Guests will be transported in a game vehicle to the 5ha lion enclosure where they will see our lions (Shumba, Tonga and Safia) close-up from the elevated view point. A trained game ranger will feed the lions while guests view them. It is advisable to have a camera at hand. Furthermore, the game ranger will fully inform the guests regarding important aspects of lions in general.

Join us daily at dawn to witness these incredible wild habituated creatures emerging out of their burrows, just in time to soak up the sun before they head about their daily activities. Meerkats are also referred to as the Suricate or in German as the Erdmännchen and are known to be part of the Mongoose family. They are small species of foraging mammals that’s usually found inhabiting the harsh conditions of the open and arid, semi-desert plains in Southern Africa. Meerkats are known for their upright stance and their sociable behaviour. Buffelsdrift Game Lodge is situated in the heart of the Klein Karoo and offers the ideal environment and vegetation for Meerkats to thrive. The Meerkat Safaris at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge will bring you up close to these amazing animals. A trained ranger will meet our guests in the Lookout Lounge, where they will enjoy a warm cup of coffee and rusks, before heading to the Safari vehicle by which they will be taken to the Meerkat burrows. On the way to the burrows guests are usually lucky to spot some of the 22 species of animals on the reserve. As there are dangerous animals like Buffalo and Hippo on the reserve, the guests remain on the vehicle while waiting for the Meerkats to emerge at the break of dawn. The ranger will educate the guests on all the interesting facts and behaviour throughout the experience.   GENERAL GUIDELINES:  These are wild habituated Meerkats and will not be touched or handled by humans, including the ranger.  The distance from the Meerkats and the guests will at all times be determined by the ranger and respected by the guests.  Maximum of 16 guests per vehicle.  Maximum of 2 vehicles per day.  No children under the age of eight years.  Advanced bookings only.  Please call Lodge day before activity to reconfirm departure time. Please note: Weather permitting On sunny mornings our meerkats wake up on time, but conditions such as rain and cold overcast mornings can delay the meerkats to emerge from their burrows for the morning. Meerkats prefer clear sunny mornings. Thus, in the event of above mentioned weather conditions, there is a possibility that we will not see the meerkats or that the meerkat safari can be cancelled. Currently Buffelsdrift Game Lodge has embarked on an extensive Meerkat research program. Volunteers at Buffelsdrift Game Lodge will be utilized to help the ranger with data collection and behaviour observations. For more information, visit our Volunteer Program.

A night drive is a safari that happens at night with the help of powerful spotlights to see the different animals. The two-hour night drive offers guest an opportunity to spot the elusive “Shy five” of Buffelsdrift Game Lodge – caracal, genet, porcupine, aardvark, and aardwolf. The open game drive safari vehicle offers to witness other wildlife species such as hippo’s grazing, Giraffes, Buffalo, Cape Mountain Zebra, Sable, Eland and much more. About midway through the night drive, there is a refreshment break where you can enjoy the renowned Klein Karoo night skies. The advantage of a night drive is that it provides access to nocturnal species that are rarely seen during the day, and there is a greater probability of seeing them hunt at night.

From the Guesthouse we travel north towards the majestic Swartberg Mountains. From the Southern foothills we start our ascend of nearly 900 meters up the Swartberg Mountains via the world renowned Swartberg Pass. The Swartberg Pass, a National monument, has a gravel surface and was constructed by renowned road engineer, Thomas Bain over a 4 year period and opened on 10 January 1888. The dry stone technique used to construct the pass required extreme manual labour and is as solid as it was when constructed 128 years ago. Get close to nature and explore the spectacular Sandstone formations dating back more than 300 million years. Feast your eyes on the full splendour of diverse “fynbos” species ranging from various Protea species as well as “cone bush” and “pin cushions”. You may even spot a soaring Verreaux Eagle or Jackal Buzzard while the agility of the “Klipspringer” (small antelope) over the rugged sandstone formations will astound you. At the summit (“Die Top”) of the Swartberg Pass, we enjoy a 170 kilometer panoramic view over the Great Karoo before enjoying a leisure walk on the Swartberg Pass. Your guide will also share with you the Leopard conservation initiative pioneered by the members of the H.O.P.E. Foundation. . After the leisure walk we descend the Swartberg Pass en-route to Prince Albert where we are treated to a light lunch. Departing from Prince Albert, you will be introduced to the arid Great Karoo landscape and its diverse succulents and karroid bush by skirting the northern slopes of the Swartberg Mountains, en- route to Meiringspoort. Time is spent at the 60 meter high waterfall in Meiringspoort, before snaking through the rest of the poort to the peaceful Little Karoo “Dorpie” - De Rust. From here we return to the Hotel / Guesthouse.

The Swartberg Mountains offers numerous hiking trails which will meet any hiker's expectations, whether novice or seasoned. From the historical Old Toll House situated on the Swartberg Pass you can undertake casual hikes on any of our two circular hiking trails. Both trails are of moderate intensity and no formal hiking gear is required. A resident qualified eco guide will take you to the start of the trails. You will be introduced to spectacular Sandstone formations dating back more than 300 million years. Feasting your eyes on the full splendor of diverse “fynbos” species ranging from various protea species as well as “cone bush” and “pin cushions”. You may even spot a soaring Verreaux Eagle or Jackal Buzzard while the agility of the “Klipspringer” (small antelope) over the rugged sandstone formations will astound you. At 1 350m above mean sea level, you will enjoy the panoramic vistas over the northern slopes of the Swartberg Mountains (a World Heritage Site). The tranquility and serenity of this unique venue reflects the essence of a bygone era.

Our Traditional Ostrich Tour is not only enlightening but also fun for the whole family. Learn all about ostriches, feed one by hand, and watch as our staff expertly demonstrate the various crafts using the ostrich’s exquisite feathers, eggs and leather. You will be in awe with the beauty of your surroundings, with the Klein Karoo valley and the picturesque Swartberg Mountains. All year round except Christmas day. Guests can visit Curio Shop and The Pepper Tree Restaurant for meals and drinks.