Buffalo Thorn Lodge

Rustenburg, North West, South Africa

Home Away From Home

Buffalo Thorn Lodge

OUR STORY

Buffalo Thorn Lodge is part of the Black Rhino Game Reserve; in the Pilanesberg National Park. Only 30 kilometers from Sun City and about 3 hours from Johannesburg, it is in the heart of South Africa’s North West Province – a malaria-free area.

Buffalo Thorn Lodge provides the ultimate escape from busy schedules, with five luxury, self-catering, thatched chalets accommodating only ten guests (including children). The lodge is rented out exclusively sleeping ten guests. Thus meaning that you have the tranquility and the beauty of the bush all to yourselves.

The main entertainment area comprises a dining room, TV lounge, reading lounge, games area and a fully equipped kitchen. Outside in the boma, you can relax around an African fire, listen to the sounds of the night or to the stories of your experienced game ranger. Alternatively, you can star-gaze under an ink-black sky or just relax over a good meal at the dining table and bar, inhaling the pungent smells of indigenous veld and wildlife.

Enjoy morning and afternoon safari in an open vehicle as your ranger shows you the large and small species of the African bushveld. Or game view from the comfort of loungers around the pool. Alternatively relax in the jacuzzi as many species of birds and buck, even some of the big five, such as elephant, amble past the electric fence a few meters from the pool deck.

We are committed to giving you a memorable self-catering safari experience at Buffalo Thorn Lodge:

And included in the rates, are:

All game drives.
All daily conservation fees.
A daily fully serviced lodge by the staff.
Tea and coffee in the rooms.

Extravagant luxury has never been this affordable and accessible.

ABOUT BLACK RHINO RESERVE OUR AWARDS

THE ORIGIN OF OUR NAME

Buffalo Thorn Lodge gets its name from the Buffalo Thorn tree (Ziziphus Mucronata) which is small to medium-sized.

It is colloquially known in Afrikaans as the ‘Blinkblaar Wag-‘n-Bietjie’. The ‘Blinkblaar’ refers to the shiny leaves while ‘Wag-‘n-Bietjie’ literally means ‘wait a while’ in English. Deriving its name from the paired and straight-hooked thorns which attach themselves mercilessly to passersby, it requires a lengthy amount of time to extricate oneself!

The Buffalo Thorn tree has many varied uses among different cultures and beliefs. The fruit can be used to make beer and it is rumoured that chewing the leaves serves as an aphrodisiac! Some believe that the tree is immune to lightning making it safe to shelter under during a thunderstorm, while the Zulu people believe the “z” shaped thorns protect graves and put souls to rest.

BLACK RHINO RESERVE

This new reserve forms part of the greater Pilanesberg National Park, which is an area of about 57 000 hectares. Black Rhino Game Reserve is situated on the North-Western boundary of the Pilanesberg National Park (PNP). It is just less than 2000 hectares and is the first extension that was incorporated into the PNP.

The final goal is to incorporate farms between PNP and Madikwe Game Reserve in order to form a “Heritage Park” that will include about 300 000 hectares.

From Buffalo Thorn Lodge, we can traverse the entire park of 57 000 hectares in open game-drive vehicles, for close-up viewing of the big 5 (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo) as well as numerous endangered species such as Cheetah, African Wild Dog, Sable and Tsessebe Antelope.

The Black Rhino Game Reserve’s vegetation is predominantly sweetveld and it complements the sour and mixed veld of the PNP. The reserve is characterised by large numbers of Tamboti trees and therefore regular sightings of the bad-tempered Black Rhino are quite probable.

Black Rhino Game Reserve is a natural ecosystem that has developed over thousands of years. In this unique reserve, the different vegetation exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld commonly known as bushveld.

As a result of the range of habitats and vegetation found in the Black Rhino Game Reserve and Pilanesberg National Park, there is a wide diversity of animal species, from the “Big five” to 50 other mammal species, 354 bird species, 65 reptile species, 18 amphibian species and thousands of other interesting smaller species!

RAINY SEASON

It rains during the summer months between November and March, with thunder and lightning showers predominant in February and March. Temperatures hover around 79-86°F (26-30°C).

DRY SEASON

April to September is the cool dry winter season with bright clear warm days and cold nights, particularly in the mid-winter months of June to August. Game viewing/safaris are best in winter as the foliage has died back and animals frequent around waterholes.

THE SUITES

SELF-CATERING LUXURY AT ITS BEST

All bedrooms or chalets are stand-alone units.

The 70 square-metre bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms have their own lounge and private deck with sun chairs in which to relax whilst overlooking the African bush. The units boast a king-size bed (or two singles should they be required), a jacuzzi bath as well as an indoor and outdoor shower.

Units are made up as follows:

2 FAMILY UNITS

with a king size bed (or two singles) plus a loft with two single beds
(for children)

3 DOUBLE UNITS

with one king size bed
(or two singles)

CAMPING COTS

are available on request

Only 10 guests are allowed at Buffalo Thorn Lodge (including children of all ages).

AMENITIES

EACH SUITE INCLUDES

King-sized bed
Minibar fridge in each room and filter coffee facilities
In-room, jet spa bath
Outside & Indoor shower with exclusive body products
White cotton bathrobes – full-length
Air-conditioning, personally adjustable
Hairdryers
Private in-room lounge area
Private viewing deck, with cushioned loungers and table

BUFFALO THORN LODGE ACTIVITIES

Daily exclusive game drives (safari) are included in your package and can be arranged with your ranger.

Morning drives include a coffee & rusk stop (rusks provided by guests)
Afternoon drives include a sundowner stop (drinks & refreshments supplied by guests)
Two game drives per night stay (morning and afternoon)

Only 10 guests allowed on game drive/safari (including children of all ages).