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.

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.

My friend and I booked Bukela for a much needed girls trip and every single one of our expectations was surpassed in every way. We immediately felt like home and every single staff member made us feel like family. Our incredible tent and experience as a whole took our stress away right away which we desperately needed. The lodge had arranged our transfer and Igna and her husband were so prompt and wonderful getting us to and from the airport to the lodge with such ease. We arrived in the evening to a beautiful spacious tent with the fire roaring and food and wine. We had dreams of what it would feel like to relax at this place and it was so many times better than we could’ve imagined. We were so excited about our game drives, and we’re lucky enough to have Evence for every drive of our stay. I still can’t believe how knowledgeable, friendly, professional, and funny he was, and we felt like the luckiest guests that he was our guide and in the end, our friend. He took such good care of us, slowing for big bumps on the road, or spotting an animal at a distance and making sure we could get as good as look as possible. I still cannot believe how many animals we were able to see because of him. I think what impressed us the most is that he always thought of the animals first. He is very cognizant of them and whether or not they were relaxed while we watched them or needed more space. He literally knows every single fact about every animal in the reserve. Again, we can’t say in words how lucky we felt that we met him and he was our guide. The rest of the staff are so friendly, and Zeus is such a gem and gives the best to wake up calls. The FOOD!!! Oh the food was absolutely out of this world. We prefer a vegetarian diet and had more food to choose from than we could possibly eat. The service was simply top-notch, and we felt so spoiled and pampered. We made so many friends from all over the world and we’re so grateful to meet them and share this experience with them. We absolutely loved the stargazing experience with Evence and also the horseback riding with Jamie and her horses nearby that the lodge arranged. We got to ride with the zebras and giraffes and Impala and it was absolutely life-changing. Her horses are very well cared for and loved which is something that was very important to us. While this riding trek is not for beginners since it covers a variety of terrain at a walk trot and canter, those with riding experience will absolutely love this excursion. On our final day, we unexpectedly felt beyond sad not only that we had to leave such a wonderful experience, but we didn’t want to leave the peace that it brought us. My advice is not to wait. Don’t wait for a special occasion like a birthday or a honeymoon or an anniversary…. Experience it now. It’s just magic.