When you first arrive at Big Cave Camp, you have the choice of either walking up the massive kopjieon top of which the camp is situated, or, if you are not up to the challenge, a vehicle will be sent for you. Upon arrival you are met in the charming library area with a cool damp cloth and a cold drink (much needed after that walk up.)
The lodge was started in 1995, and originally only had 3 chalets, it now has 7 chalets. The 2000 hectare property is fenced, and has plentiful plains game, as well as leopard and hyena. The rustic rooms all face East for the stunning sunrises, which can either be observed from your individual verandah, or even from the comfort of your bed, which look straight out onto the verandahs. These rooms are a bird lovers paradise, with many different varieties of birds easy to spot from the private verandahs.
The large open plan dining room, lounge and bar area is cleverly built around a couple of huge granite boulders, complete with real life rock dassies (hyrax) on occasion! Imagine sitting have a cold drink at the bar while watching rock rabbits scamper up the boulders behind you. This area, as well as the rooms, are lovely and cool due to the fact they are built under thatch, which also gives the whole lodge a distinctly homely feel.
A pretty unique feature of the camp is the pool, which incorporates a dip in the natural granite rocks to be the base of the pool. The view from here is lovely. The lodge offers a game drive at 4p.m to a spot they call “Lightning Rock” which was struck by lightning roughly 15 years ago, but still shows the impressive marks of where the lightning split the rock in half. For those who are more energetic in the morning, the camp offers a complimentary game walk, with a guide, every morning. This is definitely something you should do at least one morning.
Big Cave Camp also offers a camping site. This has 4 firepits with a communal ablution block, kitchen, bar and large room, which can serve as a lounge. Please note there are no actual chairs or tables in this area). If things get a little rough camping, there are 5 small rondavels you can upgrade to, which have twin beds in each, and a separate braai area.
Big Cave Camp caters for guests of all lifestyles, be it the hard core camper, or the couple on a romantic get-away.
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