The Tshukudu Bush Lodge in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve is perched on the side of a hill, so guests can enjoy excellent game viewing without ever having to leave the lodge.
Tshukudu is one of those rare and extraordinary game lodges where excellence is a matter of course. Tshukudu provides guests with a private and intimate experience because there are only 6 luxury chalets and 4 luxury suites, making it one of the most secluded and romantic resorts in the area.
While you unwind in the open-plan lounge of your chalet, you can watch the wildlife make its way through the surrounding vegetation to the watering hole located below the lodge.
The uniquely designed and furnished chalets at Tshukudu Bush Lodge ensure guests have a memorable experience. Guests who are looking for peace in nature will find the small and intimate size of the lodge to be ideal.
Game rangers with years of experience ensure that guests have multiple opportunities to see “the Big 5.” The luxury game lodge experience at Tshukudu is completed by cuisine that is inspired by Africa, and the organic design of the lodge blends in with the surrounding environment.
Tsukudu translates as “rhino habitat.” This luxurious lodge provides guests with regular opportunities to view this elusive member of the “Big Five.”
On the deck, guests can enjoy high tea and meals while looking out over the plains. At the base of the hill, there is a waterhole for animals to drink from. After enjoying a delectable high tea, guests will then embark on a guided game drive that may last up to four hours.
The cuisine displays a significant African influence and is executed to the level of a five-star establishment. In addition, a wonderful variety of wines is the perfect accompaniment to the meticulously prepared meal that you are served.
At night, you can take in the sights and sounds of Africa while relaxing in front of a roaring fire beneath the African sky.
Unfortunately, since there are 132 steps leading up to the Tshukudu cottages, they are not accessible to guests using wheelchairs. Also, keep in mind that guests must be at least 12 years old to stay at the lodge.
The lodge is only a three-hour drive from Johannesburg, and Sun City is only 7.4 kilometres away.
Tshukudu Lodge’s six free-standing luxury chalets are each individually decorated with care. A double bed and a sunken bathtub ensure comfort and relaxation, while leather sofas and crystal chandeliers add a luxurious touch.
Tshukudu Bush Lodge added four new Luxury Suites in 2015, bringing the total number of suites and chalets to ten. The lodge can now accommodate 20 people in luxury and comfort. Each of the new suites features crystal chandeliers and a rock craft fireplace.
There is also a new private plunge pool on the secluded deck overlooking the stunning surrounding plains.
Luxury chalets have the following amenities:
LUXURY suites are spacious, custom-designed and have the following amenities:
Other standard amenities include an open-plan lounge with a fireplace, a fully-stocked mini-bar, bird books and magazines, plug points, a hair dryer, tea/coffee-making facilities, a safety deposit box, and a balcony with views of the savannah and waterhole.
Luxurious baths with plains views remain an important part of the bathroom and romantic experience. A spacious lounge leads to a deck with its own private plunge pool, a bathroom with a free standing bath and separate indoor and outdoor showers, a minibar, a safety deposit box, hair dryers, and a tea and pod coffee machine.
Tshukudu’s cuisine is excellent. Enjoy five-course meals on the patio or in the dining room, paired with an impressive wine list. The patio has a view of the surrounding plains and a waterhole where animals come to drink.
Other facilities include:
There is a bar on the premises, a pool, a curio shop, a laundry service, a safe, and parking.
Game drives are available in open game drive vehicles with refreshments and the option of a speciality braai.
Medical assistance is available.
There are also conference facilities for 12 delegates, with equipment available:
With Tshukudu Bush Lodge being situated in the world-renowned Pilanesberg Game Reserve with the Big 5 and all of Southern Africa’s other big game species, game viewing in Pilanesberg is extremely rewarding.
Amazing animal sightings can be had through game drives, game walks, or simply watching the plains from the lodge.
The top ten things to do in Pilanesberg are:
All Pilanesberg lodges and resorts offer guided safaris in the morning and afternoon.
Guided bush walks are thrilling because they provide you with an entirely new perspective on nature. You might see a rhino or a buffalo, but these walks are more about the details that you might miss while driving around the park.
Picnic on the hills – Throughout the park, there are five picnic areas. Three of them are exceptional because they are situated on hills and offer breathtaking views of the plains or lake below. The first is the Fish Eagle picnic area, which looks out over the Mankwe Dam, and the other two are located on Baile Drive. Every picnic area is fenced and equipped with braai (barbeque) facilities, water, shade, and toilets.
The Pilanesberg National Park has several bird hides where you can get some great photos – the hides facing west have good photographic lighting in the mornings (Rathlogo and Mankwe), and the hides facing east are great in the afternoons (Rathlogo and Mankwe) (Mankwe, Ruighoek and Malatse). The hides are all secure and have toilets.
Hot air ballooning is another thrilling adventure! The balloon takes off from Mankwe Dam before the sun rises, and you spend an hour floating above the Pilanesberg. This is an excellent opportunity to photograph Africa’s “super-seven” (the big five plus cheetah and wild dogs) from the air, and the table is set for a delicious champagne breakfast in the veld when you land.
Sun City: This well-known resort is part of the Pilanesberg crater complex and provides a variety of entertainment options such as restaurants, the Valley of Waves water park, a cinema, health spa, golf course, live shows, casino, and a variety of sports ranging from tennis to quad-biking.
The Manyane complex has a walk-in aviary, and Sun City has another. This is a fantastic opportunity to photograph bird species like kingfishers without using a long lens.
Make your way to the Kwa Maritane Hide. The most recent wildlife sightings from Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge in Pilanesberg National Park can be found here.
It is worth noting that there is no cell phone signal or television.
The quoted rates for Tshukudu Bush Lodge include the following:
The quoted rate excludes the following:
Children under the age of 12 are not permitted at Tshukudu Bush Lodge and children aged 12 and over are charged as adults.
The minimum stay required is 2 nights over weekends (Friday, and Saturday) and 1 night midweek (Sunday to Thursday).
Rates are Fully Inclusive and quoted per night
The Best Available Rates are applicable during holidays and peak seasons.
You might also like The Kingdom Resort or Thutlwa Safari Lodge.
Are game Drives included in the price for Tshukudu Bush Lodge?
Yes, daily game drives are included in the price you pay for accommodation at Tshukudu Bush Lodge
Can you see the Big 5 during a visit to Tshukudu Bush Lodge?
Yes, you can see the Big 5 during a visit to the lodge, since it is situated in the Pilanesberg National Park, a Big 5 reserve. You may even be able to see the game meander through the bush towards the waterhole below the lodge.
Is Tshukudu Bush Lodge easily accessible?
Yes, Tshukudu Bush Lodge is only three hours’ drive away from South Africa’s largest city (Johannesburg) and Sun City is 7,4 kilometres away.
Is Tshukudu Bush Lodge wheelchair accessible?
Guests must climb 132 steps to reach the Tshukudu cottages, so unfortunately, it is not wheelchair accessible.
What is the minimum stay policy at Tshukudu Bush Lodge?
The minimum stay policy requires a two night stay over weekends and one night in midweek.
Is Tshukudu Bush Lodge child-friendly?
No, Children under the age of 12 are not permitted at Tshukudu Bush Lodge and children aged 12 and over are charged as adults.
Are there other activities than game drives to keep guests entertained?
Yes, several other activities including walking safaris, game drives, boma dinners, quad riding, as well as archery classes, and hot air balloon rides, to name but a few.
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MoAfrika tours and the Kruger Safari Co. are destination management companies (DMC) and are not entities of the South African National Parks Board (SANparks).