Bukela Game Lodge - Amakhala Game Reserve

We can not express enough how amazing our trip was to Bukela! From the moment we arrived everyone was just amazing and welcoming and really made us feel at home. It was my husbands 30th and they made it so special! I can’t thank them enough. Beautiful stay, beautiful place and beautiful people

Spent 6 nights at Bukela and it was a magical experience. Our guide Wonga was amazing and made the twice daily game rides the highlight. He is the BEST! Kind, knowledgeable and funny. Ana I. The kitchen created delicious, varied menus. Accommodations were perfection. Everyone was amazing. Go!

We had an amazing adventure on our very first Safari. Our ranger, Brian, was extremely knowledgeable about all the animals and worked very hard to make sure we got to see as many of them as possible, absolutely unforgettable. All the staff were polite, always smiling and couldn't do enough for us. Special shout outs for Zeuss, who was very welcoming and great fun and for Jerry who made our last evening unforgettable arranging a private dining experience we will always remember. Do not hesitate to stay here for an amazing Safari experience with wonderful friendly staff and exceptional accommodation.

Arrived at Bukela for my 3 night stay at 3.45pm. By 4pm I was on my first safari! This place does not disappoint. Game drives last for : hours. You get a wake up call at 5am for a “pre-breakfast breakfast at 5.30am then you are off at 6am the morning drive. You have the same ranger driving you during your stay. I had Monde who absolutely superb. He went out of his way to try and ensure we saw as many of the animals as possible and was so informative about their habits. Surprisingly, tall giraffes and herds of elephants hide very easily! As others have mentioned bring a warm hat and fleece for the early mornings and evenings, then can be rather chilly. Also remember your sunscreen as it can be jolly hot in the day. Over six game drives I saw all the animals I had wanted to except a brown hyena or a leopard who were too elusive. The accommodation was really nice. I had a luxury tent which large and had a bath you could look out over the grounds from while soaking in and an outdoor shower which was terrific. You have your own balcony. The food was ample and lovely. The staff were all very nice and attentive. It was a truly magnificent experience which I thoroughly recommend.

The Bukela Game Lodge is billed as a top end retreat on a game reserve with a price tag to match. The 9 km drive from the security outer gate to the Reception took about 30 minutes in our SUV crossover due to the rough roads; a full 4x4 is strongly recommended. First impressions at the hotel were poor: the deeply rutted track off the main reserve track which leads to the Lodge was the worst piece of road there and the parking bays and the road in front of the Reception within the Lodge grounds was a sea of mud. It would not be unreasonable to lay some gravel to improve this. The staff were all superb and very busy attending to guests as well as they could. Food was very good indeed and plentiful, as were drinks in an all inclusive package. However, the room was deeply disappointing, poorly appointed and tired; furniture was worn, a chair had a hole in it, the bare concrete floors were freezing underfoot in winter and the electric heater did not work properly. Grey walls, grey blinds, a grey mat and grey concrete floors gave the feeling of a cell, rather than a 5 star suite. In summary, the owners make a great deal from this little Lodge - it was full even in winter during our stay - so the cut corners and lack of maintenance was disappointing, especially after staying in some outstanding South African accommodation elsewhere.

From the moment we were warmly welcomed by Zeus (Assistant Manager) to the heartfelt good-bye, our stay at Bukela Game Lodge was simply unmatched. The luxury tent was impeccably clean and remarkably spacious, offering both comfort and elegance. Each meal was a culinary delight—beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. Our safari guide, Luckie, was a true gem: patient, knowledgeable, and attentive to every question from our group. The panoramic views were breathtaking, and the abundance of wildlife made every outing unforgettable. This was, without a doubt, the most exceptional travel experience we've ever had.