Welcome to

Thota Lodge

The Place

Find us in the vast southern Kalahari Desert of the Northern Cape, en-route to Botswana and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. With breathtaking views of the Koranna Mountain range 100 km to the south of our exclusive chalet, and a garden oasis with a tranquil vista of the dry Kuruman river at the main farmstead, each of our accommodations are sure to offer a unique Kalahari experience.

We offer self-catering lodging for each preference. The Camel thorn Chalet boasts a spectacular view of the Kalahari planes and golden sunsets. The Bessiebos campsite is a private, un-fenced campsite that makes you feel like you are nestled among the Kalahari bushes and trees. The Weaver bird self-catering rooms are located at the main farmstead and is a unique fusion of Kalahari solitude and a bustling farmstead. Here we also boast of truly South African luxuries like solar power and clean fresh water from our borehole.

On the farm you will find our livestock herds of cattle, boergoats and sheep, happily sharing their daily lives with the oryx, springbok and kudu amongst them.

The people

We are a family owned and run business that was established by the original owners, but is now largely managed by the second generation.

For the past 30 years the original owner and founder has been farming to best maintain the fragile ecosystem through proper farming management. In the last two years, owner and son have been going the extra mile in implementing regenerative agriculture methods and by re-analyzing their farming practices to be even more environmentally sustainable. Cattle, goats and sheep are raised on natural grazing on this 4000ha expanse of land in higher intensity grazing strips to better mimic natures natural herding patterns as in the fence free past. This means antelopes and critters, large and small, share the land together with our livestock herds, but have a lot less wires and a lot more freedom. This is all a work in progress, and as a family we strive to continually improve our methods and learn how we can keep on farming for generations to come while helping to heal the land.

We also keep multiple bee hives for our own raw Kalahari honey. Honey is extracted twice a year from the hives, usually in April and September, depending on the rainfall. During spring the honey has a very distinctive taste given by the flowers from the Senegalia mellifera, also commonly known as Haakbos or Swarthaak.

We keep on fighting the harsh Kalahari elements as best we can to keep a well sized vegetable garden and strive toward self-sufficiency.

The Experience

Here you can experience a good cup of coffee in a tranquil atmosphere with the privacy we boast at each of our unique accommodations.

For those that like to explore, we allow 4×4 self-drive views of the surrounds. You can also ask about “bakkie ski”. Bakkie ski was invented by the original owner and his sons. Prove your skills by “skiing” on the sand, dragged behind a pick-up truck on a piece of conveyor.

Visitors are welcome to hike along any farm path specified by the owners. This area is any bird watcher and insect lovers’ paradise. There are over a 100 bird species recorded. Settle yourself near a watering crib and you are sure to get some good camera shots. There are also springbok and oryx aplenty, and keep an eye open for the shy pangolins and aardvark.

If you want to learn more about our farming practices, or participate in any of the farming activities, this can be arranged subject to season and the owner’s availability.