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Tuningi Safari Lodge, situated in the world renowned Big 5, malaria-free, Madikwe Game Reserve, proudly showcases this protected areas African success story in magnificent style! Tuningi offers guests superior accommodation enhanced by an impressive Big 5 safari experience and personalised service in a friendly and relaxed environment. The Lodge welcomes children and in doing so, avails them of the opportunity to experience the wonders of nature, wildlife and our delicate eco-system first-hand.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
The safari lodge and rooms are stunning in terms of size, fittings, material quality and views.
My family and I stayed in the two bed family suite next door to the main lodge and the pictures didn't do it justice. It was an amazing space for our family but would have worked just as well for two couples due the main living room having self contained separate double bedrooms and bathrooms to either side. The balcony was equally spacious with great views. All areas were extremely comfortable.
All staff were very attentive and friendly. No request was too much trouble, (including the provision of water, blankets and hot water bottles for the chilly morning game drives, then greeting us with warm towels and drinks upon our return).
Special mention must go to Marcel who took us on our daily game drives. He was extremely knowledgeable, informative and friendly. His passion and enthusiasm for the wildlife he was telling us about was infectious. Indeed, my 16 year old son commented that he had learned more in 3 days with Marcel than he had learned in his last term in school!
The game drives were excellent. We saw everything we could reasonably hope to see in 3 days, (elephants, rhino's, wart hogs, cape buffalo, giraffes, wild dogs, lions, cheetahs, impala, boks, baboon, numerous birds etc). We also found fresh hyena and leopard spoor, but sadly never saw the animals themselves in our time there.
Finally, I have to mention how amazed we were with the food. We tried many dishes we'd never previously had, (ostrich and eland for example), and found them all to be delicious, (even my son who is an unadventurous and fussy eater).
Presentation was always stunning and there were many flavour combinations I'd never seen before, some of which didn't seem particularly appetising on paper, but worked spectacularly in the eating. I've enjoyed restaurants all over the world, (including michelin starred) and in my opinion, the food at Tuningi was up there with the best I've had and was certainly among the most interesting. My whole family are now Ostrich converts, (which is surprisingly like a top quality fillet steak rather than chicken as you might expect).
Top tip is that the morning game drives are cold in Jjuly due to the wind chill from the open topped vehicle. Take gloves and something to cover your lower face to avoid getting very chapped skin due to the lack of moisture in the air.
Overall, we cannot recommend Tuningi highly enough. It's a fabulous resort in a wonderful reserve!
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
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Service
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Take gloves, hats, scarfs and warm layers for morning game drives in July to avoid chapped hands...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tuningi was an utter delight from all aspects. A fantastic welcome from all the staff, the rooms and lodge are knockout, breathtaking game drives with our ranger Marcel, delicious and beautifully presented food from the chef and kitchen staff, friendly and professional service from Frans and all the bar and waiting staff - and a heartstopping array of wild animals came out to say hello while we were there. Our trip was perfect all round. We will most definitely be returning.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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
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Date of stay: March 2025Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:You will a hat and an alarm clock!!! Relaxed dining so no need to dress up
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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.
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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!
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Date of stay: July 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:We flew in rather than the drive - making it extra special.
We underestimated how cold it would...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The Tuningi experience was 10/10. Our room was out of this world and being able to view the animals at the watering hole right beside the lodge was an incredible sight - we also managed to view a Rhino from the ‘hideout’ spot in the evening, which we’ll never forget as we were all but 3m away from the big unit. The food was unbelievable and even the snacks out on the game drives were 10/10, hard to beat a Black Label in the bush as the sun goes down. The staff were always there to help and Heidi even managed to sort out the rugby so I could watch the World Cup…less said about the Irish defeat to the AB’s the better. Patrick was always on hand to help, and we also loved the Braai on the Friday night - the singing was amazing from all involved. Special mention to Marcel, our ranger, who was extremely knowledgeable and passionate! We didn’t want to leave and we will definitely be back in the future as it was an unforgettable experience!
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Date of stay: October 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Cisca of Bushcapes for helping me choose Tuningi Lodge. We loved the authenticity of Tuningi Lodge. It is more rustic than other lodges we have been to, but the service levels are the same. The enthusiasm of our Game Ranger, Marcel, blew us away. He left no stone unturned to get our vehicle to the best sightings available and was a great team player with rangers from other lodges in order to achieve this. He also worked around the very challenging weather conditions and still took us out on game drives. Full marks to him. The food was exceptional in variety and presentation. We were the only South African guests at the Lodge and were very proud of the service that our fellow countrymen and ladies produced. The staff picked up on the new friendships made with our fellow guests and suggested pushing our tables together for the last meal together which resulted in a fabulous time for all.
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Date of stay: July 2023
Value
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Lodge is lovely, but don't confuse luxury with flashy. It is upmarket with an authentic, rustic feel
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our second time to Tuningi as a family. We absolutely love it there. The food is amazing, the game drives spectacular - even if you do not find what you are looking for - the guide still makes it worth your while by giving interesting facts. Gavin and Heidi and all the people that work there feel like family. They are very professional yet very personal and make you feel at home. I had my birthday there and they made the day so special that I felt like a princess. I believe this was my best birthday ever. The rooms are spacious and luxurious and the waterhole with the lookout makes watching game fun and exiting. The rooms have a fireplace which is like a very welcoming hug when you walk in the room in the cold evenings. They think of everything. Hot water bottles on the cold morning drives with a nice coffee stop along the way. In the afternoon there is nothing better than a sunset drink. Gavin our guide is a spectacular tracker which is very interesting and exciting especially if you get rewarded with a pack of lions catching a kudu. I cannot wait to visit my new family again.
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Date of stay: May 2021Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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
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Date of stay: October 2024
Value
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Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was part of a trip of a lifetime...and Tuningi Safari Lodge was the cherry on top!! From the moment you step out of your car, you are greeted by the wonderful team, who explain everything and make you comfortable from the start! The food, wine, accommodation is second to none! The added touches are beyond words...and I haven't even started on the game drives...pure magic! The Rangers are so helpful, informative, and strive to give you the best experience during your stay. This place is a must for a magical, immersive, safari experience.
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woodham Walter, United Kingdom22 contributions19 helpful votes
It depends how busy the lodge is. The maximum number the whole lodge takes is 16. They have two jeeps. When we were there the max number in a Jeep was 6 - so two on each row. But on some of the game drives there were only 4 or even just the two of us.
I would highly recommend the lodge the guides are great, game viewing excellent and all the staff exceedingly friendly. KR Calvin
Dear JC... It all depends on the age of the child. The park regulations does not allow for kids under 5 to go into big 5 sightings as it places the whole car in dangerous. If the toddler is under 5 we do kids bumbles as mentioned above which is about an hours' drive looking at elephants and antelope. We do have kids of all ages around the camp all the time so we have fun filled activities planned for them during the day. We also offer babysitting facilities if you wish to leave the little one behind whilst on safari. Hope this will be of help. Have a lovely day. Wild wishes The T Team
People are often asking me that question. As I lived for over 25 years in South Africa, I want to give you an honest answer without being offensive or wanting to hurt you in any way.
In a zoo you will see all the animals you want to see.
A game reserve is not a zoo and one day, you might see a lot of game and the next day very little.
I waited for 6 years to see my first leopard. My wife went once and saw three leopards in two days.
Therefore I would hate to give you an exact answer as we cannot make it just as with the weather!
Winter in South Africa is from May to July. The Western Cape with Cape Town gets most of its rain in winter and snow falls might also occur. Tuningi is in the North of the Country and they should get their rain between October until March-April. Rain in South Africa cannot be compared with our rain, as it means normally late afternoon thunderstorms. I say "normally and should" because 2015 and the beginning of 2016 were and are very but really very dry.
Tuningi is a camp within the Madikwe Reserve. Their no big animal migration therefore it is ideal to visit all year through. The skilled guides will ensure that you have a great wildlife experience.
My personal Tip: go between November and April and spend at least four nights.
There are more places to choose from in the Madikwe Game Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
R 26,411 - R 29,152 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
tuningi safari hotel madikwe game reserve
LOCATION
South AfricaNorth-West ProvinceMadikwe Game Reserve
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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