Reviews of Ta Shebube Rooiputs
(91%) From 13 travellersThey do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa.
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Where the BBC cannot get, there Rooiputs
The place is incredibly beautiful and we enjoyed a fantastic guide and tracker , mr Tab Tshiamo.
The feeling here is that we we were in the kingdom of lions. The presence of the cat was everywhere but i personally did not
Experienced what it was on the way in Tanzania : no one has a rifle or a AK47. What this people taught us is learning to ménage a coexistence with big cats and predators. Sometimes scary ( wow ) but inspiring . We did love game drives with Tab. And thank to him ( please note thank to him ) we saw a CARACAL. Mr Cistrena could film it and this video will be a strong part of our reportage for LA STAMPA Italian newspaper .
A special mention to the master chef : Mrs Patience Buno. She would be worth working in Kensington, London , because her talent is impressive.
Ta Shebube Rooiputs review
Great experience with excellent opportunities for game drives.
Beautiful area with unexpected scenery. Worth going to before everyone discovers it.
Good base for exploring Kgalagadi
Rooiputs is a very comfortable and relaxed lodge in a great location.
Not much to see at the lodge's waterhole, but the guides and excursions were excellent and we had some very good sightings of big cats in particular.
The standard of the food was a bit variable, sometimes good, sometimes less so.
No better place to stay in the Kgalagadi
Located just over the border in Botswana and staffed by its citizens, the camp is beautifully located on dunes. From the same group as Polentswa this camp is similar in many ways but the units are more substantial and even more comfortable with unexpectedly luxurious fixtures and fittings for a desert camp. Its location close to the Rooiputs waterhole means it is in one of the areas most prolific with game.
Mercy is a very effective manager of the lodge and she is supported by staff who together form an excellent team. The game drives with Mr T or William are very good value and allow one to spend two or three hours in company with two very nice, conscientious and interesting people. The lodge is especially popular during the summer months and, unusually, because it was the depths of winter, we were fortunate to have the place to ourselves for one of the nights and were treated like royalty.
It is a wonderfully peaceful place where sleep comes easily other than when Mofofu, the lion, who spends the night just outside Mercy's room, decides to roar to attract lionesses to join him.
Great location, but needs to be cheerier
The facilities and location were at least the equal of Polentswa. But sadly the service was more like that of a larger hotel than a bespoke/boutique lodge.
The staff were friendly, but appear to be working under a rigid manager who generates a rather cold atmosphere.
Jeep drive very cold in winter/early spring
Staff here were extremely friendly and most tried hard. We were there in September and the evening game drive was comfortable but the morning drive was beyond freezing even with the warm blankets they provided (and we had many layers of clothes on).
Low desert temperatures plus wind made this a most arduous drive and perhaps a closed vehicle is needed for the winter and early spring months.If you go in winter bring an extremely warm jacket plus gloves and warm hat.
Raptor sightings were incredible. Accommodation was spacious with large patios.
Breakfast was not ready in time and many of us stood around waiting for coffee.
Luxury in Kgalagadi; its the place
If you want luxury in Kgalagadi, go for Ta Shebube Rooiputs. Perfect nice huts with everything you need. You can also get full board and all activities included in the (then expensive) rate.
If you are already experienced in travelling in Africa, you might not need all the activities, but can use your own car. Our tour guide was OK but notreally fantastic. We have tried better expert guides elsewhere. We learned nothing from the guide, we did not already know.
Note that there is no fence around the place. Predators get very close. Look where you walk all the time. We had lions in the camp - sleeping under hut no. 3. The lodge is very exposed on the top of a dune, especially if very windy. It could be a problem but it is also part of the excitement.
In conclusion, we have tried better luxury wilderness lodges elsewhere, e.g. Etendeka Mountain Camp in Namibia, but Ta Shebube Rooiputs is the best in Kgalagadi; and its a nice place to spend 2-3 days, e.g. in the end of a trip around Kgalagadi.
Ta Shebube is just perfect
We were the only guests, so had very personal attention. I asked if the lodge was ever busy/full and it appears not. This is a shame, it is truly a great place.
When we were there, a pride of lions were close by and leopard tracks were seen each morning. No worries - the staff are very safety conscious and we were taken, and collected, from our chalet before and after sunset. This is the appeal - no fences !
Our guide ("BK") was very knowledgable, friendly and helpful.
The chalet was just delightful - one complete wall is a sliding glass door, so if you're not on an early morning drive you can let the Kalahari sunrise wake you up. Food was very good
If I had some very small comments for improvement they would be - (1) a signpost from the road would be nice. We just headed up a sand track towards the buildings on the dune ridge. If the buildings had not been visible from the road, we would have been a bit lost (2) mend the old Land Rover's gearbox (BK was constantly fighting to get it into 4 wheel drive) !!
Otherwise 5 Stars all round !
Ta Shebube Rooiputs review
For part of our 5 night stay we were the only guests but we had the feeling everyone is treated very well here.
A very good welcome. Accommodation is very well designed and equipped: great attention to detail. Care of us was exceptional: nothing was too much trouble. Our guide Chris was of exceptional quality and very determined.
Other staff were excellent, Martin the manager, KB the other guide we met, the waitresses including Susanah, barman, chefs and Reuben the maintenance man-without exception a cheerful attentive team. We hope the owners and management take note.
Although the lodge appears from the map to be in a less remote location our experience was that it is very, very well situated both in itself and for traversing the southern edge of the Park.
A very memorable experience.
