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Summary of reviewsBush Lodge at Amakhala Game Reserve offers an extraordinary experience set within the breathtaking landscapes of the African wilderness. The lodge is commended for its outstanding location, providing a serene and secluded haven where guests can observe wildlife right from their windows. The beautifully designed lodges boast African architecture and blend seamlessly with nature, featuring private decks and stunning views of nearby waterholes.
The dining experiences are notably enjoyable, with breakfast receiving praise for variety and taste, alongside the memorable setting. Dinner offerings are flavorful and diverse, accommodating dietary needs with attentive service, though some diners suggest room for enhancement. The accommodations themselves are lauded as enchanting and luxurious, combining modern comforts with cozy intimacy. Spacious, tastefully decorated rooms and unique features like private plunge pools enhance the sense of lavishness and immersion in nature.
Though there are mixed reviews on cleanliness, with some maintenance issues identified, the effort made by the warm and friendly staff significantly contributes to guest satisfaction. The team is noted for their exceptional service and personal touch, enriching the overall experience. Pool amenities further elevate the stay, offering refreshing views and relaxation options, although occasionally upkeep is suggested.
Guests appreciate the super comfortable beds complete with electric blankets and thoughtful touches like hot water bottles for cooler nights. The luxury at Bush Lodge is unrivaled, with thoughtfully furnished tents and exquisite decor providing an opulent safari experience. The combination of top-tier service, breathtaking natural beauty, and exquisite accommodations makes Bush Lodge a remarkable retreat that exceeds expectations, inviting guests to relish in every aspect of this lavish sanctuary in the savannah. Show more
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Categories
Boutique-style Luxury Tent
Offers a luxurious tented camp experience within the Amakhala Game Reserve. The stylish tents provide a comfortable and immersive experience in the African bush. The game drives and personalized service ensure a memorable safari adventure.
Luxury Tent with All Inclusive Packages
Offers a luxurious tented experience in a big five game reserve. The all-inclusive option includes meals, game drives, and selected beverages, providing an authentic and comfortable safari.
Luxury Tent with Outdoor Pool
Provides a luxurious lodge experience within a game reserve setting. The outdoor pool offers a perfect spot for relaxation and enjoying the surrounding wilderness.
Luxury Tent with Private Pool Rooms
This lodge offers luxurious tented and thatched suites, each with a secluded private viewing deck and intimate plunge pool. The suites overlook a watering point, providing excellent game viewing opportunities from the privacy of your room.
Luxury Luxury Tent
Luxury Tent with Swimming Pool
Private Pool Outdoor Pool
Luxury Tent with Parking
Room Types
TentFeaturing a patio with private plunge pool, this air-conditioned tent comes with a thatched roof and wooden floors. It also includes a fireplace and minibar. The en suite bathroom is equipped with a large oval bath and outdoor shower.
Family RoomThis family room's standout features are the pool with a view and fireplace. The spacious family room offers air conditioning, a minibar, a tea and coffee maker, as well as a balcony. The unit has 3 beds.
Guest Reviews
9.6
Excellent
Location
Bush Lodge, nestled within the Amakhala Game Reserve, offers an incredible and serene getaway in South Africa. The location is described as outstanding, set amidst breathtaking landscapes that offer a true taste of the African wilderness. Its remoteness provides a peaceful haven for observing wildlife, where guests often wake up to the sight of giraffes, bison, and rhinos right outside their windows.
The lodges themselves boast beautiful African architecture, with great attention to detail and tastefully furnished interiors that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings. Guests can enjoy stunning views from private decks overlooking a waterhole, perfect for watching the array of animals that come to drink. The facilities are beautifully utilized, enhancing the luxurious experience with amenities like outdoor showers that offer views of the reserve.
The setting is not only picturesque but also perfect for thrilling game drives, where competent rangers and attentive service add to the fantastic experience. Though the reality of the location surpasses even what is seen on Google Maps, it is consistently praised for its magnificence and dreamlike quality.
Overall, Bush Lodge provides an exceptional and quiet retreat in the middle of the savannah, where the stunning beauty of the landscape and the excellent service combine to exceed expectations in every way.
Breakfast
Bush Lodge at Amakhala Game Reserve has garnered praise for its breakfast offerings, consistently noted as delicious and copious. Guests have enjoyed a good variety, with options like breakfast omelettes and a thoughtful selection of gluten-free foods. The breakfast is not just about the taste but also about the experience, often highlighted as excellent and accompanied by stunning views. Guests appreciate the plentiful servings, with meals described as very varied and taste-driven across breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While some reviews suggest the food is good but not exceptional, the overall sentiment focuses on satisfaction and enjoyment. The lodge complements its dining experiences with comfortable accommodations and attentive service, enhancing the overall experience during daily game drives.
Dinner
The dining experience at Bush Lodge in Amakhala Game Reserve leaves a generally positive impression thanks to the abundance and variety of meals on offer, especially for the main evening dishes included in the stay. Guests consistently praise the taste, quality, and diversity, with particular attention given to catering for specific dietary needs. While some diners felt the food was basic for the price and others noted the rush during meals, many describe the offerings as fantastic and excellent, with top-notch kitchen and staff providing delightful service. The evening dinners, often held at a shared large table, make for a communal and sensational experience, albeit with some room for enhancement in selection and quality compared to other dining experiences in South Africa. Overall, the food is largely appreciated and complements the stunning safari adventures at the lodge.
Rooms
Bush Lodge at Amakhala Game Reserve offers an enchanting accommodation experience immersed in the natural beauty of the South African wilderness. Guests frequently describe the chalets and tented lodges as spectacularly beautiful, blending luxury with cozy intimacy. Many appreciate the spacious, spotless rooms that boast tasteful and stylish décor, making every stay feel lavish and special. Little thoughtful touches like a pre-lit wood stove or a waiting bath after a day of exhilarating game drives add a homely warmth to the luxury setting.
Each tent is equipped with modern comforts and, despite some minor signs of age, remains a favorite for the unique experience it provides. The tents are large and well-equipped, featuring private features like plunge pools and viewing decks overlooking waterholes, perfect for quiet wildlife observation. The lodges sit in a stunning landscape, offering breathtaking views of nature right from the rooms, ensuring guests feel completely immersed in their surroundings.
The intimate and private setups of each room guarantee a tranquil stay, and the dedicated staff further enhance the experience with impeccable service and thoughtful gestures. Despite some references to outdated elements, the overall ambiance of Bush Lodge remains one of sumptuous comfort and refined taste, making it a memorable first stop for many visitors exploring South Africa.
Beds
Bush Lodge at Amakhala Game Reserve offers guests an exceptionally comfortable sleeping experience, thanks to their super comfortable and grand beds. Many guests have praised the large, comfortable beds for providing restful nights, complemented by thoughtful touches like electric blankets and mattress heaters. These features ensure warmth and coziness, especially during cooler nights and early morning safaris, when hot water bottles are also appreciated. While a few guests mentioned slightly hard or sagging beds, the consensus points toward a positive and luxurious bedding experience. The lodge's rooms have been described as spectacular and amazing, with additional comments highlighting the fabulous and secure tents. Overall, the lodge effectively combines comfort and warmth to enhance guest satisfaction.
Cleanliness
Bush Lodge at Amakhala Game Reserve has garnered mixed reviews regarding its cleanliness, though praises often highlight the lodge's beauty and overall presentation. Many guests describe the lodge as clean and beautiful, with particular emphasis on the cleanliness of the sanitary facilities. The daily cleaning of the lavish tents has left a positive impression on several guests, who found the accommodation comfortable and the tents fabulous.
However, some areas have drawn criticism, suggesting a gap between expectations and reality, especially for those anticipating a premium experience. Concerns include limescale marks in toilets, stained bedding, and spots on mosquito curtains. Certain issues, such as the need for maintenance on the outdoor pool and replacements for cushions, indicate areas for potential improvement.
Despite these shortcomings, the lodge's warm, friendly, and helpful staff contribute significantly to a pleasant stay, with many guests noting their enthusiasm in accommodating visitors. While cleanliness expectations aren't aligned with a traditional 5-star rating, the allure and charm of Bush Lodge still make it a notable choice for a wilderness retreat.
Staff
At Bush Lodge in Amakhala Game Reserve, the staff consistently receive high praise for their warmth, friendliness, and exceptional service levels. They are known for being incredibly attentive and accommodating, ensuring that every guest's needs are met with grace and enthusiasm. Guests often highlight specific team members like Athi, Gunther, and James, acknowledging their helpfulness and profound knowledge about the game reserve and its wildlife. The staff's ability to maintain a personal and welcoming atmosphere, alongside their attentive approach, contributes significantly to the overall experience. Whether fulfilling every wish, providing top-notch care, or simply being warm-hearted and kind, the team at Bush Lodge ensures a memorable and delightful stay for all visitors.
Pool
At Bush Lodge – Amakhala Game Reserve, the pool experience is enriched by various options and picturesque views. Guests highlight the main house pool with its impressive size and the distinct advantage of overseeing a waterhole, making for a delightful backdrop. For those seeking privacy, the presence of private plunge pools stands out as a significant highlight. These personal plunge pools, often accompanied by outdoor showers, offer a refreshing escape, especially after adventurous game drives. The thoughtful addition of a heated plunge pool enhances the comfort, ensuring guests can relax regardless of the weather. Despite some comments about needed maintenance, the overall pool offerings at Bush Lodge contribute to a memorable and relaxing stay amidst the serenity of nature.
Luxury
Nestled in the heart of the Amakhala Game Reserve, the Bush Lodge offers an unparalleled experience of luxury and comfort seamlessly blended with the natural beauty of the African landscape. The accommodations are not only spacious and spotlessly clean but also exude an exquisite African colonial chic decor that captivates the essence of luxury living. Guests are treated to superbly furnished tents that elevate the traditional safari experience to an opulent level, ensuring that every corner of the lodge whispers exclusivity and tranquility.
With an all-inclusive model, visitors enjoy attentive and warm service from a wonderful staff, enhancing the feeling of being pampered in a secluded haven. The unique combination of luxurious accommodations and the stunning landscape makes the lodge feel like a hidden gem worth every investment. Each element, from the decor to the setting, contributes to an all-around fabulous and simply amazing experience that immerses guests in pure luxury amidst the rugged allure of the bush.
Yes, Bush Lodge – Amakhala Game Reserve has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Private Pool, Outdoor Pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Bush Lodge – Amakhala Game Reserve.
No, Bush Lodge – Amakhala Game Reserve doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Bush Lodge – Amakhala Game Reserve.
No, Bush Lodge – Amakhala Game Reserve doesn't have a gym.