Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge is situated on the Tweedepoort Ridge overlooking the plains and inselbergs of the western section of Madikwe Game Reserve. Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge is a 16-bed luxury facility designed by Nick Plewman, an acclaimed small lodge designer. The lodge is situated at a prime site in the west of the Madikwe Game Reserve, straddling the Tweedepoort Ridge with expansive views across the northern plains and Inselbergs. The central lodge sits on the slopes of a hill across a ravine, separating it from the chalets. Each of the chalets is positioned on the ridge with expansive views to the north. 

The main lodge is spectacularly located on two tiers of the ridge and is accessed via a wooden bridge that crosses a ravine surrounded by rock figs. Each of the living areas has its own character, mood and style providing guests with a choice of breathtaking views and tranquil spaces.

The other stand-out about Buffalo Ridge is its intimacy and seclusion. With only eight suites in total, there’s a very definite feeling of exclusivity to the lodgings, and as the chalets are built on a separate tier to the main lodge you get a distinctive feeling of having your very own personal suite right in the bush. Each chalet follows this theme of making you feel like a VIP: these thatched suites each have their own private viewing deck.

The rooms themselves are spacious and neat with simple and quite rustic décor touches. Thatch roofing and soft sandy tones work beautifully with the set rock inlay of the walls and the chalet’s authentic indigenous wooden counters and pillars to inspire a feeling of being a part of nature. This feeling is underscored by the design’s focus on openness and airiness: sliding doors open out fully on to a deck with seating where you can relax and admire the views; the walk-in showers also add to this feeling of spaciousness.

EXCELLENT GAME VIEWING

The game-viewing at Buffalo Ridge is superb, much like most safari lodges in Madikwe – but what makes Buffalo Ridge different are the rangers. Locally sourced and trained from the community, they show an obvious love for this, their home. The Big Five are all present and accounted for, as well as plains game (zebra and antelope in droves!), and none of them escape the professionalism eye and bush skill of your guides.

These rangers – in fact, all the staff – show a keen knowledge of local flora, fauna and history. Whether you want to know more about the elephant herd you just saw or about what the history of the Balete tribe is, you’ll always be able to find an interesting answer, delivered with a smile. As an added bonus, the Madikwe reserve is utterly free from malaria which is a big plus for families especially. Speaking of which, Buffalo Ridge is a lodge where kids are genuinely welcome!