It’s rare to find a place that surpasses your expectations in every way, but that is what you get with Bukela Game Lodge. From the moment my fiancée and I arrived we were blown away, and that wonderment only grew throughout our stay. From the wonderful private transfer, to the stunning lodge, the spacious room, the attention to detail, the phenomenal food, the most incredible staff, and what can only be described as an unreal safari experience, let me share why you need to make Bukela your next vacation destination.
Starting with the private transfer, we booked a round trip transfer through the lodge. Our driver, Igna, was an absolute treat and the perfect introduction (and conclusion) to our trip. She was prompt, kind, knowledgeable, and was gracious enough to share her enthusiasm and a bit of herself with us. She made the just over an hour drive go quickly and we felt safe the entire time we were with her.
Upon arriving at Bukela we were greeted with welcome drinks and our bags were immediately taken from the car directly to our room. We wanted to make our first game drive that evening, and despite the close time, the manager hurried to get us checked in without feeling rushed so we could make it.
It was on the first day that we met Evence, our driver for every game drive during our stay. While we may have had an idea that he was special on that first drive, we were left speechless by the end. I have been lucky enough to have traveled around the world and in that time I have had some amazing guides, but I have never met anyone like Evence. From that first drive we had it seemed that we had seen so much, but we were told that isn’t always the case. As fellow guests echoed that sentiment, one who had stayed a bit longer told us that he had a gift. We seemed to be the first people to every animal we came across. I was impressed when he said he prefers to use the animal tracks and sounds to find the animals as opposed to chasing radio calls. He could hear a roar and tell you that the lion was 4km away, place a hand in the air and determine how a shift in wind would send an animal in a certain direction. I have never seen anything like it in my life. The more time I spent with Evence, the more I learned just how his appreciation and respect for animals came to be. He is one of the most knowledgeable, hardworking, dedicated people I have ever met, and I learned so much from the six days I spent with him. Not only did we see more animals than I could have imagined, but our experiences with the animals seemed to reflect the inspiring respect that he had for them. While I could write a book about our time together, just know if you are lucky enough to have him as your driver, please know that you have someone special with you.
Back to Bukela Game Lodge, the staff go above and beyond anywhere I have ever stayed. They greet you from every game drive with a special welcome drink, and when you arrive back to your room the housekeeping team has already gone through to open or close blinds and tidy up. You are in an unfenced area, so every day you call for the staff to take you to dinner. Everyone you speak to is always happy, genuine, and gracious. We were lucky enough to experience a brai twice during our stay as well as watch the staff sing songs and dance. It was an incredibly beautiful experience that moved me to tears before being swept up in the joy they exuded. Aside from the brai, all other meals had menu full of selections. Breakfast stayed the same, while lunch and dinner rotated. We were blown away by the food from the presentation to the flavor. I can be a picky eater, but I was so impressed I ventured outside of my comfort zone and tried many more dishes than I would have because they were so good. (If they have the beef skewers you must try them!)
Our final evening we had a private dinner that they set up for us on the observation deck, and it was fantastic. Our server, Uzile, took great care of us, and we were gifted a delicious bottle of champagne to celebrate the occasion. The care they took to create that ambiance did not go unnoticed, and it was the best way to end our trip.
The whole time I was there I was sharing Bukela with family and friends, and now I want to share it with you. There are countless nuances, surprises, and special touches that the staff provided for us, but that is for you to experience. What I can say is that I have never felt more respected and cared for on any trip than I have this one. We had so much fun and our enthusiasm was always matched. The people working there seem to be more of a family than a staff and that bleeds through to the guests in the best way. Be sure to bring extra cash to tip, because the one common conversation we heard in the mornings was people saying they wish they had more to give after their stay. Bukela surpasses expectations, and while we never once felt pressured to tip, I promise you the recommended amount will not feel like enough when it’s time to leave. Thank you again to everyone at Bukela for making our trip better than I could have hoped for. We can’t wait to come back!
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