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Tugela River Lodge is a self-catering bush camp, located on a private cattle and game farm on the banks of the Tugela River, near Winterton, KZN, South Africa. In the shadow of the famous Anglo-Boer Battlefield of Spionkop, the rustic and pet friendly accommodation is the ideal place for a romantic get away for 2, or a family weekend, or a large group get together. We have a total of 34 beds in stand alone thatch cottages, that can be booked either as the Lodge – an 18 bed set up, or the Hideaway – a 6 sleeper or the Homestead – 10 sleeper. The nearby Battle of Spionkop, the Spionkop Game Reserve and the Central Berg will ensure that you have lots to do. On site you have free fishing and usage of tubes and canoes on the river, and there are numerous hiking paths, 4 x 4 tracks, and Trail running MTB trails on the game farm, all exclusively for you.
We went to Tugela river lodge for a quick 1 night getaway and cant wait to go back. Easily accessible from landsmith or winterton.
The rooms were better than we expected and the fireplace in the bedroom makes it ideal for a winter stay. We knew the place was pet friendly which was why we chose it but i would say its more like pet heavan. The fenced garden is secure and big, the gate that leads straight onto the well marked trail is perfect for dogs to run and swim. Well marked running and bike trails take you through the game reserve side which is an amazing experience.
The Kingfisher chalet has the most beautiful view of the river and the sound of the rapids at night is amazing. Everything is in such great condition and the kayaks, life jackets and paddles are right on the river. For somewhere so easily accesible we were amazed by the birdlife right around the chalet and river. Great fly fishing spot for Scaly, carp and barbel with deep pools and shallow rapids.
For us Tugela river lodge ticks all of our boxes. Not often do we find affordable, pet friendly, fishing, trails, game viewing.
Well done to Julian and the team. You will be seeing us again
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Date of stay: June 2021Trip 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.
Response from Tugela Lodge, Owner at Tugela River Lodge
Responded 11 Jun 2021
Thanks for coming to stay Paul. We enjoyed having you, the dogs and even the cat! We look forward to seeing you back again soon with family and friends in the Main Lodge!
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A TRUE dog friendly place. All the cottages are completely fenced and even outside of this your dogs can enjoy themselves freely.
The cottages are amazing, cozy and have all that you need. Realise this is off the grid, so no microwave. Also cell / Wifi signal is poor to intermittent but then you go to the Tugela to get away from it all.
We stayed for 7 nights and Julian took care of us (even giving an upgrade for 2 of the nights. We WILL be back here.
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Date of stay: August 2021
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Room Tip:ALL roms are amazing but only one has Wifi and is newer.
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.
What a hidden gem. Such a great place to stay, calm, relaxing, blissful, clean and neat. The units (we were at River House and Hideaway) were so clean, luxurious and well equipped with everything one needs for the stay. Bheki and his wife, Thoko were always available when needed, Bheki ensured we had firewood at all times, and Thoko was always on time to service the units. The hiking/walking trails are clearly marked and have spectacular views. The flow of the river lets you sleep so peacefully at night. The bonfire at night under the stars with a warm cup of hot chocolate is just what one needs to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Julian, his wife, Bheki and Thoko keep up the good work.
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Date of stay: June 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.
Beautiful cottages situated right next to the Tugela river with views of the the mountains and river. No TV and limited access to cellphone signals makes this a great place to relax. Stands are safely fenced in but with access to the river for swimming, walks and mountain hike.Housekeeping was of a good standard and done daily. Improvements to the solar grid is being done and will soon make for a first class resort. We especially enjoyed the "River House" for its space and decor.
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Date of stay: December 2019
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Room Tip:The River house includes wi-fi for those who can't resist
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.
Response from Culture16966491759, Owner at Tugela River Lodge
Responded 02 Jan 2020
Thank you for your great review. I'm so glad you enjoyed your stay with us. I look forward to welcoming you back once we have done some upgrades to our solar battery system, which are due to take place in January.
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It is with deep regret that I am righting a review as I would like to keep this gem a secret for a bit longer, but alas I cannot. I was unable to rate Tugela river lodge a 10/5 but if I could, I would. We had one of the most spectacular times and it is truly a place where we could unwind and get the stink of the city off us. We took our two pups with and I know that they miss that sort of freedom everyday. Bheki provided the most amazing fresh farm eggs and stocked the wood bundle everyday. Super important being on the river bank. Thoko did a splendid job in keeping the place neat and tidy, a difficult task with two woollygans in the house. All in all we will be back sooner than you know running, paddling, riding and having a ball. Thanks to Julian and Rox for the super special time. See you soon.
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Date of stay: June 2021
Location
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Sleep Quality
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.
Recently spent 4 days booked in at The Rapids accommodation, and had an action packed holiday filled with lots of activities! After many years of not having visited the place, it was lovely to see great improvements, and to be greeted by the host Julian and the wonderful team of Bheki & Thoko who are always on hand to help. There are various accommodation choices, to suit the size of your party, and a lovely farm stall operating with an honesty policy, selling fresh farm eggs, brinjals, cabbages, and bottled delights. The best part of this accommodation is that you get direct access to the Berg & Bush, as well as Oxpecker Trail Run routes, with different distances to chose from, amongst wildlife of giraffe, buck and zebra. Then the river directly in front of the lodges offers fishing and great paddling options too. It's the ideal place to either relax and do nothing, or keep very busy with the numerous outdoor activities on your doorstep. And the sunset from the top of the nearby koppie is outstanding! It's pet friendly for those with dogs, and it's nearby the famous Spionkop historical site. Highly recommend it!!
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Date of stay: April 2021
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.
Response from Julian Pearce, Owner at Tugela River Lodge
Responded 30 Apr 2021
Thanks for the amazing review guys! It was great to have you back after so many years and to see you out and about on the trails and up and down the river! Look forward to having you back here again soon.
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We stayed in Kingfisher cottage which was lovely and comfortable. Well-equipped kitchen, comfy bed with a fireplace in the bedroom and a nice hot shower. Wonderful views of the river as well as the central Drakensberg. Beautiful walking and mountain bike trails. Lots of activities but also very relaxing for the less active! The dogs had an absolute ball and were safe in the fenced garden. Fresh farm eggs at the farm stall and daily firewood delivery by Bheki added to our already wonderful stay. Will definitely be back to stay again.
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Date of stay: April 2021
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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.
Response from Julian Pearce, Owner at Tugela River Lodge
Responded 30 Apr 2021
Look forward to having you and the dogs back again sometime soon! Thanks for the amazing review!
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This is definitely one of the best accommodations I have been to to date. Not only did it have everything we needed in terms of self-catering, and had unbelievable views, but the host, Julian, is so accommodating with anything and everything. He will go the extra mile to give you advice on the area and make sure that you feel welcome and have a great trip.
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Date of stay: November 2021Trip 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 is an incredible getaway in a magical setting. This was the most beautiful place we went in South Africa, even moreso than at the high end game lodges.
The lodges are cozy, and contain everything you need. You'll get an amazing night sleep with the windows open and the breeze coming through.
At the lodge, you can enjoy swimming in the river, hanging by a campfire, or hiking around the trails with wild game. There is also incredible hiking a short drive away in the Drakensburg. The hosts (Rox and Julian) were wonderful, and have plenty of suggestions for hiking and other activities.
Would highly recommend a stay here for a great escape to the bush!
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Date of stay: February 2020
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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.
Response from tugelarl, Owner at Tugela River Lodge
Responded 17 Apr 2020
Hi Brandon We are so glad you enjoyed your stay with us here at the Lodge! It really makes us so proud to hear that this was the most beautiful place you went to in South Africa. We love to hear that. And we love living here :) Thanks so much for coming to stay and we hope to see you back here one day soon! Cheers, Jules and Rox
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Such a convenient getaway from the Midlands, beautiful situation, great views of the Tugela and the berg on a clear day. Julian was a wonderful host answering questions promptly prior to arrival and checking to see if all was well. We stayed in the lodge which I can highly recommend for a group of mates or family get togethers. Bheki and Thoko, a married couple who have lived/worked on the property for many years, were delightful and efficient. A short wander will take you to 'up close and personal' meetings with giraffe and zebra. We used the free kayaks to explore up river a bit and our dog Charlie was in heaven. He even made friends with the rabbits. Highly recommended.
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Date of stay: April 2021
Value
Cleanliness
Service
Room Tip:They are all great.
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.
Response from Julian Pearce, Owner at Tugela River Lodge
Responded 26 Apr 2021
Thanks Harriet! Loved having you to stay and look forward to having you back sometime!
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There are more places to choose from in the Winterton area.
PRICE RANGE
R 1,717 - R 1,863 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
South AfricaKwaZulu-NatalDrakensberg RegionWinterton
NUMBER OF ROOMS
5
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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