Buffelsdrift Game Lodge – Our Safari Stay Near the Garden Route

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge – Our Safari Stay Near the Garden Route

Before we even started our route along the Garden Route in South Africa, we had planned something slightly different than just following the coastline from start to finish.

About halfway along our route, we decided to turn inland.

From Mossel Bay, we drove into the drier landscape near Oudtshoorn, where the mountains rise in the distance and the scenery shifts from ocean views to wide-open Karoo terrain.

Because in that area, we had found Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. A private game reserve and safari lodge that, honestly, ended up becoming one of our highlights of our Garden Route road trip.

This stay was our very first safari stay in South Africa, so we were excited, but honestly not quite sure what to expect.
We had seen photos, read a few reviews, and knew it was a malaria-free safari near the Garden Route – but it really surprised us.

The atmosphere, the luxury safari tents, and the view over the waterhole with three resident hippos quickly made this feel like a real safari getaway.

In this post, we’re sharing everything about our stay at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. From the tent and the game drives to the food, the wildlife, and the overall experience of adding a safari stop to our Garden Route itinerary.

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Where Is Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Located?

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is located in the dry and rugged landscape of the Klein Karoo in South Africa’s Western Cape province. Approx. 7 km (4 miles) outside the town of Oudtshoorn.

If you’re driving the Garden Route, it’s an easy and very worthwhile detour. From Mossel Bay, it’s roughly 100 km (~60 miles) and takes about 1.5 hours by car.
Instead of coastal scenery, the landscape slowly shifts into wide open Karoo terrain with mountains rising in the distance.

➜ You can read our full Garden Route road trip itinerary from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, where we share how this safari stop fits naturally into the drive.

Buffelsdrift is a private game reserve, not a national park. Which means you’re staying in a protected wildlife area with free-roaming animals.

The reserve covers around 3,000 hectares (about 7,400 acres) of semi-arid land with bush vegetation, open plains, and a large central waterhole that naturally attracts wildlife.

You’re literally staying in the middle of nature, surrounded by giraffes, nyalas, buffaloes, hippos, and a surprising amount of birdlife.

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Accommodation at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge – Luxury Safari Tents

At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, you´ll find a total of 34 luxury safari tents, spread out across the reserve so you can choose the type of stay that suits your favourite travel people.

There are three main tent categories:

• Luxury Family Tents, sleeping up to five people

• Luxury Waterhole Tents, located right along the waterhole’s edge

• Luxury Horizon View Tents, set slightly back with wide views across the landscape

We stayed in one of the Luxury Horizon View Tents. Not because it was the most exclusive option, but because it was the most affordable for us.

But honestly, it didn’t feel like a compromise at all. Actually, it was perfect for us.

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Our Luxury Horizon View Tent

The Horizon View tents are positioned slightly higher and a bit more privately than the ones closest to the waterhole, but the view over the lake and open Karoo landscape is still impressive.

But that said, the tents are true luxury glamping.

You get that classic safari feel with canvas walls and a wooden deck.

Inside, there’s a large comfortable bed, air conditioning, minibar, coffee and tea facilities, and plenty of space for luggage and relaxation.

The bathroom is surprisingly spacious and fully equipped with a bathtub (with a view), toilet, sink, and an outdoor shower. We could see that thought was put into all the details.

The interior design blends naturally with the surroundings – earthy tones, wood details, and soft lighting. You’re constantly reminded that you’re on safari, but without giving up comfort.

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Wildlife and Safari Experience at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

A big part of staying at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is, of course, the wildlife.

But we quickly realized that safari here isn’t something that only happens during a scheduled game drive.

The animals are part of everyday life around the lodge.

You don’t have to “go looking” for wildlife all the time – it’s already there.

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Wildlife Around the Camp

Your safari experience at Buffelsdrift really begins the moment you step out of your tent.

Nyalas and kudus wandered calmly between the tents, grazing as if this was the most natural thing in the world. Well, it is for them, of course.

Several times, we had to pause on the pathway and let them pass. Sitting on our terrace with a cup of coffee while watching antelope move freely between the safari tents felt slightly surreal.

We also spotted large tortoises slowly making their way through the camp. Maybe not the first animal that comes to mind when you think of a South Africa safari, but they were an interesting addition.

In front of the main lodge and the waterfront tents lies the large central waterhole and is home to three resident hippos. We saw them both floating just below the surface and occasionally out on land.

The best thing was waking up to the sound of hippos grunting.

During the day, they often stay fairly still in the water. But please be aware, these are wild animals.
There’s nothing “pet-like” about them, and for that reason, guests are not allowed to swim in the lake-like waterhole or walk around it on their own.

That said, even with wildlife so close, the lodge feels super safe.

You can walk comfortably between your tent and the main building – even after dark, as long as you stay on the designated paths and follow the guidelines.

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Game Drives at the Private Reserve

Game drives are an important part of the stay at Buffelsdrift.

The lodge offers morning and afternoon game drives, as well as occasional night drives, all taking place within the 3,000-hectare private game reserve.

Drives are done in open safari vehicles with a guide. We opted for a morning game drive when the light was still soft and the temperatures was comfortable.

Note: Buffelsdrift is not a classic Big Five safari like other safari lodges in the area. There are no free-roaming lions or leopards in the main reserve.

During our drive, our guide explained that the reserve simply isn’t large enough to support big predators alongside the grazing animals. Because if the large cats roamed freely, the balance of wildlife would quickly be affected.

We know that the big predators are an exceptional view. But we knew they weren´t present here when we booked our stay. But we saw plenty of other animals.

Several giraffes moved gracefully across the open terrain, and we also spotted zebras and different antelope species.

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Extra Wildlife Experiences at Buffelsdrift

In addition to the regular game drives, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers several optional wildlife encounters that can be booked separately.

We didn’t personally take part in these experiences, but they are worth mentioning if you’re considering a stay here.

One of the most well-known experiences is the elephant encounter.
Buffelsdrift is home to three rescued African elephants – Bulelo, Jabari, and Malaika. They were found orphaned after poaching incidents in Kruger National Park and were hand-raised near the lodge.

Because they grew up with close human contact, they cannot be released back into the wild.
Today, they live within the reserve and are cared for by dedicated handlers. But do not expect any riding or bathing – the focus of the experience is on education and understanding their history and behavior, rather than entertainment.

There are also cheetah encounters available, as well as early morning meerkat tours where you can observe the small animals as they emerge from their burrows at sunrise.

In addition, there is a lion experience, but this takes place separately from the main reserve.

For us, Buffelsdrift was a perfect safari stop near the Garden Route – especially as first-time safari visitors.

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What Else Does Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Offer?

While wildlife and safari experiences are the main reasons to stay at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, it’s really the overall setting that makes the stay feel complete.

It’s not just about game drives. There’s enough here to slow down between activities and actually enjoy being at the lodge.

Pool Overlooking the Waterhole

The lodge has a swimming pool with direct views over the large central waterhole.

It’s a slightly surreal feeling to lie on a sunbed while keeping an eye on hippos in the water or antelope coming down to drink. That combination of relaxation and wildlife is hard to describe until you experience it.

After our morning game drive, we spent some time by the pool.

When we visited in September, the pool was a bit on the cooler side. But we can easily imagine it being a highlight during the South African summer, when temperatures in the Klein Karoo rise.

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The Buffelsdrift Bar

Inside the main building, you’ll find the restaurant and bar overlooking the water.

In the evenings, this is where the atmosphere shifts slightly.

The decor leans into the classic safari aesthetic with warm tones, wood details, and subtle wildlife elements.

It became a nice way to end the day with a drink and the pitch black view, only with the sounds of a safari.

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The Spa at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

If you want to add another layer of comfort to your safari stay, Buffelsdrift also offers spa treatments.

The setting is really what makes it special. Imagine having a massage while overlooking the waterhole, with natural sounds in the background instead of traffic or city noise.

We didn’t book a treatment ourselves. But I honestly regret that. It would have fit perfectly into the rhythm of safari mornings and slower afternoons.

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Close to Oudtshoorn and the Cango Caves

As we mentioned earlier, Buffelsdrift’s location is only a few miles outside Oudtshoorn.

The town, or actually the whole area, is known as ostrich land and is home to several ostrich farms you can visit. And it’s also home to the famous Cango Caves, which are one of the most well-known attractions in the Western Cape.

So this makes it easy to combine a safari stay with other experiences in the area.

Food and Atmosphere at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

Oh, the food at Buffelsdrift is delicious!!

We had booked our safari stay with both breakfast and dinner included, which made everything feel easy from the start.

The restaurant at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is perfectly positioned with direct views over the waterhole.

On our first morning, we sat down with coffee in hand, looking out across the water while birds were already active and the hippos lay almost completely still at the surface.

The breakfast buffet offered a generous selection with almost everything you must desire – fresh fruit, yogurt, bread, hot dishes, and eggs made to order.

Everything tasted fresh and well-prepared, and there was more than enough.

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In the evening, the atmosphere shifts.

The light softens, the temperature drops, and as you’re finishing your meal, darkness slowly settles over the waterhole.
Eventually, the only sound you hear is the distant grunting of hippos or a trumpet from the elephants.

Dinner is served à la carte, with dishes inspired by the Karoo region. Since our dinner was included in the package, we could choose from a few pages of the menu, while drinks and desserts were charged separately.

I really can´t express how good the food was…. and the wines… everything was just perfect.

Being in the heart of ostrich country around Oudtshoorn, it felt almost obligatory to try something local, so I tasted my first African ostrich steak. It was so tender and far more delicate than I had expected.

The overall atmosphere in the restaurant is relaxed without being too formal. Small oil lamps were placed on the tables, and as night fell, the terrace lights were switched on, creating a warm and cozy safari lodge setting.

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Service and Attention to Detail

One of the things that genuinely elevated our stay at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge was the level of service.

From the moment we arrived, we were met with calm smiles and a warm, natural welcome.

Our luggage was driven to our safari tent, so we could walk slowly through the lodge area and take in our first impressions of our first safari stay.

Each day, the tent was cleaned while we were out at breakfast. When we returned, everything felt fresh and tidy, and the canvas windows were zipped down to let the air and light come in.

In the evenings, while we were having dinner at the restaurant, the tent was prepared for the night.

We came back to our tent with the lights on, the windows had been zipped up, and the bed was ready for bedtime.

But the detail we very much appreciated…they had switched on the electric heated blanket, which was underneath our bed linen.

We were traveling through South Africa in early spring, and once the sun sets in the Klein Karoo, it gets surprisingly cold.
And we can tell, sliding into a pre-warmed bed after an evening under the stars felt like a small luxury.

It’s exactly this kind of thoughtful detail that makes a safari lodge stand out.

At Buffelsdrift, we felt both looked after and completely at ease.

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Who Is Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Best For?

Well, as a safari stop near Oudtshoorn, it fits naturally into a self-drive along a Garden Route itinerary.

We think it worked extremely well as part of our road trip.

But also, we’d say Buffelsdrift is particularly well suited for couples traveling independently who want a balance of nature and comfort.
The combination of luxury safari tents, organized game drives, good food, and thoughtful service makes the stay feel complete without being overwhelming.

It’s also a super nice option for families with children.

Since the area is malaria-free and more manageable than South Africa’s massive national parks, it offers a safari experience without long driving days or complicated logistics.

You get the feeling of being on safari with elephants nearby, giraffes and wildebeasts on the game drives, and hippos literally as your neighbors.

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Practical Information for Your Stay at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

How Many Nights Do We Recommend?

We recommend staying at least two nights.

With only one night, you’ll typically have time for one afternoon game drive and one morning thing. With two nights, you can enjoy the full safari experience without feeling rushed – and still have time to relax at your tent or by the pool.

For us, two nights worked perfectly as part of our Garden Route road trip.

That said, we could easily have stayed one more night…

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Are Game Drives Included?

This depends on how and where you book your stay.

On the official Buffelsdrift Game Lodge website, most packages include one or two game drives. However, we personally found their booking system difficult to use.

When we arrived, we purchased a morning game drive for the next day for 650 ZAR per person ~ approx. USD 40 per person (2023).

Game drives take place in open safari vehicles with a guide and take about two hours.
You’ll drive through the 3,000-hectare private reserve in search of wildlife.

Optional wildlife experiences such as elephant encounters, cheetah and lion experiences, and meerkat tours can also be booked separately.

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Is Buffelsdrift Malaria-Free?

Yes, Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is located in a malaria-free area.

In fact, the entire Garden Route region is considered malaria-free.

This means you don’t need to take malaria medication when staying here or traveling to this part of South Africa, which makes it a very accessible safari option for families or travelers who prefer to avoid the medication.

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Price Level

Compared to many other safari lodges in South Africa, Buffelsdrift is actually positioned at a relatively accessible price point.

Prices naturally vary depending on season, tent category, and what’s included in your package.

We traveled during the low season in 2023 and in total we paid approx. USD 480 for our nights. And we were two people.

That total included:

• Accommodation in a Horizon Tent
• Breakfast and dinner (incl. in the package)
• Light lunches
• Our game drive
• Drinks and desserts at the restaurant
• Minibar items
• Tips

For us, it felt like a very good value for a safari lodge experience near the Garden Route.

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Can You Visit Without Staying Overnight?

Yes, it’s possible to book individual game drives or wildlife experiences without staying overnight. Of course, depending on availability.

If you’re short on time and driving through Oudtshoorn, a day visit can be a nice stop on the way.

➜ You can take a look here at the activities at Buffelsdrift

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Buffelsdrift on a tour

Do you think Buffelsdrift sounds amazing, but are not really into self-driving?

No worries, you can still experience Buffelsdrift and other parts of the country between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn.

Take a look at the tour below ➜

It departs from Cape Town and takes you to a lot of sights, views, and game drives.
There are three different possibilities for you to book a stay. If you select the 4-star luxury stay, then you´ll stay at the Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

Just note: If you choose the luxury stay at Buffelsdrift, your “from price” will be about $200 more per person.

Our Overall Experience at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge

We didn’t go to Buffelsdrift with sky-high expectations, mainly because we didn’t really know what to expect.

It was our very first safari stay in South Africa, and we weren’t sure how a private game reserve would compare to the big, iconic parks we had read about.

But the lodge surprised us in a very positive way!

In fact, we genuinely loved our stay at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

There was wildlife around us almost constantly, yet at the same time, there was comfort and calm. We never felt overwhelmed or rushed.

The balance between nature and structure worked really well for us.

The safari tents felt close to five-star level in terms of comfort. The food was consistently good, the service attentive without being intrusive, and the overall atmosphere relaxed and unpretentious.

It’s not the wildest or most remote safari experience you can have in South Africa. But it doesn’t claim to be.

What it does offer is a well-organized and comfortable safari stay near Oudtshoorn – and an easy way to add a safari experience to a Garden Route road trip.

It was a very positive introduction to safari for us with the game drives and the wildlife close by.

If you’re looking to include a lighter, more accessible safari in your South Africa road trip, we can definitely recommend a stay at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.

Ready to book your stay at Buffelsdrift?

• Luxury glamping
• Close to wildlife

• Superb food and wine
• Excellent service

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Thanks for reading

If you’re planning a safari stop along the Garden Route, we hope this guide has given you a clear idea of what to expect from Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. And helped you decide whether it’s the right fit for your South Africa road trip.

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