



Buffelsdrift Game Lodge
Why choose Buffelsdrift Game Lodge?
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge invites you to experience the perfect blend of luxury and natural beauty in our exquisite tented accommodations in Oudtshoorn. Nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Swartberg mountains and overlooking a picturesque waterhole, our lodge offers an authentic African escape in the heart of the Klein Karoo. Located just 6.5 km outside of Oudtshoorn, the renowned Ostrich c...
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge invites you to experience the perfect blend of luxury and natural beauty in our exquisite tented accommodations in Oudtshoorn. Nestled against the stunning backdrop of the Swartberg mountains and overlooking a picturesque waterhole, our lodge offers an authentic African escape in the heart of the Klein Karoo. Located just 6.5 km outside of Oudtshoorn, the renowned Ostrich capital, and a mere 300 meters from the tar road leading to the Cango Caves, our lodge provides easy access to the area's attractions. Immerse yourself in the wonders of the wild as you relax on the lodge's wooden deck, surrounded by a 5-hectare waterhole teeming with impressive fish, graceful turtles, and majestic hippos. Observe our resident elephants gracefully strolling by, while other capti...
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
Perfekt mix between work and holiday
by: Rosa Ziemer - GermanyProgram: Eco Ambassador Program | Garden Route & Karoo | South AfricaI enjoyed my stay at Buffelsdrift very much! We had a lovely tent and I felt very home in our chilling area. Your motto in the kitchen "feel home far away from your home" is really authentic and true :) In general, I would really recommend a Volunteer Program at Buffelsdrift because besides the work during the day you have a lot of opportunities to join all the activities/bush drives at the reserve. I did several night drives and have been very many hours in the cheetah area to look for them xD The tasks that our guides delegated to us were very different and fun. We produced a lot of Speckboom buckets (indigenous plants for the guest to plant next to the road), we cleaned the water hole from the elephants, we prepared the day snack for the elephants, checked the electricity daily at the lions enclosure, fed the wild life animals (springbok, zebras, buffalos etc.) and many other tasks. We basically have seen every day a lot of wild life animals because we always drove through the reserve. Our guid Tiaan is blessed with a lot of patience and interesting knowledge about the animals and the environment. I really appreciated this because I had a lot of questions and it was for sure that he always could give an answer :) Thank you for that!



It was my biggest dream
by: Mariana Bocalon Maia - BrazilProgram: Eco Ambassador Program | Garden Route & Karoo | South AfricaSince I was young, my biggest dream was to become a veterinarian and work with wild animals. This volunteer program was the entrance to the beginning of this dream, because I was face to face with the animals and could help to take care of them.
Amazing experience!
by: Marina Lorençone - BrazilProgram: Eco Ambassador Program | Garden Route & Karoo | South AfricaWhen I decided to do a volunteer job with animals was by my brother influence, but I didn't imagine that would be such a unique experience. I spent 2 weeks and I never felt more closed with animals, I would definitely stay more if I knew how much I would love the experience!
Buffelsdrift Game Lodge Programs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Lucius Fourie
Interviewed in 2023
Lucius is from South Africa. He attended Nelson Mandela University in George and studied Nature Conservation. He has worked as a Field Guide, Elephant...

Lucius Fourie
Interviewed in 2023
What inspired you to travel abroad?
My love for nature, working with people and after the first few years I realized that the Buffelsdrift Family is a privilege to be a part of. Buffelsdrift Game Lodge's serene African wilderness and commitment to wildlife conservation deeply resonated with my passion for nature. The opportunity to contribute to their conservation efforts inspired me to join this remarkable establishment.

Tanica Antoinette Engelke
Interviewed in 2023
Tanica graduated with a diploma in Nature Management at Centurion Academy in 2023. Earlier, she started work as a Field Guide at Buffelsdrift Game Lod...

Tanica Antoinette Engelke
Interviewed in 2023
What inspired you to travel abroad?
What inspired me to work for Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is a profound love for nature and a deep-seated passion for conservation. From a young age, I had an interest in animals and nature. This fascination only grew stronger as I learned more about conservation.