Adventurous wildlife encounters at Ratho Bush Camp
Alldays - Limpopo - South Africa
Rocks near Ratho
Ratho Bush Camp, a wildlife experience like no other.
Is that what we had?
DISCLOSURE: Please be advised that RATHO Bush Camps was permanently closed on 30 Nov 2025. Please do not contact them
In January 2020 we took a road trip and safari through the Kruger National Park and Limpopo with our caravan. We had travelled from south to north through the Kruger camping at a few of the main rest camps. When we exited the north of the park we spent a night at Nthakeni as well as Tshipise.
Our next camp of choice was Ratho Bush Camp, rustic, adventurous bush camp. (PLEASE NOTE RATHO BUSH CAMPS IS PERMANENTLY CLOSED SINCE 30 NOVEBER 2025, AFTER OUR VISIT)
Campsite at main camp
Ratho Bush Camp
Ratho Bush Camp was about 17 kilometres west of Pontdrif, the border post between South Africa and Botswana. The camp was abundant with birdlife and on occasion an elephant or two.
Fish Eagle
The 4x4 bush camp was situated on the banks of the Limpopo, a stone’s throw away from Botswana which is across the river.
4x4 camp next to the river
Enter at own risk - there is even a sign saying beware of crocodiles
Looking onto waterhole
Ratho was situated close to Mapungubwe, a national park of South Africa and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Bushbuck, warthogs and baboons at the waterhole at Ratho
Rakwena crocodile farm
Next to the river
View of the deck near the waterhole
Self drive 4x4 route
We drove the easy 5 kilometre 4x4 route near the river. It is very picturesque in summer.
About getting up close and personal with the wildlife of Ratho, we showered with a huge scorpion. Just goes to show even fences can’t keep out everything. Luckily the scorpion stayed on the wall and we kept a wide berth. Needless to say, we had an extremely quick shower that night.
Lappies the cat
Furthermore we witnessed a kill or rather the offerings of a kill. There are two domesticated cats at the main campsite – Lappies a beautifully marked cat and Melkie a snow-white cat. Both of them are very friendly and Lappies often sat on our laps and greeted us with such enthusiasm every morning.
Lappies
Melkie
Every night Melkie braves the horrors of the wild and goes through the fence into the bush for an adventure. He faces the dangers of going out into the jungle, with a huge possibility of being captured and devoured by predators. His mission: to catch a mouse for Lappies. Once he has caught a mouse, he then duly presents it to her. Quite sweet, don’t you think? Not that Lappies does not venture into the bush herself, but she probably enjoys the attention of having an offering presented to her.
Open air ‘bar’
Unfortunately we did not see any elephants or other larger game. We sat on the wooden deck and overlooked the dry water hole and saw bushbuck, baboons and warthog. Apparently because there was an abundance of food, the elephants stay away in summer.
Scenic 4x4 drive along the river
Hope you enjoyed reading about our tongue-in-cheek adventures at Ratho.
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About the Author
ALMA VAN AS | ROAMING FOX
Alma is a South African travel blogger and writer. She hopes to inspire you with facts and fables about her adventures, road trips and international travel.
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The Best Way to see a country? Take a road trip! Have you ever had that feeling when you hit the open road on your road trip? Freedom. Anticipation. Exhilaration.