Grasslands Bushman Lodge in the Kalahari

Grasslands Bushman Lodge is unique in several ways – the predator conservation project, the window into the San culture, the window into the settler culture, the range of activities.
Grasslands Bushman Lodge accommodates up to 16 guests and includes two family rooms. The lodge is traditionally decorated and has a swimming pool for the hot desert days. The guest areas overlook a floodlit waterhole which attracts a large variety of wildlife during the day and night.
Accommodation is in comfortable, en-suite thatched chalets.
At Grasslands Bushman Lodge, the focus is on four main activities:-
- A comprehensive San (Bushmen) experience. Distinct from most lodge-based San activities, the San experience at Grasslands is truly authentic as you go out with an entire clan on a genuine foraging expedition. There is an immediate awareness of the important role every member of the clan plays, how the tasks are performed, and the opportunities exploited by the different age and gender groups within the clan. Fascinating to western eyes, it is a privilege to witness a culture in which people become responsible and make real contributions to the common weal from a very early age.
- Day and afternoon drives. The desert fauna and flora is very different to that of the Okavango and Chobe. Driving across the vast plains of the Kalahari by both day and in the afternoon reveals the richness of this extraordinary environment, in which water is plentiful, but always beneath the earth’s surface.
- The unique predator rehabilitation programme. Surrounding ranchers experience constant conflict with the Kalahari’s many predators. Grasslands offers an alternative to the traditional response of shooting predators on sight – they will capture them and bring them into their 10-acre enclosure behind the lodge. Consequently, the enclosure offers guests the unique opportunity to walk with Cape Hunting Dogs and experience first-hand these fascinating creatures’ expression of curiosity. It also allows superb viewing of the legendarily large Kalahari lion in their natural environment.
- Horse-riding – for those who fancy a thrilling ride in the wilderness. We need prior notice to arrange this activity as the horses are brought up from Ghanzi.
LOCATION: Situated on the western boundary of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, on private land.
THE FOCUS: Grasslands Bushman Lodge is all about the Kalahari, the San people who live there and the abundant life of the desert.
ACCESS: via private airstrip, 50 minute flight from Maun.
CATEGORY OF SAFARI EXPERIENCE: intensive Kalahari experience, encompassing San clan activities (hunting, gathering, games and ritual), game drives both off-road when following a predator and drives during the afternoon, our predator conservation project and horse-riding.
ACCOMMODATION: 16 guests in 8 spacious, en-suite chalets.
ACTIVITIES: – The most comprehensive San ‘Bushman’ experience in southern Africa including walks, Bushman games and dances – Day and afternoon drives with guide and tracker – Predator interaction including walking with semi-habituated Cape Hunting Dogs (African wild dogs) – Swimming pool – Sandgrouse experience – Horse riding
CHILDREN: are welcome, we have two family rooms. A private vehicle must be booked at an additional cost.
WILDLIFE: Experience the famous Kalahari sunset with the silhouette of herds of Cape and Livingstone Eland, Gemsbok and Blue Wildebeest on the horizon. Several of the smaller species such as Duiker and Steenbok are also seen regularly on game drives. Grassland Bushman Lodge also has an abundance of birdlife for the birding enthusiast. and guests also enjoy the occasional sightings of nocturnal animals such as the Porcupine, Aardvark, Brown Hyena and Jackal that visit the large floodlit water pan.
CONSIDERING THE WILD: The sun shines throughout the year in the Kalahari, Grassland Bushman Lodge is using this to their advantage by installing 27 x 240W solar panels which charge 24 maintenance free batteries, 1 x 10kw 48v Inverter and 3 x 60 Amp Regulators. They also have 3 low energy refrigerators and 2 low energy freezers. The rest of the camp is also run on this solar system, which includes the 8 en-suite chalets, kitchen, inside and outside dining area, managers house, staff village as well as a spotlight at the waterhole and a swimming pool pump which are both on a timer. This has been done to save on fuel costs as well as preventing air pollution from a fuel generator.