Tuningi Safari Lodge

Updated Pictures of the Tuningi Safari Lodge refurb. Our spacious Luxury Suites & Family Suites boast expansive private timbers decks with plunge pools as well as indoor & outdoor showers. The main thatched lodge offers beautiful indoor and outdoor lounges, an elegant dining room and a magnificent rim flow pool that overlooks a waterhole.

I disappeared down a rabbit warren of safari lodges and stumbled across Tuningi. It was the greatest find of our travel journeys so far. The manager, Sasha, the staff - particularly Shaddy, Frans, Patrick and Keo were amazing. The food, the drinks, the entire atmosphere was so welcoming. The decor at the lodge is next level beautiful. So stylish and in keeping with Africa - the photos don’t do it justice. Andrew, our game driver was just brilliant. Open, warm, knowledgeable and so clever with finding all of the animals we wanted to see. He went out of his way to show us so much and his driving was brilliant. We travelled as a family of 4, our sons being 14 and 18, and can say it was the best holiday of our lives. We stayed in the family room which was incredible. Thank you Tuningi, you helped us leave South Africa with full hearts and a hope of returning.

We stayed three nights at Tuningi game reserve; We were picked up by Marcel from the small reserve airport; Marcel drove us to the game reserve and our safari started - Marcel pointed out animals on our way - truly amazing. We were then greeted by Heidi who gave us a wonderful greeting and tour We picked our lunch option; up to our suite for a tour with Heidi, quick change and back for the best lunch ever - the attention to detail was amazing Then our first drive; over the next four days Marcel became our friend, guide, teacher and instilled enthusiasm in everyone in the truck. Marcel loved our numerous questions and his answers were detailed and thorough. Cannot talk highly enough about Marcel Animals - we saw the Big 5 and all thanks to Gavin for spotting the leopard in the tree with his catch Food - food can make or break a holiday - the food at Tuningi reserve was exquisite; attention to detail for every meal. Service was friendly and always with a smile and a hello. Need to mention the breakfast muffins - need the recipe they were delicious Cannot rate Tuningi game reserve highly enough- great team who all worked together to make our experience very special; thank you and special shout out to Marcel

A very disappointing stay overall. The standard of the food was poor (very salty). The service was generally chaotic and disorganised with the staff not really aware on how things should be done - I do not think that the operation was managed in a professional manner, an example being that at 10:00 on the last day we came back to the rooms (still not fully packed) to find that the cleaners were sorting the room out whilst we were still at the property. The game drives were not executed in a way that all guests were able to benefit equally. The gym was too small like non existent and no spa available. For a 5 star resort I was expecting better standards.

I actually don’t know where to start with this review. There are so many amazing things to say about Tuningi that I need to decide what I should write first. So let’s start with the first impressions on arrival. With a delayed arrival, due to a stressful journey (nothing to do with the reserve or lodge) we were met by Gavin at the airstrip and he drove us to the lodge. With the sight of zebra and other game on the way our stresses were already abating but then arriving at the lodge any residual stress was soon seen off. A lovely friendly welcome and lunch ready for us (with a glass of wine for me) and we immediately felt relaxed and excited for our days ahead. The lodge itself is stunning. Recently refurbished it has kept the essence of a game lodge but with those luxurious touches we all crave. Heidi, Gavin’s wife, has been in charge and has done a brilliant job. Our room was also one of the newly refurbished ones and far exceeded our expectations. We are lucky enough to have stayed at many beautiful 5 star hotels and this was one of my favourite rooms ever. I videoed a walk through to wind up our gown up children.. So the reason for going… the wildlife! Well we lucked out and Gavin was our driver. We had amazing drives seeing everything from leopards, to cheetahs, lions, lion cubs and the hard to pin down wild dogs. Gavin was also great company and we enjoyed catching up over what we had seen during the day at the lodge bar in the evening. Then one final thing to mention and that’s the food! WOW, the food is incredible. Not something I was expecting and wouldn’t have worried about as wasn’t there for a culinary experience but the chef was very talented. There is so much more I could add (all positive) but these comments will hopefully persuade anyone on the fence to book Tuningi. We will definitely go back. Thank you Gavin & Heidi. Top job xx

Tuningi is a very special place and it was a privilege for our family to visit and be so well looked after. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel special and the lodge and staff are a total credit to making this a safari lodge to make the very best memories. The food is fantastic, the hospitality genuine, the morning hot chocolates with home made muffins and the sun downers and snacks right through to blankets and hot water bottles - they have thought of every little touch. The game drives are always filled with brilliant animals and beautiful sights and lots of learning from the caring and knowledgable guides in Marcel & Gavin. We can’t praise this place highly enough - visit if you ever get the opportunity!