Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Mosetlha, nestled right at the heart of Madikwe Game Reserve and its only genuine eco lodge and authentic bush camp, is unfenced, rustic and intimate. Comfy beds in raised wooden cabins, oil lamps, traditional bush meals prepared on the open fire, a donkey boiler for hot safari showers and twice daily game drives in open 4x4s with expert guides, promise you a true wilderness experience. Come get the dust of Africa on your feet ...
Our only criticism of this place it that the pictures and words do not do it justice.
You climb into the Defender twice a day for 4 hours each – you see all the animals. “All” the animals.
Johnny – your guide – seems to be the master of the park and all other range guides seems to defer to him.
We were there 4 days and we saw a new part of the park on each trip. It IS big.
In camp, your host Monica, is with you at every meal and most of the time you are in camp.
We were one of three couples there, the others were both “return” visitors. They loved it enough to do it again and again.
The meals are all shared* together and were tasty, healthy, and interesting. You will enjoy the “special” lunch.
*”shared” includes a large gray bird with spiked hair who steals bread from the table.
You are with the wildlife even in camp. We had two warthogs and later two zebras almost join us for lunch at different times.
There is a viewing platform at the edge of the camp SO no need to worry about going to a camp with a watering hole. Giraffe, Elephants, Lions, Baboons, etc … will all be walking by.
The nighttime is full of stars.
Access to the park is limited so, at most, you will only have one or two other groups with you at any sighting. Usually – no one else.
The accommodation is a bit primitive – on purpose – but that is part of the charm. You will not lack comfort.
The walkways are lined with solar lights, you have plenty of hot water with which to shower. Your room is private and comfortable.
Drinks are available to purchase and are reasonably priced and are shared with your new friends.
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Date of stay: October 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:They provide you with directions for getting to Madikwe. They are very detailed and you will...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Caroline Lucas, Owner at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Responded 30 Nov 2023
This review is GOLD! Thank you so much, Dan and Luba and John :) Words and pics cannot adequately describe the *feeling* experienced at the Camp and on those drives ... it really is food for the soul. Thanks again, best eco regards Caroline
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Another enchanting visit to Mosetlha ecolodge, marks my sixth visit and timed to celebrate my birthday in the bush. A long overdue visit due to the global pandemic which, as before, did not disappoint.
7 of us arrived on a Sunday and in the drive to the lodge, we saw elephant, giraffe, zebra and wildebeest. We were met by Caroline and the staff, who swiftly took our luggage to our rooms and then we sat down for lunch.
We stayed for 5 nights and Caroline and the staff spoilt us for the week with some deliciously traditional South African meals, desserts and hospitality. They even surprised me with a lovely cake for my birthday.
Jonny was our field guide for the week and during that time, guided us to sightings of 36 different mammals, 66 species of bird and an amphibian or two - the booklet they provide, helps you keep track of all that you see. There were too many incredible sightings to mention - my top 6 included the wild dog puppies, leopard eating a kill in a tree, lions snuggling in the grass, cheetah walking through the grasslands, buffalo around our camp and baby jackal exploring outside their den.
With Mosetlha being the type of lodge that encourages reconnection with nature, they offered the perfect location for myself, my friends and family to step back from our busy lives and experience the wonderful regenerative energy that the bush offers.
Mosetlha further enhances this experience with its perfect temperature bucket showers, lantern lit walkways in the evenings and a bird bath that attracts all manner of wildlife.
They also provided an artisan gin bar especially for us, which was phenomenal and allowed me to try some really lovely locally distilled gins.
Mosetlha not only promises to get the African dust in your feet but will fill your soul and touch your heart. Every guest I have shared this experience with, will attest to the magic of the place and its people.
I cannot wait to visit again.
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Date of stay: October 2021
Value
Cleanliness
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Caroline Lucas, Owner at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Responded 24 Jan 2022
Thank you, Heather For your kind words and for coming back to us again and again - we so appreciate you! I see not long to wait now before you do visit again :) Thanks and best eco regards Caroline Lucas
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My 5th visit and the best yet! Mosetlha is THE place to stay in Madikwe, especially in these current times. The cabins are partially open on one side so no lack of fresh air. The entire camp is clean and there were bottles of hand sanitiser in every location. I felt far safer at Mosetlha than in the UK!
Our 32 games drives were all fantastic. Jonny, yet again, had us in the right places at the right time. We even watched two lionesses chase and kill a zebra. How he knew this was about to happen is beyond me! But he had just told us what might happen when it did!
His knowledge is formidable - something which has now been recognised by Wanderlust Magazine awarding him Bronze in their global award for Best Specialist Guide. For those not from the UK, Wanderlust is the go-to magazine for those wanting to know more about specialised trips in countries all around the world.
Mosetlha Bush Camp itself is magical. I love those returns at night when the only light comes from the oil lamps marking the pathways and the shared areas. Each cabin is lit by 3 solar lamps which are safe and easy to turn on and off. These were removed in the morning by the staff whilst we were out on our morning drive, and recharged in the sun each day.
The camaraderie at mealtimes when we all shared our experiences of the day was an important aspect of the trip. Their massive dining table meant we could be kept socially distanced but at the same time talk to each other. This is so special especially now after months of lockdown.
I am now working on how I can get back there again soon.
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Date of stay: November 2021
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Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Caroline Lucas, Owner at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Responded 24 Jan 2022
Ah Linden, thank you so much for this great review! Look forward to having you back in November for another 16 nights :) Thanks (as always) and best eco regards Caroline
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I had the most incredible three days here. I LOVED the fact there was no Wi-Fi or phone signal and I had no contact with the outside world. Jonny, the safari guide, was phenomenal and found us the most amazing wildlife. He was head and shoulders above the other guides we saw at the more luxurious lodges and we always seemed to be in the best spot at the perfect time. We saw so many lions, rhinos, elephants and other animals up close and even watched a pack of wild dogs kill and eat an impala. The fact that the guides can drive completely off road means that you see so much more than at a lot of other game parks. Caroline was the loveliest host and I have nothing but positive things to say about her. This is a real back to nature experience that is like nothing else I’ve ever done. The food was fab and gave us the opportunity to try real South African food. If you are high maintenance and want a 5* luxurious experience where you can check your emails, this is not the place for you. If you want an environmentally friendly and sustainable experience that you’ll never forget where you can hear lions at night from your bed, definitely come here! I wish more people knew about this place as I think it’s so great for mental health and getting away from the hustle and bustle of working life. I’m back in London and missing this place already - thanks for a great stay!
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Caroline Lucas, Owner at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Responded 16 Mar 2022
Dear Fiona Thank you so much - so good to hear from a busy, professional, millenial that no wifi or signal is a plus. Jonny is phenomenal ... and is a bit of an animal whisperer when it comes to anticipating their next move and positioning you in the perfect spot for the perfect sighting. It's all very well to be Madikwe's best kept secret, but you're right, we definitely need more people to know about us ... for the sake of their mental health :) Look forward to having you and Mark back with us when you can. Thanks and best eco regards Caroline Lucas
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This is true comfort and connection to nature, not the faux luxury that obliterates a real experience of the wild. The guests and staff reflect that ethic. You will want for nothing, the most comfortable bed I have slept in, Jonny the best guide I have ever driven with (& I understand Justice is just as good). A deep love of the animals and the land is implicit in every part of how Mosetlha was created and is operated. Do not come here if you are chasing sightings or want a sanitised experience of the bush. Do come here if you want real comfort with minimum impact, and to fully experience the incredible nature Madikwe has to offer. It’s a chance to deeply exhale the stresses of your “normal” life, and remember what normal should actually be.
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Date of stay: June 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Caroline Lucas, Owner at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Responded 24 Jan 2022
Cathy, thank you for this beautiful review. I love your words - and have already shared this on most of our social media platforms :) Thanks and best eco regards Caroline Lucas
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Outstanding game viewing, spectacular sunsets and magical night skies. Everything about this unique gem in the African bush fills me with delight. The camp is a blend of rustic comfort and warm hospitality while ticking all the boxes for eco friendliness.
Showers with hot water provided by the donkey boiler, VIP toilets and the multiple hurricane lanterns that light the camp at night make a stay here a really authentic African experience.
The rangers Jonny and Justice are incredible and all the camp staff friendly and helpful.
A visit to Mosethla is a must for anyone who loves the bush and cares about our beautiful earth.
Thank you Caroline and all in your team for such memorable times, and I'm really looking forward to my next stay soon.
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Caroline Lucas, Owner at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Responded 07 Jan 2021
Dear Cerina G Thank you for your kind words about Mosetlha - and the skies and rangers and staff :) Look forward to having you back really soon. Thanks and best eco regards Caroline Lucas
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I can’t tell you how good it was to be back at Mosetlha after the enforced COVID break of over two years and five moved bookings! I’m a repeat visitor and the reason for so many visits over the years is that this is the most beautiful, authentic eco camp I know in a stunning reserve with fabulous wildlife viewing. It never disappoints.
The camp is just wonderful. It is unfenced apart from an elephant wire so the wildlife can and sometimes does, wander through at will. If you are of a nervous disposition this may not be for you, but for me being truly in and part of the bush is the point of being here. The cosy cabins are raised off the ground so you feel very safe and the communal space for dining and relaxing is lit at night solely by paraffin lamps which is magical, especially when you come back from a game drive to lots of twinkling lights. Bathrooms whilst not en-suite are close by and well protected. Showers are authentic DIY bush showers heated by cute donkey boilers which I love. Food is hearty, plentiful and beautifully cooked and everyone eats together, so even if you are travelling alone as I was this time, you make friends quickly. There’s even a craft gin bar - what’s not to like!
The two guides Jonny and Justice are awesome. Check out the respected Wanderlust Travel Magazine Awards 2021 for Jonny! Once again we had epic and diverse sightings from wild dogs to baby brown hyenas (a first for me even after so many years visiting Africa).
But it’s the staff make Mosetlha, they are like family and I can’t wait to be back again. Thank you for another magical stay.
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Date of stay: April 2022Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Caroline Lucas, Owner at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Responded 03 Oct 2022
So good to have you back with us again, Helen! Thank you for your lovely description of the camp and the Mosetlha eco safari experience. Look forward to seeing you next year :) Best eco regards Caroline Lucas
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Mosetlha exceeded all our expectations. Set in the center of Madikwe Game Reserve it provides the easiest and quickest access to safari experiences. The food was excellent, the beds comfortable, the international guests interesting, etc… The administrative staff makes sure that all details are taken care of well and efficiently. Jonny, the safari guide is simply indescribably excellent. His spotting skills are the best I’ve ever experienced. He is also very adept at positioning the vehicle for terrific light angles and knows the animals well and what he can and cannot do in their midst. You are safe with Jonny and will get very close to a stunning array of animals. With his two decades of experience in Madikwe, he knows just when to pull up to the water areas so that you experience the animals, and photograph them, with mirror images on the water. The sundowners and breakfast coffee on the bushveld are a very civilized touch to the experience. I wish I could go back every year. I would if it wasn’t such a long journey from America.
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Date of stay: May 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Caroline Lucas, Owner at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Responded 02 Dec 2023
Dear HelenB529 Thank you so much for this glowing review! And for mentioning the admin efficiency from our office - your first and last contact around your Mosetlha Experience :) Thanks and best eco regards Caroline
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After 18 months of staying in touch with people by electronic means it was a delight to stay at Mosetlha. No internet, no wifi. Instead lovely people to have face-to-face conversations with. Such a joy. The welcome at Mosetlha is always warm. The hospitality superb. A real tonic after travel restrictions and living indoors. The environment is Covid safe. No closed buildings. Lots of fresh air. Even the game drive snacks are provided separately for each group.
It was great fun to be drawing hot water from the donkey boiler again, returning to the magic of the lanterns around camp after an evening game drive and all the many things that makes this Eco lodge so special. If staying somewhere with no electricity or running water is new to you, don’t be put off. It’s part of the draw of Mosetlha.
The 2 rangers are superb. Both hugely knowledgeable about the Reserve, its animals and birds. While the 2 game drives a day were scheduled for 4 hours each, we returned back late if we were engrossed in some interesting action between the animals. This might be a problem for lodges with 5 course meals and timetables to keep to but flexibility comes second nature to Mosetlha. No meal was ever spoilt due to a late return. The camp staff are super efficient, charming, flexible and nothing is ever too much trouble.
If you are travelling from a country (like the UK) that needs you to complete a Covid passenger locator form on-line before you fly home, no problem. If you ask her, Monika, the outstanding Camp Manager, will arrange for you to be taken to somewhere with wifi to complete the form the day before you leave.
If you are concerned about moving from one place to another abroad, because of Covid, book a week or 2 just at Mosetlha. I stayed just over 2 weeks. There is so much to see in Madikwe. Our superb ranger Jonny found us a new wonder every day! This was my third visit. I can't wait to return.
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Date of stay: November 2021
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Caroline Lucas, Owner at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Responded 24 Jan 2022
Helen, thank you for this lovely review with lots of details we don't even think to cover - like us doing separate snacks for each group, that we can easily get you to emergency wifi, and that we (often!) keep dinner 'til you can get back .... your game viewing experience is top priority :) Look forward to having you back with us again soon. Thanks and best eco regards Caroline
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Yet another superb stay at Mosetlha, experiencing the annual Walk for Rhinos for the first time. Our favourite camp - still retaining a genuine bush experience, with cosy rustic cabins, donkey boilers to heat the showers and magical lanterns to light your way back from the stunning game drives and to eat dinner by, with everyone sat round the table swapping stories. Jonny found us some beautiful hyena cubs at a den, wonderful wild dog and gorgeous lions in the morning and evening light. The rhino walk itself was a brilliant day - well organised with water stations and rangers alongside the walkers. It was a real treat to be out with everyone from camp, on foot in the reserve and then experience a stunning display by the anti poaching unit. If you want to share in magical times in the bush and be very well looked after by a great team then Mosetlha is the place to be. Hope we will be be back there very soon!
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Date of stay: September 2019
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Caroline Lucas, Owner at Mosetlha Bush Camp & Eco Lodge
Responded 07 Jan 2021
Dear Vestysoffagain Thank you for your lovely words - look forward to putting this whole covid thing behind us and getting you back out here for another safari soon! Thanks and best eco regards Caroline Lucas
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Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa54 contributions1 helpful vote
Hello Banu, our cabins are not really built for 3 adults ... I would suggest booking 2 adjoining cabins with 2 people in one cabin, and the third person right next door.
We would love to have your guests come to us for a couple of nights between the 17th and 20th of July.
Our TripAdvisor rates are R3695 pppn sharing (R4195 single) and we offer further discounts for local SA and SADC travellers.
Please contact our office via our website to make further enquiries and a booking.
Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa54 contributions1 helpful vote
Hi there - thanks so much for your query, and sorry for not answering sooner, the signal is sometimes not good enough at the Camp to get into TripAdvisor :)
Whilst you are able to leave your cabin to go to the toilet at night, we recommend that you do not do so, rather making use of the potties provided in each cabin.
If you really need to go to the toilet, we suggest having a good look around with your torch before leaving the cabin.
Whilst we have never had an incident with someone walking into an animal, we have had loads of tracks through the camp overnight!
Please let us know if there's anything else.
Thank you and best eco regards
Caroline Lucas
Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa54 contributions1 helpful vote
Hi there
Thanks so much for your email. None of our cabins have a toilet .... but all have potties! I don't know if this would be adequate?
Send me your telephone number, Bonnie, and I'll ring you?
Regards Caroline
There are more places to choose from in the Madikwe Game Reserve area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
mosetlha bush camp & eco hotel madikwe game reserve, mosetlha bush camp and eco lodge
LOCATION
South AfricaNorth-West ProvinceMadikwe Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
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