning 750 km2 of land where visitors can see the Big 5. It is right on the border with Botswana and close to the Kalahari Desert. This hidden gem is one of the lesser-known parks, but it is thought to be one of the best conservation areas in Africa.

What’s more, Madikwe Game Reserve is not too far from Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Gaborone in Botswana.

The Madikwe Game Reserve is a great place for a safari because it comprises many different kinds of landscapes and houses a lot of animals, including wild dogs. Because the reserve is so big, there are many different places to see animals and take pictures of beautiful scenes.

Madikwe is in a place where acacia bushveld and Kalahari thornveld meet. This means that the park has a lot of different types of land and plants, from open plains to thick thornveld. The red colour of the soil shows how close the reserve is to the Kalahari Desert. The reserve is home to more than 60 types of large mammals and over 450 types of birds.

It is a great place to start or end a trip to South Africa or to visit both South Africa and Botswana. Madikwe is also free of malaria, which means you do not need to take any extra medicine when you go on safari and stay in its full-board 4 or 5 star lodges. It has both high-end lodges and community lodges.

Madikwe is about 4.5 hours by car from both Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Booking a place to stay in the park is the only way to get into Madikwe Game Reserve because day visitors are not allowed. This makes the reserve a unique place to go on a safari because there is not a lot of traffic or crowds.

Madikwe is run as a joint venture by the North West Parks Board, the private sector (lodge owners), and the local people. The goal is to encourage wildlife-based economic activity that is good for the environment and helps the local people.

Mosetlha Bush Camp is an eco-lodge owned by a family and is right in the middle of the Madikwe Game Reserve, known for its private and exclusive wilderness experiences. Mosetlha’s goal has always been to give guests an unforgettable experience in the wilderness without hurting the environment and by following the criteria to be called an Eco Lodge.

The Mosetlha Bush Camp and Eco Lodge was built in 1995, not long after the Madikwe Game Reserve was officially established. Mosetlha is the second oldest lodge in the reserve and the only real bush camp and eco lodge – in short, it is the unpolished jewel in Madikwe’s crown.

Founder Chris Lucas discovered this perfect spot when following an elephant path to a large mosetlha tree near a pan in the middle of the park. Mosetlha is the Setswana word for the Peltophorum africanum tree, which is also called the “weeping wattle” or “crying tree” in Afrikaans. Mosetlha means “the yellow one” in Setswana, because the tree’s flowers are yellow.

The people who work there with the owning family are all from the area and some have been with Mosetlha for at least twenty years.

Accommodation

Madikwe is run as a joint venture by the North West Parks Board, the private sector (lodge owners), and the local people. The goal is to encourage wildlife-based economic activity that is good for the environment and helps the local people.

Mosetlha Bush Camp is an eco-lodge owned by a family and is right in the middle of the Madikwe Game Reserve, known for its private and exclusive wilderness experiences. Mosetlha’s goal has always been to give guests an unforgettable experience in the wilderness without hurting the environment and by following the criteria to be called an Eco Lodge.

The Mosetlha Bush Camp and Eco Lodge was built in 1995, not long after the Madikwe Game Reserve was officially established. Mosetlha is the second oldest lodge in the reserve and the only real bush camp and eco lodge – in short, it is the unpolished jewel in Madikwe’s crown.

Founder Chris Lucas discovered this perfect spot when following an elephant path to a large mosetlha tree near a pan in the middle of the park. Mosetlha is the Setswana word for the Peltophorum africanum tree, which is also called the “weeping wattle” or “crying tree” in Afrikaans. Mosetlha means “the yellow one” in Setswana, because the tree’s flowers are yellow.

The people who work there with the owning family are all from the area and some have been with Mosetlha for at least twenty years.

Facilities

Madikwe is run as a joint venture by the North West Parks Board, the private sector (lodge owners), and the local people. The goal is to encourage wildlife-based economic activity that is good for the environment and helps the local people.

Mosetlha Bush Camp is an eco-lodge owned by a family and is right in the middle of the Madikwe Game Reserve, known for its private and exclusive wilderness experiences. Mosetlha’s goal has always been to give guests an unforgettable experience in the wilderness without hurting the environment and by following the criteria to be called an Eco Lodge.

The Mosetlha Bush Camp and Eco Lodge was built in 1995, not long after the Madikwe Game Reserve was officially established. Mosetlha is the second oldest lodge in the reserve and the only real bush camp and eco lodge – in short, it is the unpolished jewel in Madikwe’s crown.

Founder Chris Lucas discovered this perfect spot when following an elephant path to a large mosetlha tree near a pan in the middle of the park. Mosetlha is the Setswana word for the Peltophorum africanum tree, which is also called the “weeping wattle” or “crying tree” in Afrikaans. Mosetlha means “the yellow one” in Setswana, because the tree’s flowers are yellow.

The people who work there with the owning family are all from the area and some have been with Mosetlha for at least twenty years.

Activities

Day visitors are not allowed in the park, so during game drives, there are only vehicles from the lodges in the veld – a true exclusive safari experience.

On the afternoon of your first day at the camp, you will go on your first game drive with a professional, qualified field guide in an open 4×4 vehicle, where you may see the Big Five, the endangered wild dog, the cheetah, a variety of plains game, and over 340 species of birds.

You will be out for about 4 hours, and about halfway through, you will stop at a beautiful place at sunset for drinks and snacks. After dark, spotlights are used to make sure you can see the animals and birds that only come out at night.

When you get back, a healthy dinner will wait for you. After that, you can take your drinks or coffee to the campfire and talk about your day before collapsing into bed and sleeping under the stars in the quiet of the bush.

In the mornings you will have an early start for a game drive before breakfast.

 After that, you will have time to relax, read a book, watch birds at the little water holes around camp, or take an afternoon nap before it is time to go for an afternoon drive.

On the day you leave, you can enjoy a last game drive and breakfast before leaving around noon.

Through you stay and game drive activities at the camp, you will note that the follow all criteria to be called an eco-lodge:

  • Protecting plants and animals in the area
  • Working with people in the area
  • Offering programmes for both employees and tourists that teach them about the natural and cultural environments around them.
  • Using sustainable ways to get water and cuts down on how much water is used.
  • Making sure that solid waste and sewage are handled and thrown away in a safe way.
  • Using passive design and renewable energy sources to get the energy they need.
  • When possible, using traditional building methods and materials and combines them with modern equivalents to have little effect on the natural environment.
  • Giving attention to shape, landscaping, and colour, as well as the use of local traditional architecture, to make it fit in with the local physical and cultural environment.
  • Through research and education programmes, contributes to the long-term growth of local communities.

Rates

Mosetlha Bush Camp offers competitive and exclusive rates on an individually quoted base.

Children from 6 years are welcome.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

What makes Mosetlha Bush Camp special?

Mosetlha Bush Camp is a unique experience in Madikwe Game Reserve. It offers guests an unforgettable wilderness experience while protecting the environment. Mosetlha Bush Camp, the second-oldest lodge in the reserve and established in 1995, remains a gem unpolished that is a testament to Madikwe Game Reserve.

 

What facilities can I expect at Mosetlha Bush Camp?

Mosetlha Bush Camp provides an authentic safari within the Madikwe Game Reserve. This family-owned camp was founded on eco-friendly values and blends in seamlessly with its environment. Exclusive to the lodges are game drives led by professional guides. These offers the opportunity to see the Big Five as well as wild dogs, cheetahs and other animals. Mosetlha is a conservation-focused lodge that contributes to local communities while offering a unique experience.

 

What activities are available during my stay at Mosetlha Bush Camp?

Open 4×4 vehicles with expert guides will take you on a thrilling game drive to begin your Mosetlha experience. These excursions offer the chance to see the Big Five as well as wild dogs, cheetahs and diverse bird species. The afternoon drives are followed with sunset drinks and snacks in a stunning landscape. Mosetlha adheres to sustainable practices and eco-friendly criteria. This ensures a memorable experience while supporting local communities.