Bakubung and Kwa Maritane Lodges
We prefer to use Bakubung Lodge (or sister lodge Kwa Maritane) for more relaxing stayovers in the Pilanesberg. The lodge is beautifully appointed in the pristine bush with animals of the reserve able to approach within a few metres of your private veranda and easily observable through the fence (fortunately) separating you!
Extended Game Drive in our game viewing vehicle
As part of our package we provide an additional extended game drive (5 hours+) with our vehicle going a little further in to the reserve than the lodge’s vehicle. This along with the lodge’s services maximises your game spotting opportunities. More time on safari means you see more animals! Lodge game drives are only 3 hours long and stop once at the waterholes and dams at the special viewing points if at all. On the Mmilo extended drive we get out and walk at these safe spots 4 to 5 times at least. This enables you to experience the sounds, sights and smells of the reserve better than being confined to the vehicle for prolonged periods.
Walking Safari
Both lodges also offer a walking safari experience which gives a quite different set of perspectives to a driving safari and we can book this for you as part of your visit but only recommend if staying two nights. There is a minimum of 4 participants.
Excellent Cuisine
The restaurant where you have all your meals at Bakubung/Kwa Maritane (same chef/manager) is probably the best in the reserve in its cuisine and both dining areas inside and out are situated in a stunning locations overlooking the rolling hills of the reserve and a waterholes right in front where the animals sometimes saunter to drink as you dine! Meals are buffet style consisting of a wide range of freshly prepared dishes to meet all tastes and dietary requirements.
Door to door service
We also include of course pick up and drop off in Jo'burg and the drive to and from the reserve is done by qualified guide driver. As the route is full of landscapes and locations of historic and scenic interest you will find this most informative and enjoyable.
Explore the route there and back
Stops can be made at some of the many attractions such as the cable car to the top of the Magaliesberg mountains
www.hartiescableway.co.za for wondrous views of our region and nature walk on top, the Cheetah Centre
www.dewildt.co.za that plays an invaluable role in preserving the threatened Cheetah and Wild Dog populations, the Elephant Sanctuary
www.elephantsanctuary.co.za , get up close and personal these big creatures , and the latest sensation Ukutula Walk With Lions
www.ukutula.com . Sun City our own mini Las Vegas is right next to the Pilanesberg (entrance fees and an extra time charge may apply) Then it is also free of charge to visit the Chameleon Village African Market on the way. This is reputedly Africa’s biggest craft market where you can purchase carvings, ceramics, beadwork, animal skins and other souvenirs. There is also a craft brewery and several other restaurants in a garden setting and a reptile park at this venue popular with the locals.
Sun City
Bakubung (Kwa Maritane) is also close to Sun City so there is somewhere to go at night (there’s a shuttle every hour on the hour for ZAR100.00 per person, this includes entrance to Sun City).
Itinerary for This Tour
Day 1
Pickup from your hotel (or airport if arriving from Cape Town or elsewhere). Journey through the interesting landscapes between Johannesburg/Pretoria and the Pilanesberg, Hartebeespoort dam, Magaliesberg Mountains, and the worlds richest Platinum mines.
Lunch on arrival on the Bakubung dining terrace with stunning views of the reserve and animal followed by check in to your room at the lodge. Short relax or swim and then go for evening game drive followed by dinner on the Bakubung Terrace. (On Wednesdays and Saturdays there is a "Bush Braai " option instead of Dinner) a "Bush Braai" is a South African barbeque held at a location deep in the bush of the reserve. This is reached on a short night drive with a game ranger there and back.
Accommodation at Lodge inside the Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Lunch, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Day 2
After Breakfast get picked up by your guide. If you did not elect for the extended game drive the previous day this is when he/she will take you on the extended Mmilo Tours game drive. After the game drive/breakfast return to hotel/airport in Johannesburg/Pretoria.
Tour Notes
Included in the price:
Accommodation Dinner Bed and Breakfast at the Bakubung/Kwa Maritane.
1x three hour game drive in open Safari vehicle with game ranger supplied by lodge per day.
1x extended game drive (5 hours+)
Door to door transfer from your address to reserve with qualified experienced tour guide via scenic route.
Early pick up on departure day (8.00am) to give you maximum time to enjoy the trip to the reserve and the lodge surroundings.
Three course lunch on arrival. with qualified/experienced tour guide supplied by Mmilo Tours going to protected viewing hides by the dams and waterholes and deeper in to the reserve than the three hour drives provided by the lodges, to maximize your experience of the reserve .
Not Included in the price:
If coming from Cape Town, return flight to Lanseria. We can add this for you. Lanseria is a very convenient airport to Pilanesberg and Kulula and Mango Airlines provide a service from Cape Town daily. If flying on Friday or Monday there is a direct flight to or from Pilanesberg Airport which is even more convenient but usually only possible one way and then to/from Lanseria the other way. It is worth the effort ! Game reserves near Cape Town are poor in comparison to the ones here up north and cost just about the same even with the flight cost added!
Price Details.
High Season 1st Jan-30th April and 1st September-31st December 2018
Low Season 1st May-31st August
The website price is set for standard room high season. Please state when filling out the enquiry form if you require one of the above other options ( i.e. larger room or low season booking) and we will change our quotation accordingly)
Other Mmilo Tours trips.
Stops can be made at some of the many attractions such as the Cable car to the top of the Magaliesberg mountains, the Cheetah Centre, the Elephant Sanctuary, (Hartebeespoort) , and the latest sensation Ukutula Walk With Lions (entrance fees and an extra time charge may apply). Stopovers at extra attractions mentioned can be made if time allows.
Children:
Bakubung or Kwa Maritane excellent lodges for Children. As children aged 12 years and younger (maximum two children per room) will be accommodated free of charge on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis if sharing with one or two adults.
