Ivory Tree Game Lodge

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Pricing

pp/night sharing

normal price: R6 410 (save: 41%)

Standard Suites

2 May - 31 Mar '27

R 3771

Excludes public holidays, school holidays and long weekends

Deluxe Suites

2 May - 31 Mar '27

R 4343

Excludes public holidays, school holidays and long weekends

Family Suites

2 May - 31 Mar '27

R 13737

Price per suite: can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children under 12. (excludes public holidays, school holidays and long weekends)

Includes:

Accommodation
All meals daily
2 daily safari activities

NOTE: Rates apply only to SA residents

Our Verdict

With 64 luxurious suites this is more of a “bush hotel” which offers more facilities and activities than a traditional game lodge, if not the intimacy.

Lodge Gallery

Our Ratings

7.0

Overall

7.5

Luxury & Style

6.5

Setting

6.5

Game Viewing

6.0

Romance

Our Ratings

7.0

Overall

7.5

Luxury & Style

6.5

Setting

6.5

Game Viewing

6.0

Romance

What's Hot

Loads of facilities, including an excellent Spa, so will definitely appeal to travellers wanting to do more than just go on game drives
This reserve is close to Johannesburg, malaria free and family friendly – therefore it is the ideal spot for couples or families looking to get away for a weekend!
Great for groups – either families, friends or even corporates – not able to be accommodated at smaller game lodges
Diverse range of wildlife and birds found in Pilanesberg, including the Big Five as well as rarities like sable antelope
For something completely different go hot air ballooning or try your hand at archery!

What's Not

Definitely not for lovers of small and intimate traditional private game lodges – with 64 rooms this is more of a hotel in the bush than a lodge
No off-roading is allowed in the Pilanesberg and you’re also going to find yourself sharing roads with the public in their own cars
Just outdoor showers in the suites so you could get chilly when it’s cold – or soak in the large bath of course!

Ivory Tree Game Lodge The 64 rooms are all separate standalone bungalows that snake away on both sides of the main lodge building and you’re likely to see the smaller buck that take refuge inside the lodge’s fence wandering in between the suites!

Lodge Profile

With 64 luxurious suites this is more of a “bush hotel” which offers more facilities and activities than a traditional game lodge, if not the intimacy.

Quick Overview

Location

Pilanesberg

Drive Time

2.5 hours drive from Johannesburg

Malaria

Setting

Overlooking the bushveld

Rooms

64 suites - 60 standard and 4 executive suites

Aircon

Yes

Pool

Yes - and private plunge pools for 3 of the executive suites

Spa

Yes

Camp Fenced

Yes

Tracker

No - only ranger

Off Road

Child Policy

All ages

Set in the north-eastern sector of the Pilanesberg and accessed via the Bakgatla Gate, Ivory Tree is an easy two and a half hour drive from Johannesburg, so if you fancy a quick weekend break in the bush this could be the place for you. What you do need to be aware of though is that this isn’t your typical small and rustic traditional game lodge as dominates most of the portfolio here at Bushscapes – rather it is a very large 64 room “bush hotel” which offers a completely different, more “resorty” experience that will suit certain travellers, but not others.

There are 60 private thatched Suites as well as 4 Luxury Suites at Ivory Tree, all decorated in a range of earthy tones ranging from terra cottas to deep blues - the rooms have been carefully co-ordinated to ensure comfortable seating both indoors and out. The suites all boast air conditioners which provide heating and cooling, as well as a lovely en-suite bathroom with an outside shower with magical views of the crater slope! (note however that there is no indoor shower, so you will have to brave the cold on chilly days if you insist on showering, or alternatively take a nice warm soaking bath) There’s also a covered patio where you can enjoy with your morning cup of tea. Rather than one large block, the rooms are all separate standalone bungalows that snake away on both sides of the main lodge building and you’re likely to see the smaller buck that take refuge inside the lodge’s fence wandering in between the suites! The 4 Executive Suites are obviously larger with a spacious lounge area and also add private plunge pools to the mix! You need not panic too much about the lodge being large as there are golf carts that are available to take you to and from the main lodge daily (even though the walk is only about 7 minutes from the furthest suite)

The public areas of the main lodge have been carefully planned to ensure easy flowing and comfortable spaces designed to accommodate a larger group or to provide intimate retreats ensuring privacy for couples or families. You can also enjoy two lounges, as well as a bar and cocktail lounge for those of who would like to enjoy a sundowner on the main deck. The central areas were designed using a double volume style to ensure impressive views of the surrounding amphitheatre. The highlight though has to be the large swimming pool which has been positioned between the lodge and the newly completed water hole – so you can enjoy a spot of game- viewing without even moving from the water!

Talking of game viewing, you will enjoy twice daily game drives in 10-seater open game vehicles with your experienced ranger who will share stories and facts about the surrounding wildlife that will keep you on your toes and wanting to hear more! One thing to realise is that although Ivory Tree has its own private area, the rest of the Pilanesberg is open to the public so you don’t have the true feeling of exclusivity on offer at lodges in other reserves – the policy here is also to stay on the roads at all times, unlike the lowveld reserves for example where you can follow confirmed Big Five sightings off road. The good news though is that the Pilanesberg boasts an abundance of wildlife in its 580 square kilometres of diverse and rugged bushveld terrain - the park is home to Africa's Big Five, over 300 species of birds (some are migrant and others permanent inhabitants) as well as a wide variety of rare species like the fleet-footed cheetah and the majestic sable, so keep your eyes open!

Other activities for you to enjoy at Ivory Tree while on your down time is to relax around the main pool or for some real self-indulgence enjoy a massage at the exclusive Amani Spa! At this lodge you don't have to worry about your little ones – here they can go on bush bumbles with rangers or you can all enjoy a family safari together. For those avid bird lovers you can book a bird drive, which is tailor made to suit everyone from novice to experienced bird watchers. Otherwise for those looking for a little bit more of an adrenaline rush, why don't you book a hot air-ballooning trip over the park (what could be better than sipping on a glass of bubbles while watching the game meander through the park from above) or take an elephant back safari? Of course, the golf courses and gambling tables of Sun City are pretty close by too!

Pricing

pp/night sharing

More Information

Booking Notes

All prices quoted are based on a minimum stay of two nights
A Conservation Levy of R 115 per person per stay will be payable directly to the Lodge
Rates quoted are only applicable to South African residents
Single supplement of 50% of the per person sharing rate
Subject to availability

Child Policy

When sharing with 2 adults in Luxury suite, children under 12 years will pay 50% of the adult rate
Children under 12 years sharing with 2 adults in Executive Suites will pay 50% of the adult rate for the Standard Suites
Generally, and except where children are accommodated on safari by means of a 'bush bumble', children under the age of 6 years will not be permitted on game drives
Children between the age of 6 & 12 years are permitted on drives at the discretion of the game ranger

Useful Links

Lodge Website

Visit the official lodge site.

Trip Advisor

Read guest reviews for this lodge.

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