Tintswalo Safari Lodge is a special place with an atmosphere, unlike any other game lodge. From the moment guests arrive, usually greeted by the local herd of elephants having a drink in front of the deck, they are swept into a magical world. This all-encompassing luxury lodge provides guests with everything they could possibly need during a visit – and much more. With enchanting natural surroundings, exciting wildlife encounters and luxurious facilities, guests just won’t want to leave.

The Tintawalo Property Group is known for its lavish accommodations in unique spots that allow for the incorporation of nature. This is exactly what you can expect at Tintswalo Safari Lodge. The lodge is located in Manyeleti Game Reserve which is a private concession bordering the western section of the Kruger National Park. As with the other private concessions, the borders between Manyeleti and the Kruger National Park have been removed, this allows the wildlife to roam. The Kruger National Park combined with the various private concessions along its border makes up the Greater Kruger National Park area. Manyeleti is a pristine area and even boasts one of the lowest densities of vehicles in the Greater Kruger which makes for some of the best game viewings in the region.

The property is built along the banks of a seasonal river and completely protected by the lush canopy of ancient trees. All areas of Tintswalo Safari Lodge are connected by raised wooden walkways. This is for guests’ safety, but also keeps guests close enough to the wildlife that is almost always present. From dwarf mongooses and squirrels playing in the trees, to buck like Nyala and Kudu grazing next to the walkways or having a drink from the private plunge pools at each suite. These close encounters with the local wild animals are rather thrilling, but the guided game drives offer even more wildlife excitement.

Tintswalo Safari Lodges consists of six Explorer Suites, a Presidential Suite, the Grant Suite, and the Manor House. Each suite is authentically decorated with intricate luxuries reminiscent of colonial times. This evokes the sense of adventure of the 19th-century explorers that they are named after. As a result, each suite has a personality of its own and the story of the relevant explorer is prominently displayed. The combination of lavish luxuries, with history and the surrounding wilderness results in a truly unique experience. Each suite has a large deck with its own private plunge pool shaded by one of the large gorgeous trees along the river. Here guests can lounge by the pool or sit on one of the cozy armchairs with a good book as they observe the passing wildlife in their own private sanctuary. The Baines Presidential Suite and the Grant Suite are both larger and provide accommodation for up to four people and both have their own kitchen. Attention to detail is a big part of what makes a stay at Tintswalo Safari Lodge special. Guests can expect unique treats such as biscuits, brandy, sweet messages from the staff and even arriving at a drawn scented bubble bath after the evening game drive.

The accommodation packages at Tintswalo Safari Lodge include full board meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guests can expect superb fine dining experiences consisting of contemporary cuisine created from only the freshest ingredients. Similar to other luxury lodges, meals tend to be a communal affair for breakfast and dinner, whereas lunch is enjoyed privately. Different dining experiences can be arranged to ensure something new each day. Guests can choose whether to dine privately or with the other guests. Either way, meals are never served in the same place to keep things fun and interesting. Lunch on the deck is lovely as the elephants tend to group around the strategically placed hose with running water (which gets turned on when the elephants ‘ask’ for it)! Another fun experience is the Boma nights when dinner is served outside in the Boma enclosure area and complemented with some local entertainment in the form of singing or dancing.

Also included in the accommodation package are two game drives per day. The morning and afternoon game drives are definitely the highlight for most guests. Tintswalo Safari Lodge offers a truly authentic African safari experience by providing their guests with incredible wildlife sightings. Their highly trained and knowledgeable ranger and tracker teams always seem to know where to find the wildlife their guests are hoping to see. The Manyeleti Game Reserve has a decent population of Big 5 animals such as lion, rhino, leopard, buffalo, and elephant. Therefore, it is likely for guests to see all these as well as other great sightings such as cheetah, hyena and wild dogs (rare) during their first few game drives. The morning game drives leave early, usually just as the sun rises and last about three hours. Before heading back to the lodge, the rangers will stop in a beautiful spot to allow guests to stretch their legs and drink a hot beverage. The afternoon game drives also last about three or four hours and guests will get a chance to watch the sunset from a lookout point in the bush while drinking a sundowner and having some snacks.

Mid-morning to mid-afternoon is usually reserved for relaxing in the gorgeous suites after an early morning. However, there is a range of other activities and experiences that can be enjoyed. Although day excursions can be arranged within the area, most choose to enjoy all the comforts that the lodge so lovingly provides. One of the luxuries that are definitely worthwhile is a spa treatment at Tintswalo Safari Lodge’s Bushwillow Spa. This secluded sanctuary is surrounded by the tranquility of nature making it the perfect spot for a pampering session. Regardless of how guests choose to spend their time, they are guaranteed the ultimate luxury African experience.