Who would have thought that just a two-hour drive from Joburg lies one of the most unforgettable bush getaways South Africa has on offer? Bakubung Bush Lodge, conveniently located on the border of the Big 5 Pilanesberg National Park, is the ideal bush breakaway for all sorts of travellers. But especially for families and groups of friends looking for a relaxed holiday destination to enjoy the last of the summer rays before winter comes knocking. We paid them a visit and absolutely loved our stay. It's a wonderful bush breakaway.
The Location
Close to Joburg and an easy drive from Lanseria Airport, the Pilaensberg and Bakubung form part of the ecologically rich transition zone between the Kalahari and the Lowveld. This makes for the perfect escape away from the rush of the city. Soon after arriving we felt so relaxed and calm within the tranquility of the area. It’s the ideal setting to experience and reconnect our country’s nature and wildlife.
The Pilanesberg is not only home to an abundant wildlife population – with more than 360 bird species and 7 000 animals (including the notorious Big-5) – but also has plenty of scenic roads to travel and enjoy the wildlife. The park is part of an extinct volcanic crater and is a picturesque spread of hills, rocky outcrops, and grasslands.
The Pilanesberg is the fourth largest game reserve in South Africa. And Bakubung is found right at the entrance to one of its main gates, making it easy to find and enjoy the park at any time of the day.
Family Fun At Bakubung Bush Lodge
Bakubung and its facilities and activities make it a lovely choice for families. The kids had loads of fun in the pool and playing within the fun playground. Also, the property has beautiful open spaces for the kids to run around and get some fresh air. And for the grownups, there are tennis courts to keep you active, as well as a fully equipped gym. Another thing that we loved about this amazing destination is how attentive their staff were with the children.
There’s also a Junior Rangers programme available, which aims to educate children about the fauna and flora of the local area and comprises of a fun range of activities for them to take part in. The resort also offers ever-popular snake demonstrations and activities such as archery and tennis.
Mealtimes were always fun for kids! The buffet offers a wide variety of mouthwatering delicious options, perfect for any taste and preference. Did I mention the dessert table! The pancake and waffle station at breakfast was particularly popular and thoroughly enjoyed.
Beautiful Accommodation
Accommodation at Bakubung is luxurious and very comfortable! The room options range to suit each guest and their individual needs. There’s a plethora of hotel rooms to book on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
The accommodation choices range from pool-facing twin, king or family rooms, with easy access to the cool waters on a hot summer day. Or game park-facing rooms overlooking the hippo pool below. All rooms have a balcony/patio from which you can enjoy your morning coffee while soaking up the sounds of the bush.
Set just outside the main resort and perched upon an undulating hill, are luxurious villa-style homes. These are the perfect choice for guests looking for a more intimate destination. Each villa differs in size, but all of them have their own private pool and the option to hire in a personal chef to whip up some delectable cuisine for you. The villas, although separate from the resort, have unrestricted access to Bakubang Bush Lodge and its facilities. They are the ideal vacation spot for groups of friends or sharing families.
Activities At Bakubung Bush Lodge
Whether you are on vacation to unwind and relax, or whether you are looking for an action-packed holiday, Bakubung Bush Lodge caters to all. We started the day off, while it was still cool, with a game drive. You can self-drive or join one of the resort’s experienced rangers on an open game vehicle. The choice is yours. We opted for a drive on an open game vehicle and the kids loved the drive and all the incredible animal sightseeing. And of course the muffin and hot chocolate snack break half way through the drive.
The game drives are a lot of fun. There’s just something relaxing and soothing about driving through the bush. The guides are knowledgeable and friendly, and are more than happy to answer any questions during the drive. We had the option to enjoy either an early morning drive or a late afternoon drive. We did both, and the kids thoroughly enjoyed both experiences.
The pool area is very convenient for families. There’s a kiddie pool/shallow side where the little ones can splash off their energy and keep cool on those hot summer days. Also, there are friendly and attentive waiters by the poolside, that’ll serve you food and drinks while you watch the kids play.
You can also experience a game walk on foot with a qualified guide. Or book into the world-class Legacy Balance spa for a massage while you soak up the sounds of the African bush.
For those of you who want to keep fit and active on your bush breakaway, not to mention work off those waffles and the dessert table, Bakubung offers a fully equipped gym adjacent to the tennis courts.
Mouth-Watering Dining
In addition to its renowned Boma dinners, Bakubung’s restaurant caters for all meal times and offers a choice of buffet or an ala carte menu.
The buffet breakfast was lovely, offering a very generous spread, catering to all food preferences and tastes. For lunch, we opted for a la carte at the main restaurant, and decided to keep it light with a fresh and delicious salad. Also, the buffet dinner starts at 18:00, perfect for those who have small kids with an early bedtime or want to have an early dinner (you might have an early game drive in the morning). The dinners are delicious, complete with a wide variety of delicious dishes and options.
The layout of the restaurant gives guests a variety of seating areas across both the interior and exterior sections of the restaurant. We were lucky with glorious weather so every day we dined outside overlooking the reserve with the hippo pool below.
The cuisine comprises of an extensive selection of dishes to suit all tastes including some traditional favourites especially prepared by the chef team.
Book Your Stay Now
After our stay at the Bakubung Bush Lodge, we highly recommend you pay them a visit! It's the ideal location for family escapes or just a weekend getaway to reconnect with nature and unwind.
Bookings are essential, especially ahead of the upcoming March/April holidays.
For more information on Bakubung Bush Lodge and to book your holiday, visit their website at www.legacyhotels.co.za.
You can also contact them by calling 014 552 6000 or emailing [email protected].
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