Breathe Africa

The message from Bateleur Main Camp is clear: the staff caters people seeking a genuine, high quality safari. The emphasis is not on hotel-like accommodations with luxury frills. Indeed, you will have a quality, spacious accommodation with unpretentious comfort, but more importantly, with only four tents and an exclusive location, you can create your perfect safari experience, as there is almost no camp as flexible as this one. Feel like walking extensively? The guides will take you wherever you want to go. If you want to drive to a neighbouring property to confirm the rumours of lion cubs, they will drive until the cubs can be admired (or have exhausted all possibilities). And if guides bend their ears during dinner to hear sounds of a fight, or other interesting wildlife activity, they will hop in the open safari vehicle and take you – day or night. To cut to the chase: the staff goes above and beyond to accommodate you. And they have some unique selling points on hand to keep this promise.

Activities at Bateleur Camp

Since we can assure you that the camp, which is operated by solar power, provides everything you need – tents with soft beds and in and outdoor showers (one tent boasts a bathtub), a chemical-free swimming pool and cosy boma for home cooked meals – we would like to elaborate on the activities offered by Bateleur Main Camp. Here, you will have the benefit of a 10.000-hectare traverse, which includes several neighbouring properties (in case your stay happens to be during one of those inexplicable times where wildlife seems to have migrated elsewhere). Due to very limiting agreements with their neighbours, vehicle density on the 3.500 hectare Bateleur property is very low. There is a good chance that you won’t encounter any other people or safari vehicles throughout the whole duration of your stay. This opens the door to extensive, guided bush walks for those who prefer to be on foot. If it is just your group staying at the camp, you will have the full attention of both the head guide and head tracker. Walk as much as you want; the possibilities are endless. If there are other guests at the camp, specific requests for extended walking can be accommodated by splitting the group. So set foot on one of the premier walking safari destinations in Southern Africa (please note that minimum age for bush walks is twelve years old).

Bushcrafts & wholesome food

Do you want to leave Bateleur as a true bush-expert (and show off a little back home)? During your stay, weather permitting, they will teach you some classic wilderness skills – or, in other words, bushcraft. Including survival skills such as tracking and navigation, lighting fires, making ropes or water containers, and even pottery (oh yes). If the sky is clear (and it often is) you will also be treated to basic astronomy, focused on providing information regarding stars that are visible in Southern Hemisphere at different times of the year with the naked eye. And for real thrill seekers, the spider and scorpion module gives you the opportunity to handle and learn about these beautiful (but slightly scary) creatures in a safe and informative environment. All these activities are included. A day of learning and exploring makes the belly rumble, so at night the cooks of Bateleur spoil you with soulful, wholesome African cooking. No countless courses, or small bites decorated with drizzles, but hearty, tasty food. Weather permitting, the staff also likes to offer a bush dinner to all guests, at no extra charge. This exclusive bush dinner is hosted on a dry riverbed near the camp. Enjoy an incredible dining experience by candlelight, under a blanket of stars, and listen to the sounds of the African bush around a crackling campfire. This is where you come to hear, taste, see, grasp and breathe Africa.

Guest reviews Bateleur Safari Camp

Oh my goodness, what an amazing place! We were there over New Year and had the experience of a lifetime that exceeded all expectations. The camp is located in a private reserve overlooking a riverbed and nestled amongst the trees. Our hut/tent was the perfect balance of luxury and rustic - wooden beams, bamboo screens, lovely bath, outdoor screened shower, huge bed and personal veranda overlooking the river bed. Lovely paddle fans to keep you cool. Sit with a book and soak up the bird song and have your binoculars handy for elephants, monkeys, nyala and bushbuck wandering by.

Leah C from Cambridge, United Kingdom

What an experience, there is clearly a lot of passion with the team here! We have been on Safari before but Bataleur provided us with some wonderful experiences that take it right up there with some of the best places we have stayed.

Richie M from Bridgend, United Kingdom