Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

The staff’s attention to detail was striking. People we hadn’t even met knew who we were and congratulated us, which blew us away. We’d booked four nights at Buffelsdrift for our belated honeymoon and a much-needed break, and it turned out to be the most wonderful stay we’ve had. Everything exceeded our expectations, from the accommodation and views to the service, staff, and lodge experiences. We’ve been telling friends, family, and anyone else who’ll listen to visit. Buffelsdrift is a special place and well worth the trip.

Seeing the elephants up close was incredible, and the guides were friendly and helpful. They were happy to take photos and share information, so the encounter itself was special. Still, for the price, the communication and timing problems were hard to overlook. Before booking, I specifically asked by phone whether we could get close to the elephants and was told yes. When we arrived, the guide said that hadn’t been allowed since last year, and the website didn’t mention the change. That gave us the wrong expectations. The excursion was advertised as 30 minutes. We were meant to be picked up at 13:00, but weren’t collected until 13:13. At about 13:26, we were told the session had to end because another group was arriving. That was frustrating, especially as reception later told us we were actually the last group of the day. Better organization and clearer information could make this a five-star experience.

The welcome was warm, and everyone was friendly and helpful through to our goodbye. We spent two wonderful nights in a tent overlooking the dam, close to the pool, and it had everything we could want. The outdoor shower was a nice extra. Waking to see hippo, nyala, springbok, and rhino made it special. The game drives went to fantastic places, and Haley and Tara were incredibly knowledgeable. Joseph led a very special elephant experience. We couldn’t fault the place, and would definitely come back. Highly recommend!

We drove over an hour for the elephant experience, which my brother had done here on 29 October and loved. He’d been able to get close to the elephants, interact with them, and take proper photos. We booked the same experience for my mom’s birthday expecting something similar, but instead we stood at a distance and fed the elephants. There was no close interaction, touching, or photos. It cost the same, which felt unjustified. We weren’t told the experience had changed until we arrived. When we politely raised the issue and suggested warning future guests, reception staff were rude and dismissive, with no empathy or willingness to help. Everyone in our large group left disappointed. The outcome could have been very different if it had been handled properly. There was nobody available in the restaurant area either, so we had to go looking for help. We won’t return, and have cancelled a December safari booking since then. For a birthday, this wasn’t worth the money, the drive, or the disappointment. We can’t recommend the place until it makes major improvements.