Reviews of Ta Shebube Rooiputs
Wildlife sightings and reviews
14 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited Ta Shebube Rooiputs and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
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"Ta Shebube Rooiputs review"
There are lovely decks for each chalet and you truly feel you are in the wilderness. The food was very ample and good, with lovely cakes for afternoon tea. We really appreciated it when the cook made us a Botswanian dish which we thoroughly enjoyed. Npo the manager was helpful and attentive and the staff friendly. We were the only ones there so we felt very welcomed, like we were staying with the family. The game guide /driver Benjamin was great. We were all equally excited to see a leopard and cub! The drives are long, but the scenery and birds magnificent and we had excellent game sightings. Our last day barbeque was great fun.
The lodge had some maintenance problems, due in part to terrible weather in December. The shared plunge pool didn't look like it had been used for some time. They said they were planning renovations. We had a wonderful, wilderness experience here, quirky service, not luxury but a good place to stay and enjoy the wide, open spaces, stars and quiet." See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa
Cheetah
4 sightings
Leopard
2 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
Meerkat
3 sightings
Oryx
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
"Ta Shebube Rooiputs review"
The shower in the room (outside actually) was fine once you knew to turn it on and off a few times to fire up the gas. It was really cold at night, the only place I felt this. There are gaps in the wooden structure.
As elsewhere in Botswana, lunches are always best. I experienced one which was exceptional, hake with vegetables, home made bread in the shape of a large bun with poppy seeds, followed by cheeses and fruit (grapes and mango)" See all these reviews: 12n in South Africa
Cheetah
1 sighting
Lion
1 sighting
Oryx
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
"Ta Shebube Rooiputs review"
Cheetah
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
Oryx
10 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
"Where the BBC cannot get, there Rooiputs"
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." See all these reviews: 9n in South Africa
Cheetah
1 sighting
Oryx
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
"Ta Shebube Rooiputs review"
Beautiful area with unexpected scenery. Worth going to before everyone discovers it." See all these reviews: 10n in Namibia; 6n in South Africa
"No better place to stay in the Kgalagadi"
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." See all these reviews: 16n in South Africa
"Great location, but needs to be cheerier"
The staff were friendly, but appear to be working under a rigid manager who generates a rather cold atmosphere." See all these reviews: 2n in South Africa
"Jeep drive very cold in winter/early spring"
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." See all these reviews: 13n in Namibia; 4n in South Africa
"Luxury in Kgalagadi; its the place"
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." See all these reviews: 10n in South Africa
"Ta Shebube is just perfect"
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 !" See all these reviews: 13n in South Africa
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Other lodges in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Alternative places to stay in this same area.
Twee Rivieren
The Kgalagadi's largest restcamp, Twee Rivieren is the centre for the park's administration, and an obvious stop for food and fuel for self-driving visitors.
Kalahari Tented Camp
Kalahari Tented Camp, with self-catering accommodation, is an unusual and well positioned base for exploration of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Mata Mata Rest Camp
On the western border of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mata Mata Restcamp offers camping and simple self-catering chalets, great for adventurous travellers on self-drive explorations of this park.
Gharagab Camp
Gharagab Wilderness Camp is located in a remote corner of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, which is wonderful if you like wilderness areas. However, access takes time - so it's not the best base for exploring the park.
Nossob Rest Camp
A basic but very well positioned rest camp within the heart of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Simple self-catering accommodation is available as well as camping options
!Xaus Lodge
!Xaus Lodge mixes guided wildlife safaris with very good community interactions, suiting those who prefer not to drive and cater for themselves.
Bitterpan Camp
Bitterpan is a basic self-catering camp in the Kgalagadi's central dune-field; it suits experienced self-drivers comfortable with remote travel.
Grootkolk Camp
Grootkolk Wilderness Camp has quirky sand-bag self-catering accommodation and simple amenities, offering a comfortable place to stay while exploring the north western Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.
Ta Shebube Polentswa
Although accessed via South Africa, Ta Shebube Polentswa is situated just across the border, in a private concession on the Botswana side of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
Urikaruus Camp
Urikaruus is one of the most popular wilderness camps in the Kgalagadi National Park with lovely riverside cabins set high up on stilts overlooking the Auob riverbed.
Kielie Krankie Camp
Perched high atop a huge red sand dune, the small Kielie Krankie wilderness camp it is well positioned for accessing both east and west sides of the Kgalagadi National Park.
Molopo Lodge
Less than an hours' drive from the Kgalagadi, this makes a good base near to the park if you're arriving late in the afternoon.
The Motse at Tswalu
Tswalu Motse is a smart lodge located in the Tswalu Game Reserve, the largest private reserve in South Africa.
