About Bakubung
A larger resort-style lodge of 76 rooms just 2 hours drive from Johannesburg that's a really family-friendly option - a great way of introducing your kids to the allure of the bush!
Bakubung Bush Lodge is a larger resort-style lodge located in the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park, just a couple of hours drive from the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg. Bakubung, or “People of the Hippo”, has basically 2 sections – a series of chalets for the time-share market and then the 76 thatched roof lodge rooms which is what we sell – curved into a horseshoe around the entertainment areas and boasting great views out onto the bush of the Pilanesberg.
SET IN AN ANCIENT VOLCANO
The Pilanesberg National Park is set in the crater of a long extinct volcano, a perfect example of an alkaline ring volcanic crater (one of only 3 such craters in the world apparently) It ranks as the 4 th largest of the parks in South Africa and covers an area of some 55 000 hectares which boast both undulating hills as well as seemingly endless open grassy plains, The reserve offers guests sightings of a wide diversity of animal and plant life, especially given that it lies in the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and the wetter loweveld bushveld.
The result is some 360 species of birds, the Big Five and many other animals including such rarities like brown hyena and sable antelope. It may not deliver the sheer quality of game viewing of the Kruger or Madikwe for example, but to have such a productive park so close to Gauteng is a huge bonus. Just remember too that because it is a public reserve, you’re going to share the roads with a large number of day-trippers, so you don’t get the truly exclusive game viewing experience of the private reserves.
Bakubung Bush Lodge offers a couple of different room options. First up there are the 76 studios - either with 2 queen beds (perfect for families) or a king-size bed. Then there are 9 Luxury rooms as well as 4 Executive Suites. The studios all boast an en suite bathroom including a shower, air conditioning, tea/coffee machine, colour TV (with DStv), a hairdryer, plug for electric shaver and internet connectivity (there’s also an Internet lounge where you can relax whilst catching up with the outside world if you really feel the need). All hotel rooms have doors leading onto either a balcony or a patio, and have panoramic views of the park and the hippo pool which receives regular visits from the reserve’s elephants..
As you would expect of a larger resort-style lodge, there are plenty of activities to keep you going, and Bakubung certainly makes for an exceptionally family-friendly bush option. The swimming pool is located next to the cocktail bar so guests may enjoy a delicious drink or meal either in the shade of the bar or by the poolside for the sun lovers. There are also floodlit tennis courts, a volleyball court, table tennis and darts, as well as action cricket and a children’s playground. But given that you’ve come here experience the bush as opposed to sampling the attractions of nearby Sun City, you obviously have your guided game drives into the park as well as the option of bush walks accompanied by a ranger. And the kids aren’t left out either with a Junior Rangers programme.
The main restaurant is the Bakubung restaurant which caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The lodge offers an African themed spit braai on Fridays, whilst on Wednesday and Saturday nights you can book an unforgettable dining experience of the bush braai around a huge fire in the Boma situated in the park. If bush dining is not your thing or you don’t fancy leaving the comfort of the lodge, then dine in comfort in the main restaurant and choose from the Chef's carvery to your heart's content.
