Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge

Wonderful location, great drives, fantastic staff :)

From the minute we arrived, we were delighted with Buffalo Ridge. We were greeted and treated to a welcome drink while we filled out indemnities in the reception area. The main lodge is built on several levels overlooking a deep valley crossed with game trails. While we were there, we saw elephants, giraffe, buffalo and rhino from the lodge. We were shown to our room, which is a massive chalet with glass doors opening to the deck, which also looks out over the valley and the plains of the reserve. Bird life around the chalet is good. After lunch (2pm) and tea (3.15) we left on our first game drive with Joseph the guide. We were unbelievably lucky as we found a pack of wild dog puppies with a few adults. We were metres away and were able to watch as the other adults arrived back from hunting and everyone squealed and greeted each other. We also saw lions feeding on a zebra and a cheetah having a nap. After the drive you have a three course dinner - which was delicious. We stayed for four nights and every game drive was a delight, with different experiences and visits to different areas of the park. The morning drives are followed by a huge breakfast, then you chill till lunch, which is lighter, but still two courses. Afternoon drives are followed by a three course dinner. At breakfast, the chef visits each table, discusses the menu for the day and makes arrangements if you don't eat something. For example, my partner does not eat fish, so they substituted with rack of lamb. We left feeling that we had eaten well, slept well and seen amazing game. The lodge is about to close for a few months for renovations, and when it reopens, I am sure it will be even more amazing. It is community run, so your visit contributes to local jobs and supports both the community and conservation efforts. Thanks to everyone at the lodge - we will be recommending you to our friends and we hope to be back ourselves in the not too distant future.

The access road from the main park road to the lodge is a little rocky. We are hoping that will be improved with the renovations, but besides that, we had no complaints.

Prachtige ligging, veel dieren gezien.

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We had an amazing stay in the Buffalo Ridge. Everything was just perfect! A warm welcome, excellent food (the vegetarian food was fantastic), stunning views on the game rides and an extremely friendly staff. We absolutely recommend this place!

Wunderschöne Lage auf dem Kamm einer Hügelkette. Sehr schöne Game Drives, sehr familiär gehalten, man fühlt sich ausgezeichnet aufgehoben. Beheizte Betten, wunderschöner Ausblick. 10 von 10 Punkten

Breakfast was limited and so the rest of the food. Felt like a boarding school. No boma staff switched of gas heaters straight after the meal no extra glasses of wine. Everyone had to sit close to each other as part of the meal's and so everyone can listen to each other and are forced to talk to each other.

The road was bad to the lodge. The walking distances was far there is no gholf carts to assist us. The place is old shower did not work well. The on and off of the game viewer was a mission as their is no ladder or assistance. The blankets was flimsy and we were cold during the ride. Very selected food experience with no choices of what you can have. No view from the room - the bed was so hard to sleep on and the mattress was too small as one keeps on bumping into the wooden base set. We came home a day earlier and we were very disappointed.

Staff were friendly. Food was delicious and plentiful. Breakfast spread was great, hot and cold options. Lunch was meal and desert. Dinner was soup main and desert. Snacks on game drive. Options of drinks for sundownder on safari. Safari guide went above and beyond to get us to see the animals. Ignatius was amazing. Safari vehicles have blankets and ponchos to keep us comfortable. We had an exceptional time and have made lifelong memories. Staff were adaptable to our 3 families together and kids ranging from 6 to 12. Room was main bed with 2 stretchers (comfy) for the kids within the main room.

Not a problem but be prepared to pay additional for drinks and park fees and tips which add a significant amount. Village tour was a bit of a let down. It was raining which could not be controlled but we went to the medical centre then drove home. Was a fair drive to get there from johannesberg. But if you stick to the main highway it was fine and only 6km or so into the park. If you follow Google's shortest route it's a bit Dicier. Water in shower was up and down but considering how remote you are it's understandable