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#1 of 6 lodges in Manyeleti Game Reserve
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Nestled within the Manyeleti Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger Region near Hoedspruit, South Africa, Tintswalo Safari stands out as a 5-star safari destination. Immerse yourself in conservation activities, including the delicate process of rhino dehorning, the strategic collaring of spotted hyenas, invigorating bush walks, and captivating late-night drives to witness the nocturnal predators in their natural habitat. Tintswalo Safari truly offers a luxurious escape in the heart of the wild, where every moment becomes an unforgettable adventure.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Family
Romantic
Languages Spoken
English, Afrikaans
Location
Orpen Road, Kruger National Park 1350 South Africa
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Tintswalo Safari hotel emerges as a pinnacle of luxury and comfort, with guests frequently lauding its lavish amenities, which include a range of dining options and unforgettable wildlife experiences. The hotel's unique charm and traditional luxury atmosphere are often highlighted, complemented by the impeccable cleanliness of the lodges.
Service at Tintswalo is top-tier, with staff delivering personalized care and expert wildlife guidance. The spacious rooms, celebrated for their comfort and luxurious touches, further enhance the exceptional stay for travelers of all ages.
Atmosphere
Traditional
Rooms
Comfortable
Cleanliness
Meticulous
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Luxurious
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We spent 4 nights here during the end of the Summer months where the grounds were green and the vegetation was higher which made it slightly more difficult to spot the animals. But we managed to see the Magnificent 7 which is the Big 5 plus multiple times of Wild dogs (including following them on a hunt for impalas even though it is not successful but it was so cool!!) and a cheetah! We saw the leopards only on our last drive! Our guide and tracker, Eric and Foster tried their best to follow the tracks of a mother and baby leopard and we managed to see them! Their knowledge and expertise in both the animals and birds are unparalleled! We are really grateful to have them as our guide and tracker! We also recommend to stay longer during Summer months so there is a higher chance to see most of the animals. The dining room service by Kenneth was tip top, massages by Regret was spot on and the room was cleaned up spotlessly everyday by Eunice! Tintswalo have set such a high benchmark as a luxury safari, it is hard to beat! Thank you!
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip 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 TintswaloLodges, General Manager at Tintswalo Safari
Responded 25 Mar 2020
WOW! What a great review - Thank You! It sounds like you had the most fantastic time and we are so happy to hear that Eric and Foster, Kenneth, Regret and Eunice, looked after you so well. Keep safe during this time and we hope that you come back and visit us one day Warmest Regards Emily & Alistair Leuner General Managers, Tintswalo Safari Lodge
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We had a great time at Tintswalo Lodge and cannot get over how beautiful the lodge, the rooms and how close the proximity to animals was. We drove to the lodge from Johannesburg and Paige was fantastic and followed up texting every couple of hours to make sure we made it ok. When we arrived at the lodge we were so overwhelmed at how gorgeous the location was and the immediate hospitality of the staff. Our luggage and was taken to our room and we were fed a delicious lunch. Mark and Dimingus took us on an incredible safari and we were lucky to see so many beautiful animals on the very first drive. Each drive was more spectacular that the last and Mark was so accommodating and woke up early one of the days to take us to see an incredible sunrise. He answered all the questions we had and made an effort to get us to see every animal we could. He also drove us to the gate when we left for a very early flight on our last day. We cannot say enough kind things about him.
We gave them overall 4 out of 5, but particularly 3 out of 5 stars for service because of our waitstaff. Orlando was pleasant but every time we asked for anything from him or any of the other members in the lodge it felt like we were inconveniencing them. We were also a little disappointed with the food. There was always an abundance of food, but for the amount we spent to stay in the lodge, we were expecting more with respect to the quality and flavours, especially given the high caliber of food we experienced during the rest of our trip in South Africa.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 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 TintswaloLodges, General Manager at Tintswalo Safari
Responded 5 Feb 2020
Dear Nelisha, Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. It is always so great to hear about the things you enjoy - and it is also really good for us to hear what you were not impressed with. We can assure you that your comments about Orlando will be taken seriously. We will be addressing his behaviour and attending to some training and standards with him in order to ensure that this never happens again. We are also working on improving our food standards as we have just had a big turnover of staff and going forward we know that the food will only improve! Thank you again for your constructive review! Warmest Regards Emily & Alistair Leuner General Managers, Tintswalo Safari Lodge
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Our multi generational family was lucky enough to spend two nights at Tintswalo in December. The lodge itself is just wonderful — elephants at the deck when the water is turned on for them, baboons running around at different point of the day. I highly recommend three nights to be able to relax at the lodge in addition to participating in the amazing safaris. Alastair was our incredible guide and we were fortunate to see incredible wildlife and enjoy breakfast in the Bush as well as a sundowner at a watering hole with crocodiles and hippos nearby. The rooms are lovely, food is delicious and can accommodate picky eaters (as my 13 year old can attest). Highly recommend and we LOVED getting a few of our safari photos on canvas right there at photo room. We hope to return to this very special lodge!
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Date of stay: December 2019Trip 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.
Response from TintswaloLodges, General Manager at Tintswalo Safari
Responded 19 Jan 2020
This is just such a wonderful review and we are so grateful for it - Thank you! We are so happy to hear that you had such a great time and that everyone looked after you so well. We hope to see you back again one day! Warmest Regards Emily & Alistair Leuner, General Managers Tintswalo Safari Lodge
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I truly do not even know where to start. To say that we had an amazing time at this unbelievably special place would be a vast understatement. From the moment we arrived, we felt like royalty. The team at Tinstwalo TRULY made us feel as though we were the most special people alive, with no detail unturned and no request too small. Nicki, Paige, Pretty, and Patience took us under their wings the moment we arrived to make sure our experience would be unparalleled (including a special birthday surprise, cake, and treats!). They have thought of everything, with surprises every step of the way! The safari itself was unreal. We barely saw any other people (a benefit of Manyeleti over other reserves). Eric and Foster are the absolute dream team!!! HUGELY knowledgeable and determined and on a mission to make sure you get a life-changing experience. We saw the big 5 (and more closely then I ever realized possible) within the first two days and had the added thrill of seeing multiple kills and a Cheetah! We were imbedded within a lion pride, had snacks with a lurking hyena and mimosas with elephants casually strolling by! The rooms we perfect filled with treats and treasures - and of course the plunge pool and open air shower made elephant, impala, and loads of other wildlife sightings from our room feel even more surreal! We're so grateful for the memories we've made at Tintswalo and look forward to the day we can return to what felt like our family in Manyeleti.
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Date of stay: January 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 TintswaloLodges, General Manager at Tintswalo Safari
Responded 26 Feb 2020
Wow! Now this is one incredible review! Thank you so much for taking the time to write it! We appreciate it so much and we are so happy to hear that everyone looked after you so well and that you had such an unbelievable time. We really hope that you do return and we look forward to seeing you then Warmest Regards Emily & Alistair Leuner General Managers, Tintswalo Safari Lodge
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The lodge is truly magnificent. The room I stayed in is stylishly decorated and has its own deck and splash pool. Echoes of antique silver and polished wood, the standalone bath tub and four poster bed all blend together seamlessly in understated elegance. From arrival to departure you are spoilt and indulged by the very attentive and friendly staff. Game viewing was incredible, as were the guide and tracker. They have an in depth knowledge of the bush and a great love for it, which is evident in the way they conduct the game drives. They have many interesting and humorous stories about the bush and it's inhabitants. The food is outstanding. They serve typical South African dishes in a Boma next to reception. We were entertained by a group of staff members that danced and sang before supper. I was spending my birthday there, and had the privilege of them coming to the table and singing and dancing for me as well. After that I was served my own little birthday cake! Getting back to the room, we were greeted by a bubble bath in the ball and claw bathtub, and a beautifully turned down bed with hot water bottles under the covers. The room is so beautiful that one feels like spending more time there, but with two game drives a day, lunch and high tea, there is too much else to do. The next morning we were woken up to go on the early morning game drive, followed by a cooked breakfast in a dry riverbed. After that, it was time to pack up and return home. We could have spent another week and it still would not have been enough. It was an unforgettable experience!
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Date of stay: August 2022
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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 Lisa Goosen, Owner at Tintswalo Safari
Responded 2 Sept 2022
Incredible review! Thank you so much! It sounds like you truly had the most incredible stay - and what a way to celebrate your birthday! Warmest Regards Emily & Alistair Leuner General Managers, Tintswalo Safari Lodge
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I would say a once in a lifetime experience but this is so amazing that this is our second time! and Tintswalo did not disappoint. We went for 4 nights this time and the service, staff and the food were again wonderful; with every detail thought through. Every guest is made to feel special and nothing is too much trouble. Our breakfast on one occasion was in a dry river bed where we ended up sharing it with a breading herd of elephants! One word of warning - Go hungry! Thanks to Kenneth (and Orlando) and to Eden and to all the other staff at the lodge. In terms of the safari drives we were slightly concerned that the experience would be exactly the same as we were visiting the same time of year as last year - it wasn't; it was a totally different set of drives, with very different sightings. Andrew and Nsako were our amazing guides and made each drive very very special. We saw the big 5 and had so many special sightings, including amazing leopard, lion and elephant interactions. Nothing was rushed and the instincts of these individuals really helped us have this amazing experience. Good luck to Andrew and his wife, Mariska for the birth of their first child. I cannot really find the words to recommend this lodge highly enough, other than to say we will visit again with family and/or friends; it is too good to keep to ourselves.
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Date of stay: March 2020
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Room Tip:Â All rooms are individual and wonderful
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 TintswaloLodges, General Manager at Tintswalo Safari
Responded 25 Mar 2020
This is really a fantastic review, thank you so much for taking the time to send it! We will be sue to send along all your compliments and best wished to Andrew and Mariska We appreciate the recommendation and are really looking forward to having you back again with more family and friends Warmest Regards Emily & Alistair Leuner General Managers, Tintswalo Safari Lodge
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For the amount of money you spend at a resort at Tintswalo, I would expect there to be top notch staff. Not the worst guide I have ever had and possibly one of the rudest people I have ever met. We stayed at the manor house around Christmas time for two nights. The manor house was gorgeous, and Annette, the chef there was the kindest most accommodating person I met on my Africa trip. She catered to everyone's very picky dietary needs and did it with a smile. Now on the other side of that was Wikus Potgieter, the rudest person I have met in the tourism industry. Wikus is one of the "top notch" guides at the Tintswalo resort, although he was anything but top notch. From the first drive we went out he was abrasive and hard to make conversation with. He would respond to questions with either a one word answer, or a snarky comment and just avoid the question all together. Now giving him the benefit of the doubt maybe he was having a bad night but throughout the 3 days we were there he was constantly rude. I'd wake up in the morning and say good morning to him and for some reason he thought it was funny to respond good afternoon, here's a hint it wasn't funny the first or third time you did it it just comes across as being rude. The worst comment he made on the entire trip was at one point we asked him if he was going to dance for us and he said no as dancing was on a short list of things he will not do. For some reason he felt it was necessary to tell us another thing on that list was and I quote "not kissing men". I was shocked that he would make that comment, let alone in front of my uncle and his husband. It is unfortunate that I have to give this resort 1 star because most of our stay there was fantastic, but this resort is responsible for their employees and Wikus happens to be the worst one they have. Do not stay at the manor house and avoid Wikus at all costs. Just as a shout out though, Eric was our other guide and he was fantastic.
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Date of stay: December 2019
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 TintswaloLodges, General Manager at Tintswalo Safari
Responded 5 Feb 2020
Dear Joshua, We were extremely concerned to hear about your experience with Wikus at Manor House. This kind of behaviour is unacceptable and is most definitely not what Tintswalo is about. We must sincerely apologise and can assure you that we are taking severe disciplinary action as this behavior is unbecoming of a Tintswalo staff member and is most certainly not tolerated. Thank you for taking the time to give honest feedback so as to ensure we can correct and ensure this never happens again. We are so very please to hear that Anneth looked after you so well and that Eric was also fantastic. It is always Tintswalo’s wish to make guests happy and blown away by the experience with caring and competent staff. We can assure you of our dedication to ensuring this is upheld and would welcome the opportunity to show you this should you return to the magnificent Manyeleti. Warmest Regards Emily & Alistair Leuner, General Managers Tintswalo Safari Lodge
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I’ve never experienced better hospitality than at Tinstwalo. Our host, Tandhi, catered to our various needs and provided a personalized experience. We looked forward to coming back from the safari each day and seeing the beautiful display that the cleaning ladies prepared in our rooms! Anything we needed, they were quick to provide, such as laundry, heaters, and stomach medicine. The chefs were just as accommodating. Our family has various dietary restrictions, and the chef took the time to get to know our needs and preferences in order to provide some of the best food we’ve ever had in our lives.
The safari tours were also incredible. Our tour guide, Eric, was extremely knowledgeable about the bush. He also added a great sense of humor and a personal touch to his tours. We saw lions, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, and impalas.
Overall, Tinstwalo provided an unforgettable family trip that will comprise memories for years to come. I couldn’t recommend it more!
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Date of stay: August 2022Trip 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.
Response from Lisa Goosen, Owner at Tintswalo Safari
Responded 2 Sept 2022
WOW! What a review! Thank you so much for taking the time to write it - we appreciate it so much It sounds like you really had such a wonderful time and that everyone looked after you so well Warmest Regards Emily & Alistair Leuner General Managers, Tintswalo Safari Lodge
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We stayed at Tintswalo Safari Lodge over Christmas in 2019. Our group of 8 stayed at the Manor House which we had to ourselves with our own service team and personal chef. Tintswalo really made our holiday special. We had our two children with us, ages 6 and 8 and the team had so many gifts for them at various points on Christmas including a backpack with binoculars and other activities, a Christmas stocking filled with goodies, a present at Christmas breakfast and another at dinner and another on their bed at night! It was amazing! The food was outstanding. Anneth, our chef, was so accommodating and there was so much food! Vic our guide was very knowledgable and worked well with our tracker Nsako. They helped us find every animal we wanted to see, all the Big 5 and then some. Lonic our butler was also accommodating and helped make our stay so relaxing, always offering a drink when needed. Daphney kept the house clean and always had a nice message for us in our rooms. Overall, our stay was very special and a true highlight of our two weeks in South Africa. I would highly recommend the Manor House at Tintswalo. It was so worth it!
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: December 2019
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Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Manor House was awesome!
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 TintswaloLodges, General Manager at Tintswalo Safari
Responded 19 Jan 2020
Dear Scott, This is quite possibly one of the best reviews we have received about Manor House - you managed to cover each and every aspect and staff member so wonderfully - thank you for that! We will be printing this review for the staff and commending them all on their great work. We are so happy to hear that you had such a wonderful time and that Christmas was made so special for your children! We hope that you come back again one day! Warmest Regards Emily & Alistair Leuner, General Managers, Tintswalo Safari Lodge
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Just a quick thank you to the crew at Tintswalo for an unbelievable trip. We had a multi-family group with small children staying at the Manor House and things could not have gone better. Thandi and Lonics’ hospitality made everyone feel incredibly welcome. Alistair and Wise along with Neil and Floyd did a wonderful job of tracking the animals (within five minutes of our first drive we sighted lionesses stalking impala) and tailoring game drives to keep the kids interested (from making plaster casts of lion tracks to constructing bow and arrows). They also kept the comic relief steady which is so great for a big group. I can’t think of a better place to spend time with your family and friends in the bush. Tintswalo does a great job of providing comfort without pretentiousness and we can’t wait to get back for a third time.
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Date of stay: March 2020Trip 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.
Response from TintswaloLodges, General Manager at Tintswalo Safari
Responded 25 Mar 2020
We really look forward to having you back for the third time! We are so glad to hear that you were all so well looked after and that you had such a fantastic time Please keep safe during this time! Warmest Regards Emily & Alistair Leuner General Managers, Tintswalo Safari Lodge
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It depends on which properties you are going to visit. I have found after 15 + stays at Tintswalo properties that there isn't a hard fast rule. It usually depends on how busy they are, who arrives when, how many are in your party. They try not to crowd the vehicles.
Hi Larry,
As our friends have already recommended, pack for layered clothing. May is the beginning of Winter here, but the days are mild. Have warm jackets for your morning and evening game drives, but we'll keep you warm too, with hot water bottles, blankets, and steaming coffee!
Remember a hat and sunglasses, our southern hemisphere sun can be harsh.
We can't wait to host you, Larry, see you in May!
New York City, New York197 contributions74 helpful votes
We saw everything! Within our first five minutes out saw a lioness with her cubs. Saw a pair of cheetahs and both a male and female leopards on two separate occasions within three days.
New York City, New York197 contributions74 helpful votes
Jwb answered this well. But I will say one of the best drives that we had during our stay was at night. We chased a leopard and ran into 3 lionesses in the pitch black. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Alistair and Foster were the BEST driver/tracker team.
Sorry -- just seeing this question. We flew into the larger airport and yes there was a fee. All non-premium alcohol is included. BTW, you will love this place. The lion prides are on Face Book so you can follow them after leaving. Really cool
There are more places to choose from in the Manyeleti Game Reserve area.
PRICE RANGE
₹1,61,851 - ₹4,05,510 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
tintswalo hotel manyeleti game reserve, tintswalo kruger national park
LOCATION
South AfricaKruger National ParkManyeleti 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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