Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Sable Road R40, Kruger National Park 1380 South Africa
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About
#23 of 113 lodges in Kruger National Park
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Owner/Manager team Steve & Nicole Baillie would like to invite you to visit Toro Yaka Bush Lodge. This special lodge is nestled in the heart of the Balule Nature Reserve, a 38 000 hectare conservancy, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park area. ToroYaka means “My Dream” in Northern Sotho, one of South Africa’s local languages, and the creation of Toro Yaka Bush Lodge has fulfilled the dreams of Steve and Nicole, by establishing a haven of peace and tranquility from which to share their passion for nature. The lodge has been designed in a modern elegant style, with a relaxed atmosphere, allowing guests to sit back, relax and feel at home. The four en-suite double rooms ensure tranquillity and comfort at all times. Steve is now a trainer/instructor in a nearby reserve, you might see him during your stay. Nicole is a qualified holistic massage therapist and takes care of all the tiny details. Amore is at Nicole's side assisting in the runnings of the lodge. Mike, your guide, has been working as a guide for a decade. His passion and enthusiasm for nature is inspiring. Together with the Toro Yaka Staff, they will ensure your stay to be a memorable one. Balule is home to a large variety of plants and animals. From the smallest spider to the largest elephant, from the tiniest flower to a 1000-year-old leadwood tree, owls at night and eagles by day, every aspect of the ecosystem is explored. The Olifants River, which flows year-round through the Balule, is home to hippos and crocodiles, and the whole area is one of scenic splendour, with the northern tip of the Drakensberg mountain range being visible from many points. Together with all of this, Toro Yaka Bush Lodge offers you good home-cooked food, friendly service, warm South African Hospitality and loads of enthusiasm
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Property amenities
Free parking
Public wifi
Pool
Yoga room
Poolside bar
Patio
Walking tours
Airport transportation
Secured parking
Pool / beach towels
Infinity pool
Pool with view
Outdoor pool
Restaurant
Breakfast buffet
Complimentary Instant Coffee
Complimentary tea
Complimentary welcome drink
Outdoor dining area
Special diet menus
Wine / champagne
Board games / puzzles
Foot massage
Full body massage
Massage
Neck massage
Open-air bath
Baggage storage
Gift shop
Mosquito net
Outdoor fireplace
Outdoor furniture
Sun deck
Sun loungers / beach chairs
First aid kit
Umbrella
Private check-in / check-out
Clothes dryer
Laundry service
Washing machine
Ironing service
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Room features
Blackout curtains
Bathrobes
Air conditioning
Desk
Housekeeping
Coffee / tea maker
Cable / satellite TV
Walk-in shower
Interconnected rooms available
Private balcony
Safe
Wardrobe / wardrobe
Clothes rack
Laptop safe
Wake-up service / alarm clock
Refrigerator
Electric kettle
Bath / shower
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Hidden Gem
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, German, Xhosa
Location
440Reviews9Q+A70Room tips
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+1
This was our fifth visit to Toro Yaka since 2013 and once again it was an amazing experience. As a keen photographer I am always amazed by the incredible and intimate sightings- Wes is a superb guide and and is highly respectful of the animals. He will get you into the best positions for safe viewing. Nicole and the staff continue to prepare food of the highest standard and will treat you like family. There are so many elephants in Olifants West at the moment and it was a joy to watch them rom the swimming pool at the waterhole along with giraffe, zebra, and impala. We will return!
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Date of stay: April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
I enjoyed my stay at toro yaka bush lodge to the fullest! the staff was very friendly and courteous. the rooms were always clean and the food was extremely good! 😍 i enjoyed the drives and the morning walk (encountered lions) .i’ll come back for sure!
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Date of stay: May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
This was our fourth stay at Toro Yaka. It is a favourite place for me and for our whole family. Even now in Covid-times Nicole and Steve and there staff manage to keep up the high standard. This is luxury in a special way. Not flashy at all but all the details are well thought out and you feel really special. If you are looking for a place to be pampered and where you are really, truly close to the bush, go to Toro Yaka and have the time of your life. We will be back!!
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Date of stay: January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from , Owner at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 23 Jan 2022
Thank you, for your your kind Review. We always love having you stay with us, and we look forward too next time.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Toro Yaka exceeded expectations - and after an amazing first trip 6 years ago, expectations were high! Nicole is an amazing host. Lodge staff are efficient and friendly. Guides (Stephan and Coenraad during our 8 day stay) were exceptional and accommodating to our interests. What stood out the most about Stephan and Coenraad was their passion for nature and their willingness and desire to share it. It was infectious — especially the giggles that possessed them upon seeing a baby steenbok or discovering a nest of baby grey go-away birds! Big or small, animal or plant, footprint or scat, the education they shared with our group of 5 was phenomenal. The lodge is small, intimate but private, and well laid out. The small infinity pool is an oasis in warm weather overlooking the…
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Date of stay: September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from , Owner at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 07 Nov 2021
Thank you for your review. It was so great having you here with us again.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
Wonderful African gem. Super friendly and helpful Team who felt like family by the time we left. Super knowledgeable Guides. And the food … hard to describe the dishes prepared to perfection. We will be back and won’t wait 16 years again. 👏👏👏
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Date of stay: October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from , Owner at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 07 Nov 2021
Thank you Jennifer. It was great seeing you again
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
After 18 months of not travelling, we decided it was time to go back to South Africa. And of course we wouldn't go to South Africa without staying at the best lodge in the Greater Kruger area: Toro Yaka Bush Lodge. And it was even better than we remembered. We had the most amazing time here. Apparently we now belong to the most fortunately people in the world, because we spent an afternoon with a juvenile Pel's fishing owl. The baby was first in a tree, but than decided to fly to the rock in the water to give us a full sighting. And just after sunset, the mum or dad also came back, so we could see the adult owl as well. We hope to see them again next time we are at Toro Yaka. But this wasn't the only great game viewing. We were very very lucky with seeing animals. The game…
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Date of stay: September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from , Owner at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 07 Nov 2021
Thank you Iris. It was a fun week
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We had a very special time at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge. Nicole and her staff spoil their guests with attention to detail in everything that they do. The rooms are stunning with a private patio surrounded by the bush. The lodge is not fenced and one can really experience nature even from your private outdoor shower. There is an abundance of bird life around the lodge and some resident bush babies who are so cute. From the pool deck you have a view of the waterhole where there is always something happening. The game drives were amazing. It was a blessing to experience nature and learn more about birds, plants and animals. The guides are so passionate and love their work. After the evening game drive Nicole and the dogs were waiting for us with lanterns. The meals were delicious. For…
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Date of stay: April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from , Owner at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 11 May 2021
Thank you. We are so pleased to hear that you enjoyed your stay with us.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
This was our second stay here and if possible the standard has been raised. Nicole, Amore and the team make the accommodation and atmosphere really peaceful and enjoyable taking a genuine interest in their guests and making them feel very much at home. The food alone is worth the trip. In relation to the game drives, Mike shows his expert tracking skills and knowledge of the wild animals and keeps Andrew on his toes as spotter. These are not just a drive around a reserve but a complete education in the whole eco system and a better understanding of the African bush. You really do take away some memorable pictures and memories.
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Date of stay: January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from toroyakabushlodge, Manager at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 14 Feb 2020
Hi John! Thank you for your kind words - they're always good to hear! It was a pleasure having you with us, best regards to Susan as well. Awesome review - thanks again. The Toro Yaka Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We travelled as a party of four in November 2019. From the moment we arrived to the time we left there was nothing we could give a negative comment about. Getting ready early in the morning at 0430 to hear the lions roaring to finding elephants and giraffes right outside the lodge gates was surreal. The two drives a day were absolutely amazing. Mike is such an a fantastic driver (his off road skills phenomenal), tracker and a complete font of all knowledge from the tiny to the large species. Andrew who was there sitting up front also was great with his navigating and expertise. We were very lucky to see some fantastic animals and even on the drives when we didn't see many big ones Mike always found us something interesting to see (not everyday you see a dung beetle at…
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Date of stay: November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from toroyakabushlodge, Manager at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 30 Jan 2020
Dear Tamasin, Erin, Isaac & Darren Thank you so much for the awesome review. It may be an odd thing, but we're so glad you got to see the little dung beetles at work. We have so many guests arrive at the wrong time of the year wanting to see them! We look forward to seeing you all again someday (we've got a special running for the month of June ;)) Warm regards to all. The Toro Yaka Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
+1
It was our 2nd time at Toro Yaka. We stayed 8 nights. It is our home away from home. Large rooms, stunning game drives, delicious food, lovely people ❤️ A quiet, peaceful, nature elated place. Relax, listen to the sound of the bush and enjoy the food and game drives. Staff is amazing, friendly, feels like family. Game drives are not like „take a Photo, Next stop“. They are to create memories. These memories we will carry in our hearts, forever. Nicole, Amore, Mike, Andrew, Brenda, Goodman and the rest of the Team: Thank you! Keep up that good work. We will return, for sure! With Love, Dane & Jan
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Date of stay: November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Response from toroyakabushlodge, Manager at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 26 Dec 2019
Hi Dane & Jan, Firstly, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year <3 Thank you for your kind words, it was a pleasure having the two of you stay with us. We hope to see you again soon. Warmest regards, The Toro Yaka Family
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkBalule Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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