In South Africa’s North West Province sits a hidden jewel. At the foot of the Bopitikwe hills, Bakubung Villas is the ideal place for a safari getaway.
An easy two-and-a-half-hour road trip from O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg takes us to the entrance of Bakubung Gate in Pilanesberg National Park. The scenery en route to Bakubung Bush Lodge is breathtaking, and our villa has vistas over the valley and the adjacent watering hole.
With seventeen villas in total sold in different categories, buyers could choose between purchasing as an owner outright, where the villa serves as their holiday home. If you bought fractional ownership, the property is syndicated. Out of the seventeen villas, four are sold on syndicated ownership and luxurious timeshare, which is managed by Legacy Hotels and Resorts. Owners of the whole and fractional title properties have rented their units to the Legacy portfolio, which consists of three- and four-bedroom villas.
We are staying in Villa 5, with three beautifully appointed bedrooms, a voluminous communal space comprising a lounge area and dining room. Outside on our private veranda, there is a dining section, comfortable couches, a BBQ, pool loungers, and a sparkling heated pool. There is even a firepit! A blueprint was used for the interiors, with owners being given the opportunity to add their own special taste without deviating too much from the original plan. All bedrooms in Villa 5 are furnished in whites and greens with floral scatter cushions, providing a nod to the surrounding bush.
Spectacular black and white photographs by Graham Springer are framed and take pride of place on the bedroom walls. The bedroom to the right has elephant photos, while the left-hand side room features a majestic leopard. In the upstairs master suite, lions are the focus, with a gorgeous depiction of a lone lion with an impressive mane, a male with members of the pride to his right, and a lioness with a cub in a pensive mood. Striking photography by David Ballam adorns the walls in the lounge, dining room, and kitchen. David’s large black and white prints are inspired by the people, places, and cultures of Africa.
Each villa is self-catering, with state-of-the-art appliances, should you wish to whip up your own fare. Laundry piling up? Simply pop it into the washing machine. There is, of course, full access to the lodge’s facilities, if you prefer to dine out, which we do. Marula Grill has a jovial atmosphere, and we have a choice between helping ourselves from the buffet or ordering from the à la carte menu. My husband opts for the buffet, while I order the perfectly prepared beef fillet with fries and vegetables.
Back at the villa, it’s time for a cleansing shower before retiring for the night. The bathrooms are dreamy with double vanities, a soaking tub, a shower, closet space, and a flush loo. The bedroom on the left has an outdoor shower for those who like looking up at the stars while washing themselves with the fragrant Charlotte Rhys products.
Being summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the sun rises just after 5 am. Departing on our morning safari at 5:15, it is already light outside, and field guide Gill is heading in a westerly direction through Pilanesberg National Park. First up, we spot a tower of giraffes in the distance with a young foal getting separated from its mother. The other giraffes are moving closer to ‘inspect’ this youngster with lots of curious sniffs and long necks leaning in. Two black- backed jackals are hidden in the camouflaging grass. A Burchell’s coucal with its red eyes is perched at the top of a tree.
Getting up close to a herd of impala, they are clearly loving the overgrown greenery. In the mix, a herd of zebras is crossing the road, and Gill excitedly explains that this was a proper ‘zebra crossing’. The plains game are in excellent condition due to the rain and the abundance of food.
As we slowly meander through the park to make it in time for breakfast, my husband exclaims that he has set eyes on a rhino! To our right, a white rhino is walking towards a water source. He stops to mark his territory and continues to the dam to quench his thirst. We all wonder whether he might decide to have a roll-around in order to cool down, but he seems to be on the trail of a female, pausing every so often to get a whiff of the grass.
Breakfast is served at Marula Grill, with a selection of fruits, cereal, pastries, and hot breakfast. We spend the afternoon at leisure in our villa, enjoying the scenery from the veranda while sipping on cappuccinos. Tonight is boma night, a special occasion that takes place every Wednesday and Saturday. The open-air location is festive with loads of food and meat dishes cooked over an open fire. Guests are entertained by a marimba band and dancing.
The last morning’s safari is jam-packed. Different herds of elephants are out and about, with the antics of very young calves causing lots of entertainment. On our way back to the lodge, a herd is creating a roadblock, and Gill backs up the safari vehicle to give them space. A highlight is catching a brief glimpse of a leopard before she disappears into the tall grass.
Another heartwarming sighting is encountering a female giraffe and a really young calf. The calf is playful and proceeds to run across the plains, much to our amusement. Following a hearty breakfast, we make our way to the villa to pack up as we are leaving to return to Cape Town. What a wonderful experience it was to spend time in this malaria-free reserve, ensconced in luxury and nature.
