Klaserie Drift Safari Camps — Hotel in Bushbuckridge

As a Travel & Safari Specialist for Africa, I had the pleasure of visiting Klaserie Drift Misava Camp on a site inspection for potential clients & what a memorable experience it was! I only stayed one night, but it was more than enough to feel the magic this place holds.

Location Tucked away in a beautifully wild & remote corner of the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, this camp shares unfenced borders with the Greater Kruger, allowing wildlife to roam freely. The area feels quieter & more exclusive than more “active” parts of Kruger. Perfect for those seeking a more intimate safari.

Lodge Setting & Design Perched high above the Klaserie River, the views from the deck are breathtaking arguably the best I’ve seen anywhere in Kruger. From the lodge, we watched a journey of giraffe, a “dagga boy” buffalo mud-bathing & a group of bull elephants—all before our first game drive. The lodge offers various dining areas for different weather and occasions, striking a balance between contemporary elegance and vibrant African flair. The on-site curio shop features beautiful artisan-made pieces for meaningful souvenirs.

Accommodation I stayed in a Garden Suite named Khwati, the best partial river view in this room category. These cozy, thatched-roof rondavels feature large tubs, indoor and outdoor showers, air conditioning, ceiling fans, and thoughtful touches like a framed info guide, curated snacks, and beautifully made beds. I also toured a River View Suites. They are larger with more direct views and got a sneak peek at the stunning two-bedroom villas being added (each with private plunge pools), perfect for families & small groups.

Expert Guiding I was fortunate to be guided by the incredible Roan, who brings nearly 20 years of experience in the safari industry. His background spans everything from guiding in the Sabi Sands to guiding in the Welgevonden to lodge & reserve management. His expertise & calm confidence in the bush were immediately apparent. His tracking ability is top-notch, and he has an excellent instinct for vehicle positioning and building anticipation during sightings. Roan knows exactly when to share interesting insights and when to let nature speak for itself, creating a beautifully balanced experience for guests.

Wildlife Highlights! A female leopard feeding in a tree, joined by hyenas That same leopard interacting with her nearly grown cub A male leopard losing his kill to a massive lion That lion carrying the carcass off into the bushes Multiple giraffe and calm herds of impala

Warm Hospitality Brenda, the front-of-house host, radiated warmth and hospitality, while Cliff, our server, delivered impeccable, friendly service. The entire team was gracious, professional & full of personality even their attire added to the charm. I felt genuinely welcomed.

Delicious Dining Meals featured a delightful fusion of local flair and fine dining presentation. Portions were generous yet well-balanced. A highlight for me was the lunch on our first day, which included grilled beef kebabs, crumbed chicken lollipops & a couscous side dish. The selection of small chocolate desserts struck the perfect balance (not overly sweet or indulgent). As someone who doesn’t usually eat sweets, this was a lovely treat. The fresh fruit spread in the morning was equally delightful & my poached eggs were cooked perfectly to my preference.

Outstanding Value for Money The camp is an excellent choice for travelers looking for a refined safari experience with high standards of service & hospitality that matches its price point. At the same time, it retains an intimate, small-scale charm & offers an authentic wilderness atmosphere. Whether you are a first-time visitor to Africa or a seasoned safari traveler, it offers remarkable value & unforgettable experiences.

To the entire team at the lodge, thank you for accommodating me. To those reading this review, I hope it helps you as you dream and plan your magnificent journey to Africa.

With Gratitude, Katherine Kuntz President & Adventure Specialist Hope...

All the superlatives I think of seem completely insufficient to describe the experience of staying at Klaserie Drift. In my travels to more than 40 countries, it's a rare few places that have failed to present a single opportunity for criticism. But the service, facilities, location, and experience at Klaserie Drift are truly flawless.

The property is stunning. Everything is stylish, impeccably maintained, clean, and functional. From beds to bathtubs to outdoor showers, dining areas and common spaces, it's clear how much thought has gone into the development and design of the camp, and how much care is given to their upkeep. It is truly a luxurious and comfortable stay. The views are incredible, the ambience is charming yet sophisicated, and the vibe feels very peaceful and regenerative.

We adored every member of the staff we interacted with during our stay. They are warm, welcoming, attentive without being obtrusive, and never miss a beat. From waking early to make 4:45am pre-game drive cappuccinos to setting up picturesque sundowners and delightful private dinners on the pool deck, they truly go the extra mile to create a wonderful experience for guests. It was a pleasure to get to know each of them, to learn about their experiences working at the camp, and to feel among friends. Singini, Justice, Brian, Brenda, Prudence -- you were all so delightful. Thank you for your kindness.

We are, admittedly, food snobs, and didn't go on safari expecting to have terrific meals. But while we expected mediocre food, that's absolutely not what we got. Every meal was excellent, from the signature eggs benedict to the fresh assortment of salads at lunch, to the perfectly cooked and well-appointed three-course dinners each night. JB and Lance, you exceeded our expectations at every turn.

And then there was our safari guide, Matt. His deep respect and passion for the animals and the land in the Klaserie were evident at every turn. His knowledge of animal behavior, trees and plants, insects, weather, ecology, astronomy, history, and who knows how many other subjects was completely incredible. He is much more Charles Darwin than Crocodile Dundee, and we felt so fortunate to have private game drives with Matt and pepper him with a million questions from sunrise to sunset. His skill in tracking and locating animals also seemed exceptional -- we were very regularly the only vehicle to see a number of different animals due to his ability to understand and interpret their habits and patterns. Matt, we are so grateful for our time with you and the skills and knowledge you shared with us.

We saw all of the Big 5 in our first three game drives, and having a total of eight in our four nights' stay was hardly enough. We enjoyed exploring different corners of the reserve with the ample time we had, seeking out a variety of creatures and terrains, and being able to "bumble" without pressure. March was a wonderful time to go, with beautiful weather, gorgeous green scenery, and the camp all to ourselves all but one night.

The whole experience was perfection, and we were a bit shocked at how grief-stricken we were to leave. We cannot wait to come back ... until then, thank you, Klaserie Drift team, for the experience...

Where do I even start?! Just book this place, you won’t regret it.

We had a once in a lifetime 4 night stay at klaserie, from the moment we arrived, to the moment we left we had the most incredible service from the team. It far surpassed our expectations, and as a first timer to safari, I was very overwhelmed by choice and so glad we chose Klaserie Drift.

Key highlights for us: our guide, Khusto and his amazing knowledge, the exclusivity of the space (I didn’t realise there were only 6 lodges, and even on game drives, only rarely would you see another jeep of guest/unless special sighting of animal), the relaxing space and attentive team. AND of course the incredible animal sightings - the skill of our guide + size of the reserve + fact it borders to Kruger, means there is high chance of amazing sightings.. we had many close encounters to animals.

SAFARI/GAME DRIVES: each day was diverse, we saw incredible array of animals and bird life. Even on the drives, it was so peaceful being out in nature, seeing different parts of the reserve (it was huge; we probably only covered a fraction of the ground). We can’t thank Khusto enough, his knowledge of the reserve, animals, tracking and ecology is outstanding. We learnt so much from him, and his humble way - thank you Khusto, you are so talented and you made our entire trip!!

FOOD/DRINK: incredible food, every meal was diverse, healthy and balanced, thank you to the team of chefs. Even the snacks on game drives were tasty! We felt very indulgent and spoilt, but weren’t left with heavy feeling. Wine options were great too!

SERVICE: I have never experienced this level of service and luxury, we felt so spoilt thanks to the kind, attentive service of Nerladi, Brian, Prudence, Brenda and Cedric.

THE SPACE: we stayed in a garden room, it was very comfortable, great bed and was made up twice a day while we were on our drives. We enjoyed spending time at the pool, overlooking animals (which we saw so many from here). There was a lot of space and felt very relaxing. We also found space to exercise easily, noting there is no gym.. it wasn’t an issue for us and we love our exercise. Pictures truly don’t do it justice

VALUE: although this is not everyday holiday I found this to be incredibly good value for money when you consider over 6 hours on game drives a day, food, drink included.. limited other expenses while you are there. Any other holiday would cost similar amount per day when you add food + accom + activities. Noting we purposely picked garden room as a 10% gratuity is norm in SA. The Klaserie team is incredible, you’ll want to budget gratuity into your holiday to ensure you recognise the teams service and skill accordingly.

Thank you Klaserie for a special, once in a life time experience. We will remember...