Bakubung Bush Lodge

Brilliant stay in a beautiful location. Game drives were fantastic and a bush braai is the icing on the cake (be aware it is on weds and Sat evenings). Beautiful rooms with excellent facilities. Swimming pool is superb.

My mum and I came for a 6 night stay during the UKs February half term. We had a room opposite the swimming pool, the room was clean spacious and serviced every day. Could not fault the room at all. We used the spa for a treatment, and both found it relaxing and professional. We used the pool twice (only as it rained most of our stay). As soon as the sun came out, the pool was being cleaned and was lovely and refreshing in the warm sun. The other pool further away from the main lodge was warmer. However, we did not use this. We found the breakfast and lunch choices good. However, dinner was always very much the same. We were half board, so we ordered lunch from the menu. Drinks are charged extra but actually reasonably priced. The restaurant staff were all so lovely. Big shout out to Rose with a lovely, friendly smile, who went out of her way to help us. Thank you, Rose. We had 5 group game drives and one private drive. 4 of the group drives were with Tumi. He was really interesting to listen to, and I learnt so much from him. Thank you, Tumi. Our private drive was with Gill she was equally as fantastic and a lovely woman. One early morning drive was with another lady, who was lovely however we felt like she was just on a mission to drive fast everywhere (we know this is the case when animals were sighted) but this was different level rush and actually was not an enjoyable 3hours. Mongoose run around the Lodge, which are funny to watch. The warthogs and their piglets keep breaking through the fence obviously very cute but you wouldn't want to get too close to them. An elephant also walked right up to the fence and I saw one of the hippos from the fence. On the game drives we saw: Cheeters, Zebras, Wildebeest, Giaffe, Lions, Impala, Waterbucks, Kudus, Baboons, Tortoise, Rhino's, Elephants, Hippo, Warthog and many more incredible wildlife. As a mum of 4 boys, this was a real treat for me, I thoroughly enjoyed myself and felt relaxed throughout the whole stay. I hope that one day I will be able to bring my husband and boys to visit beautiful Pilanesberg.

Terrible value, limited facilities for families, long queues for breakfast. This was a large resort not an escape to the bush if you are looking to connect with nature. Nice bedding in the rooms.

During our recent SA visit we spent 4 nights in the Bakubung lodge in the Pilanesberg game park rather close to Johannesburg (2,5 hour drive and much closer than the Kruger park we visited in the past. The selection and quality of the food was great, the room spacious and comfortable and the staff friendly and helpful. The bush braai/diner with music and dancing was fine. In the park the roads were pretty bad for self drives, but we managed and also joined others on the drives with rangers on trucks with sometimes very loud guests. Extra services, drinks, purchases can be charged to the room, but the combination of name and room number is not always checked resulting in purchases on our final bill at checking out and some annoying discussion with the reception staff, but resolved after their checking of name and signature on the purchase receipt,

During our three-night visit we were treated to exciting sightings of game on both the official game drives (early-morning and evening), but also when driving in our own car. And of course the wonderful catering must also get a mention!