4.5
4.5/5

Bakubung Bush Lodge

Pilanesberg Safaris

One of South Africa’s most incredible bush retreats can be found right at the entrance to the malaria-free, Big-5 Pilanesberg National Park.

Bakubung Bush Lodge is located in the Pilanesberg Wildlife Reserve, a two-hour drive from Johannesburg. It is well-known for providing Big 5 game viewing in a malaria-free environment.

By visiting the Sun City Resort and Casino, which is located within easy driving distance, you can easily combine a glimpse of African wildlife with a touch of glitz and glamour.

Bakubung Bush Lodge, which translates to “Place of the Hippo,” is the type of place that is ideal for both romantic getaways and family safaris.

Walking safaris, game drives, boma dinners, quad riding, world-class treatments at the Legacy Balance spa, and the ever-popular snake demos, archery classes, and Junior Rangers programme for kids are just a few of the facilities and activities on offer.

There is a wide range of accommodations available, from self-catering chalets and large hotel rooms that include dinner and breakfast to opulent villas ideal for those seeking a more secluded vacation spot.

The Bakubung Bush Lodge offers guests both modern conveniences and a genuine encounter with African wildlife. Participate in a game drive in search of the “Big 5” or relax in the large pool. The variety of sporting events and shuttles to Sun City creates variety, which helps to transform each day into an unforgettable adventureBakubung Bush Lodge will meet all of your needs, whether you want to relax or get your heart pumping.

The resort provides opulence, impeccable service, and peace and seclusion found only in the African bush. You can enjoy boma braais, and your children can join the junior ranger programme or explore the adventure playground.

The knowledgeable field guides can take you on guided game drives and bush walks, demonstrating the local flora and fauna.

Accommodation

There are 76 Standard Studio Rooms available for guests to choose from at Bakubung Bush Lodge, one of which is designed to accommodate guests utilising wheelchairs.

There are a total of 58 rooms, 20 of which have king-size beds, and 56 of which have two double beds.

In addition, each room at Bakubung comes equipped with a direct dial phone, a hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities, and DSTV.

The difference between the room types are as follows:

The bathrooms in the Standard King rooms have both a bathtub and a separate shower in addition to a king-sized bed. A minibar is available on request.

The bathrooms in the Standard Twin rooms have both a bathtub and a separate shower in addition to the two double beds. A minibar is available on request.

The Standard Queen rooms each contain two beds of the same size and come equipped with a bathroom that has both a bathtub and a separate shower. A minibar is available on request.

In addition to a sitting area with a minibar that can be made available upon request, the Executive King Suite features one bedroom with a king-size bed and a full bathroom with both a bathtub and a separate shower.

The Luxury King Room has one bed that is King size, and the bathroom has both a bath and a separate shower. In addition, there is a lounge area that features a minibar that guests can get at their request.

All hotel rooms have doors leading onto either a balcony or a patio. These have beautiful views of the Pilanesberg National Park and the hippo pool.

Facilities

Breakfast is served buffet-style at Bakubung Bush Lodge, and lunch and dinner are served buffet-style or table d’hôte.

The boma at Bakubung Bush Lodge truly captures the spirit of Africa. Sitting around the fire at night, listening to the sounds of the bush, is very relaxing.

On Saturdays, Bakubung offers a one-of-a-kind dinner dining experience under the stars. The rangers will lead you into the reserve, where you will enjoy a lovely boma dinner centred on a campfire and illuminated by the golden glow of lanterns. This is a genuine way to enjoy delectable handcrafted cuisine while being immersed in nature. Wednesday evening boma dinners are also available to in-house guests when occupancy levels allow.

The small boma can accommodate 10 to 30 people for private events.

Relax and take in the sights and sounds of the Pilanesberg National Park from the perspective of a giraffe at Thutlwa Pool Bar while sipping a refreshing cocktail.

A swimming pool, pool bar, and ladies’ bar are also available, as are free and unlimited Internet access and two floodlit tennis courts.

The Marula Grill Restaurant, which overlooks the waterhole and is open all day, is centrally located in the resort. There is ample seating, and guests can dine both inside and outside, with exterior seating available under a covered patio or on the lawn under the stars.

Elephants who stop by for a late-afternoon drink frequently entertain diners. A buffet feast or an à la carte menu with a wide variety of dishes to suit all tastes is served.

The Marula Grill snack menu is available on the terrace from 11:00 to 21:00 and the Motswedi ladies’ cocktail bar is open from 09:00 to 01:00 daily. The bar offers a range of imported beers, spirits, wines and cigars.

Babysitting services are available upon request, as are medical services.

There is a curio shop where visitors can purchase gifts and souvenirs.

The lodge has a helipad for private helicopter flights.

Bakubung Bush Lodge also has excellent conference facilities.

Conference-goers can rely on quality data projectors, built-in screens in all conference rooms, as well as portable screens, overhead projectors, a lectern, TV monitors, a VHS-video machine, Flip charts, and a big-screen video projector.

These are complemented by air-conditioning units, ISDN lines, facsimile and photocopying services, conference-call facilities, lapel microphones and a portable PA system.

Secretarial services are available by prior arrangement.

Activities

To keep guests entertained, a variety of facilities and activities are available.

A Junior Ranger programme, volleyball and a kids’ playground, board games, and educational snake demonstrations are available for the youth.

Guests can enjoy table tennis and darts, action cricket and golf, as well as game drives and guided game walks during the day.

By participating in guided bush walks and game drives, visitors can discover and learn more about Pilanesberg’s natural environment, as well as enjoy some birdwatching.

A shuttle to Sun City allows guests to indulge in the offerings of the resort and casino or they can treat themselves to some indulgence at the Nôkô Kalahari Spa.

Those who need to stay in touch or do some work can do so in the internet lounge.

Late afternoon can be spent on game drives with bush sundowners, followed by boma dinners.

Bush dinners are served on request.

Rates

Rates differ between the Low Season and the High Season. The low season is between 01 May and 31 August and the high season is from 01 September to 31 December, as well as from 01 January to 30 April.

Bakubung Bush Lodge has a minimum stay policy of 2 nights over weekends (Friday and Saturday) and one 1 night midweek (Sunday to Thursday).

Verify which applies when booking through different agencies, as rates may be quoted per room per night or person per night.

A Dinner, Bed & Breakfast package consists of dinner, breakfast, and one game drive per adult per day.

Full Board consists of dinner, bed, breakfast, and lunch, as well as two game drives per adult per day.

Visa and MasterCard credit cards are accepted.

Children ages 12 years and younger stay free on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis if they share with one or two adults.

Children ages 13 to 17 will be accommodated for free on a room-only basis but will be charged 50% of the adult meal rate if they share a room with one or two adults.

Children staying in their own rooms are charged the adult rate.

Children are charged standard rates for game drives.

The child policy implemented at Bakubung Bush Lodge is intended to ensure the safety of all guests.

Guests need to remember that the lodge is situated within a national park and game reserve, where animals roam freely.  Moreover, these animals are wild and will always react according to their instincts.

You might also like our Black Rhino Lodge or Buffalo Thorn Lodge.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

How accessible is Bakubung Bush Lodge in Pilanesberg?

Bakubung Bush Lodge in Pilanesberg is accessible by various means of transportation. By car, it’s a 2-hour drive from Johannesburg, and there is ample parking available at the lodge. Bakubung Bush Lodge is easily accessible for visitors who use arranged transport from OR Tambo International Airport, which is located approximately 2.5 hours away from the lodge. This convenient proximity allows for easy transportation to and from the airport. The lodge is very accessible for people with disabilities, the lodge has wheelchair-accessible rooms and public areas, as well as assistance with mobility and other needs upon request. However, it’s recommended to contact Bakubung Bush Lodge in advance to ensure that they can accommodate specific accessibility needs.

 

Does Bakubung Bush Lodge have a minimum stay policy?

Yes, Bakubung Bush Lodge does have a minimum stay policy that requires a two night stay over weekends and one night in midweek.

 

Is Bakubung Bush Lodge child-friendly?

Yes, Bakubung Bush Lodge is child-friendly, with children ages 12 years and younger staying free on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis if they share with one or two adults. There are also several activities available specially to keep them entertained.

 

What activities other than game drives are available at Bakubung Lodge to keep guests entertained?

There are several other activities at the lodge including walking safaris, game drives, boma dinners, quad riding, treatments at the Legacy Balance spa, as well as snake demos, archery classes, and Junior Rangers program for kids will keep everyone entertained.