Bakubung Bush Lodge

Junior Ranger Program

The perfect family escapes from the bustle of the city, located in the heart of the malaria-free, 'Big Five' Pilanesberg National Park and only an hour and a half's drive from Johannesburg, the Bakubung Bush Lodge offers something special for children. With various activities to take part in including game drives, bush walks, birding, picnicking and in-house entertainment, Bakubung has developed something, even more, engaging, this being the Junior Ranger's program, allowing parents to enrol their kids in a unique, educational and, most importantly, a fun experience.

Under the supervision of trained staff, parents can rest assured that their children will be well looked after while participating in a host of educational activities allowing the whole family a great getaway. Activities are geared around natural resource protection, environmental education and responsible recreation offering an exclusive opportunity to explore the Pilanesberg National Park. Activities have been created for children from the ages of 6 years old to that of 12 years old and aim to encourage an appreciation for nature, conservation and natural resources.

Bush Braai

Bush Braais at the Lodge is at the boma situated 15 minutes from the lodge on both Wednesday and Saturday nights. The combination of game drives and bush braais are also available but are subject to a minimum of 36 people.
 

Safari Drives

Game drives times leaving from the Lodge:

• January, February & March: 5:30 am ( morning game drive ) & 4:30 pm ( Evening game drive )
• April: 6:00 am ( morning game drive ) & 4:00 pm ( Evening game drive )
• May, June, July & August: 8:00 am ( morning game drive ) & 3:30 pm ( Evening game drive )
• September: 6:00 am ( morning game drive ) & 4:00 pm ( Evening game drive )
• October, November & December: 5:30 am ( morning game drive ) & 4:30 pm ( Evening game drive )

Besides the 'Big Five' visitors also have the opportunity to encounter the nocturnal brown hyena, cheetah, hippo, crocodile and even sable. The Pilanesberg mountains offer guests sightings of a wide diversity of animal and plant life including 361 species of birds, the Big Five and almost every type of animal found in Southern Africa.

Bird watching

The Pilanesberg National Park is one of the best places for birding in South Africa. Over 355 species have been recorded in this national park located in the North West province and a birder could record up to 110 species in winter and plenty more in summer including both migrant and permanent species.

The transition zone between the dry Kalahari and the wetter Lowveld region in this part of South Africa brings with it a unique mix of birds with Red-eyed Bulbul living together with Black-eyed Bulbul. Many other such fascinating habitations are visible throughout the game reserve, but it isn't limited to only bird species but also to other animals and plants.

Spa treatments

At Noko Kalahari Health & Beauty Spa, they offer a wide choice of different spa treatments.

 

Walking Safari

This exciting safari walk takes place on request basis at an additional charge per person. The Lodge can take up to 9 guests per walk, and the duration of the tour is 3 - 6 hours.  For this exciting half-day walk/hike, the Lodge provides a "breakfast box" which includes a sandwich, fruit, chocolate and a cold drink per person (items are subject to change).

Hot Air Balloon Safari

The Hot Air Balloon rides over the park are offered every day in the morning, weather depending. Guest are collected at the lodge and are taken into the park to meet with the balloon crew. The flight is approximately an 1 hour long. A leisurely game drive is then taken through the park to a game lodge where breakfast is served, after which guest are returned to their hotel/game lodge.

•Duration: 1 to 4 hours in total
•Booking is essential
•a minimum number of guests are required to conduct a flight

Flights are early in the morning, and you will need to allow some 3.4 hours for the full activity which includes the following:

•Early morning collection from your hotel by safari vehicle
•Launch of the balloon from the centre of Pilanesberg National Park
•An hour drifting serenely over the Park
•A sparkling wine celebration on landing, a time-honoured tradition in ballooning
•A Full English breakfast at a Game Lodge
•A First Flight certificate signed by your Pilot
•Return transfer to your hotel/game lodge

Terms and Conditions: Hot Air Balloon Safaris

•1-hour flight: Minimum 8 passengers / Maximum 65 pax (1-hour flight)
•35-minute flight: Minimum 25 / Maximum 125 pax (½ hour flight)
•Children under the age of 13 can unfortunately not participate
•Subject to availability of balloons
•Full prepayment is required before the trip takes place

Nearby golf courses

The 18 hole championship Gary Player GC and the Gary Player designed Lost City GC are located at the Sun City Resort, which is only a 14 minutes drive away from the lodge.

Tennis & Volleyball

The Lodge features two floodlit tennis courts as well as a volleyball field to which guests have access to.

Conference venues

The Lodge is and the ideal venue for business meetings, conferences, and banquets. With luxurious wall-to-wall carpeting and independent air conditioning, the conference venues are spacious and comfortable. Also, to the conference packages, secretarial services as well as Internet and email access are available.

Standard conference equipment:

• Overhead projector
• 36mm slide projector
• Lectern
• TV and VCR
• Wall screen
• Flipchart
• Whiteboard
• PA system
• Lapel microphone
• Roving Microphone
• DVD Player

Optional extras (for hire per day, and subject to availability):

• LCD projector
• ISDN lines

Mid-Week 24-hour Conference Package (Sundays to Thursdays) & Weekend 24-hour Conference Package (Fridays and Saturdays):

• Conference venue
• Standard conference equipment:
• Mid-morning tea
• Lunch
• Mid-afternoon tea
• Dinner in the hotel restaurant
• Accommodation in the hotel
• Breakfast

Half-Day Conference Package:    

• Conference venue
• Standard conference equipment:
• Mid-morning tea
• Lunch