Tuningi Safari Lodge

Tuningi Safari Lodge in the Madikwe Game Reserve combines the wonders of the African bushveld with the splendours of five star luxury. Experience the Big 5 up close and personal in this top safari lodge, situated only a few hours from Johannesburg.

Tuningi offers guests superior 5-star Madikwe lodge accommodation enhanced by an impressive ‘Big 5’ safari experience and personalised service in a friendly and relaxed environment.

The lodge welcomes children and in doing so, avails them of the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature, wildlife and our delicate eco-system first-hand.

This luxury Madikwe lodge accommodates 16 guests in four spacious Luxury Suites and two Family Suites, all of which boast breathtaking views from private wrap-around decks.

The thatched lodge offers a spacious lounge and cosy dining room, a well-stocked bar and an impressive rim flow pool that overlooks an active watering hole. These general areas are interlinked by a sweeping wooden deck that leads down to the magnificent boma area and viewing deck.

Tuningi Safari Lodge is not only a beautiful and luxurious lodge with remarkable safari experiences, but a welcoming retreat where you are made to feel comfortable enough to feel like a family member.

The team of ultra professional and passionate staff are eager to please and will go to great lengths to ensure you have an outstanding safari experience leaving you with exceptional memories.

Tuningi Safari Lodge – owned and built by Carl Trieloff and William Stephens in 2004 – has played a significant role in the sustainability of eco-tourism development, conservation and upliftment of the local rural communities within the Madikwe Game Reserve.

They have worked on introducing investors to the Park, selling the land to them and ensuring it is developed within the ecological framework of the reserve. In 2012, Tuningi Safari Lodge became part of the Seasons in Africa Luxury Portfolio, when the Kruger Family bought some shares from William Stephens.

Heidi and Gavin Tonkinson have been running the lodge since 2005. Their dedication and love for Tuningi is evident in all aspects of the lodge. Due to their love of children, they converted it into a child friendly lodge ‘with a difference’ as soon as they arrived, and it continues to grow from strength to strength.

Tuningi Safari Lodge combines the wonders of the African bushveld, and the splendours of five star luxury with innovative programmes to entertain guests. The daily game drives, with informed and professional game rangers, are an exciting way of getting into the bush and experiencing all that it has to offer.

Whether sipping ice-cold sundowners on the lodge’s expansive viewing deck, floating in the rim-flow pool above the waterhole, or watching the animals grazing from your glass-fronted bedroom suite, Africa’s splendour promises to overwhelm you.

At Tuningi, we all have an amazing love for Africa and our surroundings. We are proud of our lodge and are extremely passionate about what we do. We are driven to go the extra mile to ensure each and every one of our guests have the most outstanding experience with us.

Tuningi has adopted a local pre-school as well as the Grade R class in the Supingstad Primary School as our community project. We utilise donations from guests according to needs as they occur.

We have provided new tables and chairs for the grade R classrooms, purchased formal educational material such as colouring books, learn-to-write books, scissors for basic skills development and clay for moulding, etc.

We have donated T-shirts and memory sticks for the new Matric class, water bottles and lunch boxes for the grade R’s and lots of story books for the pre-school.

Beanies, scarves and sweaters have been supplied to the entire pre-school class and school rucksacks fully stocked with pencil cases, crayons etc have been supplied to the students.

We continue to encourage guests to donate towards these projects we are so passionate about, and as a Lodge we do what we can to assist. Enjoy an exhilarating hands-on experience with some of Africa’s biggest icons.

Sponsor an event such as rhino notching, horn infusion, DNA sampling or Madikwe’s contraception programme, and you get up-close-and-personal with animals such as rhino, lions and elephants. These once-in-a-lifetime experiences are on offer to anyone visiting Tuningi Safari Lodge.

One of you will experience darting the rhinos out of a helicopter, as the rest of the team waits on the ground for the drugs to take effect, and as soon as the rhino is “down” you will get involved with the operation of taking DNA samples, measurements, and micro chip insertions.

Then once all the work has been done, the vet administers the antidote, and then you watch your rhino walk away. You can also get involved with lions and elephants, and help with the contraception procedures, identification techniques, and general veterinary work.

So what are you waiting for? Contact the lodge now to find out how YOU can make a difference in the hands on conservation work that you will never forget! Tuningi Luxury Lodge’s exclusivity is emphasised by the limited number of rooms, allowing a total of only 16 guests at the Lodge at any time.

Guests are accommodated in four Luxury and two Family Suites, with breathtaking views of the bush from private wrap-around decks. As one of the best Madikwe Game Reserve lodges, Tuningi has been designed in such a way that it is ideal for families, intimate groups or VIP’s in search of utter privacy.

LUXURY SUITES
Each beautifully appointed spacious Suite, with a comfortable lounge area, has its own gas fireplace that is lit (on the chilly nights) on your return from your evening game drives or when you retire to bed at night.

Air-conditioning and ceiling fans offer cool respite in the summer months. The spacious bathrooms are a real treat at Tuningi Safari Lodge; not only is there a fireplace, but an oversized bath with fabulous views and a private alfresco (outside) rock shower.

FAMILY SUITES
Without compromising on luxury, Tuningi has not forgotten the specific needs of families. If you’re looking for family-friendly Madikwe Game Reserve lodges, then you’re come to exactly the right place. The lodge was carefully designed to cater for children of all ages, with two spacious Family Suites.

These Family Suites are not only perfect for families looking for extra space, but offer all the same comforts and finishes of the Luxury Suites.

They are made-up of two en-suite double bedrooms, and are joined by a dining area, kitchenette and a living room with an expansive timber deck from where the surrounding beauty can be appreciated.

Tuningi Safari Lodge combines the wonders of the African bushveld with the splendours of five star luxury.

The main entertainment and reception area of Tuningi Safari Lodge overlooks an active waterhole that provides fantastic game viewing from the safety of an expansive wooden deck. The rim flow pool and comfy loungers give the lodge a sumptuous and welcoming feel.

The décor at Tuningi Safari Lodge is African-chic, with the main thatched lodge comprising of a spacious lounge, a cosy dining room and a well-stocked bar and wine cellar.

These spaces are interlinked by a sweeping wooden pool deck and walkway that leads to a boma under an ancient sprawling Fig Tree, from which Tuningi derives its name. This boma deck is perfect for outdoor dinners around a blazing log fire, where you can see and hear the wildlife just a few feet away.

Keen photographic safari enthusiasts will love the underground hide which overlooks the active waterhole. While sipping on a G&T in the hide guests can experience being on the same level as the wildlife.

This hide experience is fantastic – especially when elephants walk right past the windows, offering a unique perspective of their size. Amazing images can be captured with a wide-angle lens, and even some creative low angle photos of animals such as giraffe, zebra, buffalo, kudu and impala drinking from the waterhole.

Keeping active while in the bush is a pleasure at Tuningi. The gym blends into the surrounding bush and guests have the opportunity of viewing wildlife while they build up a sweat. The gym is fitted with a treadmill, spinning bike and a cable cross weight trainer.

For guests who battle to divorce themselves from technology a satellite TV and Wi-Fi are provided in the main lounge to keep them connected to the “outside world”.

The ideal way for guests to catch up on some quiet time would be to select a book from the library and settle down in the lounge or on one of the outside decks to read, which is often highlighted by some game passing by.

Tuningi is family friendly through and through, and offers an endless array of activities to keep the kids entertained. What’s more, babysitting services are offered at an additional cost when the children are too young to go out on safari, or if parents feel their children are tired and need to sleep while they enjoy their dinner.

Every meal at Tuningi is the ultimate indulgence: varied, unique, beautifully presented and delicious. Meals are served in the cosy dining room or in the unique boma perfectly set under an old Fig Tree overlooking a very active waterhole.

After a morning of sensational game viewing, guests are treated to a hearty brunch consisting of fruits, eggs, cheeses, and cereals – all freshly prepared and scrumptuous.

Lunch too is enjoyed under the giant Fig Tree, where guests can relax and revel in the animals joining them at the waterhole – some amazing game viewing without even leaving the Lodge. As night sets in, lanterns and candles are lit and the mood goes from bush to baroque.

Guests return from their game drive to be presented with a bush extravaganza dinner, prepared by Tuningi’s Executive Chef, in the boma with a blazing log fire to keep them warm.

The boma is a truly memorable way to experience an evening under the African night sky. This is the only meal you will share with the other guests in camp. Here you will indulge in fine cuisine and superb wines, from the extensive cellar, while sitting near a warm, crackling fire.

This is the perfect opportunity to reminisce, share and discuss the days sightings and experiences. End off the evening with a sumptuous dessert and a nightcap before bidding farewell to the simmering fire to the calling of your suite.

Big Five Safari Game Drives

Lion, elephant, buffalo, white and black rhino, leopard and the rare and endangered wild dog are just some of the unique sightings in the 75 000 hectare Big 5 Safari Reserve.

Tuningi Safari Lodge’s game rangers are highly qualified and have sound knowledge of the fauna and flora within the Madikwe Game Reserve and pass on this knowledge and passion to guests during their game drives.

Morning & Afternoon Game Drives

Africa’s big game abounds in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Each day brings something different, as you explore the endless fascination of Africa’s wildlife in an open, state-of-the-art Land Cruiser with a roof for sun protection in the summer months.

Whether it is a leopard on the hunt, lions roaring at twilight, dung beetles going about their business, or birds building a nest – all can offer an amazing experience!

Weddings
The Ultimate Union in the African Bush
At Tuningi, your wedding ceremony will become a subtle combination of African chic grace and charm. The ceremony will take place at the lodge, for accessibility and convenience.

Defined by careful attention to detail, service and co-ordination, the Tuningi team will lend a stylish yet relaxed and welcoming atmosphere to your exclusive safari wedding South Africa.

On the night of arrival we will treat you and your guests to a traditional bush dinner in the middle of the reserve under the stars. The day of the wedding will begin lazily with a relaxed brunch on the deck at the lodge, after which all will have time for a rest before the big event.

The private wrap around wooden decks on each of the suites offer the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush.

Wellness at Tuningi Safari Lodge
For the Ultimate Relaxation
Guests at Tuningi can indulge in an array of pampering massage treatments in the comfort of their suite or on their private secluded deck. This is the perfect way to round-off your African Safari

Location
Explore the Untamed Wilderness of the Madikwe Game Reserve
In the heart of the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, there is a place where two valleys meet, an ancient Fig Tree and a tranquil waterhole mark your ‘home away from home’ at this South Africa safari lodge.

Built on Madikwe’s rolling slopes, Tuningi Safari Lodge offers you highly personalised service, five-star luxury and an environment that is friendly and relaxed. Situated near the Botswana border, Tuningi can be reached by car from Johannesburg in four and a half hours.

For those with a wider budget, and wish to experience an exhilarating fly-in safari, Federal Airlines operates scheduled 45 minute charters from OR Tambo to Madikwe Game Reserve’s excellent all weather 1500m gravel airstrip. The Lodge is a 20 minute complimentary transfer from the strip.

Madikwe Game Reserve, one of the largest game reserves in South Africa, boasts a rich diversity of vegetation ensuring a wide range of game while the topography offers ideal game viewing opportunities.

Madikwe is one of few game reserves in the world that was proclaimed a wildlife reserve purely on the grounds of being the most appropriate and sustainable land area for such use.

Website: www.tuningi.com

Rooms: 8

Price: from 992 EUR per night