Bush Lodge – Amakhala Game Reserve

“Absolutely great experience”

The tented accommodation was great, quirky showers, electric blankets, decks with stunning views made for a fantastic experience. The food was excellent, the staff so helpful and atmosphere very relaxing. The game drives were brilliant, Lenny was funny and informative- and we saw everything we hope… more

The tented accommodation was great, quirky showers, electric blankets, decks with stunning views made for a fantastic experience. The food was excellent, the staff so helpful and atmosphere very relaxing. The game drives were brilliant, Lenny was funny and informative- and we saw everything we hoped for. And the campfire and drinks after each drive were the icing on the cake.

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“Just a great safari experience”

I absolutely loved this place, just how I imagined a safari should be. We had two drives a day by a very knowledgeable ranger, learnt so much, one at 5.30am then another at 3.30pm. Saw all the animals we wanted to, lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos. The food at the camp was amazing, two lovely sw… more

I absolutely loved this place, just how I imagined a safari should be. We had two drives a day by a very knowledgeable ranger, learnt so much, one at 5.30am then another at 3.30pm. Saw all the animals we wanted to, lions, elephants, rhinos, hippos. The food at the camp was amazing, two lovely swimming pools to get some exercise in when not on a drive, staff were all lovely, had heated blankets which were so cosy, a fire when we arrived back from game drive, all drinks included, you can help yourself. Each individual tent is completely secluded overlooking the park, would go back, like stepping back in time, lovely.

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“Glamping in the bush-during the worst cape storm!”

What an experience! Arrived to a really friendly welcome,and shown to our tent. We were given tent number 1 on the front row. Beautiful view and closest to the main area. Our guide was Jesse who really tried his very best in the very windy wet muddy,trying conditions. The wind was gusting and the t… more

What an experience! Arrived to a really friendly welcome,and shown to our tent. We were given tent number 1 on the front row. Beautiful view and closest to the main area. Our guide was Jesse who really tried his very best in the very windy wet muddy,trying conditions. The wind was gusting and the tent was really making a huge noise ,the tent was quite loose and so the sides were flapping in the extreme weather conditions. Needless to say we had no sleep. The following morning the staff offered to move us to a tent which was slightly more sheltered. Unfortunately with the gusting gale force winds the tent was no different to our one. The owner arrived and immediately said I am moving you and the other guests to our other lodge- woodbury manor! Had dinner which was absolutely delicious and drove across to their other lodge. We cannot thank the owner and staff enough! Everyone went above and beyond during the very powerful storm. We will return (hopefully have normal weather ) as the reserve is great. Staff brilliant, food delicious, wifi strong and guides very professional and knowledgeable. Got to see 4 of the big 5. Our experience would have been totally different if the weather had not been so extreme. Woodbury has stolen a part of our heart!

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“Great affordable stay for some great safari’s”

We chose this lodge as an affordable way to Safari in the Amakhala from watching this on Destination Safari through WildEarth on YouTube. Firstly only reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 are for the following reasons. Tent - bathroom area is not completely sealed so you will have friends coming to… more

We chose this lodge as an affordable way to Safari in the Amakhala from watching this on Destination Safari through WildEarth on YouTube. Firstly only reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 are for the following reasons. Tent - bathroom area is not completely sealed so you will have friends coming to visit you in the night. We had a king cricket in our room for 2 night we ended up naming Chris lol 😂. But other had big rain spider/ Wolf spider in the tent but they will not harm you. We are terrified of bugs but nothing to worry you’re More likely to be harmed by the bush animals than the insects. The tents can be incredibly hot but they position the AC directly head end of the beds so kept kool when needed to sleep / nap during the day with comfortable beds. Even though there summer and over 2 nights we experienced 39°C heat to a Storm that made it feel like winter and using the under heated blanket on the bed which was bliss after a cold drive in the thunder and rain / wind what an experience and was so much fun. Second reason for not five stars main meal - you’ll select your main meal after lunch. Starters are not stated on the menu which would be nice as the include the main you choose out of 3 and the desert. The main meal one disappointing is we ordered roast chicken and we had the smallest bit of chicken hardly any veg and roast pup (tasteless mash locals eat) were as our fellow campers who ordered lamp leg had plenty of good meat, tasty mash and lots of veg and sauces / gravy. I wish the meals were equal for the amount of meat etc but this was a small thing we noticed. Breakfast and lunch was great and the food tasted awesome. Our morning game drives as of Dec a wake up call was at 5am and morning drive at 5:30 lasting 3 hours and evening game drives at 4pm for 3 hours. One great thing is the tented camp has a small watering hole out the front and we got so god damn lucky with the animals it was unreal! As we checked in we were greeted by a black rhino coming for a drink, followed by the next morning the 3 lionesses jus before morning game drives and that afternoon one of the male elephants coming for a drink. After our last morning game drives and not having to see the herd of 30 elephants including Ofstat, Balera and Corley and the gang just after breakfast the whole herd come to the watering hole as if to say goodbye and they were sorry we couldn’t see them up in the mountains. Our guide was JP and what a elevens he was. Gave us great information and just a great guide in general thanks for an awesome unforgettable trip. All of the staff are so friendly and helpful, this was some of the best memories we have ever made here and Amakhala as a whole is stunning getting to meet the characters from Wildearth. You can’t off-road in Amakhala it that doesn’t mean you won’t get some incredible sightings. We did some extra activities two were soft game walk which was 450 rand each and we got to walk with giraffe in the bush and came 25ft away was incredible. We did a night drive with our Guide JP also which was 550 Each we got right at the end a sighting of a brown hyena I captured on video from a distance. This place is magical. Also if driving from the garden route use Waze as your navigation as it lead you right to the Woodbury tented camp without any hiccups. Thanks for a memorable stay and a stay for us which was bucket list to see the 3 Amigo cheetah boys and just taking in the awe inspiring beauty of the reserve. Now I’ve stayed here I’d stay at the other two Woodbury lodges the tents are a no no for future due to the bugs but if your not scared please don’t let it put you off as this lodge is stunning / comfortable. The bugs for us doesn’t help but the bathroom bit of the tents could be more less holey for them to get into as rest of the tent is sound and secure 👌🏼.

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