Bukela Game Lodge Amakhala Game Reserve

The pond in the middle of the lodge is a lovely spot to watch the animals come to drink and cool off. The lodge itself is beautiful, and Blessing's service was the real highlight. He went out of his way to make sure my partner and I had a great stay, and we did. I'd definitely recommend it.

The reserve is quite small, with only three lions, so serious nature lovers might prefer a national park. Still, it seems very well run and strongly committed to protecting the animals, with an anti-poaching program and rangers keeping an eye out for them. For a two or three night trip, I'd highly recommend it. We had a wonderful two nights here in January. The game drives were great, and our enthusiastic driver knew a lot. The food and service were fantastic, and although you're surrounded by nature, the place still feels luxurious and you really are looked after.

Abi was the best part of our trip. She's friendly, knows her stuff, and clearly loves being a safari guide. The location also stands out compared with similar places, with plenty of land to explore and close-up animal sightings without big crowds. The lodges limit how many vehicles can go out, which helps keep things quiet. People were kind, service was great, and the food was good. The canvas rooms could be more comfortable. Keeping the temperature steady was difficult, and the hot water needed fixing several times, though they were quick to sort it out. The non-canvas rooms are better. My husband's gluten-free meals were handled carefully at every meal, and he never got sick. They provide welcome drinks and an introduction to the lodges, rooms, and amenities, plus coffee, bread, and yogurt before the drives. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, as are fleece-lined ponchos for the drives, warm drinks when you return, snacks and drinks out on safari, and heated bed blankets. Horseback riding, archery, special drives, and walks cost extra. I recommend Bukela if you're not expecting perfection and want to see animals up close. I'd suggest staying five to eight days to see the animals and enjoy the amenities.

The staff brought great energy every day and were always working hard, but still made our days brighter. Nothing we asked for felt like too much, and I wish I could remember everyone's names to thank them individually. The game drivers asked what we'd seen and what we hadn't, then made sure we got to see everything we wanted and more. Those drives were a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The rooms were lovely, and the shower and bath were great. We had an issue with the shower pressure too, but after we mentioned it, it was fixed in five minutes. For a lodge out in the bush, I was impressed by the facilities. The food was excellent, with a good choice of drinks. We also booked an extra night drive and a massage, and both were fantastic. What an amazing place to stay. I'm telling friends and family to come, and we'll be back soon. Thanks for a great stay!