Mosetlha Bush Camp is family owned and managed Ego Lodge. Rustic and intimate, un-fenced bush camp nestling at the very heart of the magnificent Madikwe Game Reserve. We are this Reserve’s only authentic bush camp the unpolished gem in Madikwe’s crown! It is our mission to provide you with an exclusive and unique wilderness experience. In order to ensure guests our best possible attention, we accommodate a maximum of 16 people in nine double cabins. The camp is un-fenced and our guests are accommodated in true safari style in raised wooden cabins set among the natural vegetation around a central camp fire and Lapa area. Our catering is of high standard we prepare all meals in the traditional bush style on the open fire. Included, too, are tea, coffee, fruit juice, rusks, fruit and snacks throughout the day and on your daily walks and drives.
https://madikwegamereserve.net/mosetlha.html#sigProGalleriadf0d4f08b5
- Rates
- Accommodation
- Informations
- Location
- Terms
- Direction
- Safaris
- The Lodge
International Visitors Rates |
|
Rates inclusive of 15% VAT • South African Rand • Subject to availability | |
1 Jul 2024 - 30 Jun 2025 | |
Per Person Per Night Sharing | R4 995 |
Per Person Single Per Night | R5 495 |
1 Jul 2025 - 31 Dec 2025 | |
Per Person Per Night Sharing | R5 495 |
Per Person Single Per Night | R6 045 |
- Children under the age of 12 years receive a rate of R200 less than the adult rate.
We offer highly
competitive and exclusive rates which are individually calculated.
Please contact us for your personal quote.
As we are a
rustic unfenced bush camp we only accommodate children over the age of
6 years.
These rates are based on a minimum
2 night stay. We do not do one night stays.
The Rates Include
- Comfy accommodation in raised wood and thatch cabins - all stand alone cabins have their own private toilet and shower. The two adjoining cabins share their own private facilities.
- All meals - three a day.
- Tea, coffee, fruit juice, rusks, fruit and game drive snacks.
- Twice daily exclusive game drives (with sunrise and sunset stops) with our expert guides, Jonny and Justice, throughout the magnificent Reserve.
The Rates exclude
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- The once-off Madikwe Reserve entrance fee per person which we collect on behalf of North West Parks (subject to change)
- Daily conservation levy per person, which we collect on behalf of the Madikwe Concessionaires' Forum (subject to change)
- Gratuities for your field guide and the lodge team
- Our Mosetlha branded clothing.
Check in/out
policy:
Please aim to arrive at Abjaterskop or Molatedi Gate at 12h30 to ensure
you don't miss lunch and the afternoon game drive (which goes at
between 15.00 and 16.00 depending on the time of year)
Please note Madikwe's gates are closed between 6pm and 6am
Check out on the day you depart is at 11.00
Guests
are to please bring cash to pay for these expenses as we do not have
credit card facilities at the camp
Payment
terms:
- A deposit of 50% is required in order to confirm any booking.
- This standard deposit is different for special/discounted bookings. Special bookings (exclusive use of camp/vehicle, long stays, and others stays where rates are in any way discounted) will be subject to a 75% payment to confirm the booking, with the 25% balance payable 30 days before arrival.
- The balance is required in full 30 days prior to the start date of your visit.
- If accommodation is booked for a date less than 30 days away, the full amount is payable.
- A deposit of 50% (or 75% for special bookings) is required in order to confirm your booking.
- Please note that bookings are not confirmed until the deposit payment has been received.
- The balance is required in full 30 days prior to the start date of your visit.
- In the event of cancellation more than 31 days before the arrival date of your stay, the cancellation fee is 25% of the total booking value.
- If cancellation is within 15 - 30 days of arrival, the cancellation fee is 75%.
- If cancellation is within 14 days of arrival, the cancellation fee is 100%.
- If accommodation is booked for a date within 30 days of the arrival date, the full amount is payable at the time of booking and a 100% cancellation fee is applicable in the event of a subsequent cancellation.
- (If you are an International guest please ensure that you have travel insurance in place in the event of you having to cancel your trip.)
- We reserve the right to cancel (or amend rates for) any booking if we determine that any personal information or data provided by guests at any stage of the booking be false or otherwise inaccurate or misleading. (This pertains most obviously to falsely declaring guests' residential status as South Africa in order to receive discounted local rates, when this is not the case.)
Our family owned bush camp and eco lodge, intimately located in the heart of the Madikwe Game Reserve is well known for its exclusive and private wilderness encounters. Mosetlha is an Eco Lodge, it has always been our aim to cater for an unforgettable wilderness experience for our guests, without taking any harmful ecological impact on the environment. The traditional bush style cuisine prepared by our renowned chefs leaves nothing to be desired.
The camp is unfenced and
offers accommodation for a maximum of 16 guests. This guarantees a
personal and private atmosphere. Our nine genuine safari- style wooden
cabins are situated in the midst of the Madikwe bushveld around a
common fireplace and lapa area. Each cabin features:
- Adjoining or detached double rooms
- Twin beds
- Duvets, pillows, blankets and towels are provided by us
- Fenced toilet and shower facilities are conveniently located among the cabins
The travelling time from Pretoria/Johannesburg to Madikwe Game Reserve is about 31⁄2 - 5 hours, depending on the route you choose (details of the routes to Madikwe are given in Section 10 below). Once at the Gate, you will be given your gate entry permit and directed to the North West Parks and
Tourism Board (NWPTB) Administration Office, where we will meet you. Please remember, check in time at the Gate is 12h30. (The drive from the Reserve Gates to the Park Administration Office takes approximately 20 – 30 minutes.)
2. ACTIVITIES
Your wilderness experience starts with you arriving at the Parks Administration Office where you leave your car for the duration of your stay (this is a secure, fenced in area). We take you back to the Lodge, where you will unpack and settle in. NWPTB regulations require that guests sign an indemnity on check-in at the camp. After lunch you will go for an afternoon/evening game drive. Upon your return there will be a cooked dinner.
On the subsequent days of your visit, there will be game drives in the morning and in the afternoon/evening (except on the day of departure).
On the last day of your stay, after returning from your morning drive, there will be breakfast, after which you will pack up and be taken back to your own vehicle at about midday for your return trip home.
3. MEALS AND DRINKS
Catering includes all meals per day, starting with lunch on the first day and ending with breakfast on the day of departure. (In the winter months there will usually be a cooked brunch at about 11h00 after the morning drive; “high tea” at about 15h00 and dinner at about 19h30.) We also provide snacks during
drives and tea, coffee, rusks and fruit are always available. We believe our catering is of a high standard, in the traditional bushveld style using open fires, potjie pots and braai grids.
We sell a reasonable selection of beer, wine, spirits, fizzy drinks and mineral water.
Please do not bring your own drinks or food; this makes things awkward for us and embarrassing for you. If, despite this request not to do so, you still decide to bring your own drinks or food, please note that there will not be fridge space for it and you will be charged a corkage fee for drinks.
4. ACCOMMODATION AND FACILITIES
We provide all accommodation and ablution facilities and all meals and snacks as mentioned above.
Our Camp accommodation consists of wooden cabins with partly open sides, raised about a metre off the ground. Provisions include twin beds and all bedding (duvets, pillows and blankets) and towels. (In the winter we provide hot water bottles and extra blankets.)
The facilities are not en-suite. We have three toilet and shower complexes discreetly positioned near the cabins. These are of roofed timber construction and are fully surrounded by a wire mesh fence. (We also provide potties in the cabins for overnight use.) Although we do not have running water, hot water is always available and is heated through a traditional donkey boiler, and our safari showers and VIP toilets work extremely well.
In addition to the dining area, there is a stone and thatch "lapa" or recreation area with tables and chairs, also with partly open sides, where guests can relax, read, play board games, etc and where corporate groups can hold discussions. The Camp does not have electrical power supply or land line
telephones. (Cell phone contact is possible but limited.) Do bring your camera battery charger with you, as staff have solar powered power points (you will need to bring a standard South African 2 or 3 pin plug, which ever fits your charger.)
Facilities
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Lounge
We have compiled a book about Madikwe and its creatures and features which we give to our guests to enjoy whilst with us at the Lodge, and to take home afterwards.
Our field guides carry first aid kits and are certificated to Level 2 as a minimum.
6. ITEMS TO BE PROVIDED BY EACH GUEST
- The dress code is Casual. In addition to your clothing, please also bring:
- Light raincoat/poncho (summer)
- Insect repellent (Tabard/Mylol)
- Binoculars
- Camera (charger/spare batteries)
- Anorak/thick jacket (winter)
- Sun protection cream
- Torch/Flashlight
- Cap or hat
7. RATES
Our standard rates are per person per night sharing (there is an additional charge for a single supplement) and are fully inclusive. The price covers accommodation, all meals (and tea, coffee, rusks, fruit and fruit juice and snacks), and two guided game drives a day (a morning and an afternoon/evening drive), as well as emergency medical evacuation insurance.
It does not include the Reserve Entrance Fee (currently R180.00 per person, please note that this fee is subject to change without prior notice), as well as Conservation Fees of R150.00 per person per day, which we collect from you on behalf of NWPTB; alcoholic and soft drinks; branded Mosetlha clothing and Staff gratuities.
8. TERMS OF PAYMENT
A deposit of 50% is required in order to confirm your booking. Please note that until this payment is received, your booking is not confirmed. The balance is required in full 30 days prior to the start date of your visit, after which the deposit will not be refunded in the event of cancellation.
In the event of cancellation more than 30 days before the date of your stay, all monies paid will be refunded except for 10% of the total booking value as an administration fee.
If accommodation is booked for a date less than 30 days after the booking date, the full amount is payable at the time of booking and only 50% will be refunded in the event of a subsequent cancellation.
Once again, your booking is not confirmed until payment is received.
Please note that no refund can be made in the event of cancellation less than seven (7) clear calendar days before the booked date of arrival.
9. GRATUITIES
It is customary to tip Camp staff (field guides and housekeeping) in the same way as one would in other hospitality or service industries. Obviously this is entirely at your discretion. General guideline is:
- About R50.00 per couple per day for the kitchen/housekeeping staff (there is an envelope provided for this and can be left with the manager).
- Between R100-R150 per couple per day for your field guide (which can be handed to him/her personally, also in the envelope provided).
Madikwe Game Reserve is located in South Africa’s North West Province with Botswana as our northern border. It is about a 3½ to 4 hour drive from Johannesburg or Pretoria, either via Zeerust or via Sun City.
From the Airport, get on to the R21 heading towards Pretoria – After about 15 - 20 minutes you join the N1 Pretoria. You travel through Centurion and after about 10 - 15 minutes, you’ll see a sign N4 Rustenburg – follow this sign. There are 2 toll roads over the next half hour. Now you’re on the N4, you can either continue straight and follow the Rustenburg/Zeerust route, or you can take the Sun City/Pilanesburg turn off and go that way.
Our rates
- A minimum 2-night stay applies. We do not do one night stays.
- As we are a rustic unfenced bush camp we only accommodate children over the age of 6 years.
- Guests are to please bring cash to pay for these expenses as we do not have credit card facilities at the camp)
- Our guests have found that the wilderness experience is much enhanced if they can come for at least three nights. This allows their stay to take place in a totally relaxed atmosphere and for them to see the widest variety of animals.
The Rates Include
- Comfy accommodation in raised wooden cabins - all stand alone cabins (with thatched roofs) have their own private toilet and shower. The two adjoining cabins (with tin roofs) share their own private facilities.
- All meals - three a day.
- Tea, coffee, fruit juice, rusks, fruit and game drive snacks.
- Twice daily exclusive game drives (with sunrise and sunset stops) with our expert guides, Jonny and Justice, throughout the magnificent Reserve.
The Rates exclude
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- The once-off Madikwe Reserve entrance fee of R180 per person which we collect on behalf of North West Parks (subject to change)
- Daily conservation levy of R180 per person, which we collect on behalf of the Madikwe Concessionaires' Forum (subject to change)
- Gratuities for your field guide and the lodge team
Check in/out
policy:
- Please aim to arrive at Abjaterskop or Molatedi Gate at 12h30 to ensure you don't miss lunch and the afternoon game drive (which goes at between 15.00 and 16.00 depending on the time of year).
- Please note Madikwe's gates are closed between 6pm and 6am.
- Check out on the day you depart is at 11.00.
- A deposit of 50% is required in order to confirm any booking.
- This standard deposit is different for special/discounted bookings. Special bookings (exclusive use of camp/vehicle, long stays, and others stays where rates are in any way discounted) will be subject to a 75% payment to confirm the booking, with the 25% balance payable 45 days before arrival.
- The balance is required in full 45 days prior to the start date of your visit.
- If accommodation is booked for a date less than 30 days away, the full amount is payable.
Cancellation Policy
- A deposit of 50% (or 75% for special bookings) is required in order to confirm your booking.
- Please note that bookings are not confirmed until the deposit payment has been received.
- The balance is required in full 45 days prior to the start date of your visit.
- In the event of cancellation more than 46 days before the arrival date of your stay, the cancellation fee is 25% of the total booking value.
- If cancellation is within 15 - 30 days of arrival, the cancellation fee is 75%.
- If cancellation is within 14 days of arrival, the cancellation fee is 100%.
- If accommodation is booked for a date within 30 days of the arrival date, the full amount is payable at the time of booking and a 100% cancellation fee is applicable in the event of a subsequent cancellation.
- (If you are an International guest please ensure that you have travel insurance in place in the event of you having to cancel your trip.)
- We reserve the right to cancel (or amend rates for) any booking if we determine that any personal information or data provided by guests at any stage of the booking be false or otherwise inaccurate or misleading. (This pertains most obviously to falsely declaring guests' residential status as South Africa in order to receive discounted local rates, when this is not the case.)
Situated in the North West Province (with Botswana as its northern
border) and one of our nearest malaria free, Big Five areas, Madikwe is
only a 3½ - 5 hour drive from Johannesburg, depending on the
route they choose. Almost 70 000 hectares in extent, rugged, with an
untouched beauty, Madikwe is the fourth largest Game Reserve in the
country.
The wildlife is extensive and impressive. With the Big Five (lion,
leopard, elephant, buffalo and both black and white rhino) plus the
extremely rare and endangered wild dog and cheetah and almost any other
predator you can think of, a multitude of plains game and the latest
bird list boasting 340 species, Madikwe has earned its place as one of
the most spectacular game viewing destinations in Southern Africa.
We are very proud to be a part of the important Madikwe conservation
initiative and look forward to welcoming your clients to one of its
best kept secrets – the little Bush Camp where you really get
the dust of Africa on your feet!
Mosetlha is family owned and run, a rustic and intimate, unfenced Bush
Camp nestled at the very heart of Madikwe. The simplicity of open fire
cooking, no electricity (despite this we are able to charge your camera
batteries for you!), safari showers (with hot water!) and raised wooden
cabins lets you escape real life just for a while and appreciate a
genuine bushveld experience. Game drives twice a day through the entire
Reserve in open 4x4's with professional guides give you the opportunity
to enjoy the fascination of the wilderness and a true safari adventure.
You should be at the Reserve Gate at 12h30 on check in day. (Please don't arrive before 12h30, as we are unable to accommodate you before then – also, please try not to be much later than that as we collect all checking-in guests at the same time.
Please note, if you arrive later than 12h30, you run the risk of missing the afternoon/evening game drive (you need to be at the Reserve gates no later than 14h00 in order to make the drive). f you are not at the gate by 18h00 in the evening, the North West Parks Board have said that no guests are permitted to drive in the Reserve unless they are escorted in – this is for security reasons. However, arriving at this time there is an additional charge of R 250.00 per vehicle as we will have to meet you at the Reserve Gate and escort you to the North West Parks Board Office which is where you leave your vehicle during your stay with us. Please note that the Reserve Gates close at 20h00.
PLEASE USE THESE DIRECTIONS – PLEASE DO NOT USE YOUR GPS! |
There are two different routes from Johannesburg/Pretoria to Madikwe Game Reserve, either via Zeerust to Abjaterskop Gate or via Sun City to Molatedi Gate.
The Zeerust route is tarmac all the way and has almost constant cell phone signal - and a ±R75.00 toll. Allow at least 41⁄2 to 5 hours travelling time from Johannesburg.
The route via Sun City has a 30 km gravel road just before you get to the Reserve and you do not have cell phone reception all the way. Allow at least 31⁄2 to 4 hours travelling time from Johannesburg.
Both require you to get onto the N4 Rustenburg. There are directions to the N4 from Hartebeespoort under “Directions to get to Zeerust” and to the N4 via Pretoria under the “Route from O R Tambo International Airport directions below.
Whichever gate you come in at, the procedure is identical: the gate guard will give you a sheet with directions to the meeting point. S/he will also fill in a Park Entrance Permit with your details and will radio us to tell us of your arrival. (You do not need to pay the entrance fee at the gate – we will collect this
from you on behalf of Parks Board.) You will be given two copies of the Entrance Permit; please hand the pink copy to your Field Guide when s/he meets you and retain the white original for when you exit the Reserve.
In order to get to the place where you will leave your vehicle and be met by your field guide, please follow these directions once you’ve entered the gate.
Whilst driving in the Madikwe Game Reserve, please observe the 40 kph speed limit, for your safety and that of the animals.
From Abjaterskop Gate: continue straight for 11 kilometres until you reach a T-junction with a signpost pointing left to “Derdepoort Gate, Molatedi Gate” etc. Turn left here and follow this road for approximately another 2 kilometres and, at the top of the hill, just after passing under the power lines,
turn right following the sign saying “Park Administration”. Just 400 metres further on you will come to a sliding gate in an electrified fence on your right hand side and a sign saying “Admin Office”. Enter this gate, swing immediately left and park at the back of the building next to the tower with the three
green water tanks. Here you will be met by your Mosetlha field guide.
From Molatedi Gate continue for 11,6 km where, immediately after curving to the left underneath the telephone lines, follow the sign saying "Park Administration". Just seven hundred metres further on you will come to a sliding gate in an electrified fence on your left, and the last sign indicating "Park
Administration”. Enter this gate, swing immediately left and park at the back of the building next to the tower with the three green water tanks. Here you will be met by your Mosetlha field guide.
Directions from Zeerust
In Zeerust, turn right at the fourth stop street, into President Street, following the signpost "R47 Gaborone
- Madikwe Game Reserve".
Follow the R47 (now newly signposted also as the R49) north towards Gaborone for 85km and look out for the “Abjaterskop Gate” into Madikwe which is on your right hand side.
Directions from Sun City
0km With the Sun City gates to your right, set your odometer to zero.
5.5 Turn right at the 4-way stop onto the “R565”.
13.1 Turn left to follow the "Bapong" sign then stay straight along this road. (This turning has a few Madikwe Game Reserve lodge signs here as well.)
WARNING! After 15.6km there is a sign "Madikwe Hospital Bapong" pointing left. PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS ROAD!
PLEASE DON’T FOLLOW GREEN “MADIKWE” SIGNS – THEY TAKE YOU TO MADIKWE VILLAGE.
THE BROWN MADIKWE GAME RESERVE SIGNS BRING YOU TO US!
49.9 At this 4-way crossing, turn right at the “Derdepoort” sign.
77.2 The tar road ends here as you pass the “Dwarsberg Trading Store” on your left. Travel straight through “Molatedi Village” and over the concrete bridge.
110.2 At the end of this road you will reach the Molatedi Gate of the Reserve.
Directions to get to Zeerust
(Please note there is a tollgate on this route which is currently charging around R75.00)
The route from Pretoria/Johannesburg goes via Hartebeespoort Dam, and onto the N4 past Rustenburg, Swartruggens and Zeerust is tarmac all the way. Allow at least 41⁄2 to 5 hours travelling time from Johannesburg. There are two ways to get to Hartebeespoort Dam from Jo’burg.
1. From the Sandton area, get onto the M1, at the “Buccleuch Interchange”, follow the N1 South, sign posted “Roodepoort”. Take the R511 turn off from the N1 signposted “William Nicol” – go north and follow the R511 towards “Hartebeespoort”.
2. Or, from the N1 heading towards Pretoria, take the Olifantsfontein turn off, turn left and go west on the R562 until you meet the R511 at the big intersection – turn right here and follow the signs to Hartebeespoort.
Once you reach Hartebeespoort, go through the Tunnel and the street markets (on either side of the road).
After ± 5kms, turn right at the “Rustenburg R512 (N4)” sign. Then, almost immediately (600 metres later) turn left onto the N4 Rustenburg.
Stay on this road – going through Rustenburg, Swartruggens (at 192 km) and through Zeerust (at 265 km).
Directions to get to Sun City
You follow the same route as to Zeerust, except, once you are on the N4, you take the very first off ramp you get to, sign posted “Pilanesburg/Sun City” and turn right back over the motorway, travelling for about 100 kilometres until your reach the Sun City gates. Then follow the above directions from Sun City.
Route from OR Tambo International Airport
From the Airport take the “R21 Pretoria" road, which joins the N1 at Centurion.
Follow the N1 Polokwane (Pietersburg) sign (heading east).
(There are a number of off ramps you will pass on this highway, including Rigel, Atterbury, Lynnwood, Zambesi.)
Take the N4 Rustenburg turn off. Almost immediately there is a toll gate (R7.20). You are now on the N4 and can follow the directions either via Zeerust or Sun City.
Directions from Gaborone, Botswana
(The route below is about 35 km from Gaborone and is tarmac all the way.)
To get to the Abjaterskop Gate of Madikwe Game Reserve, leave Gaborone by the Tlokweng Road and proceed to the Tlokweng Border Post, which is about 20 km from Gaborone. (This Border Post is known as “Kopfontein” on the South African side.)
After crossing through the border post, DO NOT TURN LEFT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE BORDER - carry on straight towards Zeerust for a further 15 km where you will see the Abjaterskop Gate entrance on your left hand side.
See the directions from Abjaterskop Gate above.
Directions FROM Mosetlha Bush Camp to OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg or Pretoria via Sun City
Go out of the North West Parks Board Office, where you left your vehicle, and turn right – stay on this road for about 20 minutes, remembering the Reserve speed limit of 40 km/h!
00.0 km Exit the Reserve at the Molatedi Gate
Set your clock to zero and go straight
Follow this road passing through some villages
33 km You will pass the Dwarsberg Trading Store on your right
Keep straight on : the tarmac starts here
60 km Turn left at the big cross roads. Signpost “(R556) Sun City / (R565) Rustenburg”
97 km You will come to a T-junction where you turn right following the “Rustenburg” sign
106 km At the four way stop, turn left towards “Sun City”
111.5 km Pass Sun City on your left hand side and follow this road for about 80kms
190.8 km Turn left onto the “N4 Pretoria” road
220 km You will get to a toll road – with a R 7.20 charge.
237 km You will see the first sign for N1 Johannesburg
255.6 km You will get to another toll road with a R 7.20 charge
Keep right after this toll and follow the N4/N1 Johannesburg
267 km Follow N1 Johannesburg
281 km If going to the Airport, take the R21 South turnoff towards “Kempton Park/Pretoria/OR Tambo International”
318 km Keep left
320 km Bear left and follow OR Tambo
321 km Follow Departures/Care Returns signs... have a good flight!
If continuing to Johannesburg or Sandton, continue to the Midrand/M1 South signs – the M1 brings you into Johannesburg
On arrival at the Camp you will find lunch ready for you and you can unpack and settle in. That afternoon you'll be taken on your first game drive. (Leaving time varies depending on the time of year – from about between 3.00 in mid winter to 4.30 in the heat of summer.)
Our professional, qualified field guides will take you out into the Reserve in our open 4x4 vehicles where you will have the chance to see the Big Five, the endangered wild dog, cheetah, a multitude of plains game and over 340 species of birds.
You’ll be out for about 4 hours and half way through you'll stop at a picturesque spot for drinks and snacks at sunset. After dark, spot lights are used to ensure that you are able to witness our more secretive, nocturnal animal and bird life.
Upon your return, a wholesome and traditionally cooked dinner will be waiting for you. After this, you can take your drinks or coffee to the camp fire and share your experiences of the day before collapsing into bed, to sleep as you can only do in the silence of the bush, under the stars.
The next morning we'll wake you up for a quick cup of coffee and an early morning start. (Here again, times vary between a 5am wake up call on the hot summer mornings and as late as 7.30 when it’s colder.)
In the summer when you get back you'll have a quick breakfast (toast, cereals and muesli, yoghurt, fresh fruit, hard boiled eggs and cheese) and time for a shower and a rest before lunch, then some more chill out time – read your book, do some bird spotting at the little water holes we have around the camp, or have an afternoon nap. Then it's time for the afternoon drive. During the winter months, we do a big cooked brunch and lighter afternoon high tea of soup, sandwiches and muffins just before your game drive.
On your day of departure, after your morning game activity, you come home to the camp for breakfast. We then take you back to your car at around midday for your return trip home (where it's back to real life after a few days of fabulous game viewing and serious relaxation, taking with you lots of photographs and some wonderful memories!).
Mosetlha is family owned and run. It’s a small, rustic, unfenced bush camp, located right in the middle of the magnificent Madikwe Game Reserve.
Mosetlha is the reserve’s second oldest lodge and only authentic bush camp and genuine eco lodge – the unpolished gem in Madikwe’s crown!
It was set up by Chris Lucas, originally as a location for guide training. It takes its name from the Weeping Wattle tree, called Mosetlha in the local Setswana language. There is a large Mosetlha tree around which the original cabins are built.
It is our mission to provide you with a unique wilderness experience, while also allowing you to travel responsibly and to tread gently through our beautiful land.
In order to ensure each visitor our best possible attention, we accommodate a maximum of 16 people in 10 twin cabins.
Our guests are accommodated in true safari style, in raised wooden cabins set among the natural vegetation around a central camp fire, lapa and dining area.
Our pride and joy is our stunning new deck! A beautiful space ideal for a yoga or wellness, dance, or meditation retreat; secluded enough for quiet moments; for a large group celebration, or an intimate drink or romantic, candlelit dinner for two. Sun bathing, star gazing, reading a book, having a nap, watching the sunset and the animals walking by - just being in the middle of the bush.
Thatched wooden cabins have partly open sides and are arranged in adjoining family or detached double rooms with twin beds and simple amenities. Duvets, pillows, blankets and towels are provided by us. (And hot water bottles for those winter nights!)
Bathrooms are discreetly situated just behind the cabins - the standalone cabins each have their own private toilet and shower - and the adjoining cabins share a toilet and shower between the two of them. We pride ourselves on our bushveld simplicity and do not have mod cons such as electrical power or running water – our showers are safari showers and water is heated through an old-fashioned “donkey boiler”. Bottles of body wash and conditioning shampoo are provided in the showers.
We provide simple, tasty meals, prepared in traditional bush style on the open fire. Included, too, are tea, coffee, fruit juice, rusks, fruit and snacks throughout the day and on your daily drives. Drinks are sold at a nominal mark-up and not at usual “hotel” prices. We have a good wine selection sourced from local South African vineyards. Guests help themselves to drinks and we use an honesty bar system.
It has always been our mission to provide an exclusive, unique wilderness experience for our guests, with minimal ecological impact on our surroundings.
... an eco lodge is an accommodation facility that satisfies at least five of the criteria listed below, three of which must embody the main principles of ecotourism.
We are so proud to feature in a beautiful coffee table book written by Hitesh Mehta – who has twice been a guest at Mosetlha – titled Authentic EcoLodges which is a look at 33 of the most forward thinking ecolodges in the world's most exotic destinations. Under International Ecolodge Guidelines he writes that “an eco lodge is an accommodation facility that satisfies at least five of the criteria listed below, three of which must embody the main principles of ecotourism”.
The 10 eco lodge criteria:
- Helps conserve the surrounding flora and fauna
- Tries to work with the local community
- Offers educational interpretive programmes to both its employees and tourists about the surrounding natural and cultural environments
- Uses alternative, sustainable means of water acquisition and reduces water consumption
- Provides for careful handling and disposal of solid waste and sewage
- Meets its energy needs through passive design and renewable energy resources
- Uses traditional building technology and materials wherever possible and combines these with their modern counterparts
- During construction has minimal impact on the natural environment
- Blends with local physical and cultural environment through careful attention to form, landscaping and colour, as well as the use of local traditional architecture
- Contributes to sustainable local community development through education programmes and research