Tuningi Safari Lodge

The suites at Tuningi Safari Lodge are a safari home-away-from-home. Spacious and bright, the suites include a comfortable king-size bed with romantically draped mosquito netting. Next to the bed is a cosy lounge area, with large armchairs placed around a large feature stone fireplace – offering guests the perfect place to snuggle around on chillier nights. With a rustic earth-toned colour palette the room brings elements of the outside in.

All suites come with a large en-suite bathroom which includes a deep bathtub, where guests can enjoy a relaxing soak while gazing at the stunning surroundings through the wide windows. A private outdoor shower can also be found, which offers guests a unique chance to shower in the very heart of the bush. Each suite comes with its own private decking area which is expansive and it is here that guests can unwind at the end of a long day gazing over the horizons watching for a meandering elephant or a far away herd of zebras.

At Tuningi Safari Lodge there are 2 family suites which can accommodate a family of 4 each. These suites are built in the same style and with the same finishing touches as the luxury suites, and are made up of two en-suite bedrooms. Connecting the two bedrooms is a spacious living room, dining, and kitchenette area. Plush sofas looking out over the private decking and to the wilds beyond offers guests the perfect place to relax as a family and unwind before bedding down for the night. Each bathroom includes a large bathtub, bathroom fireplace and an outdoor shower, and each bedroom comes complete with a feature stone fireplace.

As with the Luxury Suites, a large private decking wraps around the suite, with comfortable outdoor seating the decking is the perfect family space and is where guests can spend hours gazing endlessly over the bushveld keeping an eye out for elephants, giraffes, zebras, or any of the other amazing animal species of the reserve.

The experiences don’t stop after your game drives are finished, with mealtimes being a unique experience in themselves. Professionally presented and delectable meals are served under the shade of a large fig tree around a crackling fire pit and overlooking an active watering hole. Refreshing breakfasts are served here, as well as light lunches. In the evenings, lanterns are lit, the boma has a romantic feel to it and guests can enjoy delicious meals while maybe being joined by a few wild dinner guests.

Dietary requirements and individual needs can be catered for with advance notice. If the weather doesn’t permit outdoor dining guests can enjoy their meals in the cosy indoor dining room or can request an exclusive meal in the privacy of their own suite.

Meals can be paired with some of South Africa’s finest wines, direct from Tuningi’s own extensive wine cellar.

Guests can head out twice daily on a traditional safari activity: a game drive. Travel through the bushveld in the comfort of a 4×4 safari vehicle with a trained guide and ranger who can take you to all the best viewing spots to see some of the amazing wildlife such as elephants, zebras and wild dogs up close and in their natural habitat. These game drives are the perfect photo opportunity for the keen photographer, and afternoon game drives offer the opportunity to see the bush bathed in the golden tones of the sunset. Game drives occur twice daily, once in the morning and once in the afternoon.

Head out and explore the bush on your own two feet. This is an intimate and immersive way to explore the reserve. Following a trained and friendly guide, you can learn about the flora and fauna of the area while following animal prints and marvelling at micro-ecosystems. Your guide will be able to identify bird songs and animal prints as you wander along.

There is no better place to indulge in some self-care than in the remote and wild Madikwe Game Reserve. Surrounded by the fresh breezes and indigenous plants of the reserve – in the privacy of your own suite – enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating massage. A small gym is available to guests who wish to start their day with a quick workout session surrounded by nature, and the sparkling swimming pool at the main lodge offers guests the perfect place to unwind and escape the heat of the afternoon with a refreshing dip.

As a family-friendly safari lodge, there are many activities which can keep the children entertained. Children aged 5 and over can join their parents on a game drive, however, there are specialised children’s drives if this proves to be more suitable for your child. Babysitting is also available at an extra cost. Children can be entertained at the lodge with many toys and activities, as well as an activity book which older children can use to track their animal sightings.

A perfect spot for photographers and animal enthusiasts alike, the animal hide is the perfect place to see some amazing wildlife viewing. Guests can make their way here during the day and spend some time trying to capture the perfect shot, or waiting for a view of magnificent elephants or their favourite animal.

Conservation of the surrounding wildlife and endangered species is something which Tuningi Safari Lodge is passionate about, and they offer guests the chance to accompany their conservation teams in their work. Help the rhino tracking project, where you can spot the rhinos from a helicopter and relay the information to the team on the ground who will be waiting to tag the rhinos – while sedated – and also take DNA samples and measurements which is key information in the conservation of the rhinos. There are many other animals which Tuningi help to preserve and protect such as elephants, and guests can help in the identification process of these elephants and the general veterinary work which needs to be done.

Tuningi Safari Lodge supports the Grade R class at the local Supingstad Primary School with help from guests’ donations. So far Tuningi has completed a lot of work which has enhanced the education that the local children of Class R will receive. They have provided tables and chairs, purchased education materials, bought creative items such as colouring books, learn-to-write books, scissors and clay. Tuningi have donated memory sticks, water bottles and lunch boxes, as well as hats, scarves and jumpers.

Tuningi Safari Lodge are members of Pack for a Purpose which is an initiative to help the local communities. Guests can check a list before they travel to see what supplies the local community needs – such as pencils, books, gloves – and save some room in their suitcase to pack these items. When guests arrive at the safari lodge they can hand in these items and know that they are going where they are needed most.