Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

Oudtshoorn -33.52885900, 22.25198100 , Cango Caves Road (Show on Map)
9.2
Excellent


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1 room2 guests 1 room, 2 guests
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Summary of reviewsBuffelsdrift Game Lodge in the Klein Karoo region offers an exceptional blend of luxury and nature, captivating guests with its stunning location. The lodge's comfortable and stylish tents provide breathtaking views over tranquil lakes and waterholes, where hippos and diverse wildlife roam freely. Guests enjoy the proximity to nature, witnessing interactions among elephants, gazelles, and antelopes. Buffelsdrift combines the thrill of glamping with luxury hotel comforts, maintaining a secluded feel while being conveniently close to local attractions such as the Cango Wildlife Ranch and Caves.

The lodge's facilities are beautifully maintained, ensuring a clean and inviting atmosphere. The luxurious tents boast modern amenities like air conditioning and heating blankets, while outdoor showers offer a unique touch. Dining at Buffelsdrift is highly praised for its impressive dinner service, offering a variety of delicious options, including vegetarian and vegan selections, served in a picturesque setting overlooking the lake. The breakfast, however, receives mixed reviews, highlighting a need for improvement in variety and quality.

The lodge's staff receive high marks for their friendliness and attentiveness, contributing significantly to the overall positive experience. The welcoming and knowledgeable game drive guides enhance wildlife excursions, making them memorable for guests. Although the Wi-Fi connectivity is often poor, especially in the tents, many guests prioritize the natural surroundings over staying connected.

Buffelsdrift's pool area offers a tranquil spot with scenic views of the waterhole, though it can become crowded. The stunning views from the tents continue to impress, allowing visitors to enjoy the sounds and sights of wildlife from their beds, which are noted for their comfort, including heated features for cool nights.

Overall, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge delivers a memorable retreat with its luxury accommodations, exceptional service, and beautiful natural setting, living up to many expectations of a four-star resort. While some aspects like breakfast and Wi-Fi could improve, the lodge's blend of comfort, adventure, and natural beauty makes it a favored destination for those seeking a unique safari experience.
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Lodge with Swimming Pool
Located in Oudtshoorn, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge features a pool that offers views of the surrounding Klein Karoo landscape. Guests can relax by the pool and enjoy the unique scenery and wildlife. The lodge combines a pool experience with an opportunity to explore the Karoo region.

  Panoramic View Pool    Outdoor Pool  

Name of the pool: Main Pool
Location of the pool: Outdoor pool
Pool minimum depth: 1,8 m
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Lodge with Parking
This game lodge provides free self-parking and an onsite car park that is free of charge and secure. Valet parking and handicapped parking are also available for guest convenience.

4-Star Lodge
Set in a beautiful area, offering an outstanding and relaxing lodge experience. Provides comfortable accommodation, including luxury waterfront options, and features an outdoor pool, ideal for guests seeking quality in a natural setting.

Lodge with Outdoor Pool
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge features an outdoor pool and a private swimming pool. The pool area offers a tranquil atmosphere for relaxation with views of the waterhole.

Accessible Lodge

Lodge with Panoramic View Pool

Room Types
Guest Reviews
9.2
Excellent
Location
Nestled in the heart of the Klein Karoo, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge boasts a truly remarkable location that captivates every guest. Its luxurious tents provide breathtaking views over tranquil lakes and waterholes, where hippos roam and birds flutter. This serene setting offers an extraordinary proximity to nature, where guests can witness diverse wildlife interactions, including gazelles, antelopes, elephants, and the occasional meerkat.

The lodge combines the adventure of glamping with the comforts of a luxury hotel, featuring spacious tents equipped with all modern amenities. Positioned near Oudtshoorn, Buffelsdrift enjoys the tranquility of a secluded retreat while remaining conveniently close to local attractions such as the Cango Wildlife Ranch and Cango Caves.

The beautiful natural gardens surrounding the lodge offer exceptional wildlife encounters, making it an ideal destination for families and nature enthusiasts alike. Guests awake daily to mesmerizing views of the lake and mountains, creating memories of a stay amidst stunning landscapes and peacefully roaming animals. Buffelsdrift's waterholes not only serve as a haven for hippos but also as a wonderful spectacle of nature's grandeur, leaving guests enchanted by this unique location.

Breakfast
At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, breakfast experiences varied widely among guests. While the establishment offers an extensive buffet, opinions differ regarding its quality and variety. Many visitors appreciated the appealing options available, including a mix of hot and cold dishes with fresh egg preparations, local flavors, and traditional African tastes. Sitting outdoors also added to the overall breakfast enjoyment for some guests.

However, despite these positives, numerous guests noted limitations in the breakfast selection, feeling it was not up to the standards expected of a 4-star establishment. Criticisms pointed to the breakfast being rather basic, with some wishing for a wider range of breads and healthier options. Basic offerings such as toast, scrambled eggs, and filter coffee were mentioned frequently alongside supermarket sweet pastries, which detracted from the overall experience for some.

Overall, the breakfast at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge received mixed reviews, highlighting the need for improvement in variety and quality to match the expectations set by the hotel’s pricing and rating.

Dinner
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers an impressive dining experience, with many guests praising the variety and quality of the food. Much of the feedback emphasizes the delicious, top-notch meals, with the restaurant providing excellent dinner options that include three-course meals and à la carte selections. The buffet and menu cater to different preferences, including vegetarian and vegan options, ensuring plenty of choices for all diners. The ambiance at dinner, particularly when enjoyed on the stunning terrace overlooking the lake, adds a memorable touch to the dining experience, making it a highlight for many visitors. Guests often commend the friendly staff and the lovely setting, which combines great views and a calm atmosphere. While some experienced delays in service, particularly during busy times, the overall consensus is that the food and dining atmosphere at Buffelsdrift are well worth the visit, offering a great culinary experience amidst the beauty of the game lodge.

Rooms
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers an exceptional safari experience with its luxurious tent accommodations that blend seamlessly with the beautiful African landscape. Guests consistently praise the tents for their spaciousness, stylish decor, and high level of comfort, often likening the ambiance to iconic movie scenes or luxurious hotel rooms. Each tent is thoughtfully equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning, heating blankets, and secluded outdoor showers, ensuring a comfortable stay regardless of the weather. The views from the tents, particularly those positioned by the waterhole or lake, are stunning and provide an opportunity to observe local wildlife, including hippos, antelopes, and giraffes, right from your terrace.

The facility is beautifully maintained, with clean and well-furnished tents and common areas that offer luxurious touches almost everywhere. Dining at the lodge is highly enjoyable, with delicious meals served against the backdrop of picturesque landscapes. Guests appreciate the thoughtful design details that contribute to a unique atmosphere, which combined with the attentive staff, ensures a memorable and relaxing stay. Whether enjoying the serenity of the lake or the excitement of wildlife sightings, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge delights guests with its blend of comfort, luxury, and natural beauty.

Beds
At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, guests frequently highlight the comfort and amenities of the beds as one of the standout features of their stay. The accommodation offers spacious and comfortable tents, where the beds are described in glowing terms such as great, amazing, and fabulous. Many guests appreciate the thoughtful inclusion of heated blankets and mattress heaters, which provide ample warmth on cool nights, making for a cozy sleeping experience. This practical detail is often mentioned alongside the luxury of enjoying the sounds of local wildlife from the comfort of bed.

While some reviews indicate that certain tents could benefit from an upgrade in mattress quality, the overall consensus underscores the comfort offered, especially in the facility's luxury tents. Beyond the beds, guests also rave about the rolled top baths and outdoor showers, which allow stunning views of the savanna and water—adding to the indulgent yet harmonious fusion of nature and comfort. The clean and elegantly furnished accommodations contribute significantly to the lodge's reputation for exceptional comfort, ensuring visitors are well-rested to enjoy the lodge’s exciting safaris and unique animal interactions.

Cleanliness
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge consistently impresses guests with its exceptional cleanliness and well-maintained facilities. Visitors frequently praise the pristine condition of the lodge, describing it as clean and tidy with a beautiful, inviting atmosphere. The attention to detail is evident throughout the property, from the well-furnished, comfortable tents to the clean and organized spaces. Guests particularly appreciate the effort put into maintaining the grounds, contributing to a lovely and peaceful environment that enhances the natural beauty of the surroundings.

The tents stand out not only for their cleanliness but also for their comfort and cozy ambiance, offering features such as outside showers and daily tidying. The impeccably clean bathrooms and overall luxury within the tents receive high marks from visitors. Even the pool area is described as idyllic, providing a relaxing spot to enjoy the views and observe wildlife like hippos from a distance.

Moreover, the site is well-organized, with staff ensuring a smooth experience as guests are escorted to their accommodations with care. Although some reviews note the lodge's touristy nature, the cleanliness and upkeep make for a consistently positive experience. Overall, the combination of a clean environment, beautiful accommodation, and attentive service makes Buffelsdrift Game Lodge a memorable destination.

Staff
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers an exceptional hospitality experience characterized by an overwhelmingly positive atmosphere created by its staff. Visitors consistently commend the staff for their friendly demeanor, attentiveness, and accommodating nature. Especially noteworthy are the game drive guides, who impress guests with their extensive knowledge and engaging interactions, particularly with younger visitors. The staff across various departments, from reception to restaurant waiters, consistently demonstrate professionalism, warmth, and a helpful attitude, contributing significantly to the guest experience.

The lodge's team is frequently recognized for their dedication to making every stay enjoyable, with many guests applauding their efforts to ensure comfort and satisfaction. The reception staff often receive special mentions for their exceptional service. Dining experiences are enhanced by friendly waiters, adding to the overall sense of well-being at the lodge.

Despite the occasional mention of poor organization, the camaraderie and professionalism of the staff largely overshadow any minor inconveniences. The staff's ability to be both relaxed and thoughtful enriches the lodge's welcoming ambiance. This harmonious blend of friendly service and a stunning environment offers a memorable retreat for those seeking both adventure and tranquility in the heart of nature.

Wi-Fi
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers a serene retreat amidst nature, but the Wi-Fi experience might not meet the expectations of all guests. While the expansive site makes patchy connectivity somewhat anticipated, many have found the internet to be quite poor, especially in the tents where the reception is often non-existent or very weak. Streaming services are notably unreliable, and the Wi-Fi tends to be slow and frustrating in most areas, including the rooms and communal spaces like the reception and restaurant. Some visitors, however, seem unfazed by this, as they prioritize immersing in the natural surroundings over staying connected. The consensus suggests that while the lodge provides a chance to disconnect, those who require reliable internet access may find this aspect less than optimal.

Pool
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers a captivating pool experience that seamlessly blends relaxation with the natural beauty of its surroundings. The pool area stands out with its scenic view overlooking a waterhole, where guests often delight in watching hippos and various bird species. The tranquil setting of the pool, particularly at sunset, provides an idyllic backdrop for unwinding and enjoying the peace and quiet.

While the pool is praised for its inviting atmosphere and cleanliness, accompanied by suitably placed sun loungers, it is relatively small and can become crowded. Guests appreciate the delightful poolside setup and the comfort it brings, though they note the limited availability of shade and suggest additional sun umbrellas could enhance the experience.

The poolside experience is complemented by the lodge’s overall serene environment, offering a soothing place for relaxation. Despite some suggestions for improvements, the pool remains a popular spot for guests to relax in, whether they opt for the adventure of game drives or the leisure of simply enjoying the charming view by the water.

4 Star
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers guests a unique blend of luxury and nature, living up to the expectations of a four-star resort in many areas. The lodge is noted for its beautifully maintained facilities and luxurious tents that provide all the comforts of a high-end hotel. Guests frequently highlight the exceptional experiences and service they received, ensuring a memorable stay amid fantastic safari excursions.

The culinary experience at Buffelsdrift is generally praised, with guests enjoying à la carte dinners that showcase fine dining, although some noted occasional inconsistencies at the buffet. Despite some feedback on the wine list and the pace of service, the exceptional quality of food from the staff was well appreciated by most visitors.

Overall, the resort is favored for its luxurious accommodations and exotic charm, providing a wonderful safari experience from start to finish. While some reviews mention that certain aspects do not fully meet four-star standards, such as expectations for higher food quality and seamless services, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge manages to offer a price-performance ratio that many find acceptable when compared to other similar lodges.


Yes, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge has pool(s) that belong to one or more of the following categories: Panoramic View Pool, Outdoor Pool. For more information, read the answers to the Pool questionnaire

No, a spa isn't available at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

No, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge doesn't allow dogs.

Yes, parking facilities are available at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

No, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge doesn't have a gym.

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