We have one of the finest restaurants in Oudtshoorn.  Our A La Carte menu offers some of the best cuisine in the Karoo.  Our menu will suit anyone and our wine list has just been awarded the DinersClub Diamond award.

AUTHENTIC KAROO CUISINE
Specializing in authentic Karoo cuisine, the Buffelsdrift Restaurant offers guests a delicious a la carte menu of homemade foods and local fresh produce. As accompaniment, our wine selection consists of some of the best award-winning wines on Route 62, South Africa’s longest wine route.

Our restaurant also expands to the wooden deck, overlooking our 5ha waterhole filled with big fish, turtles and hippo.  If you are lucky, you might even spot the elephants and other game on the opposite bank.

THE RESTAURANT IS AVAILABLE ALL YEAR ROUND FOR CORPORATE AND PRIVATE FUNCTIONS:
Seating for up to 120 people
Grand piano
Fireplace
Outside Wooden deck with views (seating another 100 people)
Professional PA system

BREAKFAST
FROM 07:00 TO 10:00
It is a plated breakfast according to COVID-19 Protocols.

A LA CARTE RESTAURANT
FROM 11:00 TO 22:00
Our shortened COVID a la carte menu is filled with speciality dishes, all authentic to the Karoo. There are many options available for both meat lovers,  vegetarians and gluten intolerant guests.

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers an unique and perfect setting for your conferences in Oudtshoorn, product launch, successful meeting, corporate function and team building session. Our modern conference centreis situated on the edge of a natural waterhole with a wide wooden deck – the perfect atmosphere to promote the sharing of information and where productive and innovative thinking can take place.

Enjoy break sessions out on the deck beside the 5ha dam, in thelookout lounge and/or in the A la Carte restaurant. We offer numerousactivities such as bush safaris, meerkat safaris and elephant excursions, all supervised by trained professionals.

Our Game Lodge has a total of 34 luxury air-conditioned tents with en suite bathrooms and private outdoor showers. Each unit has a view over the dam and the Swartberg Mountains and accommodates 2 delegates,either in twin or king size beds.

Our modern Conference Venue with all the latest AV technology and fully air-conditioned, can accommodate up to 100 delegates in Cinema style. The Conference venue is situated overlooking a natural waterhole. Teambuilding and incentive programs can be arranged.
*Package available on request.

•  Morning and afternoon bush safari drives
•  Night drives
•  Meerkat Safaris – not suitable for children under 8 years
•  Elephant Walk and Feeding Experience
•  Elephant Feeding Experience
•  Elephant Brushing and Feeding Experience
•  Star Gazing
•  Lion Feeding Experience

Helipad

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge launched their newly built helipad on the 28th November 2006. In association with On Air Helicopters we can now offer our guests the opportunity of flying along the Garden Route.

Open-Air Bar

Make yourself at home with a refreshing cocktail at our open-air bar or choose a suitable spot on the deck nearby. Look out over the dam to the towering Swartberg Mountains in the background

Gift Shop

The Gift Shop, located in the reception area is a reflection of the best local arts and crafts from the area and provide the tourist with an interesting selection. Beautiful, stylish leather products and a varied range of clothing is also available.

Lookout Lounge

Enjoy the spectacular views on offer at Buffelsdrift from the elevated vantage point of the Lookout Lounge. With its lovely big fireplace for those cold winter nights. Also equipped with a plasma television for those sport enthusiasts.

Swimming Pool

A residents-only swimming pool with deck chairs is conveniently located near the tents. The pool overlooks our waterhole and great Swartberg Mountains. To avoid disturbing the wildlife, no swimming is allowed in the waterhole. Fresh drinking water and towels are provided at the swimming pool hut.

Restaurant

The Buffelsdrift Restaurant offers an à la carte or buffet menu that specializes in local Karoo cuisine – homemade preserves, chutney, pickles – fresh produce and herbs from the area as well as a variety of freshly baked oven bread. The selected wine list is a true representation of excellent South African wine and offers guests some of the best award-winning wines on the R62 – the longest wine route in South Africa. This venue is available for functions – corporate as well as family celebrations – all year round.

• Internet access & TV in Conference Room
• Facsimile & Photocopy facilities available at Reception
• Free Wifi available

The Elephant Lapa ensures an even greater bushveld experience with facilities catering for traditional South African braai’s beneath the brilliant Klein Karoo night skyline. The Elephant Lapa is a thatched roof construction with smooth cement flooring and an open bar area. The rock finished exterior provides a rugged, earthy feel which blends effortlessly into the natural surroundings.

Bush Safaris

“We call it Bush Safaris, as our guides are trained to not only educate our guests on our wide variety of animals, but also about our bird and plant species..”
– Andries van Schalkwyk | Managing Director

During our bush safaris ( game drives ), you can expect to experience true Karoo vegetation from our open game viewing vehicles. Our wide range of animals include Hippo, Giraffe, Eland, Zebra, Buffalo, Springbok and much more.  The duration of our bush safaris is ± 2 hours.  About midway through the safari, there is a refreshment break at one of our scenic lookout points.  These offer 360° panoramic views of the area as well as the Swartberg Mountains.

Bush Safari Times:

• 1 October to 30 April
  07:00 and 17:00 In house guests
  09:00 and 15:00 Day Visitors
• 1 May to 30 September
  09:00 and 15:00 In house guests and Day Visitors

This is definitely a highlight at the lodge. Guests can marvel at the Karoo sunset from our Spioenkop viewpoint while having a refreshing beverage. Guests will be lucky to spot some of our 22 different animal species on their way to the viewpoint.
The perfect way to end a glorious day.

Night Drives

At Buffelsdrift Game Lodge we offer night drives not only to our residents but to the public as well. A night drive is a safari that happens at night with the help of powerful spotlights to see the different animals. The two-hour night drive offers guest an opportunity to spot the elusive “Shy five” of Buffelsdrift Game Lodge – caracal, genet, porcupine, aardvark, and aardwolf. The open game drive safari vehicle offers to witness other wildlife species such as hippo’s grazing, Giraffes, Buffalo, Cape Mountain Zebra, Sable, Eland and much more. About midway through the night drive, there is a refreshment break where you can enjoy the renowned Klein Karoo night skies. The advantage of a night drive is that it provides access to nocturnal species that are rarely seen during the day, and there is a greater probability of seeing them hunt at night.

Maximum number of 10 guests per night drive
Blankets are provided
Hot beverages will be served on refreshment break

Night Drive Times:

• 1 October to 30 April – 20:00
• 1 May to 30 September – 19:00

Cango Caves

29km from Oudtshoorn, at the head of the picturesque Cango Valley, lies the spectacular underground wonder of the Klein Karoo – the Cango Caves. Situated in a limestone ridge parallel to the well known Swartberg Mountains, you will find the finest dripstone caverns, with their vast halls and towering formations. 

Cango Ostrich Farm

Cango Ostrich Show Farm is located in the lush Cango Valley, Schoemanshoek, 14km outside of Oudtshoorn on the main route towards the world famous Cango Caves, making it easy to find and making your trip more time efficient.

Gamkaskloof Valley

Gamkaskloof, also known as “the Hell”, is a fascinating valley near Prince Albert, where a small, proud community lived in isolation for more than 100 years. Access was on foot and horseback and harvests of dried fruit and wild honey were carried out by pack animals.

Karusa Winery

Karusa Vineyard is nestled in the tranquil village of Schoemanshoek, en-route to the world-famous Cango Caves from the Little Karoo town of Oudtshoorn. Well-known for its Cap Classique and Mediterranean-styled wines, Karusa is a family-operated and managed Southern Cape Premium Wine producer.

Safari Ostrich Show Farm 

Safari Ostrich Show Farm is an operating farm where visitors will see large flocks of ostriches at different stages of development in the surrounding fields. Visitors are assured of personal attention and upon their arrival are greeted by one of our multi-lingual guides who will, during the course of the tour explain every aspect of ostrich farming, from breeding to rearing.

Swartberg Mountain Nature Reserve

Swartberg Nature Reserve lies in the Oudtshoorn district between the Great and Klein Karoo, forming a narrow, but long, stretch of 121 000 hectares. It is bordered by the Gamkapoort Nature Reserve immediately to the north (8000ha) and Towerkop Nature Reserve immediately to the west (51 000ha).

Join us daily at dawn to witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, just in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities. Meerkats are also referred to as the Suricate or in German as the Erdmännchen and are known to be part of the Mongoose family. They are small species of foraging mammals that’s usually found inhabiting the harsh conditions of the open and arid, semi-desert plains in Southern Africa.   Meerkats are known for their upright stance and their sociable behaviour. Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is situated in the heart of the Klein Karoo and offers the ideal environment and vegetation for Meerkats to thrive.

The Meerkat Safaris at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge will bring you up close to these amazing animals.  A trained ranger will meet our guests in the Lookout Lounge, where they will enjoy a warm cup of coffee and rusks, before heading to the Safari vehicle by which they will be taken to the Meerkat burrows. On the way to the burrows guests are usually lucky to spot some of the 22 species of animals on the reserve. As there are dangerous animals like Buffalo and Hippo on the reserve, the guests remain on the vehicle while waiting for the Meerkats to emerge at the break of dawn.  The ranger will educate the guests on all the interesting facts and behaviour throughout the experience.

General  Guidlines:

• These are wild habituated Meerkats and will not be touched or handled by humans, including the ranger.
• The distance from the Meerkats and the guests will at all times be determined by the ranger and respected by the guests.
• Maximum of 16 guests per vehicle.
• Maximum of 2 vehicles per day.
• No children under the age of eight years.
• Advanced bookings only.
• Please call Lodge day before activity to reconfirm departure time.

Winter Times Daily from ±07:30 weather permitting (duration ± 1-2 hours)
Summer Times Daily from ±05:30 weather permitting (duration ± 1-2 hours) 

Please note:  Weather permitting

On sunny mornings our meerkats wake up on time, but conditions such as rain and cold overcast mornings can delay the meerkats to emerge from their burrows for the morning. Meerkats prefer clear sunny mornings.  Thus, in the event of above mentioned weather conditions, there is a possibility that we will not see the meerkats or that the meerkat safari can be cancelled.

Currently Buffelsdrift Game Lodge has embarked on an extensive Meerkat research program. Volunteers at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge will be utilized to help the ranger with data collection and behaviour observations.  For more information, visit our Volunteer Program. 

Guests will be transported in a game vehicle to the 5ha lion enclosure where they will see our lions (Shumba, Tonga and Safia) close-up from the elevated view point. A trained game ranger will feed the lions while guests view them. It is advisable to have a camera at hand. Furthermore, the game ranger will fully inform the guests regarding important aspects of lions in general.

General Guidelines:

•  These are wild Lions and will not be touched or handled by humans, including the rangers.
•  Maximum of 20 guests per Lion experience. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.
•  Duration of the Lion viewing experience may vary depending on their behaviour (± 1-2 hours)

Daily from 09H30 & 15h00.

None of our elephants have been taken from the wild for captivity. The three elephants were orphaned when the adults were poached. Our elephants come from circumstances that if we did not intervene they would not be alive today. We did not choose this life for them but we rather chose to give them the best possible life within our means with the best possible love and care.
Early bookings for an Elephant Experience are essential as our elephants are very popular. Clients should arrive 15 minutes prior to activity. Activity will automatically be cancelled if clients arrive 15 minutes after booked time and will have to wait for the next time slot.

Elephant Feeding
Hourly from 09:00 to 16:00 depending on availability.
While feeding our elephants you will experience them (Jabari, Malaika and Bulelo) up close and personal.  You will find they may be huge, but are gentle as can be.  You may feed them, touch them and take photos with them while our skilled elephant guides share their knowledge of these gentle giants with you.  Afterwards they will even reward you with an elephant hug as a special goodbye.

Elephant Brushing and Feeding
Daily – 09:00 & 16:00 Depending if there is a walk or feeding booked.
How often do you get the opportunity to brush an elephant? Well, here at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge you can brush our 3 elephants. They have been trained and are truly gentle. Enjoy and be part of an elephants natural, daily routine and also be educated on the importance of brushing an elephant. This is a unique, fun and unforgettable experience.

Elephant Walking and Feeding 
Daily – 08:00 & 15:00 Depending if there is a brush or feeding booked.
Take a leisurely stroll with our elephants in the early morning or late afternoon.  This is a great way to take in some of our Karoo beauty whilst walking with the biggest land mammals on earth. Afterwards you may feed them, touch them and take photos with them.

Meet our Elephants 
Our 3 African Elephants are orphans from the Kruger National Park.  Their parents were poached. We are fortunate that they ended up here at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge as they are true gentle giants and have great personalities. Elephants are very affectionate and caring animals. You will immediately experience this when visiting ours. You are welcome to ask our elephant guides as many questions as you like.

The Klein Karoo is renowned for its clear, unpolluted night skies offering fantastic stargazing evenings. At Buffelsdrift we seize every opportunity to present the “High five” to our valued guests. Join us for a fascinating one-hour tour of the Southern Celestial Hemisphere every evening.

Some of the things you will see & Learn more about:

• Our Solar System
• Galaxies
• Stars
• Constellations
• Planets
• Globular Clusters
• and other interesting observations

For centuries civilizations have used the stars and moon for navigation and yet, we know so little!
Great weather all year round and plenty of sunshine promises spectacular views and great outdoor living.

A residents-only swimming pool with deck chairs is conveniently located near the tents. The pool overlooks our waterhole and great Swartberg Mountains. To avoid disturbing the wildlife, no swimming is allowed in the waterhole.  Fresh drinking water and towels are provided at the swimming pool hut.

The Spa @ Buffelsdrift is situated at the foot of the Swartberg Mountains, South Africa’s 6th World Heritage Site, on Buffelsdrift Game Lodge.  Situated 6.5km outside Oudtshoorn en route to the Cango Caves. At the Spa you will find a view of pristine Bushveld and lush vegetation overlooking a 5ha dam with hippos and more than 217 bird species.

The Spa @ Buffelsdrift has 3 permanent therapists of which 2 at a time are onsite that are professionally trained to provide the feeling one gets of being in nature with a relaxing and revitalizing treatment. Choose your preferred massage, treatment or facial and be amazed by the view over the waterhole, sounds of wildlife and relaxing soft music in the background.

AFRICAN TREATMENTS
HAND AND FOOT TREATMENTS

CALABASH FOOT TREATMENT
| 30 MINUTES – R280.00
Sink deep into relaxation with an unforgettable foot massage. This experience, combined with sun-baked Kalahari Calabashes and aromatic fragrance oils, soothes tired and aching feet.

TSAMMA HAND TREATMENT
| 30 MINUTES – R280.00
Refresh and unwind with the delicate aroma of Tsamma (indigenous Kalahari watermelon) and the infused fragrance of fresh wild grasses. Relax and welcome the feeling of richly nourished hands and nails. Kalahari Tsamma Hand Treatment is ideal for dry, thirsty skin.

AFRICAN MASSAGES
BACK, NECK AND SHOULDER MASSAGE
| 30 MINUTES – R350.00 | 45 MINUTES – R485.00
Escape to the dunes of the Kalahari Desert with this deeply relaxing, back, neck and shoulder massage.

FULL BODY MASSAGE
| 60 MINUTES – R600.00
Experience complete relaxation with our signature Full Body Massage. Botanical oils in combination with unique massage movements not only enhance skin tone but relieve muscle tension.

HOT STONE FULL BODY MASSAGE
| 60 MINUTES – R700.00
Experience complete relaxation with our signature Hot Stone Full Body Massage. Botanical oils in combination with unique massage movements not only enhance skin tone but relieve muscle tension.

PREGNANCY FULL BODY MASSAGE
| 60 MINUTES – R600.00
Experience complete relaxation with our signature Full Body Massage for a pregnant woman. Botanical oils in combination with unique massage movements not only enhance skin tone but relieve muscle tension.

AFRICAN HEAD & NECK MASSAGE
| 15 MINUTES – R200.00 |  30 MINUTES – R300.00
A unique head massage incorporated with movements, techniques and sensations to restore body, mind and soul.

AFRICAN EXFOLIATION
TREATMENTS

FULL BODY EXFOLIATION
| 30 MINUTES – R400.00
BACK EXFOLIATION
| 20 MINUTES – R250.00
Unveil lustrously smooth skin with Kalahari Desert Salt Crystals and a hydrating blend of nourishing botanical oils. Buff away dry dull skin to reveal your unique desert glow.

COCOON WRAP
| 45 MINUTES – R600.00
The Kalahari Botanical clay mask used for the Cocoon Wrap is a very unique mineral and botanical based body mask, which can be used as a 2-in-1 exfoliator and mask. The antioxidant rich powder base is infused with extracts from Red Bush Tea, giving it a distinct, natural and refreshing smell. Soft vegetable based beads enhance gentle exfoliation and stimulates blood circulation.

FULL BODY EXFOLIATION & COCOON WRAP
| 60 MINUTES – R800.00
Combine the Desert Glow Exfoliation and Desert Glow Body Wrap for an ultimate body and skin renewal experience. This combination will leave your skin restored with stimulated blood circulation and a desert glow.

FULL BODY EXFOLIATION, COCOON WRAP & FULL BODY MASSAGE 
| 120 MINUTES – R1500.00
Combine the Desert Glow Exfoliation, Desert Glow Body Wrap and Full Body Massage for an ultimate body and skin renewal experience. This combination will leave your skin restored with stimulated blood circulation and a desert glow.

HANDS AND FEET
MANICURE
| 60 MINUTES – R400.00 HYDROGEL 
Treat your hands with a revitalising Tsamma ritual including an exfoliation and massage.

MINI-MANICURE
| 40 MINUTES – R300.00 HYDROGEL 
Cut, file & paint.

PERFECT PEDICURE
| 60 MINUTES – R450.00 HYDROGEL
Treat your feet to rejuvenating calabash sole survival with a unique enzymatic foot exfoliation and massage.

MINI-PEDICURE
| 40 MINUTES – R300.00 HYDROGEL
Cut, file & paint.

SOAK OFF
| 15-30 MINUTES – R100.00
AFRICAN FACIALS
HYDRATING HONEYBUSH FACIAL
| 45 MINUTES – R500.00
Sink into deep relaxation with our unique Kalahari Facial that revitalises dull and dehydrated skin. The skin will be left silky-smooth and deeply moisturised. The treatment is recommended in weekly or two weekly treatments.

PHYTO COMPOUNDING FACIAL
| 60 MINUTES – R600.00
Phyto treatments stimulates and increase cell repair with Phyto effective plant oils and focused botanical extracts. A treatment for visible firming, brightening and skin rejuvenation effect.

FACIAL ENHANCEMENTS
AFRICAN BOABAB EYE LIFT | R150.00
EYEBROW SHAPING | R65.00
EYEBROW TINT | R65.00
LASH TINT | R65.00
 

BUFFELSDRIFT GAME LODGE IS UNIQUE FOR ITS SETTING, BREATHTAKING VIEWS OF THE SWARTBERG MOUNTAIN, VAST KLEIN KAROO PLAINS AND BLUE SKIES AS A NATURAL BACKDROP
– a photographer’s dream to capture the special moments for the bride and groom to treasure! The charming Karoo Wedding Chapel is situated on the edge of a natural water hole with a wide wooden deck as entrance to the intimate little chapel.

The wedding venue in Oudtshoorn is ideal for romantic country weddings and a dream come true for those who prefer natural surroundings and tranquility  The deck is an extension to the restaurant and this creates a beautiful space for wedding guests to take their seats and witness the couple exchanging their wedding vows.

Ice-cold sundowners served on the lookout deck next to the open-air bar mark the end of a perfect day with the sun setting over the mountains. Each wedding is unique and we make each one an unforgettable experience for both you and your guests.

A Karoo Wedding Chapel
This quaint wooden chapel is situated on the edge of a natural water hole with a wide wooden deck as entrance to the intimate little chapel. The deck is an extension to the restaurant and this creates a beautiful space for wedding guests to take their seats and witness the couple exchanging their wedding vows.
*Package prices on request

Bush Wedding
For a smaller wedding, the ceremony can take place under thorn tree bushes with some of our resident elephants as witnesses. This package includes use of the conference room for the reception and a complimentary honeymoon suite with breakfast and a bush safari for the newlyweds.
*Package prices on request.

We offer three different Packages:

1. Buffalo Wedding Package - Including 50  x B&B and Chapel Use – Private wedding
2. Complete Wedding Package - Including 50  x B&B with Bush Safari and Chapel Use – Private wedding
3. Elephant Wedding Package - Wedding with the Elephants as witnesses – Smaller weddings – outside Including B&B and Bush safari for bride and groom