Bakubung Bush Lodge

A mere two hours drive north of Johannesburg and Pretoria and you'll find yourself in the tranquil heart of the bush. Pilanesberg National Park is home to the gargantuan shapes of Africa's giants - elephants, rhino and buffalo.

If you're fortunate, you may catch a glimpse of the stealthy leopard or lion, stately king of the bush. Wild country indeed, but without the risk of malaria.

Tucked in the expanses of the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park, Bakubung, or the People of the Hippo, provides guests with the peace and tranquilty of a true bush experience coupled with the luxury and service you’ve come to expect from a bush lodge.

The Pilanesberg National Park is located in the North West Province of South Africa, north west of Pretoria and is administered by the North West Parks and Tourism Board. Unlike most other national parks in South Africa, the Pilanesberg is not managed by South African National Parks. At 55000 hectares making it the fourth largest national park in South Africa.

The crater of a long extinct volcano is the setting of Pilanesberg National Park - a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago. Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. Its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature.

The area is fringed by three concentric ridges or rings of hills - the formation rises from the surrounding plains like a bubble. The structure of the park is termed the "Pilanesberg National Park Alkaline Ring Complex". The very topography makes the area a feast for the eye. Here are syenite koppies, thickly forested ravines, typical bushveld and rolling grasslands and lightly wooded areas.

Towards the centre of the park is Thabayadiotso, "the Proud Mountain" and the beauty of Pilanesberg is reflected in a large central lake, the Mankwe Dam.

Over time, wind and water have carved a spectacular landscape with rocky outcrops, open grasslands, wooded valleys and thickets.

You can be in the heart of the bush, but still have luxury at your fingertips:
• 76 hotel rooms(including one wheelchair accessible room)
• 1 wheelchair accessible room
• 15kms from Pilanesberg Airport
• Restaurant & bar
• DStv bouquet
• ‘Big Five' viewing
• Guided bush walks & game drives
• Floodlit tennis court
• Action cricket
• Boma
• Children's playground
• Conference facilities for up to 120 delegates
• Internet connectivity in rooms
• Swimming pool
• Internet lounge
• Volley ball
• Nôkô Kalahari Spa
• Shuttle to Sun City
• Touch screen TV in Game office indicating animal sightings

Dining
Our restaurant caters for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We have different themes on different days ranging from African, Indian and Asian. On Wednesday and Saturday nights an option is to book our bush braai at our boma in the park, or enjoy our Chef's carvery in the main restaurant.

Rooms:

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Our 76 air-conditioned, thatched roof, studio rooms curve into a horse-shoe around the outside entertainment areas, huddling visitors in cosy intimacy.

Our studio rooms either have two double beds or one king size bed, en suite bathroom, including a shower, air conditioner, direct dial telephone, tea/coffe machine, colour TV(with DStv bouquet), a hairdryer, plug for electric shaver and internet connetivity.

All hotel rooms have doors leading onto either a balcony or a patio, and have panoramic views of the Park and the Hippo Pool.

Activities:

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Your wildlife experiences are best shared at a blazing campfire, while you marvel at the spectacle of innumerable stars at our exclusive Boma Lapa in the park.

Daytime activities include:
Board games
Table tennis and darts
Outdoor chess
Children's adventure playground
Natural rock-hewn pool
Two floodlit tennis courts
Volleyball court
Action cricket

We offer the following game drive packages (prices per person, on request):
• Game Drive
• Game & Bird Trail (no under 16s)
• Game Drive - Sole Use (for groups of 12 or less)

Walks are available from mid August to mid May. Please consult the Game Department.

Bush Braais
To make your stay memorable we suggest that you include a game drive and bush braai in your itinerary. The bush braai is held in our boma situated 10 minutes from the lodge on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The menu consists of traditional South African dishes. Booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

Bush braais are held on Wednesday and Saturday evenings for all hotel and timeshare guests and operate all year round.

Activities Nearby:
Can be viewed at Pilanesberg Adventures

How to get there:

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See Map
Directions from Fourways, Sandton:
• Travel north along William Nicol Drive to the four-way intersection with Witkoppen Road.
• Turn left into Witkoppen Road towards Lanseria/Roodepoort.
• Turn right at the intersection with Hans Strijdom Extension on the road towards Broederstroom and Lanseria.
• Cross over the Muldersdrift/Diepsloot Road and continue with the R512 towards Broederstroom and Lanseria.
• Cross the bridge over the R28 Krugersdorp/Pretoria highway, pass the Lanseria turnoff and continue straight ahead.
• At the T-junction turn left on the R512 to Magaliesberg.
• Continue on this road until you see the Sun City signboard on your left. Turn right on the R512 to Brits and cross the bridge over Hartebeespoort Dam.
• At the T-junction turn right on the R512 to Brits. Follow directional signs.
• Continue to the four-way stop and turn left on the R512/27 for Brits/Rustenburg.
• Pass the first Brits turnoff. At the signpost R27 Rustenburg/Brits turn right.
• On the bridge turn left towards Rustenburg.
• Continue till you get to the slipway to the left. Take the slipway and continue on the new N4 highway.
• A signboard on the left side of the road indicates Pilanesberg to the left on route 91. Exit left off the highway. At the T-junction turn right and continue on this road to Sun City.
• Once reaching Sun City, go straight past the Zenex garage on your right, after 4km you will see a sign indicating you to turn right to Bakubung, follow the road and it will lead you to the Bakubung Gate.

Directions from Centurion, Pretoria:
• Take the N1 North towards Polokwane.
• Take the N4 Rustenberg Split (tollroad)
• Follow the road straight, a signboard on the left side of the road indicates Pilanesberg to the left on route 91. Exit left off the highway. At the T-junction turn right and continue on this road to Sun City.
• Once reaching Sun City, go straight past the Zenex garage on your right, after 4km you will see a sign indicating you to turn right to Bakubung, follow the road and it will lead you to the Bakubung Gate.

Directions from OR Tambo International Airport:
When leaving OR Tambo International Airport, take the route marked Pretoria (R21) - stay on this road. Follow this dual carriage highway- look out for the Pietersburg/Polokwane (N1) off ramp and follow it. Stay on this road which goes round the east of Pretoria. Pass the Witbank/Pretoria East turnoff.

Take the N4 toll road (Bakwena Platinum HIghway) to Rustenburg- take the Sun City off ramp (R556) and follow the road (over two four way stops ) - watch out for speed traps until you come to Sun City, pass Sun City (on the right) and more or less 4 kms further is a sign to Bakubung Gate. Turn right and follow the road through the village. Enter Bakubung Gate.

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