Responsive image

Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch

Our rating

8/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Stunning dunes location
- Great variety of activities
- Adopted cheetahs in camp
- Horse riding excursions

Speak to someone who's been there

Start planning your tailor-made trip by calling one of our specialists on 855 686 7694

Enquire

Overview

Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch is a tranquil, owner-run camp in a private enclosure on the edge of the southern Kalahari, southeast Namibia. Set in a scenic landscape of stunning red-ridge sand dunes and savanna studded with shrub and acacia trees, this former cattle ranch offers traditional hospitality and well-appointed, comfortable accommodation. Two and a half hours south of Windhoek, the camp is a good stop-over point for visitors to Fish River Canyon and the south, and there are several activities on offer including game drives, horse-riding, and guided walks. This area is home to over 150 bird species, along with a range of desert wildlife including giraffe, ostrich, zebra, oryx, kudu, springbok, and the reclusive meerkat, and the ranch has adopted a number of orphan cheetahs in collaboration with the Cheetah Conservation Fund.

The main reception area leads to a traditionally furnished lounge with a fireplace, and a dining room, library, and well-stocked bar. Outside is a patio area leading to a good sized swimming pool with loungers, and a ‘boma’ with fire pit where alfresco dinners are regularly served. The delicious cuisine features African influences and ingredients, presented as a buffet or several separate courses.

The various activities on offer comprise day and night game drives, guided walks, and horseback safaris, suitable for beginners to experienced riders. Guests are encouraged to meet the camp’s resident orphan cheetahs in their 12 hectare enclosure, and partake in their feeding. Also available are cultural visits with San Bushmen, and star gazing with the ranch’s resident astronomer. Massages and beauty treatments can also be arranged.

The varied accommodation includes six wooden ‘dune’ chalets on stilts, perched on top of the sand dunes and boasting panoramic views. Each ‘dune’ chalet features double or twin beds, and ensuite bathrooms with bath and shower, basin and WC, with two of them housing a private outdoor splash pool. A further six ‘savannah’ chalets are located on the valley floor. These feature a distinctive straw-bale construction to regulate temperature, and comprise double or twin beds and an ensuite bathroom with shower, basin and WC. Two additional, larger, chalets are suitable for groups or families. Within the main lodge itself, six double rooms offer ensuite facilities along with a private thatched veranda. All units have air conditioning and ceiling fan, a minibar and a tea/coffee station. There’s also a small onsite camping area offering six pitches, each with individual bathroom.

Children are extremely welcome in camp. Guests under five are accommodated free of charge, and there are discounts for six to twelve year olds. The camp offers two ensuite family chalets, the first with one double and two single beds, and a further unit with four single beds. Extra beds may be supplied upon request. Parents are reminded that wildlife is present, so children should be supervised at all times.

Suggested Itineraries for Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 536 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!

    Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.

    Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!

    All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.

    Thanks you once again!

    MissingHardeep S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 15 April 2024

  • I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

    Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

    El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

    Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

    So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

    MissingJuhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

+
See more reviews

Decisions...

Stop searching and speak to someone who knows.

Enquire Now