BushBreaks & More office

5 chiriez dafel - a year ago

Wonderful service, the staff are super friendly and always willing to assist. Rooms are neat and clean. Great variety in food options. Game drives are good, had some amazing sightings and learnt a lot from the rangers

2 Louis Kotze - 2 months ago

Be very careful before you book at Mabula Lodge through BushBreaks. As South African citizens, we have stayed at several fantastic lodges in the north and our experience have been very positive: great hospitality, food and facilities. Mabula came highly recommended by the "premium" travel agent BushBreaks, through which I have booked before, and I reserved 2 rooms for my mom's birthday in June 2022 for 3 persons, including breakfast and dinner and 2 game drives a day. We stayed 3 nights, costing us about R 17 000-approximately R 1900 pp per day, which is steep, but what one would expect to pay for a "luxury" private lodge, which is how Mabula describes itself and how BushBreaks sold. Our expectations were needless to say high. Regrettably we were deeply disappointed, embarrassed even, both as a "proud South African" to see that this is what we offer (mostly foreign) tourists, and as the host for my mom's birthday. The positives first: the staff were courteous and friendly, as were the game rangers, who were also knowledgeable. But that is it. We got standard rooms (note again the price you pay) next to the massive power generator that was running almost every evening. The rooms were extremely dated: old furniture, worn out curtains, stained toilets, calcified showers, defect TV remotes and hair dryers, and no chairs or table to sit outside your room. But the worst was the food: the epitome of uninspired (sub)-standard catering for massive travel groups. We had a buffet each evening apart from one night where there was an a la carte menu with a small selection of dishes. We went for the chicken kebabs because that looked like the safest option. We did get kebabs, with way over-cooked vegetables, but everything was ice cold. We sent it back and got it back, thoroughly microwaved, dried out and inedible. The wine list is also extremely limited: while stunningly overpriced, they only have the most expensive reds available, or the cheapest with very few options in the mid-range. I shared my concerns with Candice Harvey from BushBreaks and she contacted the lodge to try and mediate the situation. Nothing happened apart from a promise that they will try and improve the food. We did get working hairdryers on day three. I mentioned to Candice that a premium travel agency like BuskBreaks should NOT keep sub-standard lodges like Mabula on their listing. I also shared my concerns with the lodge manager who apologised and got the following letter a few weeks ago, basically admitting that we received sub-standard service:
"Dear Mr., Kotze Please accept my sincere apologies for not providing you with the memorable experience you deserve during your
recent stay at Mabula Game Lodge. I am saddened to see that we let you down and did not meet your expectations.
We strive to deliver the best possible service and product to our beloved guests, and I sincerely regret that you occupied
a standard room and not one of our newly refurbished superior rooms. As a discerning client of BushBreaks, we erred by
not upgrading you for which I am truly very sorry.
Unfortunately, your stay with us coincided with a large conference and I feel that we did not provide you with the
service we are known for albeit in a friendly manner.
I have discussed the menu options with the Executive Chef, and he ensured me that we will cater for even the most
delicate palate in future and not let his menus be dictated by the requirements of the large groups.
We are in the process of transitioning to a new wine menu due to the limited availability of the wines from the
distributors and I regret that our poor planning had impacted on your experience.
I sincerely apologise for your disappointing stay with us and do hope that you will consider Mabula Game Lodge again in
the future in order to provide you with the service you are accustomed to and rightfully deserve as a guest." This was an expensive lesson that you should do your homework yourself and not only trust a travel agent, while also ensuring the lodge you book is what it says it is. Mabula is NOT a premium lodge.

1 Debbie Govender - a month ago

We've been trying to book accomodation through Bushbreaks and have experienced slow and inefficient service. Travel agents are not following up with lodges, resulting in our travel dates constantly changing. Improved communication and turn around time is required as other platforms like Nightsbrige and Airbnb allow you to book accomodation instantly with no hassle.

5 Stephanie Yates - 7 months ago

We booked our recent weekend away through BushBreaks and I was thoroughly impressed with the service provided.
We decided last minute to book something and when we started searching, we could find NOTHING available. Out of desperation, I emailed BushBreaks on the Sunday evening only half expecting a reply (I had never dealt with them before). The next morning, I had a quote from Kefi with 3 options within the specifications I had detailed. We chose one and Kefi had it all booked for us within a day. She was professional and kept us updated at all times. I would definitely book though BushBreaks again!

1 C H - 4 months ago

Who are they kidding about SA citizen rates. Laughable to expect a couple to pay over R13 000 a night at a lodge. They should just advertise to Foreigners instead of sending these ridiculous emails to us.

4 marco de villiers jansen - 4 months ago

First time booking with BushBreaks and the experience was great...awesome service from staff members.

3 Rob Stewart - 8 months ago

Making a booking works fine if you have no questions, queries or change of dates. Then the contact agent goes very silent. Obviously working from home and have no concern about providing a service