Nottens Bush Camp

Nottens Bush Camp is an incredible value and award winning family run lodge that is generally regarded as one of the best kept secret lodges in the exclusive and game rich 63000 hectare Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve.

Nottens offers a truely authentic  african safari experience and enjoys an incredible high return visit from it’s clientele.  The camps lies in the south eastern sector of the reserve in a superbly rich “Big Five” area. It is not unusual to see all the Big Five (elephant, Lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino) in one game drive and get really close to these amazing animals.

On top of the Big Five, you will find that the trackers and guides are just as enthusiastic to show you the smaller five as well as other species of mammals, birds and the other weird and wonderful creatures.  The emphasis of this lodge is all about the game viewing experience and there is nowhere as passionate as this.

Game viewing takes place in open sided 4×4 Landrovers where your game ranger will be your host for the duration of your stay.  You can also participate in guided walks through the bush by their experienced rangers, bringing you as close as you can imagine to mother nature.

Back in camp, you can cool off next to the sparkelling swimming pool, drinking cocktails and refreshments from the fully stocked bar or relax in the shade on the wooden deck which overlooks the waterhole and watch the animals wander past.

Notten’s Bush Camp’s accommodation consists of 8 beautifully appointed private suites, each elegantly decorated with overhead fans and a private game viewing deck.  Each suite has open plan bedrooms and en-suite bathroom. All suites have both indoor and outdoor shower facilities. All windows and sliding doors are fitted with screens. Each suite leads onto a private wooden deck with a beautiful view of the bush. Paraffin lamps and candles replace electric lighting for ambience and all the rooms are cooled with an overhead ceiling fan.

The main lodge is built long wise along the edge of a plain and as such overlooks a flood plain or dry channel. The lodge is built on raised wooden decks giving you the advantage of a panoramic view over the plains.  The lounge and open plan dining area both indoor and outdoor offers comfort in soft cosy sofas and makes for a wonderful setting in which to enjoy your meals and pre-dinner drinks.

Nottens has a 20m lap pool with an open plan under cover pavillion where you can enjoy a day of sun tanning and drinks. Comfortable sun loungers dot the garden area which surrounds the pool. Their Nature Spa allows for indoor and outdoor treatments which allow the guests to relax, refresh and rejuvinate following a hard days ride in the bush!

Guests will often come to the bar at the end of each day to download their pictures of their favourite animal shots and transfer digital images, whilst comparing them with fellow guests or even seeking advise from the more knowledgable photographers amongst them.

Delicious meals can be served by the fire or around a communal table in the open air boma, the candel lit summer house or the indoor dining room.

Game drives tend to take place early morning and mid afternoon and into the night. In between game drives you can relax by the pool, laze away on the outdoor lounge sofas or have a snooze.

Children 6yrs and older are welcome. However children under the age of 12 are not permitted to do bush walks. Reduced rates for children under 12yrs are applicable.

At nearly half the price of many other lodges in the Sabi Sands Reserve, Nottens offers an excellent value safari stay where you can get the Big Five game viewing experience in a private game reserve without busting the budget.  The accommodation is a bit more simple and less fancy than some of the other lodges in the area and therefore appeals to those who are looking for a more authentic all round experience.  Early booking is highly recommended and for those looking for a multi centre stay in the Mpumulanga area, it combines really well with Rissington Inn near Hazyview as either a pre or post safari stay.