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4.5
#4 of 5 lodges in Harrismith
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Buffalo Hills has a unique "Bush Camp Style" Lodge built from rugged sandstone and thatch grass up against the Kerkenberg Mountain’s Majestic rock face. At 1860m, you are ensured of breathtaking panoramic views and natural biodiversity unique to this Drakensberg World Heritage Area. Three cosy chalets with bathrooms en suite ensure a comfortable and restful stay. The clean mountain air and softly echoing night sounds form part of the therapy for a good night's sleep.
A lovely venue to get some peace and quiet away from the city bustle. Accommodation was comfortable, spacious and clean. The kitchen is fully kitted out has charged lights for when loadshedding hits. It is not a long drive from Harrismith and shops if needed. The 4 x 4 track in the reserve, which we drove at night, was amazing. Nicole is a wonderful hostess and made our stay very comfortable.
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Date of stay: October 2022
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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 Buffalo Hills Private Game Reserve, General Manager at Buffalo Hills Private Game Reserve
Responded 07 Nov 2022
Hi Elizabeth, We are so happy to hear you had a great experience. Your review made our day! Thank you and we hope to host you again soon. Kind Regards Buffalo Hills
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
As our direct family resides both in Gauteng and Kwa Zulu Natal we looked for a suitable venue mid- way to arrange a gettogether and settled on this resort which we had never been to before. Well we were pleasantly surprised when we arrived at the Mountain Lodge which had ample clean and welcoming en-suite cottages (with different configurations) to suit all 4 families. The facilities and personnel were amazing and we would have no hesitation in recommending this lodge to our friends and wider family. We will be back as the weekend was too short. Eddie McGregor
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Date of stay: July 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
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 Buffalo Hills Private Game Reserve, General Manager at Buffalo Hills Private Game Reserve
Responded 09 Jul 2023
Hi Eddie, Thank you so much for the stellet review, we are happy to hear you enjoyed your stay with us and are looking forward to hosting you again in the future. Kind Regards Buffalo Hills
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Incredible location! Views are breathtaking, hills and mountains, green grass and (yay) wild buck of every variety. The hikes are accessible from the lodges and are spectacular! The bottom lodge where we stayed was nice. We especially enjoyed eating our meals at the big table on the verandah. Thank you!
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Date of stay: November 2023
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
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 accommodation is taking advantage of us!!! This place is unsafe, very dirty (beddings, bathrooms), unmaintained and smells really bad (this was brought to their attention and they stated that they cant get rid of the smell). The reality of the farm house is miles apart from the pictures they post across several online platforms - really shocking. If you posted the real pictures, we would have never booked this place. We would never ever want to stay there nor would we recommend anyone else to stay there. We found live ammunition in the cupboards which was the tipping point for us and therefore we did not stay. We drove 400km and had to find alternate accommodation. Furthermore, two different families who stayed there (the day before our booking and the day after) shared a similar experience. Number 1 rule of customer service - listen to the customer and truly care about their needs. Despite this horrible situation, the owner refuses to refund us. We do not care who the owner donated money too, you should donate your own money! This sounds like a pathetic excuse from the owner who is trying to worm his way out to make himself look good. How can you donate someone else’s refund??? Return the money you owe us, it's the decent thing to do. Disgusting behaviour from Buffalo Hills Private Game Reserve!!!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2022
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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.
I couldn't have chosen a more beautiful place to turn 50. The location was excellent. At night the animals came right up to our accommodation to feed, this was a thrill for both adults and kids. i would highly recommend a visit.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2023
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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.
Perfect place for a getaway. Nicole is the perfect host. Professional and cheerful. Made sure we had evrything and was always available. Jackson the c/taker is an absolute star. Very friendly and helpful. Place is clean and comfortable and has everything u could possibly need. Thank you Buffalo Hills... we will def be back👌😀
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Date of stay: October 2022Trip type: Travelled on business
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 Buffalo Hills Private Game Reserve, General Manager at Buffalo Hills Private Game Reserve
Responded 02 Nov 2022
Hi Judy, Thank you so much for the fantastic review, we are happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed your stay with us. Hope to see you again soon. Kind Regards Buffalo Hills
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We were very excited to be in a private game reserve and expected to be in a wildlife setting, but the cottage was in the farm yard so our animal experience was sheep, horses and chickens. We were inundated with flys, maybe cluster flys, I don't know but it was very uncomfortable.... there must have been 300 plus flys in the cottage. On the positive side, the shower was great and the beds very comfortable. We weren't met on arrival and the TV didn't work either... a 2 night stay that we wouldn't do again.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2023
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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.
Having spent almost a year in SA, on and off, for work I have had the pleasure of visiting a lot of the top destinations it has to offer. Buffalo Hills blows them away when it comes to mixing relaxation and activities.
As an inclusive package the value is fantastic, the days ranged from having a beer with Gary and Lulu (the owners), to being shown Buffalo, Springbok, Wilderbeast, Impala, Cattle, Zebra and Osterich on Quads by Gary over the 2000 hectare site, to getting up close and personal with Vultures at the specially made 'Vulture Restaurant'. As a photographer there wasnt one moment that I wanted to put my camera down, there is so much to do and see here. But there is also plenty of relaxing activities like chilling out watching the rugby world cup, enjoying the amazing views from the lodge, going for a fish in a wonderfully peacefull spot or just having a sleep on the rediculously comfortable beds.
The lodge itself is new but has been built authentically giving it a far more homely and comfortable feel. The beds were so comfortable that I feel i have to mention it twice, the showers were always hot and powerful and the rest of the ensuite accomodation was up to a high standard. The home cooked food was different each day and suite our needs, it was of great quality and tasted just like top quality home cooking should. If you're luck Lulu will make you her Bannoffe Pie which was simply devine!
I couldnt recommend this retreat more highly, Gary and Lulu will take great care of you and you will have fond memories that will last forever.
Also I would recommend asking them to arrange a visit to the Lion Farm near by, it is a somewhat unusual experience but you get to hold and play with baby lions which is one of the highlights of all of my experiences in SA so far.
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Date of stay: September 2011
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
Buffalo Hills Private Game Reserve is the perfect weekend gateway, situated only 3 hours from Johannesburg. Following strict (off road) instructions once we hit Harrismith, we found ourselves in front of a nondescript entrance, which eventually led to the Buffalo Hills eco huts, queitly nestled into the mountains behind, providing quite a dramatic back drop. Buffalo Hills provide both self catering facilities, and full board luxury eco huts within its vicinity of over hundred(s) acres of private game land, rolling hills and mountains. Drakkensburg is ~1 hour drive away, and the nearby towns are filled with charming antique shops etc. A group of us stayed at the full board luxury eco huts, which were built using the stones from the surrounding mountains, and has tatched roofs. The facilities were top notch (amazing bed with heated duvet and egyption cotton), nicely furnished and ensuite. Gary, Lulu, and Carmen were the perfect hosts, welcoming us to their home. There were an abundance of activities such as going on the safari drive, mountain hiking, braai, quad biking, water skiing, etc etc, all of which were personally guided by the hosts. Lulu and Carmen are excellent chefs, we were well fed throughout, and did I mention Gary's fully stocked bar on site? It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend, highly recommended!
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Date of stay: March 2011
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
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.
We drove down from Jo'berg and combined a trip to Buffalo Hills with a walk deep into the Drakensberg to the top of the Amphitheatre. Being billed as a private game reserve I was pleasantly surprised when it turned out to be so much more.
The setting was incredible, on top of a hill overlooking the plains and mountains with a massive rock as your backdrop. It was the type of place you could sit for hours contemplating life.
The genuine hospitality and personal touches we received from Gary, Lulu and Carmen only added to the weekend activities which included quad biking, water skiing, fishing, game drives, hiking, braiing, outdoor showering and top class home cooked food (something I'd really missed having been away from the UK for 3 months). Gary even lent us his car and his daughther to tackle the Amphitheatre.
I can't wait until I have the chance to go out there again as I still have to see the Buffalo herd, the Vulture restaurant and climb to big rock in 16 minutes.
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Date of stay: March 2011
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with friends
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.
There are more places to choose from in the Harrismith area.
PRICE RANGE
RÂ 3,013 - RÂ 4,047 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaFree StateHarrismith
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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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