Private Game and Wilderness Reserve
Experience the African Bush your way!
If you’re out to tick off the Big Five from your list in a day this is probably not for you. We prefer to take it easy, to adjust to the relaxed rhythm of the bush… We call it the ‘slow safari’.
It’s an experience that starts with the tracking of Wild Dog spoor, strolling up one of our beautiful hills for a breathtaking sundowner or just lazing around a waterhole, all in the presence of our experienced and knowledgeable guides. And if you’re lucky, you might just bump into our pride of lion or be surrounded by a herd of elephant taking advantage of a mud bath in the process. At Limpopo-Lipadi the journey truly is the destination. Any which way you want it – having the bush your (own) way…
River Camp
Scattered over an 800 metre stretch of the Limpopo Riverbank, River Camp offers luxurious self-catering accommodation in the heart of the African bush. Marvel at the abundant wildlife from one of our seven secluded lodges, each able to accommodate up to six guests. We go to extraordinary lengths to customise your experience with game drives, bush walks, bush dinners, camp-outs and much more.
The People of Limpopo-Lipadi
From the first contact at the time of your booking, to your departure after an unforgettable experience at the Reserve; behind the scenes, it is our warm, welcoming, and professional staff who make it all happen.
Motse Community Project
Social responsibility is central to our values, and it is our firm belief that the local communities, as well as the wider country, should benefit from- and be enriched by our presence. Most of the Limpopo-Lipadi community upliftment activities are carried out via the Motse Community Project for the benefit of our nearest local villages Tsetsebjwe and Moletemane.
River Camp
Experience peace and tranquillity under the shade of pristine riverine forests, far from any distractions.
The seven luxury lodges that make up River Camp have been carefully designed to create a sense of peaceful isolation for our guests, with great views of the Limpopo River.
Laze in a hammock in the shade of the trees, while bushbuck, impala, vervet monkeys, fish eagles, kingfishers and many other creatures indulge you with the mesmerising sounds of the African bush. Occasionally you may even have the opportunity to observe elephant herds making their way through the river bed, or watch the resident warthog families graze nearby.
Unlike many lodges and camps, our safari activities do not operate on a rigid schedule. Whether you prefer to start before dawn in the hope of catching the last stalk of a leopard or rather lie in a while and meander along the river with one of our guides, stopping to examine tracks and watch wildlife from the hide – it is all possible here.
The Accommodation
Each lodge consists of two or three bedrooms, including a lounge and dining area, fully equipped kitchen, pantry and utility room and braai/barbeque area overlooking the river.
Each bedroom has en-suite facilities and larger bedrooms also provide you with freedom inducing outside showers. All bedrooms have full-length sliding doors, containing both glass and mosquito gauze, to allow the luxury of feeling like you are sleeping in the great outdoors.
The main common area boasts a swimming pool, bar, restroom and dining area. Our Reserve offers the perfect setting to relax as you escape and let your body relax in to the slower pace of the African bush.
Swimming Pool
Swimming Pool
Interior
Interior
Interior
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
Exterior
The Full Limpopo-Lipadi Experience
Limpopo-Lipadi is a hidden African gem where you can enjoy quality accommodation and a fantastic range of activities. Whether you want to explore the bush from the crack of dawn, or meander along the bank of the Limpopo River, there is something for everyone.
Game Drives
Game viewing brings many people to Africa and at Limpopo-Lipadi we strive to create encounters that will exceed your expectations.
Go on safari with one of our qualified guides and admire the truly diverse habitats that support our enthralling range of animal species, birdlife and flora. Drive through the lush riverine forests, open scorched Phiri Plains, breath-taking Mopani Forests, or Baobab alley – all the while keeping an eye out for the resident game, unique to each habitat. And while you are at it why not indulge yourself at one of the two natural springs found on the eastern side of the Reserve.
Night-time game drives are an incredible experience and open up a new dimension to your safari, as many of the African wildlife species are largely nocturnal. Make sure to look up at the sky while on your night-time game drive, as the Milky Way will take your breath away.
Game Drive
Game Drive
Game Drive Snacks
Wildebeest on the LL international airstrip.
Hollow Baobab
Game Drive
Game Drive
Baby Elephant
A young male lion is at the centre of attention.
Beautiful Sunset
Game Drive
Giraffes
Bush Walks & Viewing Hides
While game drives in open vehicles are the staple safari activity all over Africa, at Limpopo-Lipadi, we like to do things differently. In addition to morning and afternoon drives you can engage in intimate wildlife viewings from one of the many viewing hides, strategically placed across the reserve – perfect for nature and wildlife art and photography enthusiasts.
Hike up Lipadi Hill with one of our qualified guides or take a stroll to the hippo hide to observe the hippos and crocodiles on the river banks. You can also track wild dogs on foot or fish from the banks of the Limpopo.
Visit the Tholo Underwater Hide for an amazing experience. This recycled container is half buried and surrounded on three sides by the waterhole, offering the opportunity for ground-level pictures of birds landing, leopards drinking and elephants splashing in the water. All of this while comfortably seated below water level.
Bush Walks
Bush Walks
Bush Walks
Lions
Water Hole
Water Hole
Water Hole
Water Hole
Water Hole
Sundowners & Bush Dinners
Enjoy sundowners on one of the Reserve’s “koppies” while overlooking the breath-taking vistas or simply sit back and relax with friends under baobab trees, enjoying a bush feast prepared by one of our chefs.
Whilst you are free to picnic across the Reserve, either in one of our designated spots or on the bonnet of the Land Cruiser somewhere in the bush, there is something incredibly special about a dining room in the midst of the bush. “Eat out” Limpopo-Lipadi style!
Lovely Bush Dinner
Lovely Bush Dinner
Lovely Bush Dinner
Sundowners in the Bush watching the beautiful sunset
Beautiful Sunset
Sleeping Out
A magnificent experience not to be missed during your stay at Limpopo-Lipadi is a camp out under the incredible Milky Way, where you get so close to nature that it feels like you become a part of it!
Sleeping Out
Sleeping Out
Sleeping Out
Sleeping Out
Sleeping Out
Sleeping Out
Sleeping Out
Limpopo-Lipadi Safari Inspiration
As a gentle guideline, suggestion or inspiration, please find below some ideas of what a stay at Limpopo-Lipadi could comprise. Please note that we will go out of our way to organise your stay with your personalised wishes in mind in order to ensure a memorable time with us.
Day 1
If flying in we will meet you upon arrival at our international airstrip, or at the lodge reception if self-driving to the Reserve. We will then accompany you to our main area for refreshments and a briefing by the lodge managers.
At 16:00 you will embark on your first game drive into the diverse bushveld of Limpopo-Lipadi. Your first stop could be on one of our many “koppies” on the Reserve for sundowner drinks to take in the magnificent vistas.
You will arrive back at camp around 19:30 to freshen up and join us for a sumptuous dinner at the main common area. Here you will also get the opportunity to meet up with your fellow safari companions.
Day 2
Wake up at 06:00 with tea/coffee and a rusk.
Our guide will take you to the meeting point where you will get the opportunity to join our anti-poaching unit or track the wild dogs and don’t forget the amazing animal sightings on the way.
Your game drive will be followed by a bush brunch.
The guide will drive you back to the camp and the rest of the morning is yours to enjoy. You could decide to take a short walk to the hippo hide to watch the hippos, take on a spot of bird watching, or simply laze around the swimming pool on the banks of the Limpopo River.
Meet at the main area at 15:30 for a high tea and then head off into the Reserve for an afternoon game drive, followed by sundowner drinks at one of the many watering holes, followed by a leisurely drive back to camp.
You will arrive back at camp around 19:30 to freshen up and once again join your fellow guests for a delicious dinner prepared by our talented chefs.
Day 3
Early wake-up with tea/coffee and rusks.
Head off on a game drive, followed by a bush brunch at one of the many baobab trees.
Return to camp and the morning possibly indulge in a relaxing massage in your room to the sound of the Limpopo River bubbling nearby.
Meet at the main area at 15:30 for a high tea where after you’ll go for an afternoon game drive that will include a visit to the viewing spot overlooking the River.
Join your lodge managers at 19:30 for a bush dinner on the banks of the Limpopo river. After dinner your guide will drive you back to camp.
Day 4
Early wake up and game drive.
Back to camp for a breakfast in the main area.
Departure time from the Reserve is at 11:00.
If you stay a day longer, we offer you a game drive out to one of our mobile camps to enjoy a bush banquet and a sleep out under the magnificent Milky Way.
For those more adventurous you can take a walk up Lipadi Hill or a scenic bike ride along the Limpopo River.
Get in touch…
We are here to answer any questions you may have.
Find us
Whether travelling by air or by road, a stay at Limpopo-Lipadi will always be worth the trip.
Limpopo-Lipadi is in the Tuli Block, south-eastern Botswana. It’s a 450-kilometre drive from Johannesburg, mostly on good tar roads, so shareholders can make the five- to six-hour trip in a standard sedan car. The Reserve’s western gate is a few minutes from the Zanzibar border crossing between Botswana and South Africa.
BY AIR
For those that prefer to fly we have our own International Bush Airstrip.
With the capacity for light aircraft to fly directly from Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg to Limpopo-Lipadi, our airstrip can accommodate aircrafts up to PC12 jets in partnership with our provider, or choose your own. Immigration and customs can be dealt with directly in Limpopo-Lipadi.
22°32’57″S / 28°29’46″E
Runway 07/25 / 1,200m x 18m
Approximate Elevation 2,500 ft/760 m AMSL
By road from Johannesburg
(when the Limpopo River is HIGH)
By road from Johannesburg
(when the Limpopo River is LOW)
TRANSFERS
For those that prefer to let someone else navigate, we recommend WATERBERG TRANSFERS who specialise in road transfers from O.R. Tambo International Airport to Limpopo-Lipadi. No group is too big or too small.
Contact Lindie on info@waterbergtransfers.com
