28 | LUXlife Magazine omprising eight spacious, fully-furnished chalets – each with en-suite bathrooms – Grassland Safari Lodge has space for 16 guests a time, with family units also available. Thanks to the comfort and quality of these air-conditioned rooms, as well as a wealth of on-site facilities including a spacious swimming pool, a dining room, and lounge and bar areas, the Lodge sees hospitality transcend mere service and instead embody the warmth and familiarity associated with a visit to the extended family. Whether a guest is enjoying the unspoilt views of the Lodge’s own waterhole or kicking back under its thatched relaxation area, every element of the property has been meticulously designed to deliver a relaxing environment where guests can unwind and responsibly indulge in their beautiful surroundings. Of course, as this award suggests, those who stay at the Lodge do not do so just for the beauty from within its four walls. More than any particular element of its lavish chalets or comfortable facilities, the heart of the Lodge lies in the deep connection that both the property and the family behind it have to the local San Bushmen, the people native to this area. Neeltjie and her children all speak the Naro San language, resulting in cultural encounters grounded in trust and mutual respect. The result is an experience of an ancient civilization quite unlike any other, complete with activities from toolmaking to traditional food gathering. This is just the beginning, as the Lodge also offers a series of exhilarating game drives through the encompassing Kalahari grasslands, where guests can expect to see an abundance of wildlife ranging from wildebeest and gemsbok through to giraffe and eland, as well as a variety of predators that all roam this semi-arid savannah. For the more adventurous spirit, Neeltjie and the team then offer horse-riding safaris, allowing experienced riders to connect with nature in the most up close and personal way possible. “Each drive is a chance to witness nature in its rawest and most captivating form.” Outside of these traditional African safaris and game drives, the Lodge also gives its guests the opportunity to see one of the most elusive creatures in this part of the world – the white rhinoceros. This stems from the fact that the Lodge is home to one of the most significant white rhino conservation and breeding projects in the country, with guests able to join these expert guides on one of their thrilling rhino-tracking safaris. Best Safari Experience 2025 – Botswana Situated in the centre of Ghanzi, a district in western Botswana, Grassland Safari Lodge offers its visitors an authentic experience of the immense Kalahari Desert. A family-owned property, Grassland Safari Lodge has deep ties to the history of the region, with owner Neeltjie (de Graaff) Bower being a sixth-generation descendent of the brave individuals who arrived in Botswana as part of the Dorsland Trek in the late 1800s. On the back of Grassland Safari Lodge being recognised with this award, we caught up with Neeltjie for more on what sets it apart. Impressively, the Lodge is home to another campaign that revolves around the rescue and rehabilitation of animals: the Predator Project. This campaign works tirelessly to support lions, leopards, and – especially – African wild dogs, and Neeltjie and co. are passionate about sharing the important work they do with guests. These programmes highlight the Lodge’s commitment to give back to its beautiful surroundings. Again, this is something that stems from Neeltjie, who has long stood as a beacon of knowledge when it comes to both this environment and the San culture of the local Bushmen. The result is that visitors to the lodge are empowered to step into a gateway that sees them experience the lives of these captivating people and interact with the world in the same way that they do – conscious and focused. This also aligns the Lodge with the sustainable tourism trends that many travellers are today seeking. Delivering an experience that is as profound as it is exceptional, every element of a stay at Grassland Safari Lodge is infused with authenticity, heritage, and a sense of the unforgettable. As Neeltjie herself summarised in closing: “Grassland Safari Lodge is more than just a safari destination – it’s a one-of-a-kind journey into the heart of Botswana’s heritage, wildlife, and enduring human spirit.” “Today, my children represent the seventh generation of my family’s aims, continuing a proud legacy of living in harmony with this land and its people.” Contact: Neeltjie (de Graaff) Bower Company: Grassland Safari Lodge Web Address: https://grasslandsafarilodge.com/ C AIS-Jun25160
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUyMDQwMA==