Tintswalo Safari Lodge

Located along the banks of a seasonal river sit the six explorer suites of Tintswalo Safari Lodge. All these suites are named after well-known explorers, and all have decor and characteristics which make them unique. One thing they all share in common is the traditional and classical atmosphere of the rooms, which reflects the era of these explorers.

Large beds sit in the centre of the bedroom, surrounded by warm lighting, and covered in plush duvets and pillows. There are floor to ceiling windows in all suites – and in the case of Burton Suite – an open side, which fills the space with bright natural light. All suites have their own ensuite bathroom which comes complete with an indoor shower, hand-basins, a flush toilet, and a deep claw-footed bathtub – perfect for guests to enjoy an indulging soak.

Expansive deckings are in front of all suites, offering guests the perfect place to relax and unwind, in the heart of the bush, surrounded by vivid indigenous woodland. Guests will also find a sparkling plunge pool here, where they can enjoy a refreshing dip any time of the day.

Speke Suite and Baker Suite are both double rooms, which come with grand four-poster beds, Stanley Suite is also solely a double room. Kingsley Suite, Livingstone Suite, or Burton Suite can be either double or twin rooms.

The Baines Presidential Suite at Tintswalo Safari Lodge includes two en-suite bedrooms which can accommodate up to four people – perfect for small families or two couples. The suite is classical and traditional, with polished wooden furniture, plush sofas, and exposed thatch in the lounge area, which adds a touch of authentic safari character.

Guests who stay in the Baines Presidential Suite will receive a private and exclusive experience, with the suite coming complete with your own private safari vehicle, private chef, and private butler. Dinners can be enjoyed in the indoor dining area, or at the dining table on the expansive decking. After dinner, a fire pit can be arranged and guests can gather here to keep warm around the fire while gazing at the stars.

The bedrooms in this suite both include large double beds, which are covered in plush duvets and pillows and are both swathed romantically in mosquito netting. Both rooms are ensuite, and the bathrooms include a toilet, hand basin, deep claw-footed bathtub, and a large tiled walk-in shower. The rooms also come complete with cosy armchairs if guests wish to relax in privacy.

The decking includes a large glistening swimming pool where the whole family can have fun, surrounded by the thick trees of the bushveld, keeping an eye out for any colourful birds who have made their home there.

A more traditional safari lodge, the Grant Suite has a softer decor style, with authentic safari charm to it. Exposed thatch ceilings run throughout the suite and traditional Turkish rugs line the floors. This suite can accommodate up to four people, perfect for small families with one double room and one twin room. Bright, natural light and fresh breezes fill the suite through wide glass windows and sliding doors.

The master bedroom includes a large, comfortable king-size bed, which is covered in crisp white bed linen and an extravagant faux fur bed runner. The bed is swathed in mosquito netting, and guests can relax here and enjoy the views of the rolling grasslands without having to leave the warmth of their bed. The twin bedroom includes two twin single beds, dressed in crisp white bed linens and also draped in mosquito netting.

The en-suite bathrooms are spacious and unique. With feature stone double hand-basins, a flush toilet, a large freestanding claw-footed bathtub and a spacious walk-in rainfall shower. Guests can spend their time relaxing on their decking, with their gaze getting lost in the endless stretches of vivid rolling grasslands, can enjoy private game excursions with the use of their private game vehicle and guides, or can enjoy a refreshing dip in the sparkling pool.

For an all-inclusive stay, large families and groups of friends can choose to stay in Manor House. Catered completely privately from the rest of the lodge, guests will enjoy the use of their own private safari vehicle and their own safari rangers and guides, as well as private chefs and a butler.

The Manor House sleeps ten people in total, and can be booked for a minimum of six people or a maximum of 8 adults. Exposed thatch ceilings add a touch of safari charm to the traditional decor of the house, and the five suites include cosy beds draped in mosquito netting and covered in crisp bed linen. There are five well-appointed bathrooms in the house, as well as a unique outdoor bathtub.

Guests are spoilt for choice with where to relax with comfortable inside lounge areas with cosy sofas and generous outside seating areas with plush outdoor seating. Guests can spend the evening in the boma, gathered around the crackling fire after their dinner, with a drink of choice, ready to spend the night stargazing. The large glistening swimming pool is the perfect place to cool down in the hot afternoons after an exciting game drive.

Every meal at Tintswalo Safari Lodge is a unique experience. Meals are held somewhere different each day, meaning guests can enjoy a feast for the senses, dining on delectable food in the heart of the bush at breakfast, enjoy a light lunch on the main decking surrounded by indigenous trees, or head down to the wine cellar for an intimate and romantic dinner.

For a traditional safari experience, guests can head to the boma to enjoy an evening spent in the glowing light of the sunset and underneath the wide starry sky feasting on delicious barbecue food and enjoying a glass of smooth wine.

Guests can enjoy the traditional safari experience of a game drive in a custom made 4×4 safari vehicle. Travel around the reserve in comfort, keeping an eye out for herds of elephants in the distance and lions lounging in the grasses. You will be accompanied by a professionally trained duo of ranger and tracker who will be able to spot movement in the bush which may go unnoticed to the untrained eye, and will be able to take you to all the best spots to see some of the wildlife in their natural habitat.

Guests can request a private game drive if they so wish, to explore more specialised interests such as bird watching, photography, or searching specifically for a particular animal.

For a more intimate exploration of the bush, guests can explore the wild bush on their own two feet. Accompanied by a friendly and knowledgeable tracker you can wander through the bush, following and identifying animal tracks, marvelling at the micro-ecosystems of the bush, and spotting things which may be missed on a game drive.

Look to the skies with your own eyes, or look through Tintswalo Safari Lodge’s own Mead telescope to see the unpolluted night sky and marvel at the ethereal beauty of it. There is no experience like looking up at the sky and seeing it blanketed with stars and far away planets. See if you can spot the centre of the milky way, which is visible in the Southern hemisphere, or the southern pointers.

Tintswalo has its own resident bird specialist, so guests who are interested in the birdlife of the Manyeleti Reserve can arrange an excursion with the specialist for an additional cost. Heading out in a game vehicle, don’t forget your binoculars, and keep your eyes peeled to the treetops for a glimmer of colourful feathers. Listen out for the sound of birdsong, which your specialist will be able to identify.

Guests of Tintswalo Safari Lodge will be able to enjoy some self-indulgence at the Bushwillow Spa. Enjoy some pampering, while connecting with your spirit, mind, body, and soul. Enjoy a stress-relieving massage, a refreshing facial, or relaxing hydrobath, and leave the spa feeling rejuvenated.

All additional activities from Tintswalo Safari Lodge are available at an extra cost and must be booked in advance, allowing guests to explore the surroundings in much more depth.

Guests can arrange to see some of the great conservation efforts which are being put in place in the surrounding area. A three-hour excursion to the Hoedspruit Cheetah Research Project is available as well as a visit to Moholoholo, which is a rehabilitation centre where guests will be educated on the importance of conservation.

Guests can also visit the local Manyeleti community where many of Tintswalo’s staff are from. This is an informal visit which lasts about 3-4 hours, and allows guests to engage with the local culture, meet and speak to the local people, and visit the local school or healer.

Head out on the 60-minute drive it takes to reach the nearest town of Hoedspruit. Once here, guests can visit the Kamogelo Tourism Centre, dine in one of the many local restaurants, and enjoy a spot of shopping. On the way back to the lodge you can pass through the Bombyx Mori Silk Farm where you can view local craftsmen at work.

For a full day of exploring, guests can arrange to go on the Panorama Tour. This excursion will take you to some of the most ethereal views of Gods Window. You will stop for a picnic lunch halfway through the day, and will also see The Three Rondavels, and two local villages.

For a slightly different, but no less fun, game drive experience – head into the Kruger National Park, and marvel at the wonders of one of the most biodiverse parks in Africa in the comfort of a closed and air-conditioned safari vehicle.

Soar over the plains in a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon trip. Enjoy a birds-eye view of the rolling grasslands and woodland, in the gentle pink tones of the sunrise. Guests can also arrange to visit Jessica the Hippo, who is world-famous, and very friendly! Guests can feed and touch Jessica, with this experience being enchanting for both adults and children.

Based in Hout Bay, the Amoyo Performing Arts Foundation helps children to see their potential and build up their confidence. The non-profit organisation aims to teach and mentor children from underprivileged communities within the local area to dream big, and to help the local children exceed their expectations of a disadvantaged future in their small community.

Tintswalo has been supporting this organisation for a few years by helping with transport and providing food and general logistical assistance.

Tintswalo Safari Lodge has been supporting local schools in the Manyeleti area by distributing maize-meal to 27 schools. Each of these schools has received ten 25kg bags of maize meal in order to help poorer communities to feed their children. This effort has been especially important during the pandemic as families have been struggling financially.

By hosting virtual safaris and competition fundraisers along with two other lodges, Tintswalo has been able to raise the necessary funds to support this initiative. Each of the safari lodges donated a two-night trip as competition prizes, causing large numbers of people to donate.

Tintswalo has been supporting AfriOceans in their mission to protect the African Penguins at Shark Warrior Adventures, Seaforth Beach from the human visitors who may harass and distress the penguin colony. Seaforth Beach is located just outside of Simon’s Town and is home to approximately 150 endangered African Penguins who have broken away from the main colony at Boulders Beach on the Cape Peninsula in South Africa.

While the penguins at Boulders Beach fall under the protection of the Table National Park, the penguins at Seaforth Beach have no such protection and so AfriOceans has implemented a limit to the human interactions which have been negatively impacting the birds. This has included the construction of a barrier around the penguins favourite spots to prevent habitat damage, improving penguin viewing conditions for viewers, and increasing the penguin’s space to prevent trampling of the adjoining coastal dune area.

With the collaboration of Airbnb Impact Experiences, AfriOceans has been planning further projects to improve the penguins’ living conditions.

Rhino populations have been decimated due to Africa’s poaching crisis and the high demand for rhino horns. To combat this terrible situation, Tintswalo’s safari lodge has been working to ‘raise awareness about the poaching epidemic and provide funding and support for a variety of urgently-needed anti-poaching interventions in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, Greater Kruger National Park and the South African Wildlife College (SAWC).’

Tintswalo Safari Lodge has also been working to support field rangers by providing training and equipment to prevent the hunting of rhinos, giving financial support so that aircraft can be used to patrol protected areas and monitor rhino populations, and aiding with the K-9 Anti-Poaching Project which provides free tracking dogs who can track and locate poachers much faster than human rangers.

Tintswalo has been working and engaging with local communities by raising conservation and environmental awareness through a series of educational campaigns, training workshops and environmental campaigns around the Lapalala Wilderness Reserve. By partnering with the Endangered Wildlife Trust, they have been monitoring the last roaming wild dog pack in South Africa and working to educate local communities in harmonious ways of solving human and wildlife conflict.