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About
4.5
#5 of 15 lodges in Oudtshoorn
Location
4.7
Rooms
4.7
Value
4.4
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.6
Sleep Quality
4.5
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is a sprawling game farm situated in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains. Only 5 hours drive from Cape Town and an hour's drive from George Airport. This game farm is located 6.5 Km outside of Oudtshoorn, en-route to the Cango Caves. Pristine bushveld, lush vegetation and a 5 hectare dam provide a haven for game species and more than 217 bird species. Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers 9 waterfront, 20 luxury and 5 family tents each one with en-suite bathroom and private outdoor shower, air-conditioning, mini-bar, digital safe, tea/coffee facilities and a game viewing deck. A lookout lounge is situated next to the reception with a large round stone fireplace in the middle, overlooking our dam. A charming wedding chapel is situated on the edge of a natural water hole with a wide wooden deck as an extension to the A la carte restaurant. Activities offered are Bush Safaris (game drive), Night Drives, Meerkat Safaris, Elephant Experiences, Lion Experience, Heritage Nature Walk and Free-Roaming Cheetah Experience.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TGCSA - Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
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Nestled in a breathtaking location, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge has garnered accolades for its exceptional service, with staff members who go above and beyond, though a handful of guests have encountered slower service. The cleanliness of the tents and facilities consistently impresses visitors, contributing to the overall luxurious atmosphere of the accommodations, despite occasional noise complaints.
While opinions on value vary, with some finding it pricey, others deem the experience well worth the expense. The lodge's rooms, celebrated for their comfort and stunning wildlife views, along with the praised amenities, ensure a memorable stay for many travelers.
Location
Picturesque
Atmosphere
Luxurious
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Friendly
Amenities
Lavish
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We stayed here for 2 nights and everything about the experience was special and easy. When we got to the lodge we had to check in at the main gate and then drive up to the parking lot where we were met by a member of staff who had a vehicle and helped to load out bags into it. She then drove us straight to the reception to check in. They were already waiting for us, with a welcome drink and sat us down to fill out some paperwork. I had sent them a separate email to our booking detailing the experiences that we would like to enjoy during our stay. They already had this to hand and as we checked in dates and times where booked for these activities. We then got back in the vehicle and were driven to our tent. The tent was spacious and beautifully decortated with flaps that could be opened up to give a better view of the Watering hole. We loved the outdoor shower and really enjoyed the bathtub whilst being able to watch the wildlife. Being able to sit out on our deck with a beer and a camera just watching the Hippos and other wildlife going about their daily business around the dam was an amazing and very unique experience, and even though the watering hole wasn't full, due to the drought, the grounds are still stunning. We were able to walk to and from the pool and the restaurant. The pool had gorgeous views and deer and tortoises were walking around by the accommodations. The restaurant service was excellant and the food was really tasty and well prepared. We were lucky with the Game drive, there was just us and one other couple, and our guide was very knowledgeable and even if there weren't animals around, he would talk to us about the plants and vegetation around the reserve. We didn't get to see many animals but we still really enjoyed the experience, and seeing a large family of Giraffes was a real Highlight of our stay. In the afternoon we took part in the elephant walk and feed. They have 3 elephants on the reserve that were orphaned and raised by the handlers. We were incredibly lucky as we were the only 2 taking part in that walk that afternoon. We had a really special experience as we got to feed, touch and receive elephant hugs. This was the best part of our stay on the reserve! The last morning we did the meerkat safari. Before heading out the guides provide Hot coffee and rusks and blankets to keep you warm whilst you are waiting for the meerkats. We had a big group so the guides took 2 vehicles to ensure the experience was comfortable for us. Our guide was again really knowledgeable and happy to answer any questions we had, not just about the meerkats. Sadly as the weather was cold and windy we did not see any meerkats and were told before we got off the vehicle that there would be no charge for the tour as no meerkats popped up. Overall this was such an amazing experience. All of the staff are super friendly and professional and their animals on the reserve are extremely well looked after. The staff really give you a 5* service and we really hope that we can come back again one day to experience this again. We would highly recommend this game lodge if you do decide to book, you will NOT be disappointed!
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Date of stay: January 2020
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Book a luxury tent with a Deck over the watering hole and don't just book 1 night, 2 at a...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The family decided to visit Buffelsdrift again but for the first time to stay there in the accommodation units they have. Upon entering the grounds are very pretty and well maintained the staff is extremely helpful and very friendly they took us and the bags with a little cart to the room and showed us more of the grounds and facilities. We stayed in a family tented suite which has two bedrooms and one bathroom the tent is very spacious with more than enough space for 4 people the view from the tent is also something amazing especially with the perfect weather we enjoyed. Lunch was served at the restaurant every evening and the food and staff there is also top quality and the kids enjoyed them alot. The pool is set on the bank of the dam a bit far away from everything and i would also have liked to see more game than just the Nyalas which is everywhere you go. We went on a bush safari with high expectations as we do this kind of trips alot with the kids but came back to camp with disappointment as the game was very few it was almost just a drive in the bush and you got the feeling there isn't alot of game around and the roads also does not go to where they are to add to this the game ranger Katarina was brilliant and we enjoyed all the stories and knowledge she shared with us. We opted for the Lion feeding which was a highlight the sheer power of the animal and the closeness was just breathtaking to say the least. We also opted for the Elephant feeding which we do everytime we visit Buffelsdrift as there is just something about this gentle giant which draws us closer they are just the best animals around. The room was neat with some spots here and there that wasn't clean and one of the electric blankets not working and it was cold in the evenings. The room also felt a bit old and so does the furniture i think a bit of new stuff would go a far way we have to compare it to others and in that compartment they a far behind. There is also a farm right behind where our tent was and everynight the dogs would bark there for 5-6 hours it would not bother me so much but the lodge is so quite that it echo's and one hears it loud and clear its very annoying. There are 3 Hippo's in that dam which we loved they make the best noise and they are huge. We would just really like to see more game around the dam not just the small game and it would be amazing to swim and lay next to the pool watching big game come to the dam to have some water. Our overall experience was pleasant and we would definitely go back.
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Date of stay: March 2022
Rooms
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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My family spoilt me with a birthday trip to Buffelsdrift and what a special weekend it was. The luxury tents were very comfortable, surrounded by nature and we had a beautiful view of the dam. The outside shower was also a special touch. The restaurant meals were very generous and the food was tasty. Perhaps they should think of somehow expanding the breakfast menu during these COVID times seen as a buffet breakfast is not possible. The restaurant is in a beautiful setting and we saw the elephants come down to drink while we were having breakfast. Of course, the feeding time with the elephants was incredibly memorable. The Game Drive was definitely worth it and to end the day watching the sunset from the highest point on the farm was magnificent. Overall, it was a visit to the bush, but in great comfort. Buffelsdrift maintains the ethos of staying in the bush but ensure that you have the creature comforts and service to go with it. Thank you Buffelsdrift for the great service, including a special birthday touch of a bottle of champagne and an overall wonderful experience. I would love to go back sometime soon!
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Date of stay: October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
An enjoyable break-away from the constraints of covid restrictions, amongst the wild life of the Klein Karoo, the Lodge being nestled between the Swartberg mountains to the north and the Outeniqua range to the south. One felt a nice blend of being in the bush but with the comfort of pleasant accommodation and relaxing restaurant area and decking overlooking the hippo watering hole.
Highlight of the stay was undoubtedly the 'Ellie experience', feeding these gorgeous gentle giants and getting their warm hugs in return was truly memorable. The game drive was a good experience, interesting and the knowledgeable friendly ranger helped keep us focused spotting game despite the bitterly cold late evening drive.
In fact 'friendly' was the order of the day amongst all the staff, lovely to observe. The tents were a well balanced mix of luxuriously comfortable beds and bedding and classy rustic furniture which fit the concept of a glamping experience very well. The outside shower was also a very fitting touch to the mix of camping with a bit of luxury thrown in. The outside pool overlooking the dam was small and unheated, too cold for a pleasant swim.
The outdoor restaurant decking area was the ideal place for dinner on a warm evening with the sounds of the wild in the background. The dinner menu was adequate and with generous portions but the breakfast menu detailed on their website is incorrect. They state a “buffet style breakfast” on offer but it is not, and as for their term of being “being spoilt for choice” one could only choose from the limited breakfast menu by waitress service only. It was adequate but not remarkable, with self service tepid coffee out of flasks.
To summarise, a nice 'getaway' experience overall. However IF we'd paid the Buffelsdrift website price of R2,425 pp (with dinner) that seemed a grossly over-inflated price for what was on offer. We were fortunate to grab a substantially reduced 'special' with the Ellie experience & game drive thrown in as part of the package, and I feel the price we paid was just about right as a 'norm' for the experience. Don't feel that their standard website price is justifiable.
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Date of stay: October 2020
Value
Location
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Warmly welcomed by host that also gave us recommendations for restaurant, activities available with time allocations. The game drive was awesome with a lot of information sharing with us by the guide. The restaurant and food was excellent. Our tented accommodation was also excellent. As it was winter and surrounding mountains was covered partially in snow, air-cone was available with extra blankets. Room view was exceptional as lying in bath tub or in bed with view over the dam, watching the hippo's and game. Life time experience for us was the elephant and lion feeding activities. Once again thanks to Lucius Fourie and his team for a unforgettable break away treatment.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2021
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Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It took me a while to write this review as my first visit to Buffelsdrift was nothing short of amazing which is why my experience at my second visit was just so disappointing and sad.
We arrived at the lodge just after 2pm Saturday afternoon where we were explained at the entrance to wait for our goods to be collected after which we were to make our way to the reception area. After 30 min in 30 degree weather I went to enquire when myself and my guests would be assisted.
I was then asked to move to the reception area and wait until we were assisted as staff were trying to get everyone settled in by their respective tents. There was a special running which ended that weekend so we understood that there might be a little wait, and myself and my guests were really excited so we didn’t mind the wait at all - what was to follow was something none of us expected.
After a 5 hour drive out of Cape Town, we were explained that due to overbooking we would need to either do the 3pm safari or the night drive. Bearing in mind we had just gotten off the road after a 5 hour drive, arrived just after 2 and now we were being told we needed to go on a safari or do a 8pm drive where they would make use flash lights in order for you to get a glimpse of the animals.
With no regard for the driver or the fact that we had not even seen our rooms with our bags still sitting in our vehicle, I decided to push back and request that we be given the opportunity to do the 5pm safari, which after much delay, management allowed.
Just when we thought we were moving into a more positive direction, the cart arrives and man we felt like we were in a horror movie. The speed at which the lady transported us to our tents was truly unbelievable.
Here, we took this long drive to have a relaxing weekend and we were already off to a very bumpy and unpleasant ride (literally and figuratively). Not to mention that at the speed we were going one of the items from our shopping bags fell out and rolled into the parking area, causing me to have to jump off the cart, run down the parking area to collect the item.
Then, the final cherry on the cake - arriving at the tents we never booked. Long story short we booked 2 luxury waterhole tents and despite my two emails explicitly reflecting that we wished to book, management proceeds to put part of the blame on me as they put it “they sent me the invoices with the tent numbers on there so I ought to have seen” ought to have seen what exactly? I have never worked at Buffelsdrift before to know which numbers belonged to which tents and never would I have thought that after two emails explaining which tents we wished to stay at that this would be our reality for our weekend away!!.
All in all it was a very unpleasant experience as we, after literally being insulted by manager trying to get his way out of making the booking error, decided to cancel our stay there and find alternative accommodation as we were all genuinely too exhausted to take the drive back to Cape Town.
I’m disappointed that despite all the hell covid and lockdown has placed on all of us that we still chose Buffelsdrift out of all the amazing places to stay at and to support this resort yet this was the experience we had to experience.
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Date of stay: October 2021Trip type: Traveled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Buffelsdrift GL, General Manager at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
Responded Nov 16, 2021
Dear Ms. Gillian, Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey about your stay at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. We always appreciate hearing feedback about the experience that we provide, and your comments have been taken to heart. We are very sad when people revert to pen and paper not stating the real facts and are so ready to blame others. These statements of yours do not make sense. 1. a lady game ranger speeding with a golf cart, when the golf carts are set to a specific speed which prevents things, like speeding with them, to happen. 2. insulted by a manager... this will be the first time this happened in our 16 years existence. We are very sorry that your second visit to Buffelsdrift has not met your standards and expectations but, regardless of everything, we will definitely look into this so that we can be sure something like this never happens here on Buffelsdrift. Stay safe, and enjoy the rest of your day. Kind regards, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We booked (one night stay) the family luxury tent with dinner, breakfast and one activity included. Tent is good in terms of size, good linen and nice bath. We did a morning game drive and the guide Louise was very nice. We had dinner at the lodge restaurant and to be honest I wouldn’t recommend it. The main vegetarian meal was horrible, a mix of rice with black beans that tasted just like it was straight from a can. It was the only option tho. My mum ordered beef fillet and although I asked for medium to well done, it was full of blood. I asked the waiter to take it back and grill a bit more and he gave us back a piece of fillet full of barbecue sauce (which we didn’t ask for and it ruined the meat flavor) and still came back not even medium. The worst part of was definitely the breakfast. The service was terrible and so was the quality of the food served and the options. Bread was just the cheapest option from supermarkets, so was the juice and everything else. We were expecting more as the stay at this lodge isn’t cheap at all. No fruit option. The restaurant was very quiet but the waiters wouldn’t come to clear our table. The omelette was tasteless. My husband and I booked massages at the spa and although the therapist was a nice lady, you can tell she does lack massage skills. We wont come back or recommend this place for anyone. The price of the stay per person does not match restaurant and spa service or food offered and they are way too far from 4 star.
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Buffelsdrift GL, General Manager at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
Responded Nov 8, 2021
Dear Patricia Crespi, Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey about your stay at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. We always appreciate hearing feedback about the experience that we provide, and your comments have been taken to heart. We must say, that we find most of your comments quite strange. Our Restaurant is voted as the best culinary destination in the Southern Cape and there is certainly more than one option for vegetarians on the menu. We annually have in excess of twenty thousand guests from abroad and this is the first time in our 16 years of existence that a guest is not happy with anything. We humbly apologize that we could not live up to your expectations. Stay safe, and enjoy the rest of your day. Kind regards, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
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This was the first time I stayed a night at a game lodge and it was a very pleasant experience. The glamping concept with a huge tent and a comfortable bed was superb. Your bathroom was well equipped and had a beautiful old fashioned bath tub. You also had an outside shower. Our tent was facing the waterhole and the area where the antilops were so it was magic to just sit on the little veranda and look out on the game reserve. Not to mention to do star gazing The tent feels safe and you can open up parts and look out if you want. The lodge provides you with ear plugs in case the birds will disturb you when the sun rises. The tents are dotted around a path and there are signs telling you where you can go and not . The restaurant and lounge area are very cozy and I wished I had more time to just sit and enjoy the view and relax. The dinner and breakfast I had during my stay was excellent and the staff was so helpful and friendly. There is a small pool area that looked inviting but I did not have time to try it out,
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Date of stay: February 2020
Value
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:I enjoyed having a tent facing directly the waterhole and no path in between.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This breakaway was fun filled and the service at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge was extremely good. The staff catered to all our needs, the food was excellent and the activities we participated in was out of this world. The game drive specifically was well worth it with the game ranger being knowledgeable and well spoken. The Lion feeding was very interesting. The elephant feeding encounter was just amazing.
I would highly recommend Buffelsdrift Game Lodge to family and friends.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2021
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A lovely drive from Cape Town got us to buffelsdrift in a few short hours. The accommodation in the family luxury tent was lovely and spotless and it was great to have game walking through the tented area during the day. We loved swimming in the pool watching the hippos. The game drives were good and there was a good selection of game. Our son loved the elephant feed and I had a lovely treatment at the spa. We stayed for 3 nights and our one complaint is about the food. The menu does not change at all and there are no daily specials. The food was ample but not sophisticated and tended to be very sweet or badly seasoned. It seems such a lost opportunity as they have lovely fresh ingredients but need a more modern approach. If the food was improved it would be really lift the experience. Overall a lovely lodge, a great experience and we would recommend.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: April 2022
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Oudtshoorn area.
PRICE RANGE
$218 - $269 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
buffelsdrift game hotel oudtshoorn
LOCATION
South AfricaWestern CapeOudtshoorn
NUMBER OF ROOMS
34
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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