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Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

Our rating

7/10

Price guide

Highlights

- Beautiful location
- Hippos in the dam
- Super activities
- Good value bush safari

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Overview

Buffelsdrift is full of surprises. On the face of it, the entrance just 5 minutes drive outside of Oudtshoorn feels more like a visitor attraction than a private reserve, but hidden within is a beautiful landscape. Lavishly appointed safari tents are located on the shore of the lake and we were woken during our stay by the sound of hippos literally metres outside. We were also pleasantly surprised by the quality of guiding with a refreshing focus on all the wildlife not just the big animals - the 6 year old loved learning about (and nibbling) the wild plants. Currently there are no lions on the reserve, but plans are afoot to acquire neighbouring land and introduce predators.

Buffelsdrift is very proud of its elephant experiences which allow you to get up front and very personal with their tame elephants. Children and adults who are confident with animals will love it. For me it lacks the sense of wilderness you get in the best reserves, but given its location, good value and the tents on the lake, it is arguably the best choice for a family looking to drop a short and relatively inexpensive safari experience into a Garden Route holiday.

Activities include horse riding, elephant feeding, Meerkat experience and bush drives. There are 22 species on the reserve including Hippo, Elephant, Giraffe, Eland, Zebra, Buffalo, Rhino, Wildebeest and Springbok. Bush drives take place on open safari vehicles. A genuine emphasis is put on providing an all round bush experience and the guides are well versed in the bug-life, plants as well as the big beasts. We particularly enjoyed learning about the edible and medicinal plants found in the bush. Without the predators on the reserve, it is difficult to compare Buffelsdrift to a traditional wild safari experience, but as long as you go in with that understanding, Buffelsdrift is a fantastic place.

Accommodation comprises 25 classic safari tents set on the shore of an attractive water hole with resident hippos. The Luxury Waterfront tents are all on the front row immediately on the banks of the dam. The Luxury tents are set higher with good views but not immediately on the banks of the watering hole. These latter are usually used for families and can accommodate up to two adults and two children.

Suggested Itineraries for Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 534 reviews

(5.00/5)

  • Thank you, we had an absolute wonderful time, and everything was well-planned and as described. Carla was crying on the day of our departure from Ants Nest, she didn’t want to go home and for it all to end, and when I asked how much longer she would want to stay, she responded “four weeks”

    MissingLars B reviewing Best of South Africa for Families on 01 March 2024

  • It was certainly a holiday of a lifetime for us and we loved every minute!! The standard and location of each accommodation was excellent, as was the variety of each different accommodation type. Our schedule was perfect and we managed to achieve everything on our to-do task list. Your documents were also really helpful, as were the driving directions. We all thank you for making this such a wonderful holiday. Happy to leave a review publicly if you point me the right way. Best Steve

    MissingStephen H reviewing Classic Garden Route & Eastern Cape Safari on 01 September 2023

  • Hi Lisa, We had a fabulous time thank you. The accommodation and other ideation were all terrific - that’s so much for your help. The apartment in Cape Town was particularly good - we would never have found that: Boschendal was great as well and game lodge was superb. Thanks again, Alistair

    MissingAlistair A reviewing Cape Town, Garden Route and Kruger on 28 April 2023

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