Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge reopened in January 2026 following an extensive refurbishment, it now offers a refreshed and elevated safari experience in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve. The lodge features redesigned luxury suites, enhanced dining areas, a revitalised main lodge, and a reimagined boma, all thoughtfully created to complement the surrounding wilderness.

The spacious Luxury Suites accommodate two guests in either king or twin configurations and include en-suite bathrooms with freestanding baths, indoor and outdoor showers, air conditioning, ceiling fans, private viewing decks, and in-room coffee machines with stocked minibars. Two family-friendly suites can accommodate up to two rollaway beds, making them ideal for families with children under 12.

Game drives at Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge showcase Madikwe’s diverse landscapes and abundant wildlife, including the Big Five and exceptional birdlife. Evenings are spent enjoying relaxed dining under the stars or in the lantern-lit boma, where local flavours and warm hospitality create a memorable safari atmosphere.Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge is situated on the Tweedepoort Ridge overlooking the plains and inselbergs of the western section of Madikwe Game Reserve. Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge is a 16-bed luxury facility designed by Nick Plewman, an acclaimed small lodge designer. The lodge is situated at a prime site in the west of the Madikwe Game Reserve, straddling the Tweedepoort Ridge with expansive views across the northern plains and Inselbergs. The central lodge sits on the slopes of a hill across a ravine, separating it from the chalets. Each of the chalets is positioned on the ridge with expansive views to the north. 

The other stand-out about Buffalo Ridge is its intimacy and seclusion. With only eight suites in total, there’s a very definite feeling of exclusivity to the lodgings, and as the chalets are built on a separate tier to the main lodge you get a distinctive feeling of having your very own personal suite right in the bush. Each chalet follows this theme of making you feel like a VIP: these thatched suites each have their own private viewing deck.

The spacious Luxury Suites each accommodate two guests in either king or twin configurations. Every suite features a generously appointed en-suite bathroom with a freestanding bath, indoor and outdoor showers, air conditioning, ceiling fan, and a private viewing deck overlooking the surrounding wilderness. Each suite also offers an enhanced in-room beverage selection, including a coffee machine and a fully stocked minibar for added comfort and convenience.

Two of the Luxury Suites are family-friendly and can accommodate up to two rollaway beds, making them ideal for families with children under the age of 12. These suites comfortably sleep up to four guests and feature the same facilities and amenities as the standard Luxury Suites.

EXCELLENT GAME VIEWING

The game-viewing at Buffalo Ridge is superb, much like most safari lodges in Madikwe – but what makes Buffalo Ridge different are the rangers. Locally sourced and trained from the community, they show an obvious love for this, their home. The Big Five are all present and accounted for, as well as plains game (zebra and antelope in droves!), and none of them escape the professionalism eye and bush skill of your guides.

These rangers – in fact, all the staff – show a keen knowledge of local flora, fauna and history. Whether you want to know more about the elephant herd you just saw or about what the history of the Balete tribe is, you’ll always be able to find an interesting answer, delivered with a smile. As an added bonus, the Madikwe reserve is utterly free from malaria which is a big plus for families especially. Speaking of which, Buffalo Ridge is a lodge where kids are genuinely welcome!