Tshukudu Bush Lodge

This will forever go down as one of the best weeks of our lives. Before I go any further I just wanted to encourage you to not base coming here or not on the 1 star review left on the 5th February. Having been guests at the same time, it is safe to say that there is always two sides to a story. Now, where to even start with this place. The location, the food (they catered for me being gluten free too!), the environment and the staff, nothing could really have been better. From Elvis to Thabiso to Simon and many others the staff on hand went above and beyond to make your stay the best it could be. As for our guide JR, he made the week we experienced there beyond memorable. He ensured that we saw the big 5, he was a fountain of knowledge and made the early wake up calls easy. Contrary to the 1 star review, you are allowed to walk around the lodge as you wish but of course cannot leave the lodge unaccompanied (on account of the wild animals…). Sure there may be a few stairs to climb, there is not air conditioning in the purest sense (although the fans are more than enough), the cell service/internet are spotty and the gym isn’t close but if that is what you are after why are you coming on a safari.. Tshukudu offers an immersive, personal and bespoke safari experience that will genuinely change your life. It is hard to think of a place that will give you better memories. Our week was made by the people we shared drives with (you know who you are), the kindness of our guide JR, the general attitude of the staff and the setting of this lodge. If we never get to return to Tshukudu again we will be very sad. It is a unique place filled with the most unforgettable experiences and people. Yes, it might be on the expensive side but if you can afford it, it will be the best experience of your life. Having already recommended it to every person we have spoken to since leaving, I suggest you book asap and go and have the best week of your life. Thank you Tshukudu, you have been amazing!

Our time there was completely amazing. Our guide was JR, an excelent profesional totally in love with his job. He made us feel very comfortable all the time and managed to show us all every possible animal in the park. Thank U, see U again soon!

I based my review on price paid 6 nights staying there. I really wanted to give this 5 out of 5, but felt a few points need attention. Firstly, I must say, like the majority of reviews that our guide JR was exceptional, he and the other guests we met made our trip. JR had amazing communication, and his Ferrari Safaris were great fun.His knowledge of the area geological and animals was second to none, and he made a great bacardi and coke, thank you JR you are a credit to your profession. We were lucky to see the big 5 in 2 days, but this was luck of the draw as the animals are wild and roam, the views were exceptional and staying at the Lodge gave us small tour groups (max of 6) not the massive prison looking trucks you saw zooming around. Yes, there are steps 140 plus up to the rooms with a bench halfway so if you are less mobile then I would say this is not for you which is a shame.The lodges are large with stunning views and some have small plunge pools, to be honest these are great but only used ours in small amounts to cool down.Beds are firm but comfortable with all the facilities you need, hair dryer, coffee pod maker, every tea ever made, kettle, fridge and fan.Lovely double shower and separate freestanding bath overlooking water hole and double sinks. When up the top area, 2 x seating areas , one smoking one non smoking, which was great for my cigars.There is also a small plunge pool which we did not use but seemed popular. You are most probably wondering why I did not give this 5 out of 5 ? The drinks are premium, BUT I asked for Jack D on day one and was told they had run out,which is OK, but when I asked 2 days later, they checked and found it, would of been nice to have seen it on shelf when it was re-stocked up rather than in locked room around backThe cocktails selection should be improved no one ever knew what cocktail they had just given to them and a proper cocktail list with mainstream cocktails would of been nice and expected in this price bracket. Wines were good and they did keep you topped up, but I asked on the off chance for a vanilla milkshake and got one then most people got one as no one knew it was avaliable and the same goes for snacks no one knew that they were avaliable. Food was top class with 5 courses served nightly for dinner, but the bush dinner was not avaliable due to some works going on, this was a massive disappointment for me as it was one of the main reasons for going there as having dinner every night either in your room or at communal table is OK but not the experience of being out and about, they did have high tea under a tree but not do it was very disappointing. Up 5am Game Drive 5.30 Back around 8am Breakfast around 9am High Tea 3.30pm Game Drive 4pm Back around 8.15pm Dinner around 9pm The above change from Nov 1st to earlier. We were lucky to have an incredible group of people when we were there that could make or break in my opinion this holiday,(no names used but you know who you