Bakubung Bush Lodge

Overview of Bakubung Bush Lodge

South Africa, Pilanesberg

An ancient volcanic crater provides the setting for Bakubung Bush Lodge in the Pilanesberg National Park. Encompassing two natural biomes – the edge of the Kalahari Desert and sub-tropical woodland – this reserve enjoys unusually high bio-diversity and contains nearly all the different types of large mammal in Southern Africa. Well known for its heavyweight species such as elephant, rhino, lion and buffalo, Pilanesberg is where you can also see desert creatures such as brown hyena and oryx as well as rare predators like cheetah and wild dog. The merging of desert and woodland provides a haven for a huge cross-section of game, making for exciting game viewing.

Accessible from Johannesburg within an easy 3-hour drive, the malaria-free nature of Pilanesberg means it is a popular choice for families with children. Bakubung Bush Lodge offers appropriate accommodation, activities and facilities for youngsters of all ages, including a fun and informative Junior Rangers' programme. There are day and night game drives and walking safaris on offer as well as the chance to laze by the swimming pool or enjoy a game of volleyball or action cricket. Couples and honeymooners are also well provided for with large, luxurious suites and a professional spa on site.

The perfect destination for a first-time safari or for those with limited time in South Africa, Pilanesberg has an unbeatable trump card: it is located right next door to South Africa's biggest and boldest entertainment resort – Sun City. Complete with championship golf courses, landscaped gardens, boutiques, a casino and a wave pool with a sandy beach, Sun City prides itself on offering a holiday experience for everyone.

Highlights & Activities

What's on offer whilst on this itinerary?
  • Malaria-free Big 5 game viewing in Pilanesberg National Park
  • High bio-diversity plus rare and unusual animals thanks to the merging of two distinct biomes
  • Family-friendly with great kids' activities like a Junior Rangers' programme
  • All rooms are air-conditioned and en suite, with large spaces for honeymooners
  • Swimming pool, hillside spa, complimentary Wi-Fi in rooms and two flood-lit tennis courts

Bird watching

Game drives

Guided walks

Hot air ballooning

Tennis

Volleyball

Rooms at Bakubung Bush Lodge

Unwind and relax, in your own private luxury
  • Enjoy your morning coffee on your room’s private patio.

Luxury Room

Bakubung Bush Lodge also offers Luxury King Rooms and Executive Suites, similarly styled and equipped as the Standard Rooms but with more living space thanks to their additional lounge area, complete with a couch and superior tea-and-coffee facilities.

General Facilities

Bakubung Bush Lodge is one of the most generously equipped accommodations in the park. There is a restaurant and several bars as well as an Internet lounge. It also has a swimming pool and sunbathing area with loungers and shade umbrellas. A fully equipped spa with treatment rooms and professional therapists is set on a hillside overlooking the lodge.

Families with children will appreciate the lodge's child-oriented facilities. There is a playground and a Junior Ranger programme through which children learn about and interact with the natural environment under the care of experienced rangers. A volleyball court, two flood-lit tennis courts and a bag-full of family favourites like table tennis, darts and action cricket provide opportunities to enjoy sport while on holiday.

Babysitting service

Bar

Children's club

Children’s play area

Curio shop

Games room

Gym

Heli-pad

Restaurant

Secure parking

Spa

Swimming pool

Tennis court

Wheelchair friendly

Wi-Fi available

Dining

The Bakubung Restaurant serves a hearty breakfast buffet before offering lunch and dinner in a similar buffet-style or a la carte – be sure to try the lodge's signature dish: prawn risotto with spicy Américaine sauce and parmesan shavings. A convenient terrace menu is available for most of the day if you miss out on a regular meal or feel like a snack.

Meals are served indoors in the restaurant at individual tables and room service is also available. Twice a week, dinner is available at the lodge's boma – an outdoor eating area located in the bush away from camp and lit by a campfire and lanterns.

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Traveller Reviews

  • FO
    Frederick Oxenham
    traveler

    I want to thank you for having organizing my trip. It was a complete success. The BAKUBUNG lodge is excellent. The food is excellent. The breakfast coffee I will give it 8/10. The service was 5star.

  • IB
    Ian Butterworth
    traveler

    I can certainty say we had an excellent time. Both resorts were excellent and certainly lived up to expectations. Bakubung good game drives with experienced guides, good accommodation, good food, relaxing ambience during the day.

  • NV
    Nadine Veltz
    traveler

    Bakubung: this place is fantastic and remains my best souvenir! Rooms and food were excellent, game drives well organized, people very helpful and friendly. We really enjoyed this place.

  • RM
    Rachel McLaughlin
    traveler

    We really enjoyed our stay at Sun City and Bakabung. Both were lovely places to stay and didn't have any problems with the booking etc.

  • AD
    Amit Dhadphale
    traveler

    We had a good time at Bakubung and we enjoyed our stay. Food, staff and hotel rooms were perfect!

  • BK
    Brian King
    traveler

    Thanks for all your help – the trip went very well and we enjoyed all aspects.

  • GL
    Guilherme Lima
    traveler

    The time we spent in Pilanesberg Park, Bakubung Hotel and at The Cascades Hotel were fabulous. Everything worked 100% well. Besides, Budget upgraded the car to a BMW 320i that made the trip back and forth to the park and our stay in Joburg even better.

  • MK
    Mary Keet
    employee

    ‘Bordering Sun City, this is a great lodge if you only have a night or two to set aside for a safari experience. The Junior Rangers Programme is perfect for kids!’

  • AR
    Ashley Rayner
    traveler

    We had an absolute ball in South Africa. The game drives and accommodation at Bakubung resort were top notch. A little expensive but very comfortable and the views along with the location were breath taking. In hind sight we should have rather stayed at Bukabung and commuted to Sun City.

  • MB
    Mindy Baha
    traveler

    It is very nice and the food is excellent. The pool was chilly but kids liked it. The play area for kids was okay. Pilanesburg Park excellent for wildlife viewing. My husband and daughter saw Wild Dog… I didn’t since at home with my 3 year old. I liked the activities for kids eg. Junior Ranger program. Liked the location adjacent to the park. I thought this was a very nice kid friendly lodge and good place to stay for families. Can recommend it!

  • CE
    Christopher Emmerson
    traveler

    We LOVED Bakubung Bush Lodge and as it turned out it was the highlight of the trip to South Africa. We thought the accommodation was just beautiful under the stunning African thatch, so too the service, staff and dining experience. Their game drives were remarkable in that we saw everything and more than anticipated, with some special experiences along the way. A fantastic recommendation if you just have a short time to spare in South Africa and want to see some of it's magnificent wild life.

  • WM
    Wilhelm Makkink
    traveler

    We hade a fantastic time. The place is ‘rustic’ with excellent service and good food. The game drives were very good and we witnessed (albeit in the dark) – so it was more of “heard” a lion kill and could see them eating their catch. My visitor who is a veterinary doctor was enthralled.

  • R&
    Ruth & Mark Morley
    traveler

    We really liked Bakubung Lodge – a few minor service issues (or rather slowness or no service) – but the location and lodge itself is lovely.

  • J&
    Jon & Vicki Delgado
    traveler

    The drive down to Pilanesberg was beautiful. This last minute addition to our itinerary proved to be one of our favorite stays. Everything about the place was great. 100% recommended. Great staff, great facility, great game reserve, easy and private road to Sun City, absolutely awesome food, very nicely appointed rooms.

FO
Frederick Oxenham
traveler

I want to thank you for having organizing my trip. It was a complete success. The BAKUBUNG lodge is excellent. The food is excellent. The breakfast coffee I will give it 8/10. The service was 5star.

IB
Ian Butterworth
traveler

I can certainty say we had an excellent time. Both resorts were excellent and certainly lived up to expectations. Bakubung good game drives with experienced guides, good accommodation, good food, relaxing ambience during the day.

NV
Nadine Veltz
traveler

Bakubung: this place is fantastic and remains my best souvenir! Rooms and food were excellent, game drives well organized, people very helpful and friendly. We really enjoyed this place.

RM
Rachel McLaughlin
traveler

We really enjoyed our stay at Sun City and Bakabung. Both were lovely places to stay and didn't have any problems with the booking etc.

AD
Amit Dhadphale
traveler

We had a good time at Bakubung and we enjoyed our stay. Food, staff and hotel rooms were perfect!