Idube Game Reserve — Hotel in Bushbuckridge

We chose Idube for our first safari stop on our Honeymoon in South Africa and couldn't have been more pleased. The game viewing was superb, seeing the Big 5 within our first two game drives and the additional bonus of a Wild Dog pack. ||We also stayed at another lodge (Simbavati Waterside in Klasserie) for the following 3 days so have been lucky enough to compare this lodge/area to that. Both were in a similar price bracket but Idube was a little less luxurious and did not include drinks, however in our opinion for the sightings alone, Idube was our preference and we wouldn't hesitate to stay there for a future safari. We were also told of upcoming renovations and this will only improve on the experience we had.||Our guide was Ian who was relatively new to his role but still got us some amazing sights. The head guide was called FJ and from chatting to others at the lodge he was often first at sightings, however because all the rangers talk to one another, we were able to get straight into the sightings too. Our tracker was called Lucky, and he really was. Even in the pitch black, spotting a chameleon no bigger than your palm in a nearby tree. We loved spending time with both of them and thoroughly enjoyed our game drives with them. The location has a number of nearby lodges and their vehicles were out and about while we were meaning spots for the best sights sometimes filled up quickly and on slower days the lodges were fighting for spots but in our opinion this was better than sparsity of vehicles as the rangers were able to share knowledge of animal locations. We were lucky enough to get some incredible sights while at Idube and many many leopard, including one with a kill and lions having taken down a buffalo.||The staff at the hotel was also brilliant. We enjoyed the food immensely and it was always served with a smile. Breakfast was served following the morning drive and there was a selection of hot breakfasts made to order including a chefs special each day along with fruits, juices yoghurts etc. Lunch was also served on the deck. This was a self serve meal and had a couple of hot and cold dishes along with desserts, salads and fruit. Dinner was served following the evening game drive and each night of our stay was located in different places such as around the fire pit, in the lodge and on candlelit tables in the grounds. We were given a choice of meals during the lunch service which were served to us that night. Each meal was unique and stunning full of fabulous flavours. I can still taste the ostrich now.||The accommodation was good and other reviews have mentioned that it felt dated. I do not feel this was the case, it felt more like a safari than a hotel which we enjoyed. Our room was incredibly spacious and had a good shower, outdoor shower and bath. One night we came back from the game drive to the bath being filled and bubbly, candles, rose petals and chocolate strawberries left for us. This was a nice touch. The bed was very comfortable and had a mosquito net that was set up and down for us each day and the rooms included wardrobes and a free to use safe. The lodges all had private decks and from ours (room 2), we saw warthogs, nyala, many birds and monkeys in the trees. We also spent some time at the pool, where towels were provided and spotted more animals including a zebra while relaxing.||While we were staying at Idube our game vehicle broke down and unfortunately we missed a little game drive time that day while we waited for the repair work to be undertaken on the road. Other drivers from Idube came to help which sped up the process and we did not feel unsafe to be out of the vehicle during this time.||Morning drives included tea/coffee/hot chocolate along with some biscuits while the evening drive included a snacks such as borewers and dried fruits/nuts. A drink could be selected during lunch and this would be taken along, chilled and able to be enjoyed as the sun set. All drinks for sundowners, at the bar and during dinner were added to the bill for payment on leaving but no prices were displayed. We however did not ask for the prices and found them to be reasonable. They could be paid with cash or card.||All in all we had a fabulous time at Idube and will be keeping an eye out on the refurbishment. If we are even in SA again we would definitely come...

My wife and I had the pleasure of spending the first 3 nights of our 9 night safari at Idube. We could not possibly have wished for a better start. ALL management and staff were very friendly and welcoming. We stayed in a Leadwood suite that was very clean, comfortable with outside deck, plunge pool, option of an outside shower and unspoilt views over the surrounding area. Food was excellent. Nyala roam freely around the well kept and extensive grounds and other animals can enter the grounds hence the understandable need to be escorted to and from the rooms to the main blocks when dark. The various recreation rooms were well furnished, light and airy and very inviting. In our case we found the timetable of the 2 drives and the comfort and views from our room was sufficient to satisfy all of our requirements. All of the meals were superb. Within hours of arrival it was time for lunch following which I walked across a wooden ‘slung’ bridge to a hideaway and saw a couple of wild dogs make a kill, quickly consumed by the pack (approximately 12). As grand as the establishment and staff are it is the safari experience that we went to Sabi Sands for. It surpassed our expectations largely thanks to our guide F.J. and the tracker Mike. We had previously completed 7 safari holidays in Kruger, Tanzania, Botswana and Kenya. Without doubt our experience at Idube is in the top 2. We were able to get extremely close to the animals, saw the Big 5 very quickly along with countless other animals, birds and even saw snakes. We saw leopards a few times including a single cub…..later with the sibling and mother with a kill…..A cub up a tree …..a leopard stalking. F.J. clearly is extremely knowledgeable, witty, cares deeply for the animals and a very skillful driver as was proven by driving off road over some rough terrain. For years for the most part leopards had eluded us….our experience at Idube made the wait for some VERY ‘special’ moments worthwhile. We certainly recommend Idube and thank the entire team for providing us both with nowt but extremely...

There are just not enough words to describe how wonderful our trip to Idube Lodge in South Africa was. From the minute we arrived at the front door, the staff was there welcoming us. We were shown around the grounds by the hostess, Empress, she was very informative and friendly. With our arrival time so close to lunch, we jumped right in eating and was able to go on our first safari ride. Our program with the lodge consisted of 2 rides a day (morning and night) and 1 bush walk. ALL were so very amazing! We had the same ranger (Marlow) and tracker (David) for each of our rides. That was so very fun to soak up all of their knowledge with the directions we went into the reserve to find the animals and hear all about those animals. We even got centered in our truck between 2 leopards and an elephant herd. So very exciting! One of my favorite parts of each safari ride was listening to the different languages that the staff speaks with each other. They are so fluent and eloquent. It was fun to hear how it changed so quickly as to which person they were sharing information with. We felt so very safe on each ride or walk. We were briefed with all of the procedures and history of things. The rest of the staff at the Lodge were exceptional. Every single one went above and beyond to make our stay incredible, all the way down to decorating our room for our anniversary celebration. The property is magical. There are monkeys, nyala, wart hogs and elephants roaming the grounds as you sit on your own little porch, have breakfast on the riverbed deck or sit by the pool bar. So, very peaceful and quiet to enjoy those sounds of nature. We were not ready to leave, but were on way to another great lodge (that have the same owners as Idube). We had the best send off. Our driver arrived, the lodge staff was perched at the front door with our luggage and warm smiling faces with big hugs. We felt just like we were leaving family. This truly is a trip of a lifetime. If you are able, do it. We are even...