1. Early History
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  2. Story of the black impala
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  3. Dr Dirk Neethling bought the land
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  4. Luxury Tented Suites opened
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  5. Veld fire destroying most vegetation and some animals
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  6. In August, the Tented Suites flooded twice
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  7. 22 November, the Tented Suites flooded again. Botlierskop was closed to all Day Visitors and accommodation guests
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  8. Bush Villas opening
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  9. Horse Stable opening
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  10. Village Lodge and Bellevue Restaurant opening
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  11. Fijnbos Spa and Executive Suites opening
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  12. Covid 19 Pandemic Lockdown
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  13. Deluxe and Superior Tented Suites opening
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  14. First cheetahs reintroduced to Botlierskop
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  15. Landslide, restricting access to the Tented Lodge and Day Centre
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1700s

Botlierskop is named after one of the spectacular rock formations on the farm. The odd-shaped hill also called “koppie” is a landmark in this area. This “koppie” was named after August Frederik Beutler. According to legends from the 1700s, the hill was used as a lookout point. When ships came in, the owner made a huge fire on the top of the hill. This was a sign for the nearby farmers that a ship was coming in so that they could get ready to bring fresh supplies to the ship. The captain of the ship used the fire as an old-fashioned lighthouse.

1700s

Botlierskop is named after one of the spectacular rock formations on the farm. The odd-shaped hill also called “koppie” is a landmark in this area. This “koppie” was named after August Frederik Beutler. According to legends from the 1700s, the hill was used as a lookout point. When ships came in, the owner made a huge fire on the top of the hill. This was a sign for the nearby farmers that a ship was coming in so that they could get ready to bring fresh supplies to the ship. The captain of the ship used the fire as an old-fashioned lighthouse.

1991

Botlierskop was owned by Dr Dirk and Mrs Magda Neethling. Dr Neethling was a well-known game farmer and a retired wildlife veterinarian. Dr. Dirk Neethling, was fascinated with the rare black impala from a young age and started his search. In 1991, he started a special breeding program on his farm. He placed two black impala with fifteen red impalas and after a long and involved process he managed to successfully increase the black impala’s numbers without damaging their gene pool. Today, herds of black impala roam the hills of Botlierskop.

1996

In 1996, Dr Dirk and Mrs Magda Neethling bought land at Little Brak River as an investment and soon started combining game farming with tourism. His son, Arnold and his wife Mariné Neethling, started doing game drives on a small scale, and operated from their farmhouse. Sadly, On the 25th of December 2007, Mrs Magda Neethling passed away, and on the 23rd of December 2008, Dr Dirk Neethling passed away both suffering long battles with cancer.Dr Dirk’s footprints are all over the farm and in the wildlife industry. He played a huge role in the Wildlife Society of South Africa, due to his passion for nature, wildlife and conservation. He was a wonderful mentor. Arnold and Mariné Neethling are currently the sole owners of Botlierskop Game Reserves and Villas

1996

In 1996, Dr Dirk and Mrs Magda Neethling bought land at Little Brak River as an investment and soon started combining game farming with tourism. His son, Arnold and his wife Mariné Neethling, started doing game drives on a small scale, and operated from their farmhouse. Sadly, On the 25th of December 2007, Mrs Magda Neethling passed away, and on the 23rd of December 2008, Dr Dirk Neethling passed away both suffering long battles with cancer.Dr Dirk’s footprints are all over the farm and in the wildlife industry. He played a huge role in the Wildlife Society of South Africa, due to his passion for nature, wildlife and conservation. He was a wonderful mentor. Arnold and Mariné Neethling are currently the sole owners of Botlierskop Game Reserves and Villas

2003

Eight luxury tented suites overlooking the Moordkuil River were opened in September 2003. Botlierskop expanded quickly to about 3000 ha and had nine permanent guides handling the outdoor activities. In total, we had more than 40 permanent staff contributing to Botlierskop’s exceptional status in the tourism industry. The luxury accommodation has proven so popular that an additional 11 suites were added between 2006 and 2007. The warm hospitality and personal service ensured that visitors returned time and again.

2005

Along with prosperity we also experienced hardship and disaster. It made the team grow stronger and Botlierskop can vouch for that! In November 2005 a veld fire swept through the reserve, destroying 85% of the vegetation, killing four rhinos and some antelope. Although all staff, neighbouring farmers and friends, totalling about 100 people, tried to prevent the main lodge and Tented Suites from setting alight but we lost one tent and three were damaged. Botlierskop opened in January 2006 and resumed business as usual.

2005

Along with prosperity we also experienced hardship and disaster. It made the team grow stronger and Botlierskop can vouch for that! In November 2005 a veld fire swept through the reserve, destroying 85% of the vegetation, killing four rhinos and some antelope. Although all staff, neighbouring farmers and friends, totalling about 100 people, tried to prevent the main lodge and Tented Suites from setting alight but we lost one tent and three were damaged. Botlierskop opened in January 2006 and resumed business as usual.

2006

On the 1st of August 2006, the Tented Suites were flooded due to heavy rains. Four tents were out of order and rebuilding was just completed when the next flood occurred on 22 August 2006, really putting a damper on the motivation of the staff. But they persevered and rebuilt the accommodation for the coming season.

2007

Nature took its course and on the 22nd of November 2007 the tented suites flooded again, this time the damage was extensive. The water level in eight of the tents was up to bed height, after which one tent collapsed. The entrance road also washed away which prevented access to the reserve. Botlierskop was forced to close for day visitors as well as overnight guests but thanks to the municipality, access to the reserve was regained on the 21st of December resulting in day visitor traffic to continue.

2007

Nature took its course and on the 22nd of November 2007 the tented suites flooded again, this time the damage was extensive. The water level in eight of the tents was up to bed height, after which one tent collapsed. The entrance road also washed away which prevented access to the reserve. Botlierskop was forced to close for day visitors as well as overnight guests but thanks to the municipality, access to the reserve was regained on the 21st of December resulting in day visitor traffic to continue.

2015

15 December 2015 Botlierskop opened the self-catering Bush Villas which is located on the northern side of the reserve. The luxury and superior villas with a splash pool have glass sliding doors which open from the lounge onto a wooden deck overlooking the waterhole. Here you can sit and enjoy a sun-downer around your fire pit with spectacular views, while animals drink at the waterhole and you can hear the abundant wild bird life. The Villas are ideal for families as most Villas have 3 en-suite bedrooms and accommodate 4 adults and 2 children. The 3 bedroom villas are fully equipped with a kitchen and an indoor and outdoor fireplace.

2016

In 2016, we renovated and converted our old store room and workshop into the Horse Stables. This spectacular Horse Stable houses more than 46 horses and created a comfortable space for our guests to get familiar with their horses before taking them out on a magnificent horseback Safari. Non-experienced and experienced horseback safaris are available, and for the experienced riders who like to travel the route untraveled, we also offer the Horseback outrides focusing on the beautiful terrain less travelled.

2016

In 2016, we renovated and converted our old store room and workshop into the Horse Stables. This spectacular Horse Stable houses more than 46 horses and created a comfortable space for our guests to get familiar with their horses before taking them out on a magnificent horseback Safari. Non-experienced and experienced horseback safaris are available, and for the experienced riders who like to travel the route untraveled, we also offer the Horseback outrides focusing on the beautiful terrain less travelled.

2017

In November 2017, we opened the Village Lodge. It lies on an old restored farm village called Kleinvlei with the beautiful Outeniqua Mountains as its backdrop. It is our child-friendly lodge with various kid’s activities and playgrounds to keep the little ones active and entertained. Every room has its patio, built-in fireplace, bath and shower. An expansive veggie garden supplies the lodge with freshly picked herbs and vegetables. There is also a restaurant, curio shop, swimming pool and outdoor seating. Bellevue Restaurant, originally the Bellevue School, that later operated as a shop, is one of the highlights. One of the last pupils of the Bellevue School in 1938 said that Kleinvlei had one of the strongest athletic teams of all the rural schools in the area.

2019

In December 2019, we opened our Fijnebos Wellness Day Spa with a heated indoor pool, fully equipped gym, 7 treatment rooms, sauna and steam room and flotation therapy. It was custom-built according to the wishes and suggestions of our guests. Focusing on African-themed treatments and signature oils, our expert therapists will soothe your stress away. While relaxing in the pool or deck, enjoy the endless views of the bush, veld and free-roaming wildlife.

2019

In December 2019, we opened our Fijnebos Wellness Day Spa with a heated indoor pool, fully equipped gym, 7 treatment rooms, sauna and steam room and flotation therapy. It was custom-built according to the wishes and suggestions of our guests. Focusing on African-themed treatments and signature oils, our expert therapists will soothe your stress away. While relaxing in the pool or deck, enjoy the endless views of the bush, veld and free-roaming wildlife.

2020

In March 2020, along with the rest of the world, we were unexpectedly hit with the lock down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The tourism sector was negatively affected but we decided to use this valuable time to upgrade as many of our facilities as possible and we were able to reopen in June 2020 with hope in our hearts to welcome our amazing guests back.

2021

In 2021, we started building our Deluxe and Superior Tented Suites. Due to Covid travel restrictions, we weren’t running at full capacity, so we decided to continue exceeding guests’ expectations and started building and upgrading our lodge so that when we were back at full capacity, we could show guests that we have done everything in our power to make their stay better, more comfortable and even more luxurious!

2021

In 2021, we started building our Deluxe and Superior Tented Suites. Due to Covid travel restrictions, we weren’t running at full capacity, so we decided to continue exceeding guests’ expectations and started building and upgrading our lodge so that when we were back at full capacity, we could show guests that we have done everything in our power to make their stay better, more comfortable and even more luxurious!

2022

On World Wildlife Day 3 March 2022, we released our first cheetah, Hobbes, on the reserve. He arrived from Ashia Cheetah Conservation where he spent two years in rehabilitation after a heel bone fracture. He was later followed by Catja, a female cheetah also from Ashia to hopefully start a new cheetah generation at Botlierskop.

 

Read the full story on our Blog.

2022

One morning in May, we were surprised with a big landslide on the Gonnakraal Road, our entrance road to Botlierskop Tented Lodge, Day Centre and Fijnebos Spa. This is the only access road and we and had to use our 4×4 safari vehicles to transfer accommodation guests in and out. All Day Centre activities and lunch bookings were moved to the Village Lodge and Bellevue Restaurant. It took about two weeks but we managed to make a detour road through a neighbouring farm and we are so grateful to the farmer for allowing this, giving our guests access once again to the reserve. The Day Centre reopened and activities carried on as normal. Our local municipality worked hard to reopen the Gonnakraal road for us but it took a few months until things were back to normal.

2022

One morning in May, we were surprised with a big landslide on the Gonnakraal Road, our entrance road to Botlierskop Tented Lodge, Day Centre and Fijnebos Spa. This is the only access road and we and had to use our 4×4 safari vehicles to transfer accommodation guests in and out. All Day Centre activities and lunch bookings were moved to the Village Lodge and Bellevue Restaurant. It took about two weeks but we managed to make a detour road through a neighbouring farm and we are so grateful to the farmer for allowing this, giving our guests access once again to the reserve. The Day Centre reopened and activities carried on as normal. Our local municipality worked hard to reopen the Gonnakraal road for us but it took a few months until things were back to normal.