started a great family trip to Botswana and South Africa with a stay at Wild at Tuli. From the start Judi was very quick and helpful replying to email enquiries. Journey from Johannesburg Airport in a rental car was very easy , chose to take our time with an overnight stop at Polokwane. Tar all the way until last approx 10km to border, but dirt road was fine. Crossing at Platjan was very smooth and is in the process of being converted to a bridge. Accommodation at Wild at Tuli was lovely. Chalets right on river bank overlooking pools in river bed, great birdwatching on your door step. Resident large spotted genets each night joined as at dinner. All the team were very helpful and friendly. We chose the catered option and Judi was on hand to provide an excellent brunch and dinner at the end of each of our drives , along with very enjoyable and interesting company. With early morning tea and rusks awaiting you pre morning drive and home made cakes before evening drive our weight definitely increased during our stay! Bore hole water was perfectly safe, and pleasant to drink . Fridge on site to call any drinks you bring . Pool to swim during the afternoon break. Game drives were good , nice views from the hills. Excellent birdlife, 20 species of mammal during our 3 day stay including wild cat, springhare, elephant shrew and the very photogenic gennets! We continued our 2 week trip with a loop through then northern tulip block then back into South Africa to Mapungubwe National Park and northern Kruger before back to Johannesburg via Polokwane which worked very well. Would highly recommend a few days at Wild at Tuli in Judi's excellent care if you are in this neck of the woods.
Spent 2 blissful days at Wild at Tuli. We are a family of 4 (2 children under 12) and stayed at the lodge by the river. Surroundings are beautiful and peaceful. Wonderful view and incredible bird life... Saw hippos and crocodiles in the river. The lodge is very comfortable with a fully equipped kitchen and lovely pool. The staff are very friendly and helpful. We loved it, would happily go again, and highly recommend it.
A stay at Wild at Tuli is an opportunity to mix it up with people who actually have dedicated their lives to Botswana and care deeply about their homeland. The rooms (right by the river) are comfortable and quiet. The pool is magnificent after a long, hot drive through the bush with Dix, brimming with wildlife and adventure. Plus, there's dinner with Judi, an equally wonderful conversationalist and chef, to cap off the day,
Beautiful tented camp on an idyllic island, recommended by my brother. We loved the place and had an amazing time. Dix spotted a leopards tail between the rocks, our first leopard in our vacation. KB and Donald took care of us in the camp and Julie and Helena had fascinating stories to tell about life and wildlife in Botswana and South Africa.
The most amazing view was of a young brown spotted hyena taking a bath and playing with us. He was running towards the car and back to the pool. Lovely sight!
We booked this fairly last minute and had absolutely no idea what to expect- it ended up being the highlight of our trip! We drove up from the Waterberg and crossed at Martin's Drift due to flooding at Platjan- Judi gave us directions from there and it ended being a brilliant 3 hour game drive up through game reserves on the dirt road- infinitely more interesting than the tar road on the SA side...
When we arrived at reception we were met by Helena and A.B, who was to be our guide for the duration of our stay. A.B. showed us the way to the camp and when we got there it was absolutely breathtaking. Initially the camp is concealed from view by the big trees on the riverbank, but then you see it nestled in the middle of the river. When we visited the water was quite high due to recent rain so the island was completely cut off- I understand the river is fairly dry apart from large pools in the winter (excellent for game viewing!).
You access the island by a rope bridge (pretty hairy first time you do it!) and the guys brought our stuff across. Due to cancellations after recent flooding we had the whole island to ourselves and it was so peaceful! Our tent was well set out with one of the comfiest beds I've ever slept in, plenty of storage, a great decking area looking out over the river and outdoor shower and bath. The bath was an amazing roll top affair and there was loads of hot water- perfect for lying back and looking for shooting stars! In the morning the light streams through the windows of the tent and you can lie in bed and watch the birds and vervet monkeys playing on the opposite bank.
Game drives with A.B were usually preceded by tea and Judi's excellent carrot cake. A.B. was incredibly knowledgeable and happy to answer all of our questions. We had brilliant elephant sightings and although the leopard managed to elude us again, A.B. did find us a kill in a tree. If you get chance while there ask A.B. to take you on a guided walk- we went down the banks of the Limpopo and it felt like being an old-time explorer! Although you don't see as much game you really get the feel of the place much more than in a vehicle.
Although there is the option to go self-catering (probably better in a large group), we chose fully catered and didn't regret it! Helena is an excellent cook and both she and Judi are wonderful hosts, making us feel completely at home and regaling us with hilarious stories.
There is so much we enjoyed about our stay that I couldn't possibly fit it all in- if you want a truly unforgettable experience that is off the beaten track then this is your place.