Bukela Game Lodge - Amakhala Game Reserve

I spent a week here in 2023 and want to return this summer, but ... It's been extremely difficult making reservations and getting advertised rates directly with the hotel. I've been quoted several different rates but none of them match the website. This is my #1 destination and it's been very frustrating. My trip in 2033 was the best vacation I've ever experienced from arrival to departure. Staff was friendly and professional, accommodations are 5 star ++, every meal was delicious and featured regional offerings, but the game experience topped everything. Our guide was so knowledgeable and we saw every type of animal in the most beautiful setting in the world. Really hoping I can work with their reservations staff so I can return.

Wunderschönes Safari Erlebnis mit sehr netten Personal. Worauf sich Gäste jedoch einstellen müssen: - 7,5km Anreise auf einer sehr schlechten „Safari-Straße“ mit vielen Schlaglöchern und anderen Hindernissen - Kein TV in Suites (Für uns war das nicht störend da die Lage traumhaft ist) - Auswahl an Essen etwas limitiert

We have just left the most perfect 3 day-stay at Bukela, celebrating our Honeymoon. Having been swapped from another lodge at last minute, we really didn’t know what to expect, but all I can say now is I’m so glad we were! Our stay was, simply, perfect. Stunning, intimate surroundings, beautiful rooms and public areas, amazingly familial staff, great food, great drinks, and most importantly, fantastic game drives with our first-class ranger Evans. 3 days was not enough, but neither would 4 or 5 be - simply breathtaking, we can’t thank you all enough for making our holiday so special.

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.

Bukela was a real disappointment – there is a lot of potential, but it needs money spending on it. The tents were lovely and the outlook superb but inside the tents it wasn’t to 5* standards, the showers were dreadful – there were bare wires from a light in the shower exposed, green mould and flaking paint, the floor was so uneven and painful to walk on and looked very dirty. The staff were all very friendly and seemed happy in their work, but the property was woefully understaffed – one night for dinner service there was supposed to be 6 staff on duty – there were 2 including the barman, this was the same the previous day. As a result, mealtimes took a long time. The toilets in the bar / reception area are unisex and as result smelt and the seats and floor surrounds were sprinkled – why do places particularly 5* ones have unisex toilets, I’ve yet to find a female who likes them!! During our 3 nights here, there were no paper towels available. As far as the Game Drives were concerned, we declined 2 of them as having sat on the back row of the vehicle on our first morning, which wasn’t pleasant. This is because the vehicle operates at maximum capacity (3 across), we were less than impressed, we’ve had better at far less expensive lodges. The Guide allocated to us too, Lucky, was one of the worst guides we have ever had. There was no/little communication with the clients, no information as to what we were seeing etc. In addition to which when positioning the vehicle to view animals it was done so that he could see and often we were behind a bush unable to see! It's not a Lodge I would be recommending – of those in Amakhala if you want an authentic experience opt for Quartermain’s 1920’s Camp or for a more traditional one HillsNeck,

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.