Welcome to Toro Yaka Bush Lodge

Explore – Discover – Experience
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Toro Yaka is an exclusive, quiet lodge nestled on the outskirts of the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa. Our name translates to “My Dream” in Northern Sotho, and it is our goal to provide guests with a relaxed stay in the wild. This haven of peace and tranquillity was the dream of Nicole Bailie, the current owner, whose passion for nature inspired the creation of this one-of-a-kind lodge. Together with her welcoming team, the Toro Yaka family carefully caters to the needs of guests, helping every guest create a home away from home in Africa.

The main reason why guests return time and time again to Toro Yaka is that we offer restful accommodation, natural, unrushed game drives and walks, and delicious wholesome food. Guests have a real safari experience and as the lodge is purposely never overbooked, guests have privacy, peace, and quiet.

Take some time. Treat yourself. You deserve it.

Indulge in a luxury holiday and find out why our guests keep coming back

Activities & Facilities

Toro Yaka offers guests a few activities, all focused on getting back in touch with nature and refocusing the mind and body. Have a look at our popular activities currently available.

Accommodation
Private game lodge

Toro Yaka has been designed with nature in mind. The lodge has no fencing, and has a minimal impact on the surrounding nature. The lodge blends into the African bush and animals of all kinds often enter the grounds. Some of our regular visitors include an adorable family of warthogs, often spotted either on our lawns or at our watering hole. Nights are filled with the sounds of nocturnal animals. As the early dawn light heralds the new day, guests awaken to the distant sounds of waking wildlife.

Our safari lodge has 4 spacious en-suite thatch-roofed rooms, decorated in a modern style and capable of comfortably sleeping 2. Our rooms are spacious and in staying true to the aesthetic of the lodge, the space is designed to bring you closer to nature. Rooms have enough sleeping space for two. Each room has two beds which can be transformed into a comfortable double bed. The rooms are air-conditioned and the beds have mosquito nets. As for the bathrooms, guests will have their own indoor and outdoor shower. The rooms are serviced during the day while you are on a drive. In staying true to the aesthetic of the lodge, the space is designed to bring you closer to nature.

Game Drives
Private game lodge

A real African safari is the quintessential experience when you are at Toro Yaka. We have morning and afternoon game drives, with a highly experienced, passionate guide at the wheel. Unlike other safaris, ours is not a checklist experience. Nothing is rushed and we take nature as it comes. The locations in which we take our guests on safari are filled with interesting animals to see including elephant, rhino, lion and a great population of antelope.

The animals we see often move between our reserve and the Kruger, through open borders. Our guide is an expert tracker and is filled with knowledge about both the wildlife and the plants you will encounter.

To bring you even closer to nature, we also offer bush walks.

Dining
Private game lodge

Meals are an extra special occasion at Toro Yaka. Food is an important aspect of African culture and our guests can look forward to exquisitely prepared meals. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is catered for in true African style.

We take care to create meals that cater specifically to the dietary requirements of our guests. It is essential to note these requirements whilst booking, as we serve a set menu. All meals are freshly prepared at the lodge, by an experienced, creative chef. Our lodge has communal indoor and outdoor dining areas, as well as a Boma beneath the open, clear African skies.

Toro Yaka is dedicated to the preservation of the pristine African nature in which the lodge has been built. To this end, we do all that we can to leave no trace.

Massage
Private game lodge

Relaxing in our tranquil setting is taken to new heights when you treat yourself to a massage. Nicole is a qualified massage therapist and her treatments at the lodge include Swedish massage, Indian head massage, Aromatherapy, Reflexology and Shiatsu. She is also qualified in Kinesiology and The Reconnection. There is hardly a better way to start or end the day than with one of her treatments.

Our massage treatments are inspired by the surrounding nature and cater to both men and women. This is one way to completely reinvigorate both the body and the mind while on a quiet holiday at our exclusive lodge. Treatments need to be booked in advance and are not included as part of your stay at Toro Yaka.

Please ask for more information about our unique treatments when booking your accommodation.

  • star rating  Stayed as 2 couples at the end of August and were truely amazed at pretty much everything the lodge had to offer. - Staff were amazing, attentive and friendly.... read more

    avatar thumb John M
    October 8, 2018
  • star rating  The Best Lodge in Balule - We had 7 wonderful days at Toro Yaka and thoroughly enjoyed every minute. The Hosts Steve and Nicole and the guides Tim, Serena and Chat and the rest of the... read more

    Des V
    August 24, 2022
  • star rating  It was our 2nd time at Toro Yaka. We stayed 8 nights. It is our home away from home.
    Large rooms, stunning game drives, delicious food, lovely people ️ A... read more

    DaneBecameInsane
    December 23, 2019
  • star rating  This was our very first time in South Africa. We scooted here immediately after our wedding. Once into the lodge, we felt so relaxed and comfortable, simply great for both... read more

    avatar thumb 858junet
    November 16, 2018
  • star rating  This was my second visit to Toro Yaka, which means "my dream" and once again spectacularly exceeded my dreams for an African safari. From the moment one is greeted... read more

    avatar thumb QuizzyTripper
    April 7, 2019
  • star rating  We had a very special time at Toro Yaka Bush Lodge. Nicole and her staff spoil their guests with attention to detail in everything that they do. The rooms are... read more

    TravelbugMLA
    April 26, 2021
  • star rating  A memorable trip which introduced my wife and I to the Greater Kruger Park fauna and flora.
    All of the staff were fantastic and headed up by Steve &... read more

    avatar thumb Stevennjann
    January 15, 2023
  • star rating  Extremely impressed with Nicole's hospitality and the excellent service and attention provided by her staff. Each member of staff knew their guests names and were always friendly and polite, an... read more

    avatar thumb BRINGRIFF8
    November 25, 2018
  • star rating  Toro Yaka exceeded expectations - and after an amazing first trip 6 years ago, expectations were high! Nicole is an amazing host. Lodge staff are efficient and friendly. ... read more

    fan_of_travel_101
    November 4, 2021
  • star rating  Exceptional friendly and personal service. All the staff knew all the guests by name. The game ranger was surprisingly knowledgeable on game, birds and trees with amazing ability to... read more

    avatar thumb pieter444
    November 14, 2018

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