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Waterbuck Game Lodge

4.0 star property
Wildlife viewing happens right from the doorstep at this riverside retreat, where Africa's natural beauty unfolds alongside a refreshing swim-up bar

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Waterbuck Game Lodge sits by the river, offering a peaceful escape with daily wildlife viewing. Guests can cool off at the swim-up bar, lounge by the outdoor pool, or use free in-room WiFi. The lodge provides on-site game drives and babysitting services for families.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
  • Air conditioning

Room options

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Suite | Minibar, in-room safe, free WiFi, bed sheets

Suite

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • 19 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 2 Twin Beds
  • Free WiFi
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About the neighborhood

Located in Thornybush Game Reserve, Waterbuck Game Lodge is on a river. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Selati Nature Reserve and Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, while Nyani Cultural Village and Mafunyani Cultural Village are cultural highlights. Visit our Thornybush Game Reserve travel guide
View more Lodges in Thornybush Game Reserve
Map
Thornybush Game Reserve, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, 1380

Getting around

  • Hoedspruit (HDS)
    33 min drive

Restaurants

  • The Bush Pub & Inn
    24 min drive
  • Kapama Southern Camp Restaurant
    40 min drive
  • Boma
    37 min drive

About this property

Waterbuck Game Lodge

  • Upscale lodge by the river
  • A free breakfast buffet, game and wildlife viewing, and a swim-up bar are just a few of the amenities provided at Waterbuck Game Lodge. The on-site restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Free in-room WiFi is available to all guests, along with a poolside bar and a terrace.
  • Additional perks include:
    • An outdoor pool along with sun loungers and a swim-up bar
    • Free self parking
    • A safari, a roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), and babysitting (surcharge)
    • Smoke-free premises, a front-desk safe, and game drive on site
  • Room features
  • All guestrooms at Waterbuck Game Lodge include perks such as air conditioning and bathrobes, as well as amenities like free WiFi and safes.
  • Other conveniences in all rooms include:
    • Bathrooms with separate tubs/showers and free toiletries
    • Wardrobes/closets, patios, and electric kettles

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • 24-hour roundtrip airport shuttle on request for a surcharge
  • Free self parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free buffet breakfast available daily 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant
  • A swim-up bar

Things to do

  • Game drive
  • Game viewing
  • Hiking/biking trails
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool
  • Safari

Family friendly

  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Free supervised activities for children
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Safe at front desk

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Wedding services

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • On a river
  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • No elevator

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Electric kettle
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1 PM; Check-in end time: 5 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in is available for a fee
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
A late check-out fee will be charged

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
There is no front desk at this property
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; your host will greet you
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 24 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 5 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Guests should notify this property in advance of their anticipated arrival time.

Access methods

Host will greet you

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Resort fee: ZAR 330 per person, per night

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Early check-in is available for a fee (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards, and cash
Cashless transactions are available
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Per property policy, children under 6 years old are not permitted on game drives.

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

Frequently asked questions

Does Waterbuck Game Lodge have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Waterbuck Game Lodge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Waterbuck Game Lodge?

Check-in start time: 1 PM; Check-in end time: 5 PM. A fee applies for early check-in (subject to availability). Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Waterbuck Game Lodge?

Check-out is at 11 AM. Late check-out is available for a fee (subject to availability).

Does Waterbuck Game Lodge provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request.

Where is Waterbuck Game Lodge located?

Situated on a river, this lodge is 3.1 mi (4.9 km) from Selati Nature Reserve and within 12 mi (20 km) of Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and Nyani Cultural Village. Mafunyani Cultural Village and Tintswalo Hospital are also within 20 mi (32 km).

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Reviews

Waterbuck Game Lodge Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

9.8

Cleanliness

9.4

Location

9.8

Staff & service

9.2

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 15 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 15 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful place! Great service. Good food. The ranger and game drives were a blast. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deborah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Home in the bush

Waterbuck Lodge is a small, intimate lodge with only four rooms. Our room was beautifully appointed. The bedroom is sizeable, with a very large comfortable bed. There is plenty of storage space (both hanging and shelving), a dressing table and an armchair. There is a small safe in the wardrobe to keep your valuables secure. A ‘drinks station’ with a kettle, tea and coffee is provided, almond with yummy home made biscuits and rusks. There is also a fridge to store your choice of drinks in the room. The bathroom has both indoor and outdoor showers, a fabulous deep double ended bath and a ‘loo with a view’. The food was excellent. Breakfast, served after game drive, consisted of a buffet of cereal, fruit, yoghurt ,cold meats and cheeses. A hot portion was then cooked to order, usually consisting of your choice of eggs, bacon, sausage, tomatoes and mushrooms. Afternoon tea was served at 3:30, just before the afternoon game drive, and usually included a couple of savoury and salad choices and a sweet selection. Evening meals were varied and tasty three course affairs. In ten days we never had the same menu twice. The game drives utilise both ranger and tracker on the vehicle, and Marnus and Solly are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The lovely staff are not always visible at the lodge during the day. They have an ‘honesty bar’ system, where you mark down drinks you have had in a ledger. If you want ‘Butler service’ go elsewhere - otherwise, come here!
Giant, comfortable beds
The view from the room
Stayed 10 nights in Jan 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maria

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Empfehlenswerte, familiäre Lodge

Tolle Lage, schöne Bungalows, Pool mit Liegen und feines Essen. Ganz hervorragend sind die Gsme Drives. Wir haben sehr viel gesehen und viele interessante Infos erhalten. Wir haben den Aufenthalt in der familiären Lodge sehr genossen und können sie nur weiter empfehlen. Danke der ganzen Crew.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Experiência legal !

O lodge é muito confortável e bonito ! Achei que por estar no meio da savana teria problemas com insetos , mas não ! São muito cuidadosos com a limpeza e não vimos insetos nas dependências e isso realmente agradou muito ! A alimentação surpreendeu , tudo maravilhoso e farto ! Os games foram razoáveis ! A reserva é muito grande e os animais ficam bem espalhados ! Andamos bastante tempo sem avistar nada ! Mas a natureza é imprevisível , obviamente ! Senti falta de um adaptador no quarto ! Um lodge tão caro e temos que carregar nossos aparelhos na recepção ! Alegaram que os hóspedes acabam levando os adaptadores ! Mas por esse preço da diária não daria contar com essa possível perda ?
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ótimo. Funcionários solicitos. Consegui ver os big Five.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Annette

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Excellent service and value for money

The general staff and cook were excellent. He guide and tracker very knowledgeable and made our trip amazing
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ross and Alicia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Unforgettable

We saw everything we came to Africa to see in three days. Our first game drive yielded three different groups of elephants, a pride of lazy lionesses sleeping off a meal, giraffes, a Cape Buffalo, impalas, a spectacular male kudu and others. By the middle of the second day we had seen each of the Big Five except the leopard. That's when Hannes, out ranger, and Lodrick our tracker decided it was time to focus. We spent three drives following the tracks of a large male who always managed to keep his head down just as we went by. That night Lodrick spotted something and sure enough there he was. It was a terrific thrill to follow him, he finally decided to cross the road and we got some great shots of one of the most elusive and beautiful beasts in the world. And the food was divine, too!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

DIVANIR

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Serviço de altíssimo nível. Inesquecível.

Ficamos muito satisfeitos com a estrutura do hotel, os games drives que fizemos e principalmente com o staff do hotel que em nenhum momento mediu esforços para nos agradar. Recomendamos fortemente esse hotel. Hannes and Waterbuck team, congrats for your excellent job. Thank you very much.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Safaris bien menés avec un Ranger et un tracker compétents et gentils. Excellente land cruiser, neuve et confortable, très bien adaptée. Cuisine excellente.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

ashley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Amazing lodge!

We loved our time at Waterbuck! They have a max of 8 ppl so your experience is very personalized. Loderick and Franco made the trip as they were great fracker and guide. We are way too much but it was delicious! Look forward to coming back.
Verified

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Gemütliche Safari Lodge

Wir waren 4 Tage in dieser Lodge und wurden von dem Waterbuck Game Lodge Team perfekt umsorgt.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Olivar

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Silvia Kariya

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2018