When you travel South Africa you should explore the unmatched beauty of the Klein Karoo at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, a malaria-free wildlife estate nestled in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains. This luxurious tented lodge offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, only a five-hour drive from Cape Town or an hour from George Airport. Whether you’re looking for a tranquil retreat or thrilling wildlife experiences, Buffelsdrift promises an unforgettable stay where nature and comfort meet.
Luxury Accommodation in the Heart of the Karoo
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers an array of luxurious tented accommodations that blend seamlessly with the natural landscape. Each tent provides breathtaking views of the surrounding bushveld and the majestic Swartberg Mountains. Families can opt for our spacious Luxury Family Tents, complete with a main bedroom, a second bedroom, and a shared en-suite bathroom. These tents can accommodate up to five people and offer an elevated vantage point over the estate. For those seeking a more intimate escape, our Luxury Waterhole Tents boast private decks overlooking the main waterhole, ideal for watching wildlife while enjoying sundowners.
Wildlife and Adventure Await
When you travel South Africa, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge should be on your must-visit list for its exceptional wildlife experiences. Guests can embark on thrilling bush safaris, where sightings of elephants, lions, and cheetahs are common. For a more intimate encounter, join a Meerkat Safari or explore the wilderness on a guided night drive. Buffelsdrift is also home to a wedding chapel with views of the waterhole, making it a unique venue for couples seeking a romantic bush setting.
The lodge’s proximity to Oudtshoorn, known as the Ostrich Capital of the world, and the nearby Cango Caves adds to its appeal as a top travel destination in South Africa. This makes Buffelsdrift Game Lodge a perfect base to explore the wonders of the Klein Karoo.
Conservation at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
Your stay at Buffelsdrift directly contributes to local conservation efforts. A mandatory conservation fee, added at checkout, supports the Buffelsdrift Foundation’s initiatives to preserve wildlife and support local communities. By choosing Buffelsdrift, you’re actively involved in maintaining the delicate balance of nature in the Klein Karoo while helping uplift the surrounding communities.
Dining and Relaxation
Dining at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is an experience in itself. The lodge’s à la carte restaurant serves authentic Karoo cuisine, featuring homemade dishes made from fresh, local produce. The restaurant extends onto a wooden deck that overlooks the waterhole, where you may spot elephants, hippos, and other wildlife as you dine. Our award-winning wine selection showcases the finest wines from Route 62, South Africa’s longest wine route, providing the perfect accompaniment to your meal.
For those seeking relaxation, the lodge also offers a tranquil spa experience. Choose from a variety of massages, treatments, or facials while enjoying views of the waterhole and the calming sounds of nature. Our team of professional therapists ensures that each treatment feels like a journey into serenity, blending natural elements with luxurious comfort.
A True African Getaway
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is not just a place to stay; it is a gateway to the untamed beauty of the Klein Karoo. Whether you’re looking to immerse yourself in nature, enjoy thrilling wildlife encounters, or simply relax under the African sun, this lodge offers an unforgettable escape from the stresses of modern life. So, when you plan your next adventure and travel South Africa, be sure to make Buffelsdrift Game Lodge a part of your itinerary. You’ll leave with lasting memories and the satisfaction of having contributed to meaningful conservation efforts.
Rooms
Luxury air-conditioned en-suite tented accommodation in Oudtshoorn, Garden Route, South Africa
“Out of Africa, with some luxury” – Exactly as one of our recent guests remarked. We truly strive to bring you the best accommodation in Oudtshoorn and the Garden Route & Klein Karoo. A true African experience, with a touch of comfort and luxury. Enjoy the privacy of one of our 34 free-standing luxury tents. Simply and stylishly decorated, they not only offer you a true bushveld experience, but real comforts of luxury accommodation. We also have 24h onsite service, with friendly staff to cater for your every need. Our accommodation (waterhole tents) are perfect for those who enjoy the closeness of the water’s edge. The sundeck on each waterhole tent overlaps the water’s edge and is the ideal spot to relax during your stay with us. Enjoy sundowners on the deck whilst viewing our free-roaming animals in the water and surrounding banks.
Luxury Waterfront
Our Waterfront Tents are perfect for those who enjoy the closeness of the water’s edge. The sundeck on each waterfront tent overlaps the water’s edge and is the ideal spot to relax during your stay with us. Each tent is air-conditioned, has an en-suite bathroom with amenities, and breathtaking views.
Luxury Tents
The luxury tents are set only a few meters away from the waterhole and provide an elevated view of the surroundings. They also have great views over the whole lodge area and is surrounded by true Karoo fynbos. Each tent is air-conditioned, has an en-suite bathroom with amenities, and breathtaking views.
Luxury Family
The Family units have a spacious main room and a children’s room with a shared en-suite bathroom separating the rooms. These units can accommodate a family of up to 5 people. Each tent is air-conditioned, has an en-suite bathroom with amenities, and breathtaking views.
Dining
Buffelsdrift Restaurant: Specializing in authentic Karoo cuisine, the Buffelsdrift Restaurant offers guests a delicious a la carte menu of homemade foods and local fresh produce. As accompaniment, our wine selection consists of some of the best award-winning wines on Route 62, South Africa’s longest wine route. Our restaurant also expands to the wooden deck, overlooking our 5ha waterhole filled with big fish, turtles and hippo. If you are lucky, you might even spot the elephants and other game on the opposite bank.
Facilities
Bush Safari
Here at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, we offer Bush Safaris not only to our residents but to the public as well. “We call it Bush Safaris, as our guides are trained to not only educate our guests on our wide variety of animals, but also about our bird and plant species..”
– Andries van Schalkwyk | Managing Director
During our bush safaris ( game drives ), you can expect to experience true Karoo vegetation from our open game viewing vehicles. Our wide range of animals includes Hippo, Giraffe, Eland, Zebra, Buffalo, Springbok, and much more. The duration of our bush safaris is ± 2 hours. About midway through the safari, there is a refreshment break at one of our scenic lookout points. These offer 360° panoramic views of the area as well as the Swartberg Mountains.
Duration: 2 Hours
Elephant Experiences
None of our elephants have been taken from the wild for captivity. The three elephants were orphaned when the adults were poached. Our elephants come from circumstances that if we did not intervene they would not be alive today. We did not choose this life for them but we rather chose to give them the best possible life within our means with the best possible love and care. All our elephant excursions have a most informative educational approach.
We are fortunate that they ended up here at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge as they are true gentle giants and have great personalities. Elephants are very affectionate and caring animals. An early booking for an Elephant Experience is essential as our elephants are very popular. Clients should arrive 15 minutes prior to activity. Activity will automatically be cancelled if clients arrive 15 minutes after booked time and will have to wait for the next time slot. You are welcome to ask our elephant guides as many questions as you like.
Feeding: (Every hour from 08h00 to 16h00)
With this experience you get the opportunity to be educated on these magnificent animals while having the chance to feed then as well.
Duration: 30 – 45 min
Observation: (08h00 – 09h00 and 15h00 – 16h00)
Take in the natural beauty and go for an early morning or a late afternoon walk with them around the 5ha waterhold
Duration: 1 hour
Night Drives
At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge we offer night drives not only to our residents but to the public as well. A night drive is a safari that happens at night with the help of powerful spotlights to see the different animals. The two-hour night drive offers guest an opportunity to spot the elusive “Shy five” of Buffelsdrift Game Lodge – caracal, genet, porcupine, aardvark and aardwolf. The open game drive safari vehicle offers to witness other wildlife species such as hippo’s grazing, Giraffes, Buffalo, Cape Mountain Zebra, Sable, Eland and much more. About midway through the night drive, there is a refreshment break where you can enjoy the renowned Klein Karoo night skies. The advantage of a night drive is that it provides access to nocturnal species that are rarely seen during the day and there is a greater probability of seeing them hunt at night.
Duration: 2 Hours
The Spa @ Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
The Spa @ Buffelsdrift has 4 permanent therapists onsite that are professionally trained to provide the feeling one gets of being in nature with a relaxing and revitalizing treatment. Choose your preferred massage, treatment or facial and be amazed by the view over the lake, sounds of wildlife and relaxing soft music in the background.
Some of our treatments include:
- African Hand and Foot Treatments
- Back, Neck and Shoulder
- Rolling Sands Full Body Massage
- Desert Glow Exfoliation
- Manicures and Pedicures
Brochure
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