Tshukudu Bush Lodge

Amazing lifetime experience, highly recommended. The lodges are located in a stunning area and very comfortable. You have everything you need . The staff are so attentive and helpful. The food was amazing like private fine dining with personal chefs and premium wines and spirits. Jsafari was an amazing guide and worked hard to show us the big 5 and more, such a great person. Andre was on hand to assist also. The bush bbq is to be experienced and go on every game drive is a must no matter how tired you may feel always different. The steps are uneven but just take your time and you get strong legs and fitter , just be sensible and you are fine. It's worth it! Was an amazing experience and want to return.

I based my review on price paid 6 nights staying there. I really wanted to give this 5 out of 5, but felt a few points need attention. Firstly, I must say, like the majority of reviews that our guide JR was exceptional, he and the other guests we met made our trip. JR had amazing communication, and his Ferrari Safaris were great fun.His knowledge of the area geological and animals was second to none, and he made a great bacardi and coke, thank you JR you are a credit to your profession. We were lucky to see the big 5 in 2 days, but this was luck of the draw as the animals are wild and roam, the views were exceptional and staying at the Lodge gave us small tour groups (max of 6) not the massive prison looking trucks you saw zooming around. Yes, there are steps 140 plus up to the rooms with a bench halfway so if you are less mobile then I would say this is not for you which is a shame.The lodges are large with stunning views and some have small plunge pools, to be honest these are great but only used ours in small amounts to cool down.Beds are firm but comfortable with all the facilities you need, hair dryer, coffee pod maker, every tea ever made, kettle, fridge and fan.Lovely double shower and separate freestanding bath overlooking water hole and double sinks. When up the top area, 2 x seating areas , one smoking one non smoking, which was great for my cigars.There is also a small plunge pool which we did not use but seemed popular. You are most probably wondering why I did not give this 5 out of 5 ? The drinks are premium, BUT I asked for Jack D on day one and was told they had run out,which is OK, but when I asked 2 days later, they checked and found it, would of been nice to have seen it on shelf when it was re-stocked up rather than in locked room around backThe cocktails selection should be improved no one ever knew what cocktail they had just given to them and a proper cocktail list with mainstream cocktails would of been nice and expected in this price bracket. Wines were good and they did keep you topped up, but I asked on the off chance for a vanilla milkshake and got one then most people got one as no one knew it was avaliable and the same goes for snacks no one knew that they were avaliable. Food was top class with 5 courses served nightly for dinner, but the bush dinner was not avaliable due to some works going on, this was a massive disappointment for me as it was one of the main reasons for going there as having dinner every night either in your room or at communal table is OK but not the experience of being out and about, they did have high tea under a tree but not do it was very disappointing. Up 5am Game Drive 5.30 Back around 8am Breakfast around 9am High Tea 3.30pm Game Drive 4pm Back around 8.15pm Dinner around 9pm The above change from Nov 1st to earlier. We were lucky to have an incredible group of people when we were there that could make or break in my opinion this holiday,(no names used but you know who you

Where to start, I’m struggling. This place is out of this world. From the moment we arrived until the moment we left we were looked after, fed, watered (well, gin and tonic!!) and made to feel like family. Our guide (JR) was there to greet us and orientate us, the team were always there to make sure we were sated. The room was fantastic and had a great view over the watering hole and approach. (We were greeted there with elephants, hippo, giraffe, impala, warthog, wildebeest, oh, and lion!! The game drives with JR were informative, educational, interesting, fun and frankly, a dream for a nature lover, like me. If you want an “action holiday” just go to Sun City and leave the nature to people that will appreciate it, here. Yes there are stairs, don’t moan, just think about keeping yourself fitter, they’re no big deal. Back to the drives, dress appropriately, if you’re in doubt about what I mean, use your intelligence and check what the weather is doing when you visit. 4 layers might be appropriate in the morning, but shorts and T-shirt in the afternoon. In between drives you get some valuable downtime, the food will see you through, there’s plenty and it’s great. The evening meals are amazing and better than most restaurants you’ll go to! All meals are introduced and more than satisfying. Drink measures are very generous. Enjoy the bush dinner, you may even be lucky enough to have some wildlife visit at the same time! We completed the big 5 in 24 hours. But there’s so much more to this place than the big 5, it’s just so beautiful and engaging. I feel like something of Tshukudu lodge will always stay with me and I’m so happy about that. If I ever get the chance, I will come back. Thank you JR and ALL of the team there, you are all fantastic and I miss you all(and I was only there 5 nights!!)

One of the best views you will get from any game lodge in SA; beyond peaceful. Service excellent; thanks Jafari for some brilliant guiding - and the rest of the team for the care and attention (Ernest, Tammy, Tshepo, Simon, Johnny et al). Food 10 out of 10. Saw over 50 elephant, 30+ Rhino, leopard, hippos, two prides of Lion, countless Giraffe - Pilanesberg at its best

We've just returned from a fabulous stay at Tshkudu - went on the recommendation of friends who are return visitors. We met several people who are return visitors - it's definitely a favourite, particularly for people who have experienced other lodges in the area The stairs are a challenge, but you only need to climb them a couple of times each day. The food was lovely, although I found dinner to be a bit over facing (6courses Inc cheese), particularly when you need to go to bed soon after to prepare for a 4am wake up call for the morning drive... I left a lot of food which I felt was wasteful - I would rather have had more food at High Tea and a bit less at dinner. Having said that, the lodge caters for most dietary requirements and did a good job both when there are only two guests and even there are 12! The staff can't do enough for you and are alert to individual needs. I was a bit under the weather during my stay and even the lady cleaning my room said she was sorry to hear I wasn't well. There is a small pool to relax beside. Bush walks can be organised although this needs to be requested when booking. Our Guide JR was fantastic - explained lots to us about the various wildlife, flora and fauna and did what he could to get us sightings. It's worth remembering that this time of year is not the best time for sightings because water is readily available for the animals. We did see the Big 5 though - and we had never seen a leopard before so that was a highlight. The lodge provides you with binoculars and a backpack in which you can carry your essentials for the day. All you need is a stout pair of shoes, suncream & bug spray (and your clothes of course), but there is no necessity to dress for dinner for example. We hadn't brought warm clothing, but actually we're only a little chilly on one morning and there are blankets in the truck should they be needed. They also have some very good quality ponchos in case of rain. The rooms are spacious and have everything you need (including a coffee maker, kettle and mini fridge - which they will happily stock with whatever you request). The beds are very comfortable - we coped perfectly with the overhead fan but it was not excessively hot during our stay.