Bateleur Nature Reserve

92 reviews

Self Catering

Reviews

4/ 5

Based on 92 reviews

Very Good

Cleanliness

3.8

Location

4.2

Value for money

3.9

Service

4.0

Safety

4.4

Bruce B

Short stay ⋅ With partner

5.0

Apr 2024

Fantastic! Just what we were looking for! We loved our 2 nights at the Stone Cottage! Small, quaint and simple - so peaceful and relaxing! We loved sitting outside at the cottage watching the eland, wildebeest, zebra, warthogs, jackals, bee eaters, eagles, and so many more birds/game. The trails were great as well - some better taken care of than others, but overall, good fun and beautiful! We would have liked to have been told about the slow & rough road (17km to the entrance gate) and the road condition getting to the cottage - we made it in our small car, but would have chosen a higher clearance vehicle had we known. A few small issues arose during our stay, but were very quickly addressed and sorted by the staff.

Cleanliness

5.0

Service

5.0

Location

5.0

Safety

5.0

Value for money

5.0

Room stayed in

Stone Cottage # 8

View host response

Susan

Bateleur Nature Reserve

Good morning Bruce, Thank you for your review. We are glad that you enjoyed your visit to Bateleur Nature Reserve. Apologies, as a rule all visitors are notified to prepare to drive the 17km gravel road. Normal sedan vehicles will be able to drive the road, although slowly. Thank you for your positive feedback - it's much appreciated. You are welcome to visit us again, to break away from the busy city life. Regards, Susan

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Lauren D

Short stay ⋅ Family with young children

4.8

May 2025

Peaceful. Very peaceful and quiet. Enjoyed seeing all the animals.

Cleanliness

5.0

Service

4.0

Location

5.0

Safety

5.0

Value for money

5.0

Room stayed in

Vaalboom Cottage # 7

Chris D

Short stay ⋅ With partner

4.8

Nov 2024

Perfect break from the busy city. The view from Stone Cottage's porch is perfect. It was dead quiet and the perfect break from the hustle and bustle of the city. We walked the 'Game Trail' route, about 4 km and the view from the top of the hill was breathtaking. I also went to cool off in the rock pools, it's a must.

This review has been automatically translated using Google.

Cleanliness

4.0

Service

5.0

Location

5.0

Safety

5.0

Value for money

5.0

Room stayed in

Stone Cottage # 8

View host response

Susan

Bateleur Nature Reserve

Good morning, Chris Thank you very much for your feedback. You are very welcome to visit us again. Greetings Susan

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Themba M

Short stay ⋅ With friends

4.6

Jan 2025

Refreshing and peaceful. The mountain villa is a rustic house, very basic and clean. It is ideal for a group of friends. We really enjoyed our stay. We also enjoyed hiking and spotted a few animals in the nature reserve.

Cleanliness

4.0

Service

5.0

Location

5.0

Safety

5.0

Value for money

4.0

Room stayed in

Mountain Villa # 4

View host response

Susan

Bateleur Nature Reserve

Good morning Themba Thank you for your review - you are welcome to visit us again in future. Kind regards Susan Bateleur Nature Reserve

Henko V

Short stay ⋅ Family with teenagers

4.4

May 2025

Get away from it all in nature. Very peaceful and beautiful nature.

This review has been automatically translated using Google.

Cleanliness

4.0

Service

5.0

Location

3.0

Safety

5.0

Value for money

5.0

Room stayed in

Mispel Cottage # 5

Wanda L

Short stay ⋅ Family with young children

2.6

Jun 2025

Not at all what I expected and paid for. The photos and description of the Vaalboom Cottage are a bit misleading. Upon arrival we found that there was no microwave at all, and there was no toaster either. When we asked for these items the next day, they only brought a microwave and said we should use it sparingly, because the cottage is on a low power supply and it may cause the place to lose power. Regarding the toaster, they said there was none, because it uses too much power. We packed with a small boy as indicated in the description. The dirt road there (route as suggested via Modimolle) is really not suitable for a car at all, and I feel that this should be clearly indicated in the main description. The dirt road warning that appears on the website is not sufficient to describe how terrible and in what condition the road is. They said we should drive carefully because the road is bad, but that is an understatement. There were also no extra blankets, and the unit is not equipped for cold weather. We did ask for extra blankets, and they gave us two that had apparently been in the cupboard for a long time. The gas geyser flame goes out every five minutes, and then you stand in cold water and have to turn off the hot tap to get the flame going again. There are no braai tongs, so bring your own. I don't normally give bad reviews and always give people the benefit of the doubt, but I was really unhappy with what I paid for what I got. Self-catering means the place should be reasonably well equipped with the basics, and that you don't have to ask for them. We came back a day earlier than we booked because we just didn't enjoy our stay.

Glad nie wat ek verwag het en voor betaal het nie. Die foto's en beskrywing van die Vaalboom Kothuis is so bietjie misleidend. Met aankoms het ons bevind daar is glad nie 'n mikrogolfoond nie, en daar is ook nie 'n broodrooster nie. Toe ons die volgende dag vir hierdie items vra, het hulle net 'n mikrogolfoond gebring en gesê ons moet dit spaarsamig gebruik, want die kothuis is op 'n lae kragtoevoer en dit mag die plek se krag laat uitskop. Oor die broodrooster is daar gesê dat daar nie een is nie, want dit gebruik te veel krag. Ons het met 'n klein seuntjie gepak volgens wat in die beskrywing aangedui is. Die grondpad soontoe (roete soos voorgestel via Modimolle) is regtig glad nie geskik vir ’n kar nie, en ek voel dit moet duidelik in die hoofbeskrywing aangedui word. Die grondpadwaarskuwing wat op die webtuiste verskyn, is nie voldoende om te beskryf hoe aaklig en in watter toestand die pad is nie. Daar is gesê ons moet versigtig ry want die pad is sleg, maar dit is 'n understatement. Daar was ook nie ekstra komberse nie, en die eenheid is nie toegerus vir koue weer nie. Ons het wel vir ekstra komberse gevra, en hulle het vir ons twee gegee wat blykbaar lank in die kas gelê het. Die gasgeiser se vlam gaan elke vyf minute uit, en dan staan jy in koue water en moet die warm kraan toedraai om weer die vlam aan die gang te kry. Daar is nie ’n braaitang nie, so bring maar jou eie saam. Ek gee nie normaalweg slegte terugvoer nie en gee altyd mense die voordeel van die twyfel, maar ek was regtig ongelukkig met wat ek betaal het teenoor wat ek gekry het. Selfsorg beteken die plek moet redelik goed toegerus wees met die basiese toebehore, en dat jy nie daarvoor hoef te vra nie. Ons het ’n dag vroeër teruggekom as wat ons bespreek het omdat ons net nie lekker gebly het nie.

This review has been automatically translated using Google.

Cleanliness

3.0

Service

3.0

Location

1.0

Safety

4.0

Value for money

2.0

Room stayed in

Vaalboom Cottage # 7

View host response

Susan

Bateleur Nature Reserve

Vaalboom Cottage operates on solar power with a back-up system. As you can imagine, the use of power-hungry appliances such as hair dryers, electric kettles, toasters, heaters and microwaves is therefore not standard. However, we realise that this restriction needs to be made clearer in our communication and we will ensure that it is highlighted more prominently in the future. The past weekend was extremely cold across South Africa – a cold front that made even the most hardened Waterberger shiver. We always warn: “Nights can be nippy”, and encourage guests to keep an eye on the weather reports and prepare accordingly. When it became clear that it would be freezing, our staff immediately provided extra blankets. Regarding roads: Limpopo’s provincial roads are unfortunately, like in many parts of the country, in a deplorable condition. It is beyond our control. We inform guests in advance that the dirt road to Bateleur is challenging, and that a vehicle with high ground clearance is essential – especially after recent devastating rains in the Waterberg. Each guest signs a disclaimer which, among other things, confirms that the use of the provincial roads is at their own risk. In this case, it is clear that our recommendations regarding vehicle choice, travel time and route planning were either not followed or not followed. Nevertheless: we acknowledge that we could have communicated better and therefore refunded the third night without delay. We trust that this confirms our sincere effort to prepare guests as best as possible – even for a cold snap or a dirt road with potholes.

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Alet M

Short stay ⋅ With partner

1.0

Jun 2025

Dishonest & dangerous. STAY AWAY!!! Dishonest owners!!! If you drive any kind of city car, stay away. Spoke to the owner on WhatsApp to make sure a Toyota Yaris, hatchback car would make it on the dirt road. I was told yes, as long as it’s not a Ferrari and I drive slowly, we’ll make it. We drove slowly and did NOT make it. We were also told to take Elandskloof Road from Modimolle, because it’s the “better” road. This route is for 4x4s only. We got stuck on the reserve on the way out; they could barely help with a few bricks and shovels. There is no microwave, toaster or electric kettle as listed. When we inquired about it, we were told it trips the power, and if we wanted it, we’d have to braai further for the weekend. We go hiking and can see that there is a wire that looks like an extension cord to the houses located with open loads in the middle of the field (no wonder the power trips). You have to watch where you walk if you don't want to get shocked either. Owners don't feel much for guests and make it very clear that you are on your own as soon as you get there. One of us was called a po*phol by the owner when we asked for help getting back to the tarmac—after we were promised by the same owner that we would be helped on the way out. After hours of struggling on an impassable road with no signal, the owner had no other option but to “flatbed” us out. The road was so bad that the “flatbed” driver wouldn't even drive our car back the same route. He also said that he had been here a few times to pick up cars. The website should be ashamed of themselves and rethink marketing Bateleur on the platform.

Oneerlik & gevaarlik. BLY WEG!!! Oneerlike eienaars!!! As jy enige vorm van ’n stadskar ry, bly weg. Het met die eienaar gepraat oor WhatsApp om seker te maak ’n Toyota Yaris, hatchback-karretjie sal dit kan maak op die grondpad. Daar is vir my gesê ja, solank dit nie ’n Ferrari is nie en ek stadig ry, sal ons dit maak. Ons het stadig gery en het dit NIE gemaak nie. Ons is ook gesê ons moet Elandskloofpad vat vanaf Modimolle, want dit is die “beter” pad. Hierdie roete is slegs vir 4x4’s. Ons het vasgesit op die reservaat op pad uit; hulle kon skaars help met ’n paar bakstene en grawe. Daar is geen mikrogolfoond, broodrooster of elektriese ketel soos gelys nie. Toe ons navraag doen daaroor, is daar vir ons gesê dit trip die krag, en as ons dit wil hê, moet ons maar lekker verder braai vir die naweek. Ons gaan loop op staproetes en kan sien daar is ’n draad wat lyk soos ’n verlengingskoord na die huisies geleë met oop laste in die middel van die veld (geen wonder die krag trip nie). Jy moet mooi kyk waar jy loop as jy nie geskok ook nog wil word nie. Eienaars voel nie veel vir gaste nie en maak dit baie duidelik dat jy op jou eie is sodra jy daar aankom. Een van ons is ’n po*phol genoem deur die eienaar toe ons vir hulp vra om weer tot by die teerpad te kom—nadat ons belowe is deur dieselfde eienaar dat ons gehelp sal word op pad uit. Na ure se gesukkel op ’n onrybare pad sonder sein, het die eienaar geen ander opsie gehad as om ons uit te “flatbed” nie. Die pad was so erg dat die “flatbed”-bestuurder nie eers ons kar op dieselfde roete wou terugbestuur nie. Hy het ook gesê dat hy al ’n paar keer hier was om karre uit te haal. Die webtuiste moet hulleself skaam en herdink om Bateleur te bemark op die platform.

This review has been automatically translated using Google.

Cleanliness

1.0

Service

1.0

Location

1.0

Safety

1.0

Value for money

1.0

Room stayed in

Stone Cottage # 8

View host response

Susan

Bateleur Nature Reserve

1. Road conditions and travel advice • Provincial roads: Limpopo’s provincial roads — like many parts of South Africa — are in poor condition. We advise all guests in advance that the last 13 km of gravel road to Bateleur is difficult to drive and requires a vehicle with high ground clearance, especially after recent devastating rainfall in the Waterberg. • Arrival before sunset: We strongly recommend that guests arrive before sunset; it is much more difficult to navigate these roads in the dark. In your case, we have recommended the Modimolle route (formerly Nylstroom) as the safer of the two options. • Cell phone signal: We warn that there is no cell phone reception between the town and Bateleur — a common reality in rural areas. Despite this advice, you travelled after dark in a vehicle with insufficient ground clearance and, moreover, missed the turnoff. 2. Facilities on the reserve • Solar-powered cottages: Our units run exclusively on solar power. High-power appliances such as hair dryers, electric kettles, toasters and microwaves are therefore not standard. We agree that this should be emphasised more clearly in future communications. • Immediate assistance: As soon as you requested a microwave, one was delivered immediately and we also helped to secure a plastic cover over the wheel. 3. Conduct and communication • I, and no staff member, said: “let’s just have a nice braai for the weekend.” • No staff member called anyone a “poepol”. My staff assisted you with courtesy at all times. • We make it clear that Bateleur does not offer any organised entertainment, other than “what Mother Nature provides.” Guests must be independent and should not expect other forms of entertainment as at commercial resorts. 4. Disclaimer and responsibility You have signed a disclaimer confirming that the use of the provincial roads is at your own risk. We are therefore of the opinion that the specific advice given — on vehicle choice, travel time and route choice — was ignored or not correctly communicated within your group. I trust that this clarifies the situation and confirms our efforts to prepare guests well. Please let us know if any further clarification is required. Kind regards, Wouter

1. Padtoestande en reisadvies • Provinsiale paaie: Limpopo se provinsiale paaie — soos in baie dele van Suid-Afrika — is in ’n swak toestand. Ons lig alle gaste vooraf in dat die laaste 13 km grondpad na Bateleur moeilik begaanbaar is en ’n voertuig met hoë grondvryhoogte vereis, veral ná onlangse verwoestende reënval in die Waterberg. • Aankoms voor sononder: Ons beveel sterk aan dat gaste voor sononder arriveer; dit is baie moeiliker om in die donker op hierdie paaie te navigeer. In julle geval het ons die Modimolle-roete (voorheen Nylstroom) aanbeveel as die veiligste van die twee opsies. • Selfoonsein: Ons waarsku dat daar geen selfoonontvangs tussen die dorp en Bateleur is nie — ’n algemene realiteit in landelike gebiede. Ten spyte van hierdie raad het julle ná donker in ’n voertuig met onvoldoende grondvryhoogte gereis en boonop die afdraai gemis. 2. Fasiliteite op die reservaat • Sonkrag-kothuise: Ons eenhede werk uitsluitlik op sonkrag. Hoogkrag-toestelle soos haardroërs, elektriese ketels, broodroosters en mikrogolfoonde is dus nie standaard nie. Ons stem saam dat dit in toekomstige kommunikasie duideliker beklemtoon moet word. • Onmiddellike bystand: Sodra julle ’n mikrogolf versoek het, is een onmiddellik afgelewer en het ons ook gehelp om ’n plastiekbedekking oor die wiel vas te maak. 3. Optrede en kommunikasie • Ek, en ook geen personeellid nie, het gesê: “moet ons maar lekker verder braai vir die naweek.” • Geen personeellid het enigiemand ’n “poepol” genoem nie. My personeel het julle te alle tye met hoflikheid gehelp. • Ons stel dit duidelik dat Bateleur geen georganiseerde vermaak aanbied nie, buiten “wat Moeder Natuur bied.” Gaste moet selfstandig wees en behoort nie ander vorme van vermaak te verwag soos by kommersiële oorde nie. 4. Vrywaring en verantwoordelikheid Julle het ’n vrywaring onderteken waarin bevestig word dat die gebruik van die provinsiale paaie op eie risiko geskied. Ons is dus van mening dat die spesifieke raad wat gegee is — oor voertuigkeuse, reistyd en roetekeuse — geïgnoreer of nie korrek oorgedra is binne julle groep nie. Ek vertrou dat dit die situasie opklaar en ons pogings om gaste goed voor te berei bevestig. Laat weet gerus indien enige verdere verduideliking verlang word. Vriendelike groete, Wouter

This review has been automatically translated using Google.

Cherie S

Short stay ⋅ With partner

4.8

May 2024

Loved it! If you are looking for peace and quiet with basic but comfortable accommodation, look no further. We stayed in Stone Cottage number 8 with a beautiful view of the valley. Every morning, impala and wildebeest surrounded the cottage, and we saw eland, giraffe, and warthog as well. The hiking is pretty technical but well worth it. There are a few maintenance issues in the cottage, for example, some broken tiles and missing curtains, as well as the outside light needing to be replaced, but otherwise it was clean and had everything you would need for a weekend away. Will definitely be back! Thank you for a wonderful stay!

Cleanliness

5.0

Service

5.0

Location

5.0

Safety

5.0

Value for money

4.0

Room stayed in

Stone Cottage # 8

Doctor T

Short stay ⋅ With friends

4.8

Feb 2024

Worth it and great getaway place for some quality time with family or friends. It was perfect. Had lots of fun.

Cleanliness

4.0

Service

5.0

Location

5.0

Safety

5.0

Value for money

5.0

Room stayed in

Mountain Villa # 4

View host response

Susan

Bateleur Nature Reserve

Good morning Doctor, Thank you for your review. I'm glad that you enjoyed your stay and you are welcome to visit us again. This is indeed a great getaway from the busy city life, perfect to enjoy time with family and friends. Kind regards, Susan Bateleur

This review has been automatically translated using Google.

Tirsa V

Short stay ⋅ Family with young children

3.6

Nov 2024

Quiet surroundings, but the cottage and surroundings need maintenance. The reserve is lovely and we saw lots of animals and birds. The rest is also fantastic. The cottage itself is quite neglected (especially outside) and the kitchen was not very well equipped with enough cutlery etc. not. The swimming pool was also not maintained at all, but the pools were lovely. The cottage is very close to the reception and mountain villa which reduces the feeling of seclusion quite a bit.

This review has been automatically translated using Google.

Cleanliness

3.0

Service

3.0

Location

4.0

Safety

5.0

Value for money

3.0

Room stayed in

Mispel Cottage # 5

View host response

Susan

Bateleur Nature Reserve

Dear Tirsa, Thanks for your positive feedback on the reserve. We agree that Mispel Cottage still needs a lot of TLC and more, and we are still working on it. We had a very large group of 80 boys from St John’s College over for a full month for a Wilderness School. The variety of habitats, numerous fauna and flora species, and the size of Bateleur lends it, like few other reserves, to this purpose. The School uses Mispel as a kitchen. To rehabilitate the unit back to its status as a small house took us a bit longer than anticipated. Next year there will be proper kitchen facilities built closer to the entrance, and Mispel will revert back to its original function. When you come again, we’ll do better. Kind regards, Wouter