The Bush House - exclusive private game lodge in malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa - Game viewing drives to see the Big 5 - Guest Book

The Bush House

The Bush House Guestbook


www.louisaclaire.com/travel/introducing-the-wild/

Louisa Claire
April, 2013

This our second visit has been enormous due to Bush House family of the animals of Madikwe. The hide has been an outstanding new feature. Can't even describe the amount of animals we've seen. Special thanks to Thomas for the super game drives. To the Bush House family thank you for our home-from home and hope to see you again soon. We are very sad to leave and a fantastic week.

Hans and Diny
March, 2013

We have had an absolutely wonderful time and The Bush House has surpassed all our expectations. This holiday will rank as a family milestone for us and our stay with you will hold a special place in our folklore. Thank you so very much to each and every one of you at The Bush House.
Marilyn Rickard and Family
Sydney Australia
March, 2013


This adventure has been beyond awesome - the entire staff is wonderful and I had a wonderful time and experience! Thank you so much for everything.
Robin Moore
February, 2013

Dear Friends,
Apart from providing absolutely stunning sights of the wild animals in the reserve you have also taken care of us with the utmost friendliness and charm! We picked this place for our engagement and for all these reasons the Bush House will forever have a very special place in our hearts.
Kirsten & Bengt
Stockholm, Sweden
February, 2013


Dear All,
Here we had the most amazing time of our lives! I can't begin to tell you how grateful and pleased and thankful we are with your hospitality. You guys made all the difference in our stay. Simply unforgettable! The peace is amazing, the game drives were out of this world and, for sure, this is a place we will come back in the near future! Thousands of kisses from Rio de Janeiro
Paula and Marcelo
Brazil
January, 2013


To all of you lovely people at The Bush House - a big thank! It's been really amazing and the game drive guiding was purely awesome!! And so was the service. And the food. And the room- we could go on forever. We really hope to get the chance to come back for a longer stay in the future.
All the best, Simona & Linus
Sweden
January, 2013


Long before we came here our thoughts were in the Bush House and we couldn't wait to visit the hide. Now we are here and everything is ten times better as we could have ever imagined in our dreams. It is such a peaceful and lovely place, and to sit at the waterhole let us forget the whole world. The place is magnificent but it's also the hospitality and all the friendly staff who made us feel so relaxed. The game drives were brilliant and we are full of love for your place. We just have to come back.We wish you all the best and thanks again for everything.
Renè & Heidi
Berne
Switzerland
December, 2012

We four came to celebrate 80years of marriage, 40years each couple,however we ended up celebrating life and more- celebrating that sense of peace and equanimity that comes when one is amongst friends who are more like family - and this connects us with each other and who we are. Thank you to The Bush House team for the experiences of the last two days for which there are no words that could do them justice.
Bill & leslie Pigott, John & Carolyn Jacoby
November, 2012

We love, love, LOVED our time here! It was a truly magnificent experience and everything was top notch, from the game drives to the waterhole and hide which are both brilliant! Amazing hands-on-service, thank you for making our first safari so memorable
Sheryl & Adi Lavi
San Francisco
USA
November, 2012

I visited Bush House last year in august on a business trip and to be honest I didn't really expect that safari was anything for me. But after just teen minutes on the lodge with the very worm welcome by the staff and also more the 15 elephant just in front of the lodge I was sold. Therefore I promised myself that I need to go back so that my wife can experience this for herself and next week we will do this and are really looking forward to this both of us. And by the way last time I was lucky to see all big five in just 4 game drive and that included even the black rhino.
Paw Soee
Copenhagen
Denmark
October, 2012

Bush House was one of our best experiences in 20 years.Roaming around Africa and 5 visits to Madikwe! We take fond memories of the people and the animals with us and we will be back.Be ready!
Robin Melvin & Roger Chadwick
USA & SA
October, 2012

The Bush House is amazing! The hospitality was incredible. I've dreamed of going on safari since I was 10 years old, this exceeded my dreams. Art safari with Artist, Alison Nichols, through Africa Geographic. You really get to know the animals when you sketch them. I agree it is hard to put in words how wonderful the Bush House is. Thank you to everyone there for an amazing trip.
Stacy
Houston, TX
USA
September, 2012

It is quite difficult to put into words just how perfect The Bush House is. This was the trip of a lifetime for us as we brought our whole family with us,including our four grandchildren. We were made to feel so welcome, the children were relaxed, had no restrictions put on them and just had a ball. The game drives were spectacular and our thanks have to go to David for making them such an adventure and such good fun, including the "poo spitting" in the middle of the bush - the kids just loved it (big kids as well!). Our every comfort was met, in fact surpassed. We've been fortunate to have travelled extensively but we cannot recall any place that provides the unique experience found at The Bush House. It is simply wonderful!
Susan & Norman Davies
Dorset
UK
August, 2012

A little peace of heaven, that was the Bush House for us and our kids Dawa and Noor. The ambiance, the people, the animals....just wonderfull, best safari experience ever with Thomas, our one man miracle.
Leon Baars and Wencke Schmitz
Made
The Netherlands
August, 2012

We had a great Stay! Thanks a ton to Sue and the rest of the Bush House Family. Service was by far the most outstanding we have experienced!!
Maya, Ragesh & Tia
Gaborone
Botswana
July, 2012

This stay was the perfect closing ceremony for our 6 years in South Africa - Bye lions and elephants, it is now time for us to go back to France. Wonderful place, perfect for the kids too! Will definitely have to come back! Thanks a lot to the staff.
Antoine, Baptiste,Laetitia & Vincent
Duvnjak Family
France
July, 2012

This is a most wonderful place! The owners are great people and the staff are caring and dedicated to giving their guests the best of times. The food is fantastic, and they went out of their way to ensure Ralph's dietary needs were met. The hide is a really great way to get up close to the animals, and our guide, Thomas, did an excellent job of finding game (both large and small) and is extremely knowledgeable about nature. This was our fourth stay at a game preserve, but from now on it will be our only stop!
Ralph and Sandy Miller
Hotchkiss, CO
USA
June, 2012

Fantastic place to be! Excellent service & amazing food. The hide and waterhole are the best attractions I've ever experienced in Africa. Thanks to all Bush House staff!
Ewald Iking
Utrecht area
Netherlands
June, 2012

Unbeatable service! Genuinely striving to make every moment the best it could be for the visitors. The view over the waterhole is the best I have seen ( I've visited 7 other lodges at Madikwe plus 3 other parks).
The hide is another great attraction. Thanks for a great weekend.
Peter Lawson
Australia
May, 2012

What a wonderful place for a family bush weekend- made perfect by the wonderful response of the staff to all our family needs- from the smallest (2 months) to the oldest- Malcolm celebrating his 70th!
Your attentive and friendly help was really impressive. Thanks to all
Malcolm and Kathy Macdonald
Bedfordview
South Africa
May, 2012

Wonderful! Having been in the industry for over 20 years I have seen a lot of camps and The Bush House is truly a special place, run with passion. The new "hide" will be great- especially with a bar fridge!
Big Five plus wild dog twice!
Thank you all.
Wolhuter Family
Bulawayo
Zimbabwe
April, 2012

Thank you Bush House for letting us have an amazing adventure, and seeing new things! I know that all 5 of us love it here and soon are wanting to come back and never leave. We had the experience of a lifetime. Everybody was so lovely. Can't wait to come back. Cheers.
The Crookshanks Family
John,Sassy,Max. Claudia & Sean
Qatar
April, 2012

AMAZING! MARVELLOUS! FABULOUS!
We have had a riot! You guys have made this an unforgettable first trip to South Africa- it won't be our last. Thank you for your hospitality and unrelenting patience of my squealing on the drives.
We cannot wait to come back. Thank you all. :)
Caroline & James
Abu Dhabi
March, 2012

What a magnificent place - Congratulations to Sue and Gordon for this excellent place.Good Luck with future plans- we will be back!! :)
Big thank you to all the staff and for the language lessons!
A very big thank you for making our drives very special and memories we will treasure forever. We will be back to see the cat with spots.
Have fun.

Nikki and Malc
March, 2012

A wonderful stay in a beautiful place. What an incredible waterhole- it gave us so much pleasure watching the elephants and other animals. All the staff did an incredible job and made us feel very welcome.
We will follow your webcam.
Jane and Mary
Collingwood & Toronto
Canada
February, 2012

Be it blue skyes or rain and thunderstorm- The Bush House has always been our "home" to us. We very much enjoyed the calm and relaxed atmosphere, the kindness and the absolutely perfect hospitality of everybody we have met here. We spent awesome 3 days, indulged in excellent food, creatively decorated and presented and admired the beautiful garden- not to mention all the animals, big and small ones, we've seen on the Game drives and by the waterhole.
Anja Stemmer & Herbert Huber
Munich
Germany
January, 2012

A little piece of Paradise in the African bush!! A great way to spend four restful days. Many thanks to Geraldine and Tumi and all the staff who looked after us so well. A REAL pleasure. Thanks also to Sue and Gordon for making it possible.
Helena & Ken Watkins &Wendy Langley
Greyton & Sydney
South Africa & Australia
January, 2012

We had a splendid Xmas, thanks to your wonderful folks and the beautiful buildings, garden, everything. Many thanks!
Marjo,Evert,Annika,Steffen,Richard
Netherlands
December, 2011

I have only one word; fabulous, fantastic, awesome, memorable, comfortable,special, memorable, super, friendly, memorable and memorable!
Thank you!
Chay Tancrel
Gauteng
South Africa
December, 2011

Bush family-
In all our travels around the world, our stay with all of you was above and beyond the best. From the hospitality, the food, the family atmosphere and especially the adventure ( Thanks Coenie!!!).
I can't thank you all enough for everything, it was a truly amazing experience.
Craig Brown
New Zealand
December, 2011

This was a very special two days for us. Four of the Big 5 , so many babies and the two honey badgers! The views at the waterhole were exciting especially the elephants playing in the water and the cautious giraffe. Thank you for delicious food and wonderful hospitality.
Nancy, Steve & Philip
United States
November, 2011

A very BIG thank you all of the staff of Bush House. Your hospitality, the wonderful food.
There are not enough words to tell you all how much we have enjoyed our stay. We felt like part of the Bush House family and very at home.
Hans Gelissen
Netherlands
November, 2011

It's been 2 nights and we don't want to leave! Thank you for the fabulous stay Sue and Gordon, Debbie- the drives were incredible especially in the rain and Coenie you make the best bartender ever.....
Roland, Anila and Dhanushka
Dubai
October, 2011

What a wonderful place to spend a relaxing weekend.
The staff is brilliant and very friendly. Will definitely be back again.
Mosiako family
Gauteng
October, 2011

Thank you to the Bush House Staff for a stunning weekend and for making Ryan's dream come true in more ways than one!
Adam, Sonja, Heather and Ryan
Somerset West
Cape Town
October, 2011

We were fortunate to spend 6 days with you and every one was fantastic. Beautiful location, exceptional staff, and wonderful food. The game drives were terrific and we were lucky enough to see the Big 5. We cannot thank you enough for all the help you gave us, we are looking forward to next year. Extra big thank you to Sue and Gordon for having such a lovely place, and to Debbie for her off-road skills! Also Coenie for his bartending. We miss you all.
Ian and Marjorie
Skipton
England
October, 2011

This is as close to paradise as you can get. Lovely lodge,vicous animals and game drives.But the best of all was all the lovely people we met and their hospitality.
Ann Charlotte Johansson
Stockholm
Sweden
September, 2011

Probably the most delightful suprise in a two month trip around RSA, Namibia and Botswana. We'll be back! Thanks so much
David & Lesley Marcus
September, 2011

What a wonderful experience. I can't imagine other lodges that provide the location, personalized service and flavor that Sue, Gordon and the rest of the staff provide at the Bush House. Already looking at dates for next "winter".

Cheers!
Steve
Steve
Washington, DC
USA
August, 2011

Bush House was everything we hoped it would be and much more. Beautiful surroundings, delicious food served in a variety of settings and attentive, friendly staff make Bush House the warm and relaxed environment that it is. Our Ranger, Debbie, was informative and made sure that every game drive was a different experience and that we saw as wide a range of the wonderful animals as possible. We enjoyed our time sitting overlooking the water hole watching the comings and goings during the day. Thank you to Sue, Gordon and the whole team for creating perfection!
Ian, Pat, Fiona and Katie
Farnham
UK
August, 2011

Like staying with family. Wonderful game drives.
You cannot improve on perfection- all round.

Helen Ibbott
Islamabad
Pakistan
July, 2011

Dear Sue,Gordon and Staff,
We started visiting the Bush House in 2005, than we were still living in Holland. Immediatly we felt at home, we were pampered from the early mornings till the late evenings. Food to die for and game drives that open your eyes.In the six years that we are visiting the Bush House
we enjoy it over and over again. No better place like home, yes that is the Bush House. We are now living in Jeffreys Bay SA since 2009 and we love to go to our Home away from Home.Both places are "coming home" for us.
Love Sjoerd & Martha.
Sjoerd & Martha Klaucke
Jeffreys Bay
Sout Africa
June, 2011

Bush House Family,
Thank you for the terrific respite during your early winter. You did an outstanding job and made this once in a lifetime trip memorable.
Scott
Massachusetts
USA
June, 2011

Bush House family- Thank you for another wonderful stay! Absolutely loved the hot water bottles on the morning game drive. Great idea. We greatly appreciate the personal care we received - all the details- were not overlooked by us :)The Bush House has been, and continues to be, our most favorite safari lodge!
Syd, Karen, Rachel & Bethany Shinn
North Carolina by way of Gaborone Botswana
June, 2011

Many thanks for a wonderful stay! It was fantastic to see the big five all in one day. A special thanks for the baby leopard!!! The staff was phenomenal, we loved them all. Coenie- brush your hair! The food was beautiful and delicious and the service was fantastic. We definitely enjoyed the warn fires and hot water bottles. The game drives were great and we saw many animals that matched our criteria- 1. If we could eat it. 2.If it could kill a squirrel. Thank you for the care you have provided over the past two days. It has been such a lovely, enjoyable stay.
Paul. Sandi, Emily & Katy Harmon
Denver
Colorado
June, 2011

"The Bush House and Madikwe nursed our souls and our hearts"
The whole experience is just fantastic. The food, the staff, the game viewing and everything is wonderfull. We stayed for 15 days and we were not bored one minute. Thanks to everyone in the lodge.
PS Beware of the Boma !!

Eric & Karin
Belgium
May, 2011

Erik said it all.
Home away from home. Thanks to everybody. See you again. Love
Tuurke & Maria
Belgium
May, 2011

What a truly unforgettable holiday!! To each and everyone of you from behind the scene to front of house.......a big thank you!
From the moment (literally) we arrived, the setting, the elephant at the watering hole, the lioness chasing the warthog, the welcoming fires, the smiles,the hosts,the delicious dinners,that home from home feeling.
Nothing was too much trouble.
A fabulous evening with a braai, a delicious birthday cake for Millie.A manicure that made her feel "really special"
Jacques.....a hard act to follow. We wished , we hoped, we dreamed and you made it all come true!No sooner had we spoken about rhino and they were there.The leopard experience... none of us will forget.The kids marvelled when you "spoke" to the elephant bull.
We have relaxed, enjoyed and laughed, now it's time to say goodbye.
Although in Belgium we say "Au revoir" and we will return!!
Thank you ALL for making us feel really special and privileged.
Louise,Steve,Josh,Rory & Millie
April, 2011

Sue & Gordon - Our 3 day stay will be an exceptionally sweet memory not only for Carla and I but for Nikolas and Briana! We enjoyed every moment of our visit. We totally enjoyed the rides (to include the flats) to see all the wild animals. The ones I really wanted to see were the lions which turned out to be the "sleeping lions"!! Jacques was exceptionally well versed of the land and animals. The elephant community at the water bank was outstanding! I've shared my videos and photos to lots of our friends in America! Your lodging and meals were fantastic. Your staff, of course, made me appreciated what "Tender Loving Care" is all about. I actually felt like a king with my queen and little prince and princess. Thank you for your unique care! We'll never forget you all and hope to come back to visit you all the way from Lima, Peru! God bless and take care ya all!!
Wally & Carla Pinon
Lima
Peru
April, 2011

Dear Gordan, Sue and staff,
Suhas and I had an amazing time at the lodge. The staff were extremely friendly and we were very well looked after! The private dinner that was arranged was quite memorable. And I being the lone vegetarian, enjoyed my spl meal. Thank you! :)
Suhas and Pooja
Mumbai
India
March, 2011

I loved my stay. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. I felt like part of the family! Jeanette and Minky were always so pleasant and kind. Sue and Gordon are the best hosts. Jason is a great guide! Thank you so much.
Rob@top10images.com
Rob Armstrong
United States
March, 2011

Thank you so much for a superb stay.You seem to have thought of everything down to the tiniest detail. I returned to the icy wastes of Boston (-7C!) but all I have to do is look at my marvelous pics and it doesn't seem to matter! Well it goes really but what can you do?
Anna Kanarek
Boston
USA
March, 2011

A place to keep deep in my memory. Everybody must go at least once in life. Lovely staff and nice meals. Cosy bedrooms and a beautiful landscape. It worths until last penny I paid. I would say thank you to everybody.

Solveria
Barcelona
Spain
February, 2011

My first safari and this one was fantastic! Everyone was warm and wonderful and the service was outstanding. Great views of some wonderful animals.Thank you.
Real Robillard
United States
February, 2011

Stay was wonderful and the staff is great!!A special thanks for making our honeymoon so romantic.Safari was great.....so thank you Jason!
We hope to come back soon.
Carlo & Valentina Tambussi
Italy
January, 2011

What shall I say? We have had three amazing days, incredible friendly people,Jason was magician in finding the animals, full of spirit and passion. Good food, really great omelette "MADIKWE" in the morning, very conveniently located waterhole in front of the garden- so many elephants there,cool.
Definitely the highlight of our South African trip. Well done all involved,keep up the good work.
Niki ,Ralf & Gunnar
Germany
January, 2011