Find your very own peaceful sanctuary at the heart of the Pilanesberg National Park in Buffalo Thorn Lodge. Situated in the Black Rhino Game Reserve, adjacent to the park, the Buffalo Thorn Lodge is only a short 2-hour drive from Johannesburg and only 30 kilometres away from Sun City.
This exclusive private luxury lodge offers you tranquillity and an intimate atmosphere coupled with endless opportunities for big game viewing including lion and predator tours. Explore Africa’s endless beauties throughout the day and indulge yourself in a soothing soak in Buffalo Thorn Lodge’s Jacuzzi bath in the evening. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try out some of the numerous activities the lodge offers, including quad biking, archery or drumming. Daily morning and afternoon game drives are included in the daily package, and the lodge is fully equipped with air conditioning, en-suite facilities and a private viewing deck.
Browse the tabs below to view more information about the lodge.
Rates
Accommodation
Facilities
Terms
Wildlife & Activities
Direction
Rates
inclusive of 15% VAT • South African Rand • Subject
to availability
Description
1 Jan
2019 to 31 Dec 2019
Entire
Lodge Midweek - out of school holidays (Sleeps 10)
R13 600
Entire
Lodge Weekends, SA school holidays public holiday (Sleeps 10)
R17 700
Description
1 Jan
2020 to 31 Dec 2020
Entire
Lodge Midweek - out of school holidays (Sleeps 10)
R14 960
Entire
Lodge Weekends, SA school holidays public holiday (Sleeps 10)
R19 120
The rate per
night is for the rent of the whole lodge (max sleeping 10 guests
including children)
*Please note a minimum of 2 nights is required at anytime.*
All bedrooms or chalets are stand alone units. The 70 square-metre bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms have their own lounge and private deck with sun chairs in which to relax whilst overlooking the African bush. The units boast a king size bed (or two singles should they be required), a Jacuzzi bath as well as an indoor and outdoor shower.
Units are made up as follows;
2 Family units: with a King size bed (or two singles) plus a loft with two single beds (for children).
3 Double units with one King size bed (or two singles).
Camping Cots are available on request
Note that only 10 people will be accommodated (children included).
Lodge only accomodates 10 guests(including children)- ANY over occupancy meaning over and above 10 guests (including children) will be liable for an over occupancy fine
Buffalo Thorn Lodge has a wide variety of facilities and services available to make you feel comfortable and at home. OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
Child friendly swimming pool
Heated Jacuzzi with a view
Bar with fridge and Ice machine
Dining area
Open fire barbeque
Modern gas barbeque
Director-chair seating around the open fire
INDOOR ENTERTAINMENT
Flat Screen LCD TV
Home Theatre System
DSTV (Digital Satellite Television)
Pool/Snooker Table
Wine fridge
Wi-Fi Hotspot
KITCHEN (FULLY EQUIPPED)
Fully Serviced
Large fridge and freezer
Dishwasher
Modern 5 burner gas stove with electric oven
Microwave/Convection Oven
All cutlery and glassware
Filter Coffee Machine
ROOMS
Complimentary coffee and tea
Bar fridge
All linen (bath and swimming towels)
Electronic Safe
Air conditioning and fan
Lounge area
Loungers on private deck
Hair dryers
The rate is for the rent
ofthe whole lodge exclusively per night sleeping 10 guests.
**Rate is not per person**
**a minimum of 2 nights stay is required at anytime.*
The lodge consists of a main area (kitchen, boma, swimming pool etc.)
and 5 alone standing rooms each with a king size bed and en-suite
bathroom.- Thus some of the men will have to share.
Prices include
The rent of your own exclusive, ***** 5 star- Self-Catering
Game lodge, on Black Rhino Game Reserve in Pilanesberg National Park.
2 x 2 and a half hour game drives per night stay
Daily Fully Serviced by staff
Tea and coffee in the rooms
Daily gate fees included
Prices excludes
Food, drinks, snacks, condiments – The lodge is
fully self-catering
Any additional activities such as hot air ballooning, BUSH
WALKS and quad biking.
Staff Gratuities
There are a couple of new
things:
Buffalo Thorn Lodge will no longer accept 1 night stays
– minimum of 2
nights stays will be required
No over
occupancy will be allowed- Meaning over and above 10 guest( including
children)
Children under 3 will not account as part of the number of
10 but no more than 2 children over and above the group of 10 will be
allowed and if this occurs only 10 guests will be allowed on game drive
10 heads = 10 guests
Any child under the age of 3 as per above will be required
to provide birth certificates as proof that child is under 3
Over
occupancy fines are R
4000.00 per person per day- This is not governed
by the lodge but by the reserve rules and regulations.
Check in and Check out
policy:
Check in time is 14h30 and check out time is 10h30
Early check-in or late check out will not be possible.
Please see conditions below.
If you plan to arrive after 18:00 please inform us beforehand.
PLEASE NOTE:
Check in is strictly after 14h30. Any early check in will result in a
charge of R1000 per
hour early. PLEASE NOTE: Check
out is strictly at 10h30. Any check out later than this will result in
a charge of R1000
per hour late. The lodge consists of a main area (kitchen, boma, swimming
pool etc.) and 5 alone standing rooms each with a king size bed and
en-suite bathroom.- Thus some of the men will have to share.
Child Policy
Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge and on game
drive
Walking Safaris
at Buffalo Thorn Lodge
Only available for Adults. (16 years and older).
The cost for walks in 2019 are as follow: R450.00 per person
Maximum number of guests 8 And a minimum of 2 guests
A guest can book a walk in advance if they pay the full
cost of the walk and understand that it is non-refundable should the
guest cancel their stay at the lodge or change their mind upon arrival.
Otherwise walks are booked upon arrival subject to
availability.
No walk is confirmed until Buffalo Thorn Lodge has checked
availability and received payment directly from the guest.
If walks occur with Buffalo Thorn Lodge directly game drive
scheduled for that specific time will not take place and thus forfeited
by all guests. Alternatively can be done by Nare walking
Safari’s and remaining guests can go on game drive with
Buffalo Thorn Lodge
Breakage Deposit
On arrival a R
2000.00 refundable breakage deposit will be required- by
supplying cash
Important Notice
ANY over occupancy meaning over and above 10 guests
(including children) will be liable for an over occupancy fine of R4000
per person per day
NO Day visitors are allowed at the lodge
If you miss your scheduled game drives due to unforeseen
circumstances/ late arrival or due to weather you unfortunately forfeit
you game drive
Arrivals after 18:00pm need to be arranged for and no
arrivals permitted after 20:00pm
ONLY 10 guests (including children of all ages) allowed on
game drive
Early arrivals and late check-outs will be penalised R
1000.00 per hour
Fully self-catering lodge- No drinks/snacks or food is
supplied
NO LOUD music is permitted as this is a National Park and
nature reserve
Cancellation
Policy
All patrons make use of Buffalo Thorn Lodge; do so at their own risk.
Buffalo Thorn Lodge nor the company, Black Rhino Properties (Pty) Ltd,
that owns Buffalo Thorn Lodge, or the owners of Black Rhino Properties
are liable for injury, death, damage or theft to you or your belongings.
Please make sure you are aware of the cancellation policy.
Cancellation of booking than 90 days or more prior to
arrival - 20% of total booking amount retained
Cancellation of booking between 60 to 89 days prior to
arrival - 30% of total booking amount retained
Cancellation of booking between 41 to 59 days prior to
arrival - 50% of total booking amount retained
Cancellation of booking less than 40 days prior to arrival
- 100% of total booking amount retained.
All reservations, amendments or cancellations are valid only
if advised and accepted in writing.
Deposit &
Settlement
A deposit of 50% of the value of the accommodation is
required as confirmation for an individual reservation. A second
payment of 50% of the value of the accommodation is due 21 days prior
to arrival. Full prepayment will be due within 48 hours for
reservations made less than 14 days prior to arrival.
No booking will be seen as confirmed unless a 50% deposit
has been received.
Buffalo Thorn Lodge reserves the right to sell
accommodation held as a provisional reservation without a deposit, to a
cash purchaser.
Buffalo Thorn Lodge requires a minimum of 2 nights stay. If
a 1 night stay occurs a 25% surplus will be Charged on booking.
Wildlife
Black Rhino Game Reserve is a natural eco system that has developed over thousands of years. In this unique reserve, the different vegetation exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter lowveld commonly known as bushveld.
As result of the range of habitats and vegetation found in the Black Rhino Game Reserve and Pilanesberg National Park, there is a wide diversity of animal species, from the “Big five” to 50 other mammal species, 354 bird species, 65 reptile species, 18 amphibian species and thousands of other interesting smaller species!
SEASONS
Rainy Season: It rains during the summer months between November and March, with thunder and lightning showers predominant in February and March. Temperatures hover around 79-86°F (26-30°C).
Dry Season: April to September is the cool dry winter season with bright clear warm days and cold nights, particularly in the mid-winter months of June to August. Game viewing/safaris is best in winter as the foliage has died back and animals frequent around waterholes.
Activities
Daily Exclusive Game Drives(Safari)are included in your package and can be arranged with your Ranger.
(Only 10 guests allowed on game drive/safari (including children of all ages). Two game drives per night stay(Morning and Afternoon)
Ask reservations for more information on activities.
Things to do in the area:-
Lion Park Tours
Bush Walks
Predator Park Tours
Quad Biking
Quad Bike Motocross Circuit
Clay Pigeon Shooting
Archery
Interactive Gumboot Dancing Session
Drumming
Balloon safaris in the Pilanesberg National Park
Team Building for corporates
FROM PRETORIA/JOHANNESBURG: Head towards Sun City. Stay on the R556 and pass the entrance to Sun City on the right. Continue for 5.11 km to the STOP sign, turn right at the intersection (onto the R565). Continue on this road for approximately 27 km through a village (beware of potholes) until you see the Black Rhino Game Reserve entrance on the right. Sign in at the gate and either request a pick up from the gate if you do not want to drive your car on the dirt roads and we will come and collect you or drive directly to the lodge. A normal sedan car should be able to reach Buffalo Thorn Lodge without a problem.
BLACK RHINO GAME RESERVE IS LOCATED AT (GOOGLE EARTH): 25°10’54.84″S 26°57’17.55″E
FROM THE BLACK RHINO GAME RESERVE GATE: Enter the gate (sign in – Buffalo Thorn Lodge is number 20) then drive for 2,9 km along the road until you meet an intersection, turn left. It is the first road at which you can turn left, after entering the Reserve. Then continue for 1.47 km until you reach another intersection – turn extreme right then continue for another 470 m, keeping right until you see our lodge. Turn left into our gate, Stand 20 – Buffalo Thorn Lodge.
BUFFALO THORN LODGE IS LOCATED AT (GOOGLE EARTH): 25° 9’48.73″S 26°58’19.97″E
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Business Hours:
Mon - Fri (09:00 - 17:00)
Sat (09:00 - 13:00)
Time Zone: UTC/GMT +2 hours
Why Book With Us ?
• Personal interaction • High calibre Lodges • Stay in control of your booking • Best special deals by far • Secure payment process (SSL) • South African based • Superior knowledge • Expert advice • No booking fees
What sets us Apart !
• MALARIA FREE • Ideal for family or group breakaways • Wealth of fauna and flora • “Big 5” game viewing • Over 350 bird species • Easy road and air access