Buffalo Thorn Lodge is an exclusive private, luxury lodge; a peaceful sanctuary nestled in the African bush yet one which holds all the excitement of big five game-viewing. By road, the Lodge is about 2 hours from Johannesburg, in the heart of Black Rhino Game Reserve, within the Pilanesberg National Park. Only 30 kilometers from Sun City, it is in South Africa’s North West Province, a malaria free area.
The Buffalo Thorn lodge is an Exclusive Self Catering Lodge and it is rented out as a whole lodge. This means that you get the
entire lodge for yourself. Included in the package is 2 x 2.5
hr Guided game drives per day on a Private Safari Vehicle. Maximum
number of guests is 10 including children.
| Rates inclusive of 15% VAT • South African Rand • Subject to availability |
| Description |
1 Jun 2025 to 31 Dec 2026 |
| Entire Lodge Midweek - out of school holidays (Sleeps 10) |
R18 960
|
| Entire Lodge Weekends, SA school holidays public holiday (Sleeps 10) |
R23 200
|
- The Buffalo Thorn lodge is an Exclusive Self Catering Lodge and it is rented out as a whole lodge
- Rate are not per person.
- This means that you get the entire lodge for yourself.
- Included in the package is 2 x 2.5 hr Guided game drives per day on a Private Safari Vehicle.
- Maximum number of guests is 10 including children.
*Please note a minimum of 2 nights 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.
The rate per night includes;
- 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 – (MAXIMUM 10 guests on the vehicle)
- Daily Fully Serviced by staff
- Tea and coffee in the rooms
- Daily gate fees included
The rate per night does Not included:
- Food, drinks, snacks- lodge is fully self catering
- Any additional activities such as hot air ballooning, BUSH WALKS and quad biking
Look at our Special Offers for SA Residents under our special offers section!
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
Daily exclusive game drives (safari) are included in your package and
can be arranged with your ranger.
Morning drives include a coffee & rusk stop (rusks provided by
guests)
Afternoon drives include a sundowner stop (drinks &
refreshments supplied by guests)
Two game drives per night stay (morning and afternoon)
Only 10 guests allowed on game drive/safari (including children of all
ages).
The rate is for the rentofthe 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
- The Conservation Levies R250 per person per night and R115 per child (5 - 9 years) per night
- Black Rhino Game Reserve entrance fees of R195 per person per day
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 4 000 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
- 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.
Child Policy
- Children of all ages are welcome at the lodge and on game drive
Breakage Deposit
- On arrival a R 2 000 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 R4 000 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 18:00 pm need to be arranged for and no arrivals permitted after 20:00 pm
- 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 reservations, amendments or cancellations are valid only if advised and accepted in writing.
- 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.
- A 10% admin fee will be retained for cancellations made after the card has been charged.
Deposit Policy
- For all bookings made within 30 days of travel Full payment Is required within 48 hours of your booking. This payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card (Master/Visa).
- For all bookings made more than 30 days of travel
- A 50% deposit Is required within 48 hours of your booking and the balance 30 days prior to arrival. This payment can be made via bank transfer or credit card (Master/Visa).
.jpg)
