A little history … The original homestead ~ is in the process of renovation with Bucklands Boutique Guest House due to open its doors in the summer of 2010 ~ thought to have been erected in about 1872 by Alf Buckley, still consists of a house built of green brick, a double-storey stone fort with loopholes and a small pitched roof storeroom with a dung floor. The outside concrete staircase, leading to the upper level of the tower was added sometime after 1936, replacing a wooden staircase, which in its turn, had been put in after the fort was constructed. It has been suggested that Alf Buckley might have built it to protect his family during the frontier wars, but it is not typical of a fortified farmhouse and it seems more probable that it was built as part of a military outpost on the frontier defence line, serving as protection between Fort Brown and Double Drift. This would assume that the fort pre-dates the house which Buckley probably attached to the fortification as a safety measure in uncertain times. The current renovation of this historic homestead, into what will be Bucklands Boutique Guest House, is of significance to the area as there are many such buildings in need of attention in the district, hence we are proud to form part of the preservation of a cultural heritage that is rapidly being lost to future generations. Bucklands Boutique Guest House will be completely solar powered offering 4 luxury double suites, two of which will be disabled friendly and all will have modern en suite bathrooms. Each suite has been individually designed and will be classically furnished with the highest quality crisp linen and soft furnishings. Bucklands Boutique Guest House will have a comfortable sitting room, with other guest areas being the formal lounge and dining room, and verandas offering majestic views over the rolling valleys all the way to the Hogsback, Gaika's Kop and the Winterberg in the distance. A huge wild fig tree in the garden is the perfect place to spend a quiet afternoon with a book or you could have a drink with friends and family in our rustic pub in the historical fort. Game can also be viewed grazing on the planes from the comfort of the verandas! Our qualified executive chef will prepare traditional South African breakfasts and will also serve a delicious three course dinner in the elegant dining room each evening. Lunch will be available on request. Take a guided game drive to view our extensive variety of wildlife and spectacular scenery or if you prefer to walk, our rangers will be happy to show you all the special historical sites of interest on Bucklands Private Game Reserve. What to bring: Bird & mammal books, binoculars, photographic equipment, sun block, insect repellents, hats, books, your own fishing tackle (or you can hire from us) and good walking shoes.

Activities at Bucklands Private Game Reserve include game drives on Bucklands Private Game Reserve (as well as on the 45000 ha neighbouring Great Fish River Reserve); guided walks focussing on the unique subtropical thicket biome, bushman paintings, historical sites, clifftop walks; specialist guided walks focussing on specific fauna and flora in detail; fishing in the Great Fish River; night drives and star gazing; quad bike trails; birding and visit to Grahamstown, Double Drift, and even a private picnic on the beach near Port Alfred can be arranged … a complete holiday package in one of Southern Africa's most beautiful destinations, catering for the whole family. Bucklands Private Game Reserve is situated about 35 km from Grahamstown and is accessed via an arterial road which runs through portions of the Great Fish River Nature Reserve i.e. Andries Vosloo Kudu Reserve (proclaimed by the Cape Provincial Administration in 1975) near Fort Brown in the Albany District. The area is generally semi-arid with an annual rainfall of about 400mm which peaks in October (spring) and March (autumn) with relatively dry winters, water supply to the area is provided mostly from the Great Fish River; historically the river would dry up in times of drought, but today the Great Fish River runs permanently as a result of the Orange River water that is channeled in through a tunnel scheme built in the Karoo. Bucklands Private Game Reserve lies in the heart of what is known as the Frontier Country and which forms part of a number of tourism routes within the Eastern Cape, rich in both natural diversity and historic feature, as one of the original frontier zones in South African history it was the meeting place of five great cultures in the 18th and 19th centuries with no other part of South Africa being the meeting place of such different cultures for as long as the Eastern Cape has, thereby ensuring an exciting and exhilarating experience for all visitors to the area.

Directions from Port Elizabeth to Bucklands Private Game Reserve: Proceed to Grahamstown; bypass Grahamstown on N2 towards King Williamstown. At 6 km along the N2 past Grahamstown, turn left onto R67 Fort Beaufort / Rini road. Drive 21 km then turn right onto dirt road signposted "Great Fish River Reserve". Drive 2 km then turn left onto dirt road signposted Sam Knott, Double Drift, Great Fish River Reserve. Drive through closed green Reserve gate (sometimes left open), keep right at fork immediately after going through gate area, proceed 9 km to closed green gate signposted Bucklands Reserve. Go through gate. Drive 3 km then turn left through farm gate signposted Top House, Bucklands. Drive 2 km to the Bucklands office.