Grassland Bushman Lodge, Kalahari Desert, Botswana

Grassland Bushman Lodge provides a unique look into life in the Kalahari, for both the people and the wildlife. Owned and operated by the de Graff family you learn firsthand of the life of a Botswana family that settled the land 120 years ago. Throughout that time they have worked side by side with the San bushmen and know them like no one else. DNA studies have confirmed the bushmen are the original human culture on earth that we all descend from. Grassland Bushman Lodge camp manager Neeltjie de Graff-Bower grew up side by side with bushmen children and she speaks the Naro dialect (a click language) of these first people fluently, possibly making the Grassland Bushman Lodge the only lodge where direct interpretation can take place between tourists and bushmen in their own language. Bushman interaction here includes women and children as well, which is essential to get a true impression of the culture as opposed to the typical experience of walking with just men.

While the bushman cultural focus is a definitive highlight of a visit to the Grassland Bushman Lodge, there are other completely unique activities on offer. There is a predator rescue project at the lodge. At the request of the government Grassland Bushman Lodge staff have captured predators that were going to be shot by cattle farmers in retribution for preying on livestock. Some predators have been relocated back into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve but others have returned to the farms and now live in very large (27 acre) enclosures. Bill Given of The Wild Source is conducting research in partnership with the lodge to attempt to mitigate the predator/livestock conflict in the future. Grassland Bushman Lodge drives visitors in to one enclosure to observe a magnificent pride of captive lions and it is possible to walk with a guide in to observe a captive pack of African wild dogs. Certainly entering the enclosures is not the same as seeing predators in the wild but it is a guaranteed close up view at these tremendous animals that still have the spirit of the wild and serve as wonderful ambassadors to help us address conflict issues for future wild generations.

A stay at the Grassland Bushman Lodge gives you access to wildlife populations that are representative of the Kalahri region. Large populations of eland, kudu, wildebeest, red hartebeest, oryx (gemsbok), and springbok are all present as well as a wide array of birds. The best wildlife viewing takes place at the floodlit waterhole right in front of the Grassland Bushman Lodge - and there is a nightly parade of species coming to drink. Predators are rarely sighted with the exception of the brown hyena, one of the rarest predators to spot who frequently come to the waterhole in the evening. Another completely unique experience is that sandgrouse come from miles away a pair at a time to join into a flock that grows into thousands of birds before they begin to swoop over the waterhole to drink. A carefully placed chair gives you a front row seat to this amazing spectacle.

Horseback riding is a refreshing change from being in a vehicle and often times the grazing animals will be very relaxed to the approach of horses. Grassland Bushman Lodge is a rare safari location that can properly provide an experience for both novice riders and experts. It is possible to arrange overnight horseback camping trips with the bushmen of up to 3 nights with advanced booking.

Lodging at the Grassland Bushman Lodge consists of 8 comfortable chalets made of concrete with thatch roofs. These are very practical for the Kalahari desert where it can be quite hot in the day but cold at night. Lounge time centers around a fire pit with a view of an extremely active flood lit waterhole where the desert game comes to show itself. There is a large swimming pool to refresh during the mid-day heat. Grassland Bushman Lodge hosts Neeltjie and her husband Tiaan make guests feel like part of the family.

A stay at Grassland Bushman Lodge is a one of a kind safari experience with numerous activities that are different from traditional safari locations and deliver a true induction to the spell binding Kalahari desert. Adding this quality diversity to any Botswana itinerary is highly recommended and especially a must for those with a serious interest in Bushman culture.