Tshukudu Lodge is located right in the middle of the Pilanesberg Park, up on a hill dominating the plane. When we arrived there, sipping the welcome cocktail on the veranda, we saw a gnu eating the grass and about 20 meters away a lioness hiding behind a bush, ready to attack. Something you see on National Geographic, it seemed staged to welcome us at best!

Tshukudu has only 6 cottages, very stylish with all comforts but with the taste of wild nature.
The food in the restaurant is excellent and they cook game meat, such as Kudu, very nicely.
You go out for safari on open jeep 2-3 times per day, mainly at dawn and dusk, best time for game watching. We were lucky to see 4 of the big five, only missed the leopard. We saw rhinos several times on the edge of the road, plenty of giraffes and zebras, elephants, lions, all sorts of antilopes, including many impala, here called 'the McDonald's of the bush', as everybody eats them!

From my cottage veranda I saw everyday rare birds, antilopes, hippo bathing in a nearby pond. There is a wonderful sense of isolation, of getting away from it all. There is no phone signal there nor internet connection, and you really 'unplug' for few days to enjoy the nature fully.

I was there with a business partner, but the place is enjoyed at its best in couple, as the lodge is very romantic. It is very exclusive and not cheap, but really worthwhile.
Highly recommended!

We stayed at Tshukudu Bush Lodge for 3 nights in August, 2010. Everything was wonderful. The staff couldn't do enough to help us - dealt with everything with grace and courtesy. Shawn and Marika were great guides and hosts, and the rest of the staff were just amazing. The food was wonderful, the game drives amazing, the rooms beautiful. Just think of coming back to your room after a sumptious 5 course meal, and finding a fire in your fireplace, a hot water bottle in your bed, and a night cap on your bedside stand!

Be fully aware of the 132 steps to the lodge - we counted them! And you go down/up the stairs twice a day. There are also steps to negotiate from the lodge to your chalet (maybe 10 or 20) depending on where you are located. I have knee problems, and my daughter was on crutches with a broken foot, but we managed - slowly but surely, and it was well worth it. I would definitely recommend a stay at Tshukudu, at least for 2 nights if not longer.

You can't accurately describe how wonderful this place truly is. From the staff to the accommodations to the location, all simply incredible. I've traveled all over this Earth for business and pleasure and can honestly say this is the place that sticks in my mind when I close my eyes. Watching a thunderstorm move in over the the mountains was awesome. I never thought seeing Africa would move me like it did. I will definitely be back so my family can experience the wonder of this magnificent corner of the world.

I will not repeat what has been said time and again in previous reviews about the great rooms, staff, food and guides, except to say that they are 100% accurate. Because of the limited numbers the lodge can accommodate, and age restriction on children, the lodge provides a relaxed and restful atmosphere, as well as the opportunity to get to know your fellow guests. I would, however, strongly advise a stay of at least 2 nights and to make sure that you leave time to enjoy the fantastic lodge and room facilities. Both our game drives ran over their alloted time because of excellent game sightings, which left us no opportunity, regrettably, to relax in the sunken bath or around the bonfire after dinner during our brief 1-night stay.