Located in South Africa along the Botswana border, the Madikwe Game Reserve may be one of the lesser-known parks in South Africa, but this hidden gem has plenty of delights up its sleeve. Transitioning between lowveld bushveld and the Kalahari thornveld, the reserve showcases 75 000 hectares of jewel-toned flora and fauna in an area comprised of vast open plains of grasslands, woodlands, rocky outcrops, and single mountains. This spectacular reserve is also malaria-free, one of the biggest reserves in South Africa and its diverse ecosystem provides a habitat for 86 mammals, 420 bird species and 105 tree species. Nestled between two valleys in the heart of Madikwe, Tuningi Safari Lodge is the perfect place to experience a truly authentic African escape where you are guaranteed to experience the Big Five bonanza including black and white rhino, buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah and wild dog.
Built on Madikwe’s rolling slopes next to a sprawling ancient fig tree and bustling waterhole, Tuningi Safari Lodge offers pure African opulence. Luxury and exclusivity is evidenced 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, featuring stylish Afro-chic décor and breathtaking views of the bush from private wrap-around decks. The four beautifully appointed Luxury Suites offer a cosy lounge, a gas fireplace for chilly evenings and sumptuous bathrooms where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the bush from your oversized bathtub or refreshing outdoor rock shower. The two Family Suites offer all the comforts of the luxury suites with an added dining area, kitchenette, large lounge, and an expansive timber deck where you can relax, drink in the scenery, and enjoy the magnificent Madikwe sunsets. Additional amenities include a mini-bar, tea/coffee facilities, air conditioning, ceiling fan, mosquito nets, robes, slippers, and hairdryer. The luxury touches include children sized fluffy bath robes and slippers.
Tuningi’s entertainment area overlooks an active water hole giving you front row seats to all the action. A sparkling rim flow swimming pool is set on a large sweeping wooden viewing deck providing the perfect spot to take a refreshing dip and soak up the warm African sun. The main thatched lodge boasts a spacious lounge, a cosy dining room and a well-stocked bar and wine cellar. A gym with great views of the wilderness makes keeping fit a joy and if you want some quiet time, simply head to the library, select a good book and find a comfy nook These spaces are interlinked by the pool deck and a walkway that leads to an outdoor boma ideal for al fresco dinners around a blazing log fire, where you can see and hear the wildlife just a few feet away.
Tuningi Safari Lodge offers twice-daily game viewing expeditions on state-of-the-art open 4×4 safari vehicles. Africa’s big game abounds in the Madikwe Game Reserve and each day brings something different, whether it is a leopard on the hunt or lions roaring at twilight. The underground hide which overlooks the active waterhole is the perfect spot to enjoy an ice-cold G&T. This hide experience is fantastic for highly prized sighting of game such as giraffe, zebra, buffalo, kudu, and impala drinking from the waterhole. With an array of indulgent spa treatments on offer, head back to your suite and enjoy a pampering massage on your private secluded deck. Tuningi caters to children of all ages with a fantastic kids programme that includes game drives, treasure hunts, enlightening educational talks, t-shirt painting with animal stencils, clay building competitions., tracing of tracks around the waterhole, animal activity record books. bush experience certificates. drawing, puzzle building, swimming, and watching the animals at the waterhole.
Make sure you pop into Tuningi’s upscale curio store to stock up on souvenirs and trinkets before you leave. This is the perfect way to round-off your African Safari.
Children of all ages are welcome at Tuningi Safari Lodge with activities and babysitting services included.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.