But is it truly a private game reserve?

The approved classification of a private game reserve is that it is a part of privately owned land set aside for the preservation and security of animals, birds, insects, fauna and flora.

Game reserves cover a vast area of land and the animals found in such reserves are wild. They hunt and forage for there own food; living 100% off the land just as mother nature intended with no human intervention.

The reason a private game reserve is created is to protect animals and conserve them in their natural habitat for generations to come. They are protected from hunters and the ever increasing danger of poachers.

Thaba Phuti complies with all the criteria of this definition and is now known as the most exclusive 5 star private game reserve. It is a protected safe haven for animals and plants where the rugged natural beauty of Africa meets sophistication, elegance, comfort and style.

Thaba Phuti forms part of a farm next to the Duikerbult reserve with an array of wild life, birds, plants and indigenous flowers. Accommodation at the Thaba Phuti private game reserve consists of seven rooms, each with its own strategically placed private deck, offering guests a superb view of the local waterhole. This gives the visitor the opportunity to watch the wild animals in their natural habitat without disturbing them. On a good day you can catch a glimpse of a number of different wildlife species coming to the watering hole such as:

Hanno Langenhoven compiled a complete list of mammals that can be found at Thaba Phuti of which a view have been named above.

A game drive can be arranged, either on horseback or in an open vehicle; only two of the ways guest can view the protected game at Thaba Phuti. Other mammals that will be found amongst the natural foliage, trees and scrubs in the safety of this private game reserve are the loveable, but shy bush baby. These adorable little mammals find the lush vegetation of Thaba Phuti to be the ideal habitat in which to nest. They do not make their homes in areas more than 6,500 feet above altitude and the perfect climate of the North West province makes it the ideal home for these little critters. They usually live in tree hollows or build their nests in the fork of tree branches with little on no grass, around the tree trunks.

Tree and ground squirrels, cane rats, the striped mouse - a beautiful little rodent; nothing like the ugly grey mice that sometimes invade our homes, are some of the smaller animals that can be viewed if guests want to enjoy a guided bush walk. This is just one of several unique activities that visitors can enjoy at the Thaba Phuti private game reserve.

Porcupines also call Thaba Phuti home and live alongside the honey badger, yellow mongoose and the large spotted genet. Hedgehogs, monkeys, baboons, hares, rabbits, shrews, and caracals are also part of inhabitants of the Thaba Phuti area. The brown hyena, scavenger of Africa, can be found in the boundaries of this exclusive private game reserve.

Thaba Phuti not only caters for the game viewers, bird watchers will also find that the bush is alive with bird life, ranging from the common long legged Kiewiet to exotic birds of pray that make their nests high up on the protective rocks of the Magalies mountain. Owls and other night birds can also be found at Thaba Phuti.

Thaba Phuti can truly be called a private game reserve, where the fauna and flora are preserved for generations to come, in an environment were comfort and modern facilities live in harmony with nature. This complements the innate beauty of the African bush as well as the more than 2 million year old Magalies mountain range without disturbing its splendour or taking away any of its majestic elegance.