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Reviews of Tshukudu Bush Lodge

4 out of 5
Tshukudu Bush Lodge
Pilanesberg National Park, Pilanesberg National Park, North West

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 73 out of 83 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 83 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 83 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 83 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 83 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

9.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

mary

Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wendy

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2023

6/10 Okay

Dana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn, fairhope

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We originally booked this property for eight days. We loved it so much that we canceled our stay at Sun City Palace and stayed at Tshukudu. We are so glad we did. Our guide, JR, was like having your own personal Wikipedia, sitting beside you on game drives. He was excellent in every way. The property is quiet and beautiful. We booked the chalet that had plunge pool. The water was just the right temperature every day. Yes, it’s heated. We had dinner in her room one night, and the staff had built a fire in the fireplace before our arrival from the game drive. The food is five star. I really have nothing negative to say about our stay here. We liked it so much, we are planning a trip to return in June 2024.
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dominique

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lauren

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Sitting on the room balcony watching the animals pass was amazing , food was delicious and the staff where super helpful . Could only recommend ether a nett over the bed or in front of the windows to keep bugs out at night
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wynand

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Katrina

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I had a lovely time! The Lodge was beautiful and the staff was friendly and accommodating! The food was impeccable, my guide was knowledgeable and I truly had a once in a lifetime experience.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sally

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This is a stunning luxurylodge inside the Pilanesberg National Park. The rooms are al separate lodges each with their own private balcony looking out across the watering whole and savannah which is within a priavte area of the park only accessed by the lodge. It is a quiet and peaceful area with great views to sit and watch the animals of the park. Alternatively you can join two amazing game drives a day, icluded in the price, if you wish. This was a beautiful experience for my daugher and I who spent 6 days enjoying the facilities and hospitality of the wonderful staff.Our only wish was we could have stayed longer!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Omar

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff is extremely friendly. Location is beautiful. Safaris and food are excellent. Great experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Absolutely excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jacques

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Francois

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We had an exceptional stay in this beautiful lodge set within the reserve. The views were stunning and staff could not do enough for us. The safari drives were exceptional and our driver, JR went out of his way to share his knowledge and passion for this beautiful place. We were lucky to see the big five within 24 hours and two stunning leopard sightings.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jess

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ruth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The game viewing was exceptional, comfortable and relaxed. The climb to the rooms was a bit tiring for a 70 year old but the food and ambience was worth the effort. I
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Honeymoon Bush Escape
Incredible Trip with my amazing Wife - We both thoroughly enjoyed every second, Delicious intimate 5 course meal, Rooms are rustic with beautiful views - Definitely Visiting Again Jan-Rick is a passionate and very informative Guide 👍👌
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Ten out of Ten !!!
From Arrival to End we were treated like Royalty - stunning room - amazing view and the Guide Jann-Rick was simply amazing with his constant efforts to make sure our stay was as memorable as possible and his knowledge of the bush is truly AMAZING Thanks again we WILL return SOON
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

MNowell, Seattle

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was one of the most wonderfully intimate hotel experiences we've had. The entire team made us feel at home, and the view from our room was unparalleled. I wouldn't highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys boutique experiences and being surrounded by nature.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Theodorus

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
5 star excellence
Amazing, everyone's really warm and friendly, truly an experience.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Such an experience - so very lucky to have stayed at the bush lodge. I never imagined I was see the big 5 in one drive - wow
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Chris, Dallas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wow! Amazing experience, spectacular food and top notch service. Great value compared to Kruger and the terrain is an awesome back drop. Saw all the Big 5 and several other animals on our wish list. Staff was amazing . We we're the only people one night at the lodge and so they surprised us with a private candle lit dinner in our room. Each day was a little different. I was worried we'd tire of it after a while but 3 days was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Barbara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We had an unforgettable stay at Tshukudu Bush Lodge. The place is amazing.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Sergio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Cannot recommend Tshukudu enough for couples!
We had a FABULOUS stay at Tshukudu. The place is very luxe, and the manager, Shawn, is amazing, along with her entire staff, who are very attentive and make you feel entirely at home. What I beleive sets them apart, is that Shawn is trully passionate about the park and the wildlife, and that is felt in every aspect of the experience. This is truly a boutique, luxurious safari experience. With only 6 or so guest rooms, (which are actually individual cottages) you get a very private experience, although you interact with other guests during the safari drives, at meal times in the lovely lodge kitchen overlooking the grounds around the lodge, the fire pit, and I suspect in the summer time, you would also have more social time at the lovely pool. The animal sightings we experienced were extraordinary, thanks to their well experienced guides. At night, you can see the Milky Way, which is something I never get to see in the city. I would recommend this lodge to couples, and small groups of friends, however, single travelers must REALLY enjoy being alone as it is not a place with many people, even at full capacity (this is by design, so please be aware of that). Another great thing is that there are no children allowed under the age of 12, and we only had adults there during our stay, which I suspect will often be the case. I hope to return one day and hope you get the chance to experience Tshukudu yourself!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

james, london ontario

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Best safari experience ever
Five star in every aspect the drivers and guides Shayne and Chris made it a memorable experience Big five and more every day wow what an adventure
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

STEPHEN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful, wonderful place.
Absolutely fantastic stay in a most wonderful lodge, and not only that but superb value for money. We wanted to go on safari whilst visiting South Africa on a golf holiday and considering revisiting the legendary Sabi Sands where we had been 20 years previously but were recommended Tshukudu Bush Lodge by friends and so pleased with our choice and it enabled us to squeeze some golf in at Sun City too! Can’t praise the staff highly enough - Shane our guide was exceptional, so enthusiastic it was a pleasure to spend time with him on the drives. He takes finding all you want to see as a challenge and hates not to deliver! Sean the boss is great company and a delightful host who makes sure everything works like clockwork. All the staff can’t do enough to please and the chefs serve the most wonderful food. The location is amazing, the accommodation utterly wonderful and we highly recommend it. The game drives were fantastic and we saw all of the animals we could ever hope to have seen and in great numbers. We had been worried that it would seem over crowded as it is a small reserve next to Sun City and whilst the drives weren’t as intimate and peaceful as private lodges in the Kruger the experience was not spoilt by too many other vehicles. If you want to go on safari in Pilansberg and you can I would stay here every time. It’s the best and a fraction of the price of a similar exclusive lodge in Sabi Sands. Just go!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

JANE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Unbelievably brilliant!
Wow, wow and wow....amazing place, amazing hosts! Best place we've ever stayed (and we've been a lot of places). Shawne...missing you and the gang! Working on dates for our next visit. Words can't do this place justice, hospitality is superb, the whole set up is terrific. Early morning drives were spectacular. From the minute we booked to the very last second we departed we were looked after, spoilt and treated to a fantastic memorable trip. Loved the experience and everyone of the team.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Hannes, Scotland

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fantastic stay, excellent service and great views!
We had a fantastic experience! The view and rooms are amazing. Staff are friendly and always happy to help! We managed to see 4 out of the big 5 and the rangers are really knowledgeable. Highly recommend!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

Daniel, Perth, Australia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice private rooms with a view of nearby game.
Good accommodation and food and wonderful game drives with Werner who were very knowledgeable of game in the park. Loved the coffee and snacks on the morning drive and the drinks on the afternoon drive.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Dustin, Boston, MA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The best hotel I can remember
My wife and I had an unforgettable experience. The staff and experience at Tshukudu were the best you could ask for. Our guide (Ally) was unbelievably knowledgeable and compassionate. Food and accommodations were top notch. What I didn’t realize is that this is the only lodge actually on the Pilanesberg Park land. We hope to be back next year!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2018

10/10 Excellent

eny, birmingham uk

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Safari bush lodge
This place is amazing! It’s own private area Of the national park. The guides are knowledgable and really friendly and go out of their way to make your trip one to remember. I have no doubt we will return. Don’t be put off by the 132 steps we managed just fine with a bad knee and a painful foot
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Totally nice, the bed is queen size instead of king, but quite comfortable
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2017

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Beautiful, relaxing and extremely accommodating
We loved our stay at Tshukudu. The staff was amazing and accommodating; we barely had to think of anything while we were there. Your field guide gives you a wake up call to ensure you are never late to a game drive and off you go to see some amazing creatures. The field guides are extremely knowledgeable about the area, all animals and birds and the hotel. If there is something they can't answer, they will research and get back to you by the next meal or drive. The hotel is small, quiet and relaxing. From your private villa's balcony you see many different types of wildlife - the location couldn't be better within the park.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
A fantastic and secluded place to stay that lets you be at once with the outdoors and animals. Staff and guides were amazing, we had close encounters with animals and the room was perfect to spend time in and relax. Food was superb, would definitely recommend the place and would love to go back.

8/10 Good

justjanet, Wales, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Escape to the bush
Tshukudu Bush Lodge is beautifully situated and luxurious.

10/10 Excellent

Paul, Gentofte

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very fine lodge
THE moment we steped in THE lodge area, we felt so much Welcome. THE lodge and THE surrounding area was more than great, we especially Like that this lodge only accomondate (I Think) 12 cabins which made it so private and you Got to meet THE other guests. THE food was very good not to mentions THE guides, which was very informative and helpful in Any matter. THE only thing I miss, was a better wriiten Direction in how to get there by car. We did get lost a few times, as THE car rental Company was out of gps. So a better direction with a better Map, would have done a Big different, as instead of taking 2 1/2 hours from Johannesburg it tooks us almost 4 1/2 hours. I would love to come back to this lodge at any time.

10/10 Excellent

Patrick, Los Angeles

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Zebras, Lions, and Elephants in your backyard
We LOVED it!!!!!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fantastic memories of Tshukudu Lodge
We stayed at the Lodge in December 2014 for 2 nights. What an amazing experience. The game drives were fantastic. Our guide Shawn was very good and we were lucky enough to see Lions , Elephants, Giraffe, Leopards and Jackals. I cant recommend the game drives enough. The rooms were lovely and the service was good. Loved that all the drinks in the mini bar are free. Highly recommend Tshukudu and will treasure our memories from our time there.

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Lacking service + too expensive
Considering the price and comparing it to other lodges I have stayed, the service provided was absolutely substandard. The guides were nice, the lodge staff never smiled (actually they rather frowned) which made one uneasy whenever asking for something. The food was the worst I have had in South Africa. Don't get me wrong - it was edible/ok, but far below any food I had in restaurants all across South Africa. Even the breakfast was cheap. It is the most beautiful lodge with a great view in the park, but I would spend my money going somewhere else. The guide made some strange decisions and, among other things, took us to a horrible parking lot for sundowners instead of suggesting that maybe we go back to the lodge for sundowners, providing us with a nicer view and more time to prepare for dinner. All in all a disappointment.

10/10 Excellent

andy, baildon, UK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent bush lodge overlooking plain and waterho
A truly wonderful experience from start to finish. Beautiful location, superb service and unforgettable game drives. Luke, our ranger, made sure that he passed on his passion for the wildlife in the park and was also a superb host along with Shawn.

10/10 Excellent

Heidi , Sydney

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Still open until 2015 - renovations on hold
Don't miss this beautiful hotel in your next trip to South Africa. Shawn looks after her guests like we are old friends with old world charm! The food, accommodation and game drives were amazing!

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Excellent stay, the people made the difference
Great lodge, excellent staff. Evan, Joy, did a fantastic job.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Wonderful Safari
Our 3rd visit, and it was just a special as before. Fantastic game drives and a very special place to experience Africa.....

10/10 Excellent

Mark, Florida, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great African Safari Experience
We visited the lodge in early October with our 21-year-old son. The lodge sits on a hill overlooking a valley and a waterhole. The atmosphere is luxuriously wild and intimate. There are six guest cottages, a nice veranda, a fire pit area and a swimming pool. The view is spectacular. We saw 50 to 80 wild animals in the valley below the lodge at any given time. Impala, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, chimpanzee and others were seen. The routine at the lodge is to get up at dawn have a cup of coffee and then go on a game drive. Ralf did a fantastic job of showing us all kinds of animals on the game drives. We saw lions, rhinos, chimpanzee, giraffe, crocodile, hippos, birds, impala, kudu, and many more. They serve you a great breakfast after the morning drive. The mid day is free for reading swimming or lounging. The evening game drive is cool because you get to see lots of animals after dark. The food, drink and hospitality at the lodge is first rate. If I go back, I plan to arrive in time for the evening game drive, probably spend two nights and might even bring a large party to rent the whole place. There is no where to exercise except going up and down the stairs. Overall a spectacular place that is highly recommended.
Elephant family

10/10 Excellent

Larry and Judith, New York City

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awesome Safari Lodge
Our room was clean , comfortable and attractive. view from our balcony was spectacular! Every staff member was highly professional and made us feel safe while so near to lions, rhinos, hippos and elephants. the food was quite delicious and plentiful. Staff was informative, friendly and always eager to help. I hated to leave and will always have fond memories of Tshukudu Lodge.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Tranquil and Friendly Stay in Pilanesberg
Our stay at Tshukudu was quiet, restful, friendly, and informative. The staff is well established, knowing both Pilanesberg and the lodge well. Their knowledge and investment into Pilanesberg provided us with a neat insight. The enjoyable food was prepared by a chef that loves what he does.

2/10 Terrible

Teresa, Austin Texas

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service
Do not stay at this place!
$500 was taken from my bag when being delivered to the car at check out and we were the only guests in the camp the manager took no responsibility for the situation. She did not ask any questions or file a stolen items report or ask her staff what happened. As far as I know she could have been in on the scam because it took her a really long time to show up to pick us up once we sent our bags down so they had time to go through our stuff and take anything they wanted.