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Caracal Lodge

Lodge

Houtboschoek Mpumalanga

Price unavailable
Price unavailable
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hotel
hotel

Why people book this hotel

Friendly staff
8 mentions

The staff were friendly and helpful

We stayed at Bushbuck lodge and were thrilled from the moment we arrived where w…

Comfortable rooms
4 mentions

Craig's hospitality, the quietness, the stars, the sounds of the birds, Moose

With the necessary amenities to make the stay comfortable

Pool
4 mentions

We left there feeling and looking younger and we even got time to chill by the p…

Going off the grid, swimming in the waterfall exceeded expectations

Great location
3 mentions

The location is private and includes braai and fire area

Totally off grid and private, great location

Clean rooms
3 mentions

The room was clean and comfortable

Staff came daily to clean the space, the host is awesome and was very helpful wi…

Overview

Nestled in the valley of Houtboshoek and surrounded by grassy hills, Caracal Lodge is located a 45-minute drive from Nelspruit. The units at Caracal Lodge combine elegance with a rustic bush-style atmosphere. Each has a seating area and patio, kitchen facilities and a private bathroom. Guests can enjoy garden and mountain views. Some of the units have their own private plunge pool. An array of activities can be enjoyed on site or in the surroundings, including cycling, fishing and hiking. The lodge is home to free roaming giraffe and other small game can be spotted in the area. There is also a cave situated in a gorge next to a waterfall and staff can organise mountain drives in a 4x4 vehicle. The lodge is 50 km from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport.

Traveller reviews

K

Karen

family_with_children

April 8, 2026

10

Comfortable, clean and just overall beautiful. Highly recommended for a get away.

Beautiful farm. Accommodation lovely. Owner very accommodating.

N

Nick

couple

April 7, 2026

9

Easter Weekend Away

We stayed at the Fig Tree Lodge. The room was clean and comfortable. The staff were friendly and helpful. The Lodge is off grid but has a gas fridge, stove and geyser. The location is private and includes braai and fire area. We were treated to amazing views, went on hikes and visits to the waterfall during our stay. Was a great experience being on the farm with all the animals.

M

Mia

couple

February 2, 2026

10

Paradise!

If you are looking for the best place to stay then look no further! Caracal lodge is a pure treasure and the wonderful reviews and gorgeous photos don't even do it justice, words just cannot describe it's glory! We stayed at Bushbuck lodge and were thrilled from the moment we arrived where we were greeted by friendly dogs and the wonderful owner Craig, giraffe, pigs, goats, buck, cattle, zebra, ostriches and geese until the last moment where we were met with hundreds of butterflies making the sad departure spectacular. The host Craig is accommodating, fun and an all round amazing human being and his passion shows through his stories and actions. His consideration showed from the moment we arrived and he asked us our preference with the animals and once we gave the "We love animals go ahead" we were temporarily adopted by 3 of his gorgeous loving doggies that acted as our guides and protectors for the rest of our stay. The place is so beautiful you wouldn't even want to leave but if you do, Kaapsehoop is 23 minutes in 1 direction and Sudwala Caves, Dinosaur museum (with live crocodiles), a zip line, butterfly effect eco estat are 23 minutes the opposite direction and a bit further are the wonderful elephants of Hazyview. We spent our nights with a fire going, tales of the place from Craig, a night visit to the private waterfall which is a first for me. The property is on a ley line, has a gorgeous private waterfall, caves, hiking trails, stone circles and so much to explore and take in. With the spectacular backdrops which include majestic giraffe and the symphony of nature, birds galore we didn't turn the TV or music on once! We left there feeling and looking younger and we even got time to chill by the pool lounge with doggies and relax. Caracal lodge, I am coming back soon, all my loved ones need to experience you!

L

Lerato

couple

January 19, 2026

8

Lovely stay, enjoyed it

Totally off grid and private, great location

J

Jessica Lyon

family_with_children

January 4, 2026

10

Wonderful holiday experience

The surroundings and area is so green and beautiful. If you love nature this is the ideal place for that. Very peaceful and you most definitely feel like you on a holiday. They have the best house keeping service and the hosts are very welcoming.

M

Marsha

family_with_children

December 29, 2025

8

Exceptional beauty and comfortable stay.

It was off the grid, with stunning views and had all comforts of home. The lodge also has beautiful animals to view and friendly pet dogs and a pet pig.

C

Cassim

family_with_children

December 19, 2025

6

Pleasant stay

The host and surrounding were lovely. The dogs and animals too.

A

Alan

couple

September 28, 2025

9

Craig's hospitality, the quietness, the stars, the sounds of the birds, Moose ... and the very special arrival of the baby bush pig, of course 😉

N

Norman

couple

September 2, 2025

8

Craig was brilliant and helpful!

S

Guest

couple

June 16, 2025

8

Lovely stay, enjoyed it

Totally off grid and private, great location

M

Marcel

extended_group

May 9, 2025

10

Our host (Craig) was fantastic and catered to our every need. We will most definitely be back.

Everything. The view of giraffes being fed every afternoon was very special. Also, Moose (the dog) provided much entertainment.

S

Slungile

couple

May 6, 2025

10

Craig was an awesome host, highly recommend the cottages for privacy.

Country getaway, very peaceful surrounded by nature, you see Giraffe everyday and other bucks and farm animals- it was awesome.

A

Alexander

family_with_children

April 28, 2025

9

Deep dive in nature

R

Ricky

couple

April 24, 2025

10

Would go back anytime.

Self catering, feeling of independence and really home away from home.

K

Kobus

couple

March 5, 2025

9

Secluded, private and in nature. With the necessary amenities to make the stay comfortable.

S

Swart

couple

January 31, 2025

10

Absolutely incredible and way too short of a stay

Going off the grid, swimming in the waterfall exceeded expectations!

J

June

couple

January 21, 2025

10

Definitely a repeatable experience

The hospitality was out of this world as were the wild animals roaming freely, the beautiful pool and clubhouse and very cozy and unique cottage. The hiking and waterfall was very enjoyable. Lovely and close to Kaapsehoop which is a must to visit too.

M

Melissa

family_with_children

January 9, 2025

9

A slice of heaven and farm living

The property feels like a dream with beautiful trees and surrounds. The garden and pool area is a family time paradise with the games area having kept us all busy. A little piece of heaven. Staff came daily to clean the space, the host is awesome and was very helpful with any questions. The chalet is beautifully decorated and homely. Everything you need is here. We can’t wait to be back.

J

Jerome

family_with_children

January 8, 2025

10

Relaxing, with breathtaking scenery and the sounds of the surrounding wildlife. The accommodation was spacious, immaculately clean, and thoughtfully designed to make you feel connected to nature while still enjoying modern comforts. Craig and Donald, the incredible hosts who made our stay truly special. Their attentiveness, warmth, and knowledge of the area added a personal touch that elevated the experience. From their recommendations for activities and their fascinating stories, Craig and Donald went above and beyond to make us feel at home. Highly recommend for nature lovers, families, or couples looking for a romantic getaway.

R

Rea

extended_group

January 6, 2025

6

The environment was amazing, views were to die for.

Facilities

Activities

Fishing, Billiards, Table tennis, Darts, Canoeing, Hiking, Cycling, Walking tours

Cleanliness & disinfecting

Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Coronavirus, Linens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines, Guest accommodation is disinfected between stays, Guest accommodation sealed after cleaning, Guests have the option to cancel any cleaning services for their accommodation during their stay

Food & Drink

Breakfast options, Bar

Food & drink safety

Physical distancing in dining areas, Food can be delivered to guest accommodation, All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized, Breakfast takeaway containers, Delivered food is securely covered

General

Pets allowed, Family rooms, Non-smoking throughout

Outdoors

Sun terrace, Outdoor pool, BBQ facilities, Garden, Terrace

Parking

Parking, Free parking, Parking on site, Private parking

Physical distancing

Contactless check-in/check-out, Cashless payment available, Physical distancing rules followed, Screens or physical barriers placed between staff and guests in appropriate areas

Pool and wellness

Swimming pool, Swimming Pool

Safety & security

Fire extinguishers

Safety features

Staff follow all safety protocols as directed by local authorities, Shared stationery such as printed menus, magazines, pens, and paper removed, Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas, Process in place to check health of guests, First aid kit available, Access to health care professionals, Thermometers for guests provided by property, Face masks for guests available

Services

Laundry, Daily housekeeping

Hotel Policies

Check-inFrom 14:00 to 20:00
Check-outFrom 06:00 until 11:00
Cancellation & prepaymentCancellation and prepayment policies vary by room type. Please check your booking details before finalizing.
Accepted credit cardsThe hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.
The fine printPlease inform in advance of your expected arrival time. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly with the contact details provided in your confirmation.
Last updated: Apr 12, 2024, 6:06 AM

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