Hi everyone!
What an experience!
My weekend was everything I expected it to be and A THOUSAND TIMES MORE!
We left for Oudtshoorn at about 17:00 Friday afternoon. On arrival at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge we got a warm welcome and immediately felt welcome.
Our guide was already there to assist and welcome us at the parking lot. Our luggage was taken to our luxury tent and all we had to do was to enjoy the spectacular views from the elevated vantage point of the Lookout Lounge. The lounge offers a lovely big fireplace for those cold winter nights. Overlooking the beautiful dam next to which the whole Lodge was built, we sat and enjoyed the company of the friendly and professional staff of Buffelsdrift.
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge offers guests to this luxury game farm an Open-air bar, Gift Shop, Restaurant, Swimming Pool, Elephant Feeding Experience, Elephant Walk Safaris, Horseback Safaris and Bush Safaris.
You can enjoy a refreshing cocktail while overlooking the dam to the towering Swartberg Mountain in the background at the Open-air Bar. There is a gift shop located in the reception area that reflects the best of local arts and crafts. A variety of beautiful, stylish leather products and a range of clothing are also available.
The lodge offers guests 25-tented units. Each has its own wooden deck where guests can relax, admire the view and spot the game. You have a choice of Superior or Luxury accommodation.
The Superior Accommodation is situated on the waters edge with a wooden sundeck overlooking the dam, while the Luxury Accommodation is situated just a few meters away from the waters edge with beautiful mountain and dam views. All units offer fully en-suite bathrooms with a private outdoor shower with hot and cold water. The tent is equipped with a dual air-conditioning unit to cool you on those hot summer Karoo days & warmth on those chilly winter days. Also provided are tea/coffee facilities, digital safe, mini bar, hairdryer and telephone.
Saturday morning we had breakfast in The Buffelsdrift Restaurant. They had a bit of everything and we enjoyed our scrumptious meal while overlooking over the dam. The restaurant offers an à la carte or buffet menu that specializes in local Karoo cuisine – homemade preserves, chutney, and 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
After our scrumptious breakfast, it was time to meet the 3 elephants on Buffelsdrift. With the elephant feeding experience we got the opportunity to interact and feed the elephants. Getting to know these gentle giants by name and their meanings from close up, feel the texture of their skin, scratch behind their ears and sit on an elephant’s knee, was an experience we will never forget. We even had the chance to see how our giant friends play soccer.
During our weekend at Oudtshoorn we also had the chance to visit Le Petit Karoo Ranch and Wilgewandel Holiday Farm.
We headed to Le Petit Karoo Ranch, only 4km from Buffelsdrift Game Lodge. Le Petit offers you horseback rides and whether it’s your first time near a horse or you are a professional rider, they will suit your needs. We walked the Labyrinth and for the first time in a very long time we experienced a peacefulness within us. Even after trying we couldn't’t think of anything. We relaxed in a way we never thought was possible. Labyrinths exist thousands of years and have been found on all the continents. They are meant to be walked silently as in an active meditation. The idea is that walking the pattern will bring balance back to your physical body. Le Petit Karoo Ranch offers you first and foremost an experience in nature, but with all the comfort you deserve! It is with great pleasure that Pascal and Florence will greet you at Le Petit Karoo Ranch.
Wilgewandel Holiday Farm is only 2km from the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn. Here we were greeted by 3 new members to the Wilgewandel Camel Family. The 3 new camels arrived last week and were still very new, but we are sure that Josef, Thabo and Nelson will soon feel as loved as the rest of the animals on the farm.
Our experience of the weekend at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, Le Petit Karoo Ranch and Wilgewandel Holiday Farm was one we will remember forever!
