Tree protection
Waterbuck and Shimungwe Lodges have invested R20,000 in wrapping large trees with wire to reduce elephant damage, protecting more than 100 trees.
Waterbuck Lodge
Greater Kruger, South Africa
Official rating: 4 out of 5 stars, graded by Tourism Grading Council of South AfricaLodge
Luxury · How we rate: Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
How we rate
Explore Africa level, based on the typical lowest nightly rate per person sharing: Value under A$400, Mid-range A$400 to A$899, Luxury A$900 to A$1,799, Ultra-luxury A$1,800 or more.
Photo: Waterbuck Lodge · Source ↗
Full board (FB)
All meals, Two daily game drives and 6 more
4 rooms
Luxury Suites · Sleeps up to 8 guests
All ages welcome
By air
via Hoedspruit Eastgate
Wi-Fi in rooms
From about A$990
per person / night, sharing
Overview
About Waterbuck Lodge
Waterbuck Lodge has four thatched suites in Thornybush Nature Reserve, in the Greater Kruger. Each has a private balcony, air-conditioning and indoor and outdoor showers. The main lodge looks over a waterhole, with a swimming pool, bar and elevated deck for time between safaris. Morning and afternoon game drives are included, and guided bush walks are available at management's discretion for guests aged 16 and over. Meals are shared in the dining areas or around the boma fire. The small scale suits couples and small groups, with exclusive-use bookings available.
Best for
FamiliesGroups
Conservation
Your stay
What's included
Board: Full board (FB)
Special offer: Stay four nights and pay for three for travel 1 November to 15 December 2026, 7 January to 26 March 2027, or 30 March to 31 July 2027.
Included
- All meals
- Two daily game drives
- Bush walks
- Water
- Hot beverages
- Selected local drinks
- House wines
- Indoor dining area
- Game drives
- Walking safaris
Not included
- Concession fees
Optional extras (at a cost)
- Laundry
- Gratuities
Facilities
Comforts and facilities
At the property
- Swimming pool
- Bar
- Boma
- Lounge
- Viewing deck
In your room
- Wi-Fi in your room
- En-suite bathroom
- Air-conditioning
- Private deck
- Outdoor shower
- Tea/coffee station
- Safe
- In-room WiFi
Rooms
Where you sleep
Sleeps up to 8 guests
- Luxury Suites4 at the property · sleeps 2 adults · Roll-away bed · King-sized double bed, Private balcony, En-suite bathroom, Indoor shower, Outdoor shower, Air-conditioning
Activities
Things to do
Included in your stay
Game drives
Two game drives are included each day. The afternoon drive continues after dark to look for nocturnal wildlife.
Walking safaris
Guided bush walks are included for guests aged 16 and over. Availability is at lodge management's discretion.
Getting there
How you'll arrive
- Hoedspruit Eastgate
- Transfer
- Waterbuck Lodge
- How you arrive
- By air · via Hoedspruit Eastgate
Good to know
Before you book
- Check-in
- From 14:00
- Check-out
- By 11:00
- Children
- All ages welcome
- Single travellers
- A single supplement applies
- Exclusive use
- Available
- Dietary needs
- Special diets catered for
- Malaria
- Low malaria risk
Families
Children
2026 tariff
Children of all ages are welcome and sleep on roll-away beds. Game drives are for children aged six and over at management's discretion; babysitting is not offered for children under six.
When to go
Best time to visit
- January: Good
- February: Good
- March: Good
- April: Dry season, best game viewing
- May: Dry season, best game viewing
- June: Dry season, best game viewing
- July: Dry season, best game viewing
- August: Dry season, best game viewing
- September: Dry season, best game viewing
- October: Dry season, best game viewing
- November: Dry season, best game viewing
- December: Good
- Dry season, best game viewing
- Good
How we judge each month
- Dry season, best game viewingAmong this property's strongest months for conditions, access and key experiences.
- GoodVery favourable conditions for this property and its key experiences.A generally good time to stay, with some normal seasonal compromises.
- Green seasonWorkable for specific priorities, with notable seasonal compromises.The property operates, but seasonal conditions bring substantial trade-offs.
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Nearby
Other stays nearby
Shimungwe Lodge
Greater Kruger, South Africa
2 km away
From about A$990 per person / night, sharing
Kapama Karula
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From about A$3,430 per person / night, sharing
Kapama Southern Camp
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From about A$1,200 per person / night, sharing
Kapama Buffalo Camp
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Details checked November 2026. Rates and availability are confirmed when you enquire.