Bukela Game Lodge - Amakhala Game Reserve

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.

Perfection from the moment we arrived. The welcome to our STUNNING tented accommodation to the gorgeous staff and our brilliant guide Evans. It surpassed all our expectations - striking lucky straight away with an amazing early morning elephant sighting - so close you could almost touch them. Highly recommended x

This is an absolute must don’t you are on the Eastern Cape. We did 4 drives and saw all if the big 6. What made it even more special was not just the professionalism of the company but the outstanding tour guide Ryan. Just such a knowledgeable, passionate & enthusiastic person and homemade this a lifetime memory.

Ranger: Wonga 5* Superb ranger is very knowledgeable, passionate about the animals, and flexible with structuring each drive to suit all. His experience and game drives were the best part of our 3 night stay. Room 3.0* Main issues no hot water each evening as blew fuse every day in No.8 halfway through showering. Variable housekeeping, i.e., turn down service 1 room got bedtime stories the other room didn't. 1 had an electric blanket, and the other didn't. Housekeeping variable. Service 3.0* All staff were friendly. However, for an all-inclusive service , staff were not always visible or available pre-lunch/dinner service to provide coffees or drinks around bar and pool areas. We were not made aware that SA KWV Brandy was chargeable despite the bar server upselling! Our last day fell short of expectation for a 5* resort due to miscommunication, and it tainted our overall experience. Basically, if you leave after 11 am, but Trailfinders don't arrange pick up until 15:30, you are expected to pay as you go for lunch, water, and drinks - but this is not advised upon arrival meeting or by Trailfinders! We have never experienced this in any other All Inclusive location. Usually, it's a "swings & roundabouts" scenario as guests do not arrive and depart at the same time. Food 3.0* Breakfast was good each day. Lunch & Dinner, we had 50% errors/mistakes on our pre-orders (4 pax) on 2 out of 3 days. Our final night we received excellent service and the best food. Public Areas 3.0* Toilets - no hot water or sanitiser. Taps constantly fall off fixtures. Hand soap broken and paper towel dispenser erratic. As a group of 4 travelling, sadly, we could not recommend Bukela to anyone else.

This trip exceeded all our expectations! The lodge was simple, yet elegant! The luxury tent was amazing! Loved that there were only 28 guests maximum. Food was delicious and plentiful! Staff were lovely - friendly and attentive. The daily drives were great! We saw so many animals and our guide, Corlia, was incredible! Knowledgeable and friendly! Made great friends with the folks in our safari vehicle. Would definitely recommend to others! It was a bucket list trip for us and we were not disappointed!