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#3 of 18 in Balule Nature Reserve
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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
Complimentary toiletries
Hair dryer
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Room types
Pool view
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL STYLE
Romantic
Charming
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans, German, Xhosa
Hotel links
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We have been there as our start into honeymoon. Main reason for our booking was the guide we already known from our last visit at balule. So all the 12 gamedrives have been absolutly fantastic again! If you‘re looking for speeddating the big five, it might be the wrong place for you. It is more a rich and peaceful experience to spend time with the animals you see. It was georges and fullfilling on every single gamedrive with Michael and Brandon. We had so much fun and saw great things with the animals we found. The lodge itself is another great place with lovley people! It is the most quite and peaceful place on earth! The food is over the top and the service is at 5star level. We will come back for sure, as soon as possible. So, we owe you guys a lot, thanks for having us…
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Date of stay: September 2017
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Quite simply, I couldn't begin to imagine how our stay could have been any better. The entire experience from arrival, to the food, to the beautiful room, to the amazing bush drives was absolute perfection. Nicole and the staff at Toro Yaka were welcoming and friendly. Michael and Brandon guided the bush drives and were an outstanding team...they took such good care of us. They all made our visit to South Africa unforgettable. If you are going to the Kruger area, you must visit this lodge...you won't be disappointed!
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Date of stay: September 2017
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I was talked in to this vacation by friends and once I experienced it I can't imagine a better vacation. It was amazing!! Steve and Nicole are amazing hosts. Nicole's attention to detail and menu served could not be surpassed. I thought we were at a Michelin starred establishment all week without the snobbery. Healthy and fresh! The staff are attentive and friendly, Nicole has trained them very well. Steve and Brendon were our guide and tracker providing us with an experience in the bush I could never imagine day after day. The guest rooms surpassed my expectations and our bed time stories were just one of many things to look forward to every day. We were here for 5 nights of heaven, you just can't experience that level in less than 4 nights. A shorter time will leave…
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Date of stay: August 2017
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Toro Yaka is a wonderful place where you can just relax and listen to the sounds of the bush. Nicole and Steve and their wonderful team made my stay very enjoyable. The room and meals were spot on and the game drives hosted by Mike were very special and adventure packed. So much to see and photos to take.
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Date of stay: June 2017
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+1
Loved the calm, authentic, engaged and personal experience at Toro Yaka. Hosts and all staff are exceptionally friendly, and Toro Yaka takes pride in hosting only 8-12 guests at a time in order to provide a personal experience. They clearly love the bush and life in the bush - and share their passion with us guests :) And they learned our names already on day 1! Our party of four (parents and two teenagers) stayed for 5 nights and went on 1-2 game drives every day, wonderfully guided by Mike on both driving and walking safaris. He knows incredible amounts of information about the bush and every animal, tree and flower! Saw a lot of animals incl big fives, seems Mike spot the wetter than the other rangers we met in different vehicles ;) Some rides have less animals as they…
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Date of stay: January 2017
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Relaxful, Great Food, Staff was unbelievably friendly and helpful Informative guides Family Friendless Met our adult children in S Africa n we drove here from JoBerg. More fantastic than I could imagine! Spent 5 days n 4 nights. Should have stayed longer!
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Date of stay: May 2017
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I just can't recommend this place highly enough! Yes, this place has everything you would expect from a nice private reserve lodge - comfortable large rooms, great grounds, top restaurants worthy food, memorable drive and walk safaris with highly experienced guides and a welcoming team of people who make sure you are well looked after from the moment you arrive. However, what was really special for me is that I was not just a single guest but a member of a family consisting of staff and guests that are having a fantastic time sharing meals, drinks and drives, getting to know each other and, in some cases, becoming good friends. No wonder they have people coming back again and again. Thank you Nichole, Steve and the rest of the crew for a very special experience. Hope to be…
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Date of stay: June 2017
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The glowing reviews are well-deserved, as the rooms, food, hospitality and game drives are all exceptional. What really stood out for us was the depth of knowledge and respect Mike and Steve have and share about the wildlife and ecosystems of Kruger. Most people go on safari to see the amazing big beasts -- and we did! But they're equally knowledgeable about the bugs and birds and everything in between, providing a depth to the experience that you might not get elsewhere. Along with the creature comforts and congenial atmosphere, a visit to Toro Yaka is sure to be an enriching experience.
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Date of stay: May 2017
Helpful
Thanks to Steve and Nicole for sharing their Toro Yaka, "My Dream". Everyone should come to Africa at least once in their life, but particularly to Toro Yaka for an affordable 5 star, true wildlife experience. We stayed for 7 nights in May, and every one of the 11 game drives with the dynamic duo, 'Magic Mike' and side kick Brendon was off the richter scale. Mike had to ask me whether I was still breathing as the excitement of tracking the animals through the bush, seeing these amazing animals so close, and being able to spend as much time as possible watching them made my heart stop! Thanks to Steve for a wonderful game walk and fantastic discussions, and to Nicole and helpers for the amazing food and amenities. Steve, Nicole, Mike and Brendon and all others that share their…
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Date of stay: May 2017
Helpful
Steve and Nicole ( the owners of Toro Yaka) have created a delightful oasis in the African Bush. Nicole''s attention to detail translates into impeccably trained staff, delicious healthy meals and wonderfully comfortable rooms. Steve''s quiet demeanor belies an interesting depth of knowledge and passion for the animals and bushveld. His determination to get us up close to the animals contributed to thrilling game drives. We hope to return soon!
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Date of stay: March 2017
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LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkBalule Nature Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
4
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