Tshukudu Bush Lodge

The "communal" get togethers were fantastic

Personally I think the "5 - Course Meals style" is a bit outdated and unnecessary ... wholesome home-cooked style meals would have been far better

Really lovely location with wildlife all around - saw everything we wanted to Food great too

What a fantastic place Tshukudu Bush Lodge is. From start to finish we had the most amazing time. The staff were brilliant - they looked after us beautifully - nothing was too much trouble. Delicious breakfast and dinner with outstanding service and amazing views over the surrounding landscape. The room was spectacular with amazing views over the waterhole and we could see the animals from our deck. Jafari our guide was great and we thoroughly enjoyed our game drives. We saw so many wonderful animals. Simon the manager was incredibly nice and very professional as were all of the team - nothing was too much trouble. Would recommend the lodge for any occasion.

This is an exceptional lodge in an amazing environment. My wife and I had been on safari many years ago in the Masai Mara and yet Pilanesberg while different was just as rewarding. There were two organised safaris each day and each and every one created memories to cherish. I loved the staff, who were so proud of the game reserve and so committed to making sure it was a wonderful experience, always friendly and helpful. The food was delicious, the chef was just great. I loved our spacious lodge and its little plunge pool. Our safari guide Humbu really helped make the experience special. We are so grateful to him, with his incredible enthusiasm and knowledge, for the way he used his wisdom from 22 years of doing this job to orchestrate the best possible sightings for whatever animals we encountered.

Great stay. Great staff!

Tshukudu has to be seen to be believed. It is phenomenal. I have safari’d all over Africa, and I have never come across a place as special as this. Please do not change a thing. It really is a rare gem to find a lodge so luxurious, but pure in its simplicity yet luxury. From the moment we arrived, staff could not do enough to help us. They were welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. The whole experience has just been exceptional. It is so rare to find a lodge so pure, that has not sold out to tourists demands for spas and gyms, yet still remain luxurious and comfortable. Pilanesberg is so beautiful - the animals are wild, not like many parks such as Kruger or the Maasai Mara where the animals have become so used to humans you can almost reach out and touch them. Here, there is still an element of having to seek out these amazing animals, and enjoy being in their presence.

Having to leave!! I can’t even complain about the stairs. Yes, there are MANY, and they are steep. BUT, take your time. No one is chasing you up and down. I have quite a severe mobility disability, and am massively unfit/overweight, and I still managed to go up and down the entire staircase multiple times a day. It’s just part of the charm of this place. The views make it all worthwhile!! The amazing staff take the luggage up and down, so you just need to worry about you. It really isn’t a big deal.

Beautiful bedrooms overlooking the watering hole. Giant bath tubs, huge beds, cosy fires. Delicious food and drink. Most amazing, kind staff.

Nothing not to like!

The property is in quiet harmony with the natural environment. The rooms overlook the untouched landscape as far as the eye can see. Wild animals are easily spotted from the private deck. We experienced two game drives per day which allowed us to see the Big Five in just a few days. Led by safari guide Jafari, we were able to get great looks at most of the Pilanesberg wild animals in total safety. On my final day there I made a special request for a Birding Walk around the immediate area and was led by highly experienced guide named Andre through the bush. As we walked for over three hours and 1.63 mi, we observed 47 different bird species including: Spotted Eagle-Owl, Brown Snake-Eagle, Black-winged Kite, Gabar Goshawk, and a Brown-Hooded Kingfisher. The food was prepared by a gourmet chef and was delicious. We all ate at a family style table together for meal time and great conversations.

Wow, where to start. For background info, my wife and lived for 3 years in Kenya and have visited numerous luxury lodges and been on various types of game drives. THIS lodge was without doubt the most impressive we have ever visited and the whole staff were incredibly friendly. The food was exceptional and especially in the evening had a dinner party vibe. We went at the end of August (their winter) but most days the weather was 28-30 degrees and we saw the big five. The park was plenty big enough to explore for 3 days and we would have loved to say longer. The price includes alcoholic drinks. We had a room with a hot tub and a great view of the water hole which had Elephants as well as numerous types of deer. It was so picturesque! The park is advertised as malaria-free but actually it is pretty much insect free. When we lived in Kenya, sitting out in the evening could be a battle involving repellent and netting. In THIS lodge you could sit out in the evening without being pestered at all, it was so relaxing. The game drives were definitely the highlight for us though. We were in a 4x4 jeep in small groups of between 4 to 8 and the driver was so knowledgeable and friendly and made them all great fun. We had toilet stops in the park. Early morning game drives involved coffee and a cake. Then in the afternoon we had a sundowner and then a night game drive each time too. Fantastic stay. We will definitely be back. This lodge is superb at every level. This was a dream holiday.

A jewel of a lodge - situated in its own private area of the Pilanesburg National Park. Exclusive with fantastic staff, excellent and knowledgable field guides and only 10 rooms which make it extra special! Everything is custom to your needs and nothing is too much trouble - all for a fraction of the price of a private game reserve. Super easy to get to from Johannesburg

There is nothing not to like …