Waterbuck Game Lodge

Location: Thornybush Game Reserve, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, 1380, Bushbuckridge, ZA

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Property Type: Lodges

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 01:00 PM - 05:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Instructions: This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply). Guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation. There is no front desk at this property. To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. If you are planning to arrive after 5 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions. The host will greet guests on arrival. For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests should notify this property in advance of their anticipated arrival time.

Amenities & Facilities

• Free breakfast
• Free WiFi
• Terrace
• Garden
• Wheelchair accessible
• Supervised childcare/activities
• Library
• Free breakfast
• Safe-deposit box at front desk
• Smoke-free property
• Wedding services
• Free self parking
• Airport transportation - pickup (surcharge)
• Pool sun loungers
• Free buffet breakfast
• Game viewing on site
• Safari on site

Rooms Available

• Suite

  1 Double Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

  204-sq-foot room, patio with courtyard views

  
  

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Food & Drink - Coffee/tea maker, minibar (fees may apply), and electric kettle

  Sleep - Bed sheets

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, separate bathtub and shower, bathrobes, and slippers

  Practical - Safe and wardrobe or closet

  Comfort - Air conditioning and daily housekeeping

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 2 (2 Adults)

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Minibar
  • Safety deposit box
  • Air conditioning
  • Hair dryer
  • Bathrobe
  • Private bathroom
  • Slippers
  • Electric kettle
  • Wardrobe or closet
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Free WiFi
  • Bedsheets provided

Guest Reviews

• Xiaolu (10/5): Great romantic game drives - Spacious, good facilities, friendly staff The food was a a but rich. Probably too much butter in it haha
• Chloe (2/5): Very poor - Mixed Feelings About Waterbuck Lodge We recently stayed at Waterbuck Lodge as part of our honeymoon, and while there were some highlights, unfortunately, our experience fell short of expectations, especially considering the cost. First, the positives: the game drives were absolutely fantastic! The team was warm, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable, making the wildlife experience the highlight of our trip. However, given that this was our most expensive stay (approximately £3,000 for four nights or R17,331 per night), we were expecting a top-tier experience. Sadly, several aspects did not meet even basic standards for a 4-star property. Room and Cleanliness: The property itself felt quite basic. Our room had noticeable marks on the walls, chipped plaster, and damaged blinds, which gave it a worn appearance. Throughout our stay, the room was not cleaned, meaning dirt from our boots remained on the floor, and the towels were not replaced, leaving us with damp ones. For a property at this price point, this was disappointing. Amenities: We were surprised by the lack of amenities. The pool was unheated, there was no gym, and the WiFi was down for much of our stay. This was particularly frustrating as we couldn’t contact our family for several days, which caused unnecessary worry. While we understand the challenges of being in a remote location, these issues were unexpected given the cost. Food and Drink: The biggest letdown was the food and drink. Breakfast was underwhelming, with no pastries, fresh juices, or freshly brewed coffee—just instant coffee and basic cold eggs and bacon. Dinner was lovely, but there were no snacks available throughout the day, and there was no minibar in the room. Lunch was served at 3:30 PM, meaning there was a long gap between meals, and my husband often found himself hungry. Many guests shared similar frustrations about the service and limited options. Overall: This was a very special trip for us, and while the game drives and the efforts of the staff were appreciated, the overall experience was not in line with the high cost or the advertised standards. We’ve shared our feedback directly with the lodge, but they were very dismissive, which only added to our disappointment.
• Melissa (10/5): Lovely stay, with really excellent service - There’s some warmth to it and understated luxury. We like coming back after each game drive and just relax, while we wait for mealtimes. Feels private, with only 4 rooms /other guests. Overall we had a wonderful experience- the ranger (Marnus) and tracker (Aubrey) gave their best in every game drive, everything was well organised and taken care of, service was excellent, we like the refreshments at sunset in the middle of the drive ;) there was a nice touch to everything. Rooms were very clean and spacious! Food was good too I wish there was brewed coffee at breakfast and not out of Nescafe instant packets. I would have liked the rooms to be stocked of water each day. Safe box wasn’t working. Everything else was perfect.
• Michelle (9/5): Amazing experience - Beautiful lodge with a swimming pool and bar, nice seating area for lounging. Love the boma dining every night. The rooms are spacious and beautiful, has an outdoor rain shower. Love the sunset bush bar during the evening game drives. I did not know that only one of the rooms (room 4) faces the waterhole. There should be freshly brewed coffee for breakfast instead of instant Nescafe coffee We thought there will be a bush walk as part of the stay but was made aware this needs to be communicated on first day of arrival.
• Deborah (10/5): Home in the bush - Waterbuck Lodge is a small, intimate lodge with only four rooms. Our room was beautifully appointed. The bedroom is sizeable, with a very large comfortable bed. There is plenty of storage space (both hanging and shelving), a dressing table and an armchair. There is a small safe in the wardrobe to keep your valuables secure. A ‘drinks station’ with a kettle, tea and coffee is provided, almond with yummy home made biscuits and rusks. There is also a fridge to store your choice of drinks in the room. The bathroom has both indoor and outdoor showers, a fabulous deep double ended bath and a ‘loo with a view’. The food was excellent. Breakfast, served after game drive, consisted of a buffet of cereal, fruit, yoghurt ,cold meats and cheeses. A hot portion was then cooked to order, usually consisting of your choice of eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes and mushrooms. Afternoon tea was served at 3:30, just before the afternoon game drive, and usually included a couple of savoury and salad choices and a sweet selection. Evening meals were varied and tasty three course affairs. In ten days we never had the same menu twice. The game drives utilise both ranger and tracker on the vehicle, and Marnus and Solly are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The lovely staff are not always visible at the lodge during the day. They have an ‘honesty bar’ system, where you mark down drinks you have had in a ledger. If you want ‘Butler service’ go elsewhere - otherwise, come here!
• Maria (10/5): Empfehlenswerte, familiäre Lodge - Tolle Lage, schöne Bungalows, Pool mit Liegen und feines Essen. Ganz hervorragend sind die Gsme Drives. Wir haben sehr viel gesehen und viele interessante Infos erhalten. Wir haben den Aufenthalt in der familiären Lodge sehr genossen und können sie nur weiter empfehlen. Danke der ganzen Crew.
• Thomas (10/5): We shall be back sometime - From the moment we arrived until the moment we left, the staff at Waterbuck Game Lodge did everything to make our stay unforgettable. The rooms were gorgeous, with everything one could ask for. The drives were unforgettable, and while of course you cannot really plan on what you’re gonna see, everything in the power was done by our guide Matt and his tracker Solly to find the animals we were hoping to see. To see the beautiful Sengile, and to meet the youngest Avoca daughter, her mom, aunt, her dad and two uncles will be something we shall never forget! We really loved the food but we missed a bit a variety of vegetables.
• Marcel (9/5): Superb - the total experience, the rooms, the luxury and the game drives, the ranger and tracker were very nice and good. We have had a very good time. Too many drinks were invoiced and also the small drinks which were offered by the house has to be paid, after the game drives you are welcomed with a small drink (shot) but this then turns out afterwards to be a 3 double drink which is charged to your bill). And we drank 8 bacardi cola but ther were 24 invoiced! The female manager keeps trying to sell drinks even when you've thanked for them several times.
• Koester (10/5): We travelled a long way and didn’t know what to expect but Waterbuck exceeded all expectations. - The property has exceptional game viewing opportunities both during game drives and at the lodge and nearby watering hole.
• Thomas (8/5): Very good - - Ranger Roux was a great guide and super knowledgeable, it made the game drives unforgettable. - huge room, very isolated from other guests, peaceful private deck overlooking the reserve. - very personal experience (only 4 rooms at this property). - nice pool and deck by the waterhole. - no mosquito net for the bed. - for this price we expected more nice touches, entree options for dinner, not the best value for money. - lunch snack is provided right before the game drives. It would be nice if it was available earlier.
• Frederik (10/5): wonderful. will definitely go back - location and game drives were excellent. game ranger was great we had to share dinners etc some days with another couple who got pretty irritating
• Matthew (10/5): Perfect! - Perfect in every way Nothing
• Ryan (10/5): Exceptional -
• Ralph (10/5): outstanding hospitality - we had a great time, thank you! - Great location and a wonderful team
• Annette (10/5): Excellent service and value for money - The general staff and cook were excellent. He guide and tracker very knowledgeable and made our trip amazing
• Ross and Alicia (10/5): Unforgettable - We saw everything we came to Africa to see in three days. Our first game drive yielded three different groups of elephants, a pride of lazy lionesses sleeping off a meal, giraffes, a Cape Buffalo, impalas, a spectacular male kudu and others. By the middle of the second day we had seen each of the Big Five except the leopard. That's when Hannes, out ranger, and Lodrick our tracker decided it was time to focus. We spent three drives following the tracks of a large male who always managed to keep his head down just as we went by. That night Lodrick spotted something and sure enough there he was. It was a terrific thrill to follow him, he finally decided to cross the road and we got some great shots of one of the most elusive and beautiful beasts in the world. And the food was divine, too!
• ashley (10/5): Amazing lodge! - We loved our time at Waterbuck! They have a max of 8 ppl so your experience is very personalized. Loderick and Franco made the trip as they were great fracker and guide. We are way too much but it was delicious! Look forward to coming back.

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