This month hasn’t so much been a change of seasons as it has been nature pressing the “fast forward” button. One minute the landscape looked like it was politely considering spring, and the next it was full-blown summer — the kind that makes you wonder if Pilanesberg’s thermostat was tampered with by a bored intern….
Author Archives: Buffalo Thorn Lodge
06
Aug
Aug
If you’ve been wondering what July in the bush feels like, imagine winter slowly deciding it’s bored of being miserable. The mornings still greet you with the enthusiasm of a disgruntled pensioner—cold, stiff, and slightly offended by your optimism—but by mid-morning, things thaw out just enough to resemble a handshake rather than a punch to the…
01
Jul
Jul
June arrived with all the subtlety of a cold steel handshake. As always, the conversation began with that classic annual lie: “Last winter wasn’t that cold.” And yet here we are—teeth chattering, muscles locking, and morning game drives starting to feel more like Arctic expeditions. This year? This year was cold. Proper winter cold. Fortunately, at Buffalo Thorn Lodge,…
05
Jun
Jun
Before we kick things off on the newsletter we have some great news : Dad deserves the bush. This June, we’re celebrating fathers all month long – with a winter escape offer that’s hard to beat. 📌 Book any 2-night stay at Buffalo Thorn Lodge (for June 2025), and we’ll throw in the 3rd night…
06
May
May
It’s been quite the year, hasn’t it? Since January, we’ve been enduring what Oxford might politely refer to as “more than what could be considered abundant” rainfall. And as we should be easing into autumn, where the bush’s vibrant hues begin to fade and we politely pretend we don’t notice winter’s approach, something strange happened this Easter….
06
Apr
Apr
“Why Musth These Elephants Be So Persistent?” This month, life on the reserve has been all about elephants—coexisting with them,avoiding them when necessary, and occasionally questioning whether they’ve secretlyformed a union and decided to take over Black Rhino entirely. With the sheer amount of rain we’ve had, finding an elephant while out on a drive…
03
Mar
Mar
So, what’s news in February? Donald Trump… Oh, wait. Never mind. We’re a game lodge. This month, there’s no grand edition—no birding special, no Christmas cheer, no “New Year, New Me” motivation. February has been all about rain, wildlife, and the occasional adventure that makes safari life so unpredictable. Monsoon Season or Just Another Summer…
As the New Year takes flight, the rains and the wind have done their part to remind us as to who is in charge, with Mother Nature leaving only the sturdiest of trees as sentinels on the landscape. The standing trees – her Business Cards. This January has been a soggy one, blessedly so, although…
As the New Year presents, it’s hard not to feel a deep sense of gratitude for the abundant and much-needed rain that we enjoyed in December. With last year still in the rear view mirror, we reflect on some of the unforgettable moments at Buffalo Thorn Lodge. Moments that left us in awe, and filled…
During 2006 when our lodge was being built there were a few beautiful Shepherds Trees growing just outside the property perimeter. They had been growing there for hundreds of years. A call was made to honor these magnificent trees and name the lodge Shepherds Tree Game Lodge. But alas, the name had already been taken….