Bukela Game Lodge

Jon Lindsay

We had an amazing 2 nights here back in January. Food and service are fantastic, youre in nature but real luxury feel, and get properly looked after. Game drives were also fab - our driver was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. It isnt a huge reserve with only 3 lions so if youre a real nature lover then may prefer a true national park but its really well run and you get the impression its highly ehtical with an anti poaching program and the rangers look out for the animals. For a 2 or 3 night trip, id highly highly recommend.

Janina Caron

This is a wonderful place for a safari. The people are nice, the service is great, the food is good and the location is so much better than other similar areas. With tons of land to explore, but close enough to see every animal you dream of up close and personal without the huge crowds! Only a certain number of vehicles from the lodges are allowed, so it keeps the numbers down. The canvas rooms leave a bit to be desired, being very hard to get the temperature to stay consistent and with the hot water needing to be fixed often, but they are quick to fix it. The non-canvas rooms are better. Abi, the safari guide can not be beat! She is knowledgeable, friendly, and truly loves what she does! She made our trip a wonderful experience! Welcome drinks and introduction to the lodges, rooms, amenities, etc. Pre-drive snacks (coffee, breads, and yogurt), breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided. Fleece lined ponchos provided for warmth on the drives. Warm drinks on arrival back at the lodge after drives. Snacks and drinks on the safari drives. Heat blankets on the beds. Horseback riding, archery, special drives and walks, etc, are available for a fee. They handled my husband's gluten-free needs wonderfully, and we're very careful with it every meal! He never got sick once! I would highly recommend Bukela to anyone not expecting perfection and who wants to see the animals up close. My suggested amount of time there is 5-8 days to be able to see the animals and enjoy the amenities.

Jessica Smith

I could not rate Bukela higher- if you are debating staying at this lodge- do! Four of us booked two luxury tents, and we found the food delicious with great variety, the staff was incredibly accommodating, kind, welcoming, and quite fun! We had a braai during our stay which was a special surprise, and our downtime between meals and game drives was relaxing. Elephants visited the watering hole (and wandered up near the tents!) multiple times throughout our stay as well as other animals, and rangers always walked us to our tents when the sun was down. I had a very relaxing massage, and we opted to try out archery which was a lot of fun. Now - the game drives! Our ranger Wonga was the absolute best. These drives are 2x a day, for 3 hours each so they really are make or break for your overall experience. Wonga delivered over and over again! His instincts are astounding and he is immensely knowledgeable. He was also very funny and personable throughout our 8 drives with him! This was such a memorable trip- I hope to visit Bukela again one day.

Lisa Randall

We loved everything about Bukela. The staff is incredible. Blessing and Zeus are kind and lovely! Wonga made each and every drive amazing. I recommend Bukela a thousand times over!

Heidi Zakeri

We had the most incredible time at Bukela Game Lodge, and it was truly the highlight of our honeymoon! From start to finish, we were blown away by the outstanding service, the warmth and friendliness of the staff, and the unforgettable experience. The accommodation was absolutely beautiful, offering a perfect mix of luxury and comfort, with every detail thoughtfully taken care of. A big shout out to our game drive guide, B – he was nothing short of amazing! His knowledge, personality, and enthusiasm made each game drive so special. His deep understanding of the wildlife and the environment really enriched our experience, and we couldn’t have asked for a better guide. The staff went above and beyond to make our stay unforgettable. Not only did they make our honeymoon feel extra special, but they also surprised me with a wonderful birthday celebration. A private dining experience on our last night was the perfect touch – it was such a memorable moment. We want to mention Jerry and Zeus too, who were excellent throughout our stay, always ensuring we had everything we needed and more. The food was delicious, with every meal being a treat. Whether it was a hearty breakfast, a relaxing lunch, or a beautiful dinner under the stars, everything was perfectly prepared and served with care. We honestly can’t recommend Bukela Game Lodge enough. It’s an extraordinary place, and we would love to return someday for another unforgettable experience. Thank you to the entire team for making our honeymoon and my birthday so special!