A pioneer and entrepreneur started a small shop in Vanzylsrus in the early 1950’s to cater for local farmers and travelers who passed through this town on their way to Botswana. Tired travelers were seeking more than just a shop and soon rooms were added to provide shelter and food.
A liquor license was obtained and this lodge entered an era of growth, becoming a hotel of note. The hotel traded under the name of “Gemsbok Hotel”. Many tourists, hunters and travelers would still have interesting stories to tell about the old hotel.
In 2006 the new owners saw potential in this small Kalahari town. They purchased the then “run-down” hotel, demolished the entire place and the new jewel and oasis of the Kalahari was born – transforming some of the debris into art which can be viewed throughout the Hotel.
Information
Accommodation
The boutique hotel consists of six spacious en-suite bedrooms and one luxurious honeymoon suite.
Entering the rooms one immediately notices the way in which each room was individually styled with hand-crafted basins, mirrors and paintings. Each room has a unique flowing theme displaying typical Kalahari creatures.
All rooms are equipped with air conditioners, televisions and hair dryers. The rooms are furnished with antique cupboards and hand made bedside tables. There is also a self-catering coffee facility. The honeymoon suite in addition, has a heated outside shower in a private garden and many more handcrafted artworks.
Activities
Infamous “Meerkat” project – The town is home to the stars of the international BBC film series “Meerkat Manor” and our Hotel has the sole visiting rights to the burrows of these stars where tourists can walk freely among the “meerkat celebrities” in their natural habitat.
Game drives and bird watching – Tourists will be pleasantly surprised by the unique vegetation that exists in this “believed to be” dry desert which blossoms into a green and lush veld during the rain season. Apart from visiting neighboring game farms where exquisite sables, roam antelopes, black rhino, Eland, springbok and the gracious gemsbok can be spotted. Vanzylsrus is also home to hundreds of exotic and indigenous bird species.
See the Kori Bustard (Gompou), “the heaviest flying bird on the planet” in its natural habitat as well as one of the noisiest birds on our planet, the korhaan. The yellow and red beek hornbills (also called the kok-kok) will be your beautiful morning alarm at sunrise.
Contact
The Expedition Project is a social enterprise! Please use the enquiry form below – by doing so you are supporting both this partner and nearby community and conservation projects at no extra cost. You will also get access to similar projects, accommodation discounts and special offers.
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