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
We had 7 wonderful days at Toro Yaka and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The Hosts Steve and Nicole and the guides Tim, Serena and Chat and the rest of the staff were all amazing, the room was very comfortable the food was beautifully presented and delicious and the service level was way beyond any expectations. I would highly recommend this lodge, I think the fact this was our third visit speaks volumes. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy the unfolding bush from your little gem in the bush. We will definitely be back.
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Date of stay: August 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.
Response from , Owner at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 28 Aug 2022
Thank you Des
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Wow. What a wonderful place to stay. It’s like being a guest in someone’s home. Thank you Nicole and team for a marvellous week. The little touches make a huge difference. E.g. Joining your guests for dinner, printed stories. The guides are knowledgeable and work with other local guides to ensure you get to see the wildlife as close as they can get you (and it can be close) without too many vehicles crowding the animals. Amazing. Wonderful food that catered extremely well for everyone’s dietary needs. Thank you.
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Date of stay: September 2024
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.
Response from , Owner at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 13 Oct 2024
Thank you, Linda. We enjoyed having you stay with us.
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We have now been to the ToroYaka Bush Lodge for the second time, this time for 7 days and certainly not the last. It is simply "feeling good from the first to the last moment" with Nicole and her fantastic team. In addition to the beautiful rooms, the pool with a view of the waterhole where impalas, warthogs and elephants appeared several times a day, the extremely delicious meals should also be mentioned! The daily highlights, however, were the game drives. With Stephan and Chat, every trip was an experience. In addition to the "Big 5", animals such as birds, snakes and chameleons also received attention. Simply a great experience. Theo and Cilly
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Date of stay: March 2024
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.
Impeccable service. Very delicious food, perfect cleanliness and organization. The owner, Nicole, is extremely careful with details. Very friendly and attentive staff. The Safari guides, Stephan and Chatt, are very patient and prepared.
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Date of stay: November 2023
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.
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
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I can't say enough great things about Toro Yaka and their staff. We felt welcome immediately, the food was amazing, and our room was very comfortable. But the best part was the game drives. Stephan and Chet were extremely knowledgeable, and worked hard to find the animals. I would highly recommend Toro Yaka!!
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Date of stay: April 2024
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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.
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 drives and game walks were filled with many of the big 5 and other amazing animals. One of our game walks will go into the books as epic! We will never ever forget this morning. Thanks guys!!!
But of course the best part of this lodge are the owners and the very knowledgeable guides. And the food, don't get me started on the food. It is all so delicious.
What we love is that it is not massive. Just a few rooms. Very intimate. And that gives you a change to meet the few other guests too. We made friends for life here. And the rooms are spacious, beautiful and with an amazing view of the bush. What could we possibly need more?
We loved every second of our stay at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge. We want to return as soon as possible.
I can't recommend this lodge enough! It is the best place to be. And always add one more night to your booking. Thrust me, you will thank me later!!!!
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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.
Response from , Owner at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge
Responded 07 Nov 2021
Thank you Iris. It was a fun week
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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.
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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Great food and great safaris with top notch guides ! The team at Toro Yaka made everyone feel right at home. The team was super accommodating and the rooms are nicely appointed. Thank you to Nicole and the team at Toro Yaka for an unforgettable experience! The lodge was conveniently located; close to town and Eastgate airport.
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Date of stay: August 2024
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.
Hoedspruit, South Africa5 contributions1 helpful vote
Hello,
Thank you for contacting me.
I am not allowed to give out contact information via this site.
Either I can assist you here, or enquire via our website
Nicole
Hello Bridget,
Thank you for the enquiry.
All our safari activities (game drives and bush walks) are conducted in the Balule Nature Reserve.
We can organise days trip stop the Kruger National Park if you like.
The Closest airport is Hoedspruit airport. SA Express has 2 flights daily between OR Tambo and Hoedspruit airport.
If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me.
Kind Regards,
Nicole
I went in April weather still warm but not too hot to enjoy the safari. you stay at the lodge and then pay for as many drives as you want. They normally have one early morning and one early evening.
i am not sure of the costs my south african friends who i stayed with in Krugersdorp sorted the bookings etc for me.
as it is a fairly small lodge and independently owned you will be very well looked after . Hope this helps
There are more places to choose from in the Balule Nature Reserve area.
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkBalule Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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