Boulders Bush Lodge

[Elsa]

Hi Kaygee, I somehow doubt there will be, usually just the ordinary cast iron pots they use throughout the park.
which can be used on a fire.

[spencerad]

Hi all,

Can someone please help me with some updated information/advice for a stay at Boulders?

I am fortunate enough to be spending a couple of days with my family at the lodge over Christmas and having not been in the Kruger for 10 years, I am very excited for the trip.

What is the current power supply situation like? How well equipped is the kitchen - is there anything I should to bring?

From what I have read on the forum thus far, I am not expecting the game to be particularly plentiful but has anyone had any recent success near the lodge and are there any recommended roads to drive nearby?

Any other suggestions/recommendations would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks,
Adam

[Elsa]

Welcome to the forum Adam

You are sooo lucky to have a trip to Boulders coming up, it is one camp that is on my bucket list.

I am sure the kitchen will be well kitted out but hopefully someone who has stayed there recently can up date us on that.

You can have a look at some photos Boulders in the mean time.

I know there is a water hole in front of the camp which can be productive and allow you to relax on the verandas and let the animals come to you.
but its always difficult to predict how plentiful sightings will be at any given time.

The roads to and from the camp are private ones so all yours but I would try and spend some time driving around the Mopani area, especially the S143 Tropic of Capricorn loop on which we have had some fantastic sightings.

[Cannoli]

Hi Adam and welcome!

Like Elsa Boulders is very much on my list of camps to visit so i am also

First a question for you: Where are you entering the park and are you staying at any other camps? This may assist in suggesting alternative routes.

Assuming you enter at Phalaborwa I would definitely pop in at Sable dam to have a look. Then if you are driving the H1-4 to Boulders make sure to do all the dirt road loops on route. They are short and not on the maps but there are some lovely streams and rocky outcrops to be seen. Klipspringer must be scanned for. We have also seen Lion and Eland along there and the habitat is perfect for Leopard.

The area will most likely be very green by the time you go so you don't need to focus only on rivers and waterholes. The game will be spread out so you will probably need to cover more ground than one would in the dry months. The bonus though is that your day is much longer. Go out early before it gets too hot. If you don't mind travelling long distances I would suggest you try go as far as Shingwedzi on one of the days. There are several loops to choose from when doing a round trip.

Mooiplaas picnic site has recently been upgraded so you can also stop there for coffee or a brunch. The road south of there also has lots of dirt road loops which aren't on the map.

At the end of the day luck plays a significant role but I have no doubt you will enjoy the experience.

Please let us know how the trip went

[spencerad]

Thank you both for your help suggestions, much appreciated!

We are spending a few days in Mopani beforehand so I will make sure I drive the routes you suggest and a trip up to Shingwedzi is definitely in our plans.

I'll report back after the trip!

[[email protected]]

We will be staying at Boulders Bush Lodge next month. It says that there are no power points (plugs) in the bedrooms. Are there any in the main building? My husband uses a C-Pap machine and needs to be able to plug it in to power. We planned to use a rechargeable battery but we can't find one with enough power for 2 nights. Can he could recharge it in the main house? Or maybe sleep there so he can plug it in?
Also, can we do a night game drive or have dinner at Mopani? It says activities can be scheduled from Mopani. That would mean we need to drive in the park at night after the gates close to get back to our camp.
Thanks for the help.
Pam

[Elsa]

[email protected] it does sound like there are some power points in the lodge from posts in the topic we have on Boulders Bush Lodge but you might need to confirm exactly with a mail to Mopani Camp.

I found this reply in the same topic

Please note that it is possible to book for a guided walk while staying at Boulders. If there is a group of people staying at Boulders, a special arrangement can be made. If there are only individuals, we normally combine them with guests staying at Mopani Camp. Please note that all the bookings are done at Mopani Camp.

So I assume the same would apply to guided game drives.

You will not be allowed to drive after hours on your own and must be back in camp by the official gate hours.
If you want to have a meal at Mopani I suggest a lunch to allow you enough time to return to camp.

[Elsa]

I have since heard from someone who has just stayed there that there are plug points in the bedrooms.

[[email protected]]

Thank you Elsa!

[ingefl]

Updating this with our latest experience. It may be of use to someone just like the rest of this thread was of use to me preparing for our visit.

We stayed at Boulders for 1 night past weekend. Although there are indeed power plug points in the bedrooms, the sign below is currently posted and we were explicitly asked to not use other appliances. That said, there are 3 refrigerators connected, so unplugging 1 or 2 of those would imo easily accomodate some other appliance.

When we arrived there was no power, it was restored ca 18:00 and were told it would be automatically switched off again at 01:00, but I don't think this happened as the light at the waterhole was lit until sunrise. Electricity disappeared again sometime in the morning before we left. Freddy managing the premises told us that there was insufficient diesel for the generator which I assume is used together with with the solar.

Since this didn't seem like something out of the ordinary and we had sunny days leading up to our visit, I think contacting Mopani beforehand is a good idea if electricity is of the essence.

---
BOULDERS SOLAR ENERGY SUPPLY

Our Dear Guests

Please Note:

Boulders Camp operates via Solar Energy supply as initiatives to going green. Energy is stored in dry cell batteries for use at night and during cloudy days. An inverter converts DC to AC for the appliances.

Please do not plug in other electrical appliances as it may result in overload for the inverter system. Batteries current will also be drained quickly which may lead to electricity blackout in the camp. Our water system is also solar power reliant. Cloudy days may result in shortage of water to the waterhole.

Your understanding will be highly appreciated,

Regards,

Management
---

[Elsa]

Thanks very much for the update and info re this special accommodation.

[Graham_5000]

If three groups are coalescing at Boulders for one night, do we all need to go check in at Mopani?

Two of the groups will enter at Phalaborwa Gate, and perhaps it would be easiest if they are able to head straight to Boulders. If we all need to go to Mopani first, then I guess we will try and get there early to check in as early as possible, in order to max out on the afternoon at the special camp.

[Elsa]

Graham, if the groups all have their own res #'s then I imagine as long as the person who does the checking in has reservation #'s for the 3 groups, it should be okay.
Enjoy your time and trip.

[Graham_5000]

Thanks Elsa. I of course won't have their Wild Cards etc. To me that could cause an issue perhaps, although everyone is then moving to another camp so that stuff will get sorted regardless.

[zivvy&muffin]

I did this 7 or 8 years ago, for Boulders.
We had three cars arriving from different directions, just mine from the north.
I checked in all three groups at Mopani. I gave over the Booking number and each of the WildCard numbers when checking in (which I'd conveniently got hold of beforehand).
I think we were also +1 child over original booking, so added that on at Mopani too.
No issues.