Tshukudu Bush Lodge

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-Star Review for Tshukudu Bush Lodge – Pilanesberg Game Reserve Our stay at Tshukudu Bush Lodge was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional — warm, genuine, and deeply connected to the spirit of the African bush. The food was outstanding, a true taste of Africa, beautifully prepared and paired with excellent South African wines. The team made every meal feel special. A huge highlight of our stay was our Game Ranger, Jann Rick (JR). He is, without question, one of the best trackers I’ve ever experienced. His knowledge, intuition, and passion for the wildlife were incredible. On our very first evening, we were blessed to see the Big Five, something I will never forget. The lodge itself is comfortable, intimate, and perfectly positioned in the heart of the wilderness, overlooking a sweeping plain where animals roam freely. Waking up to those views felt magical — true Big Sky Country. If you don’t have the time to travel all the way to the Kruger National Park but want an authentic, world-class African safari experience, Tshukudu is the perfect choice. I will definitely be returning. Highly recommended.

n/a

Tout ☺️ la vue, la chambre, le paysage, les animaux , la chambre, le service , les menus

Rien

sehr schöne Lage, sehr gutes Essen

Absolutely stunning property with the nicest staff. Unforgettable experience

Absolutely everything it was the most incredible stay!! The staff, food, room, facilities and game drive was perfect. Everyone was so friendly and all of the people were lovely. This is the only lodge in the actual park so we saw animals every day from our balcony!!

Nothing at all! The game drives can be cold but they provide ponchos and hot drinks

Beautiful view

Shared table at dinner has advantages and disadvantages. Some guests can be so cold and create groups on one table.

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Personally I think the "5 - Course Meals style" is a bit outdated and unnecessary ...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

The information about the lodge was too modest. The food experience we had was outstanding! Totally unexpected from the information given. It wasn’t just a breakfast or a dinner, but a gourmet adventure of international standard!. Credit to the chef Elvis and his support team. The camp is extremely clean and there’s a lot of attention to detail and service. The location of the lodge by a water hole, brings game viewing right to your balcony. What more can a guest ask for?

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 …

We had the most amazing time. The view and accommodations are breathtaking. Our wonderful guide had some much knowledge; we were out on dive for hours and loved every minute of it, he went above and beyond to ensure we had the most wonderful stay.

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Auch beim 4. Besuch immer noch ein Highlight! Die mit Abstand schönste und beste Lodge in Pilanesberg. Ein individuelles Safarierlebnis der Extraklasse, dass nur durch die perfekte Arbeit und die persönliche Hingabe aller Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter möglich ist.

The whole atmosphere at the lodge was fantastic. Made to feel welcome the moment we arrived. All the staff were amazing but a special thank you to our guide, JR, who was simply fantastic and nothing was too much trouble. His knowledge of the wildlife is amazing.

Can't think of anything. If I could it would be trivial and insignificant anyway.

Loved the game drives JR was an expert in all things animals and went out of his way to ensure we saw lots of different big game! We paid extra for the terrace with private plunge pool and it was defs worth it, so nice to relax properly after the early morning drive.

The check in was a little confusing - and a few people staying just 1 night meant a lot of repeated conversations (not the lodges fault at all!)

We originally booked this property for eight days. We loved it so much that we canceled our stay at Sun City Palace and stayed at Tshukudu. We are so glad we did. Our guide, JR, was like having your own personal Wikipedia, sitting beside you on game drives. He was excellent in every way. The property is quiet and beautiful. We booked the chalet that had plunge pool. The water was just the right temperature every day. Yes, it’s heated. We had dinner in her room one night, and the staff had built a fire in the fireplace before our arrival from the game drive. The food is five star. I really have nothing negative to say about our stay here. We liked it so much, we are planning a trip to return in June 2024.

location

This is a bucket list destination as it is located right inside the Pilanesberg Game Reserve. The staff are amazing and always have a huge smile in their face.

Sitting on the room balcony watching the animals pass was amazing , food was delicious and the staff where super helpful . Could only recommend ether a nett over the bed or in front of the windows to keep bugs out at night

everything super clean, great location in the heart of the park, deaign, food, game drives with super experct guide( Rick), and above all the great real passioonate helpful staff

nothing

I had a lovely time! The Lodge was beautiful and the staff was friendly and accommodating! The food was impeccable, my guide was knowledgeable and I truly had a once in a lifetime experience.

This is a stunning luxurylodge inside the Pilanesberg National Park. The rooms are al separate lodges each with their own private balcony looking out across the watering whole and savannah which is within a priavte area of the park only accessed by the lodge. It is a quiet and peaceful area with great views to sit and watch the animals of the park. Alternatively you can join two amazing game drives a day, icluded in the price, if you wish. This was a beautiful experience for my daugher and I who spent 6 days enjoying the facilities and hospitality of the wonderful staff.Our only wish was we could have stayed longer!

Staff is extremely friendly. Location is beautiful. Safaris and food are excellent. Great experience.

Absolutely excellent.

We had an exceptional stay in this beautiful lodge set within the reserve. The views were stunning and staff could not do enough for us. The safari drives were exceptional and our driver, JR went out of his way to share his knowledge and passion for this beautiful place. We were lucky to see the big five within 24 hours and two stunning leopard sightings.

The game viewing was exceptional, comfortable and relaxed. The climb to the rooms was a bit tiring for a 70 year old but the food and ambience was worth the effort. I

高齢者夫婦二人で2泊利用しました。丘の上に限られた戸数で建てられたロッジで滞在する形式で、各戸のプライバシーは完全に守られて快適です。 ベランダに小型の露天風呂(ロッジでは温水ベビープールと称してましたが)があり、解放感は抜群です。夜は"露天風呂"に浸かり乍ら、満点の星を楽しみつつ、ワインを傾けるのは最高です。(素っ裸はお勧めしませんが、時間帯を選べば水着着用は必須ではない、かな？) Game driveも当ロッジ専属のガイドが同行するので、説明も判り易く(英語とアフリカーンスオンリーですが)、満足の行くものでした。ヨハネスブルグから片道2時間半ほどでアクセスでき、朝晩のGame drive でBig 5 (Lion / Leopard / Buffalo / Elephant / Rhino)も見られるので、手頃です。また、冬の早朝のGame Driveでは、湯たんぽを頼めば用意して呉れるので、車に常備してある毛布と併用すれば凍える思いをしないで済みます。 食事は宿泊者が一堂に集まってテーブルを囲む形式で、(英会話必須ですが)極めてフレンドリーです。但し、食堂は丘の頂きにあるので、下の部屋に泊まると朝晩階段を100段ほど昇り降りする必要があります。良い運動です。 尚、車でアクセスするのが通常ですが、ヨハネスブルグのサントン地区に在るLegacy Hotel & Resortsがバス便を出しているようです。自家用車で行く場合は、Pilanesberg国立公園の入口の１つ”Bakubung Gate”近くのBakubung LodgeのParkingに駐車(無料)して、其処からロッジが回す車に乗換える事になります。その迎えの車に乗る前に当ロッジ専用のデスクでチェックインをします。チェックインは通常13:30開始ですので、時間が余ったらBakubung Lodge敷地内のレストランで時間を潰すか、付近を散歩でもして下さい。 ロッジに着いてから部屋に入るまでに、階段を(最大100段超。下の部屋なら30段強)上るので、御用心。荷物はポーターが運んでくれます。(チップをお忘れなく！)

Incredible Trip with my amazing Wife - We both thoroughly enjoyed every second, Delicious intimate 5 course meal, Rooms are rustic with beautiful views - Definitely Visiting Again Jan-Rick is a passionate and very informative Guide 👍👌

O atendimento foi super cordial. Estabelecimento exatamente como descrito. Boas instalações

Een prachtige plek om te zijn. Respect voor de natuur. Zeer vriendelijk personeel. De huisjes/kamers zijn heel netjes met een prachtig uitzicht! Wij hebben veel verschillende dieren gezien waarvan 4 van the big five (inclusief luipaard). Cole was onze ranger en hij was super! Heeft ons veel laten zien en heel veel verteld. Prachtige zonsondergang gezien boven op een berg waar hij ons naartoe bracht. Tshukudu Bush Lodge is geweldig! Echt een aanrader.

From Arrival to End we were treated like Royalty - stunning room - amazing view and the Guide Jann-Rick was simply amazing with his constant efforts to make sure our stay was as memorable as possible and his knowledge of the bush is truly AMAZING Thanks again we WILL return SOON

We’ve spent 3 nights at the Tshukudu Game Lodge and we enjoyed every second! The Lodge is situated within the park (in the middle of nowhere) with a stunning view! The time at the lodge was more than great because of the whole Tshukudu team! They all have been so nice and friendly and did everything that we felt comfortable! Our guide Cole was fantastic! He took us on the safari drives twice a day and we have seen so many animals and learned a lot about them and the nature! Thank you Cole for this unforgettable time! It was a pleasure meeting you. Since Cole had to leave the lodge earlier we got another great guide for the last two rides - he was also really great! In general, you have two rides during the day. One early in the morning. Once back in the lodge you’ll get a wonderful breakfast on the main terrace. The other ride is in the afternoon with a nice snack before leaving. You will also stop for a break during this ride where you can enjoy a drink. After coming back you can enjoy the 5-course dinner together with the other guests! That was delicious! Another point which was important for us, you are not sitting in a big truck with 30 people - it is a game vehicle with a maximum of 6 guests in it (even if there are 9 seats). This enables you to spend the time with the animals as you wish and not as the driver with 30 guests decides! Ist was an amazing and extraordinary experience! So, if you are thinking going to the lodge: DO IT! It’s worth the price!

This was one of the most wonderfully intimate hotel experiences we've had. The entire team made us feel at home, and the view from our room was unparalleled. I wouldn't highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys boutique experiences and being surrounded by nature.

Wunderbare kleine Lodge, sehr familiär. Der Park ist landschaftlich wunderschön und wir haben dank unserem Fahrer J.R. viele Tiere gesehen. Zu erwähnen ist, dass die Lodge am Hang liegt und eine lange Treppe zu bewältigen ist. Wir haben unseren Aufenthalt sehr genossen und können die Lodge sehr empfehlen.

3 yötä lodgessa. Huoneet hienoja ja palvelu kaikenkaikkiaan loistava. Hintaan sisältyy aamulla ja iltapäivällä safariajot ammattitaitoisen oppaan kanssa. Puisto hyvä ja eläimiä näki paljon. Ruoka lodgessa erinomaista. Menisin uudelleen!

Tolles Hide-Away mitten im National Park. Vollkommene Ruhe und Entspannung in der Wildnis. Konnte alle Tiere direkt von der Terrasse aus beobachten. Einfach klasse. Spitzenmässiges Team und ein genialer Koch. Wir wurden verwöhnt und unglaublich gut bekocht.

Amazing, everyone's really warm and friendly, truly an experience.

Such an experience - so very lucky to have stayed at the bush lodge. I never imagined I was see the big 5 in one drive - wow

Wow! Amazing experience, spectacular food and top notch service. Great value compared to Kruger and the terrain is an awesome back drop. Saw all the Big 5 and several other animals on our wish list. Staff was amazing . We we're the only people one night at the lodge and so they surprised us with a private candle lit dinner in our room. Each day was a little different. I was worried we'd tire of it after a while but 3 days was perfect.

We had an unforgettable stay at Tshukudu Bush Lodge. The place is amazing.

We had a FABULOUS stay at Tshukudu. The place is very luxe, and the manager, Shawn, is amazing, along with her entire staff, who are very attentive and make you feel entirely at home. What I beleive sets them apart, is that Shawn is trully passionate about the park and the wildlife, and that is felt in every aspect of the experience. This is truly a boutique, luxurious safari experience. With only 6 or so guest rooms, (which are actually individual cottages) you get a very private experience, although you interact with other guests during the safari drives, at meal times in the lovely lodge kitchen overlooking the grounds around the lodge, the fire pit, and I suspect in the summer time, you would also have more social time at the lovely pool. The animal sightings we experienced were extraordinary, thanks to their well experienced guides. At night, you can see the Milky Way, which is something I never get to see in the city. I would recommend this lodge to couples, and small groups of friends, however, single travelers must REALLY enjoy being alone as it is not a place with many people, even at full capacity (this is by design, so please be aware of that). Another great thing is that there are no children allowed under the age of 12, and we only had adults there during our stay, which I suspect will often be the case. I hope to return one day and hope you get the chance to experience Tshukudu yourself!

Five star in every aspect the drivers and guides Shayne and Chris made it a memorable experience Big five and more every day wow what an adventure

Absolutely fantastic stay in a most wonderful lodge, and not only that but superb value for money. We wanted to go on safari whilst visiting South Africa on a golf holiday and considering revisiting the legendary Sabi Sands where we had been 20 years previously but were recommended Tshukudu Bush Lodge by friends and so pleased with our choice and it enabled us to squeeze some golf in at Sun City too! Can’t praise the staff highly enough - Shane our guide was exceptional, so enthusiastic it was a pleasure to spend time with him on the drives. He takes finding all you want to see as a challenge and hates not to deliver! Sean the boss is great company and a delightful host who makes sure everything works like clockwork. All the staff can’t do enough to please and the chefs serve the most wonderful food. The location is amazing, the accommodation utterly wonderful and we highly recommend it. The game drives were fantastic and we saw all of the animals we could ever hope to have seen and in great numbers. We had been worried that it would seem over crowded as it is a small reserve next to Sun City and whilst the drives weren’t as intimate and peaceful as private lodges in the Kruger the experience was not spoilt by too many other vehicles. If you want to go on safari in Pilansberg and you can I would stay here every time. It’s the best and a fraction of the price of a similar exclusive lodge in Sabi Sands. Just go!!!

Wow, wow and wow....amazing place, amazing hosts! Best place we've ever stayed (and we've been a lot of places). Shawne...missing you and the gang! Working on dates for our next visit. Words can't do this place justice, hospitality is superb, the whole set up is terrific. Early morning drives were spectacular. From the minute we booked to the very last second we departed we were looked after, spoilt and treated to a fantastic memorable trip. Loved the experience and everyone of the team.

We had a fantastic experience! The view and rooms are amazing. Staff are friendly and always happy to help! We managed to see 4 out of the big 5 and the rangers are really knowledgeable. Highly recommend!!

Good accommodation and food and wonderful game drives with Werner who were very knowledgeable of game in the park. Loved the coffee and snacks on the morning drive and the drinks on the afternoon drive.

My wife and I had an unforgettable experience. The staff and experience at Tshukudu were the best you could ask for. Our guide (Ally) was unbelievably knowledgeable and compassionate. Food and accommodations were top notch. What I didn’t realize is that this is the only lodge actually on the Pilanesberg Park land. We hope to be back next year!

This place is amazing! It’s own private area Of the national park. The guides are knowledgable and really friendly and go out of their way to make your trip one to remember. I have no doubt we will return. Don’t be put off by the 132 steps we managed just fine with a bad knee and a painful foot

Totally nice, the bed is queen size instead of king, but quite comfortable

We loved our stay at Tshukudu. The staff was amazing and accommodating; we barely had to think of anything while we were there. Your field guide gives you a wake up call to ensure you are never late to a game drive and off you go to see some amazing creatures. The field guides are extremely knowledgeable about the area, all animals and birds and the hotel. If there is something they can't answer, they will research and get back to you by the next meal or drive. The hotel is small, quiet and relaxing. From your private villa's balcony you see many different types of wildlife - the location couldn't be better within the park.

A fantastic and secluded place to stay that lets you be at once with the outdoors and animals. Staff and guides were amazing, we had close encounters with animals and the room was perfect to spend time in and relax. Food was superb, would definitely recommend the place and would love to go back.

Tshukudu Bush Lodge is beautifully situated and luxurious.

THE moment we steped in THE lodge area, we felt so much Welcome. THE lodge and THE surrounding area was more than great, we especially Like that this lodge only accomondate (I Think) 12 cabins which made it so private and you Got to meet THE other guests. THE food was very good not to mentions THE guides, which was very informative and helpful in Any matter. THE only thing I miss, was a better wriiten Direction in how to get there by car. We did get lost a few times, as THE car rental Company was out of gps. So a better direction with a better Map, would have done a Big different, as instead of taking 2 1/2 hours from Johannesburg it tooks us almost 4 1/2 hours. I would love to come back to this lodge at any time.

We LOVED it!!!!!

We stayed at the Lodge in December 2014 for 2 nights. What an amazing experience. The game drives were fantastic. Our guide Shawn was very good and we were lucky enough to see Lions , Elephants, Giraffe, Leopards and Jackals. I cant recommend the game drives enough. The rooms were lovely and the service was good. Loved that all the drinks in the mini bar are free. Highly recommend Tshukudu and will treasure our memories from our time there.

Considering the price and comparing it to other lodges I have stayed, the service provided was absolutely substandard. The guides were nice, the lodge staff never smiled (actually they rather frowned) which made one uneasy whenever asking for something. The food was the worst I have had in South Africa. Don't get me wrong - it was edible/ok, but far below any food I had in restaurants all across South Africa. Even the breakfast was cheap. It is the most beautiful lodge with a great view in the park, but I would spend my money going somewhere else. The guide made some strange decisions and, among other things, took us to a horrible parking lot for sundowners instead of suggesting that maybe we go back to the lodge for sundowners, providing us with a nicer view and more time to prepare for dinner. All in all a disappointment.

A truly wonderful experience from start to finish. Beautiful location, superb service and unforgettable game drives. Luke, our ranger, made sure that he passed on his passion for the wildlife in the park and was also a superb host along with Shawn.

Don't miss this beautiful hotel in your next trip to South Africa. Shawn looks after her guests like we are old friends with old world charm! The food, accommodation and game drives were amazing!

Great lodge, excellent staff. Evan, Joy, did a fantastic job.

Our 3rd visit, and it was just a special as before. Fantastic game drives and a very special place to experience Africa.....

We visited the lodge in early October with our 21-year-old son. The lodge sits on a hill overlooking a valley and a waterhole. The atmosphere is luxuriously wild and intimate. There are six guest cottages, a nice veranda, a fire pit area and a swimming pool. The view is spectacular. We saw 50 to 80 wild animals in the valley below the lodge at any given time. Impala, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, chimpanzee and others were seen. The routine at the lodge is to get up at dawn have a cup of coffee and then go on a game drive. Ralf did a fantastic job of showing us all kinds of animals on the game drives. We saw lions, rhinos, chimpanzee, giraffe, crocodile, hippos, birds, impala, kudu, and many more. They serve you a great breakfast after the morning drive. The mid day is free for reading swimming or lounging. The evening game drive is cool because you get to see lots of animals after dark. The food, drink and hospitality at the lodge is first rate. If I go back, I plan to arrive in time for the evening game drive, probably spend two nights and might even bring a large party to rent the whole place. There is no where to exercise except going up and down the stairs. Overall a spectacular place that is highly recommended.

Our room was clean , comfortable and attractive. view from our balcony was spectacular! Every staff member was highly professional and made us feel safe while so near to lions, rhinos, hippos and elephants. the food was quite delicious and plentiful. Staff was informative, friendly and always eager to help. I hated to leave and will always have fond memories of Tshukudu Lodge.

Our stay at Tshukudu was quiet, restful, friendly, and informative. The staff is well established, knowing both Pilanesberg and the lodge well. Their knowledge and investment into Pilanesberg provided us with a neat insight. The enjoyable food was prepared by a chef that loves what he does.

$500 was taken from my bag when being delivered to the car at check out and we were the only guests in the camp the manager took no responsibility for the situation. She did not ask any questions or file a stolen items report or ask her staff what happened. As far as I know she could have been in on the scam because it took her a really long time to show up to pick us up once we sent our bags down so they had time to go through our stuff and take anything they wanted.

Fantastic. That's about all I can say. Make sure Zander is your ranger. Chef Nicholas is great and clearly takes great pleasure in preparing interesting meals for the guests.