Amakhala Game Reserve - Bush Lodge

Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape

Virgin rating

Bush Lodge Tent
Swimming Pool
Dining Area
Bush Lodge Tent
Bush Lodge Tent
Dining Area
Bush Lodge Tent
Lounge
Bush Lodge Tent
Swimming Pool
Dining Area
Bush Lodge Tent
Bush Lodge Tent
Dining Area
Bush Lodge Tent
Lounge

The hotel

If you’ve never experienced a safari holiday before, then what are you waiting for? The Bush Lodge at Amakhala Game Reserve is fantastic for first-timers and honeymooners, offering a secluded feel at the top end of the reserve with fantastic wildlife and sky views. Your luxury tent is complete with a private viewing deck and plunge pool, so you can spend some much needed time to yourselves relaxing whilst catching glimpses of all sorts of wildlife in their natural habitat. And then of course your chance to see them close up, the game drives. Enjoy both a morning and evening game drive, guided by informative, professional rangers, allowing you to explore the abundant wildlife and dramatic landscapes of the Eastern Cape. Either side of your drives, enjoy some fantastic food and local wines in the boma area whilst you recap on the day’s events – there will be plenty to discuss. As the Amakhala Game Reserve is in the South of the country, we’d recommend going between November to March for the best weather, but there are plenty of fireplaces indoors and outdoors, in your tent and on the viewing decks, for you to get cosy with a glass of red wine in the evening with a red wine in hand! 

Amenities

  • Safari
  • Bar
  • Internet Access
  • Restaurant
  • Safety Deposit Box

Where is it

Bush Lodge is discreetly positioned in the bush at the top end of an open valley in the reserve. Amakhala Game Reserve as a whole is located at the northern end of the famous Garden Route, in the malaria-free Eastern Cape. 34 miles from Addo Elephant National Park, and 55 miles from Port Elizabeth Airport.

Hotel information

Bush Lodge offers en-suite, tented and thatched suites overlooking a wildlife watering point with big sky views. All tents feature a private viewing deck with plunge pool, large oval bathtub, outdoor shower, air-conditioning, complimentary WiFi access, tea/coffee-making facilities, safe, and hairdryer.


All Inclusive includes: All meals and beverages, plus 2 game drives per day. 

Swimming pool. Boma lounge and dining area. Bar. Viewing deck with outdoor and indoor fireplace. Complimentary WiFi access. 

Please note: Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to stay in Bush Lodge.

*Denotes local charge.


Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (263)
  • Very good (15)
  • Average (6)
  • Poor (2)
  • Terrible (2)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing safari experience

Nov 16, 2023 Dannysob Nottingham, United Kingdom

Such an amazing experience! Safari We had Roan as our guide, what an amazing asset to the team! Very knowledgeable of all the Flora and Fauna of the game reserve. 10 out of 10 for customer interaction and professionalism throughout. Over 6 game drives you could easily see he cares for the animals and the reserve a great deal, he really made our… Read more
Such an amazing experience! Safari We had Roan as our guide, what an amazing asset to the team! Very knowledgeable of all the Flora and Fauna of the game reserve. 10 out of 10 for customer interaction and professionalism throughout. Over 6 game drives you could easily see he cares for the animals and the reserve a great deal, he really made our trip an educational one and strived to show us the varied wildlife within the reserve above and beyond the norm. 7am game drive 3hrs, breakfast, lunch at 2pm, afternoon drive 3pm for 3/3.5hrs. Lap blankets and hot water bottles provided if chilly. The Lodge The lodge although luxury, is still a tent, probably my biggest naivety. The bath and wood burner were run and lit for returning from a game drive which was welcomed. If you're a light sleeper travelers tip would be ear plugs, the animals can be close to the lodges electric fences and most nights i awoke due to movement outside and on two evenings a lion roaring. The experience and stay as a whole is unforgettable and if you have the opportunity, you have to visit. It's 5star rating is well deserved. Excellent stay overall. Would highly recommend. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Wonderful stay that exceeded expectations

Nov 15, 2023 MJKK Bristol, United Kingdom

We absolutely loved our stay at Bush Lodge, from the moment we arrived we were looked after brilliantly. The main lodge and the tented accommodation is all fantastic, each one secluded and private. Our ranger was Roan, his 13 years of experience and his knowledge meant that although we only had 4 game drives we saw everything we wanted to see,… Read more
We absolutely loved our stay at Bush Lodge, from the moment we arrived we were looked after brilliantly. The main lodge and the tented accommodation is all fantastic, each one secluded and private. Our ranger was Roan, his 13 years of experience and his knowledge meant that although we only had 4 game drives we saw everything we wanted to see, and more! The food was also great, the Kudu steaks and Eland were particular highlights and the drinks kept flowing! Kristi (a force of nature with hospitality coursing through her veins!), Kim, Suzy, Athi and the rest of the team were all lovely and made us feel right at home. If you’re looking for a Game Reserve we would highly recommend Bush Lodge. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE.......

Oct 25, 2023 Hilary O

Our 2 night stay at Amakhala Bush Lodge was the finale of an amazing holiday driving along the Garden Route. We were greeted by Kristy and Kim with welcome drinks and then shown around by the very entertaining Kristy... She has a warm & welcoming personality so you felt at home immediately. The whole stay was AMAZING. It rained for our first… Read more
Our 2 night stay at Amakhala Bush Lodge was the finale of an amazing holiday driving along the Garden Route. We were greeted by Kristy and Kim with welcome drinks and then shown around by the very entertaining Kristy... She has a warm & welcoming personality so you felt at home immediately. The whole stay was AMAZING. It rained for our first drive but Rowan, our Ranger, managed to find elephants, giraffes, wart hogs & lots more so we felt we had started well! On return we had a lit log burner in our room & the electric blanket was on. So warm & cosy in our tent... The weather thankfully improved and the morning drive with Rowan was brilliant.... & dry! Our next 2 drives were with Jonno who was also fantastic & we were treated to observing a herd of elephants walking by our truck & then we got to see a cheetah with her 4 cubs. Jonno used his skill to work out where she might be & hey presto, there she was. We felt the viewing was very respectful of all the animals we saw & if they didn't want to be seen that was fine too. It was a fantastic experience. Life in the Lodge was very comfortable, the bed was perfect & food delicious prepared by Godfrey! We would highly recommend staying at Bush Lodge but would definitely say stay for 3 nights, 2 just wasn't enough! Thank you to the whole team for a brilliant stay & going the extra mile to make it so xxxx Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Attentive wonderful staff, beautiful lodge in gorgeous setting.

Oct 23, 2023 booboo9952 London, United Kingdom

We spent three nights at Bush Lodge which involved 6 trips out to see the wildlife, plants and birds. James our guide/ranger was brilliant, sharing his wide knowledge of the animals, birds and plants in a funny and entertaining way. All the staff were lovely, food delicious and our lodge cosy and so welcoming at the end of the day. Staff go out of… Read more
We spent three nights at Bush Lodge which involved 6 trips out to see the wildlife, plants and birds. James our guide/ranger was brilliant, sharing his wide knowledge of the animals, birds and plants in a funny and entertaining way. All the staff were lovely, food delicious and our lodge cosy and so welcoming at the end of the day. Staff go out of their way to make it a wonderful experience, including running a hot bath and putting on the electric blanket!! A genuinely brilliant experience. Incredible staff in an unbelievably beautiful setting. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating An excellent and overwhelming experience

Oct 23, 2023 liketotravel2023

We stayed with Amakhala Bush Lodge 2 nights in a luxury tent. We had a Ranger who had driven us 3 times and had given us all informations about the Big 5, which we saw (thank you AJ). The staff was so beautiful and the food very tasty. The tent was also a very nice place to be. Unfortunately these 2 nights were much too short. We hope that we can… Read more
We stayed with Amakhala Bush Lodge 2 nights in a luxury tent. We had a Ranger who had driven us 3 times and had given us all informations about the Big 5, which we saw (thank you AJ). The staff was so beautiful and the food very tasty. The tent was also a very nice place to be. Unfortunately these 2 nights were much too short. We hope that we can return and visit this beautiful place once again!!! Read less