Tshukudu Bush Lodge

Sun City, South Africa

Luxury Chalet
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Dining Room and Lounge
Main Deck
Luxury Chalet
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Dining Room and Lounge
Main Deck

The hotel

You’ll feel like you have Pilanesberg National Park all to yourself when you stay at Tshukudu Bush Lodge. The only lodge in the reserve, it has just ten chalets and suites, and sits secluded at the foot of the Pilanesberg mountains, letting you gaze down over vast plains and a wildlife-enticing waterhole. The "Big Five" aren’t the only ones with a water feature here – your room has a private plunge pool and the lodge features a stunning rock pool. Adding a unique personal touch, the lodge’s Field Guides don’t just take you on game-drives, they also share local legends as you dine together at a boma out in the African bush.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Safari
  • Swimming Pool
  • Honeymoon
  • Restaurant

Where is it

Situated on a hill slope, in the malaria free Pilanesberg National Park, only a 2 hour 30 minute drive from Johannesburg.

Hotel information

6 luxury chalets and 4 luxury suites, all individually decorated. Luxury Chalets offer a private balcony overlooking the savannah/waterhole, open plan lounge and bedroom with 1 queen-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults. Chalets also have a fully-stocked mini-bar, tea/coffee-making facilities and safe, there are no radios, telephones or TVs.

All Inclusive includes: all meals including high tea. Twice daily game-drives.

Spacious Tshukudu Suites offer a lounge area that leads to a deck with a private plunge pool. Suites also have crystal chandeliers, separate indoor and outdoor shower,

Dining Room & Lounge where breakfast is served and a 5-course dinner menu. Bush boma dinners. Rock plunge pool with bar service. The Deck with 80 degree views of the Pilanesberg. Spa treatments*. Twice daily game-drives. Bush walk. Bird watching.

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: children under 11 years are not permitted at Tshukudu Bush Lodge.

Please note: there are 132 steps to the lodge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (254)
  • Very good (19)
  • Average (7)
  • Poor (2)
  • Terrible (2)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Amazing experience

Mar 28, 2020 SasquachBX Singapore, Singapore

Firstly, big thanks to JR and Stacy our guides for our stay at the lodge for being such warm, friendly and knowledgeable guides for our twice a day game drives. Ernest and Tembisu and the rest of the crew at the lodge for the fantastic birthday surprise dinner for my wife in our room, and for ensuring all our meals are well thought out and… Read more
Firstly, big thanks to JR and Stacy our guides for our stay at the lodge for being such warm, friendly and knowledgeable guides for our twice a day game drives. Ernest and Tembisu and the rest of the crew at the lodge for the fantastic birthday surprise dinner for my wife in our room, and for ensuring all our meals are well thought out and scrumptious. Choice was always available, from more unusual meats such as kudu and ostrich, to regular chicken, salmon and beef. The lodge is located on a hill, about 20 minutes into the park from the Bakubung gate, which is about 2.5 hours drive from OR Tambo International Airport. Given the lodge's location, it is built on uneven terrain with natural stone steps leading to any part of the property, so people who are not particularly mobile or travelling with small kids will face challenges getting around. That said, everything about this place has been amazing. We got a lodge with a deck and an attached wading pool overlooking the plains and mountains in the distance. The lodge itself is pretty spacious and well-equipped. A well-stocked minibar (no charge) and a Nespresso machine ensures any self-respecting desk-flying corporate city-rat has their fix. No air-conditioning here, but as it gets chilly in the evenings, you'd probably think about using the fireplace instead. Electrical points are also found at the bedside (both sides) and throughout the lodge, and together with the in-room wifi, ensures that you are able to share each day's adventure on social media. Game drives starts at 5am and 4pm daily, each lasting about 3 hours depending on how much sighting you get during the drive. We saw plenty of elephants, rhinos and giraffes each time. We even managed to catch a pride of lions stalking prey and a small glimpse of a leopard rushing out from hiding to snatch some guinea fowls as we drove past. So 4 out of the big 5 for Africa, a pretty good experience for us first time safari goers. Biggest regret - not bringing a DSLR as you'll need one of those to capture the scenic beauty of Pilanesberg and to set a long exposure shot to catch the star-filled night sky, and also not staying long enough. Booking is done via a third party agent, Biggest Leaf Travel so don't get alarmed if someone not from the lodge approaches you for payment. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Holiday of a lifetime

Feb 26, 2020 Beverleytottenham Tottenham, Canada

We stayed at the lodge for 6 magical nights. Luxury from the beginning to the end. Staff are amazing there is nothing to much trouble. Our guild Jann-rick was so knowledgeable and has a affinity with the animals. I would definitely recommend asking for Jann-rick.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Experience of a lifetime!

Feb 17, 2020 NaomiRoseUK Cotswolds, United Kingdom

Our two night stay at Tshukudu Lodge was one of the most amazing experiences ever! We were so lucky on our safari to be with just one other couple for our first two drives and then on our own for the second two. Our guide Jann Rick was incredible and we felt so lucky to be able to spend so many hours going around the park asking questions and… Read more
Our two night stay at Tshukudu Lodge was one of the most amazing experiences ever! We were so lucky on our safari to be with just one other couple for our first two drives and then on our own for the second two. Our guide Jann Rick was incredible and we felt so lucky to be able to spend so many hours going around the park asking questions and taking in information - he really cares so much for every animal as well as the welfare of the guests. A really big thank you! The food was amazing - the selection at breakfast and afternoon tea was varied and fresh and I could have the most amazing gluten free bread. The five course dinner was delicious and both chefs catered for me being coeliac and vegetarian so well. Our server on the second night also worked so hard to serve us dinner on our balcony as there was a big group in the main dining area. Our room was spacious and well decorated - the bathroom is really special - with his and hers sinks and a bath that looks out over the balcony onto the reserve - as well as a plunge pool that is on the balconies of the suites. The bed was really comfortable and even though there is no aircon, the fan above the bed circulated the air well. Our room was one of the furthest from the entry and I really would advise that anyone with mobility issues will struggle around the lodge as there are a lot of steps. This may be the most expensive way of experiencing Pilanesberg National Park but you really do get what you pay for. We had four games drives in a small group, incredible food, stunning views over the park in front of the lodge (with no electric fencing, which was very important for me), a luxurious room and amazing staff. I couldn't recommend Tshukudu Bush Lodge enough and especially our guide Jann Rick but one night isn't enough to fully utilise the beautiful room and facilities - we saved up to do two nights and are so glad that we did. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating An amazing adventure at a wonderful place!

Feb 6, 2020 JeanetteT352

We had a fantastic time at Tshukudu which is placed as its name says: in the bush. Our rooms were great with a balcony overlooking a watering hole and several different wild animals right outside, and the lodge itself is beautiful and serene. What made our stay amazing was our guide and game ranger Jann-Rick Louw! He is genuinely passionate about… Read more
We had a fantastic time at Tshukudu which is placed as its name says: in the bush. Our rooms were great with a balcony overlooking a watering hole and several different wild animals right outside, and the lodge itself is beautiful and serene. What made our stay amazing was our guide and game ranger Jann-Rick Louw! He is genuinely passionate about the animals and the nature, and made our stay a real adventure. So if you want to experience you'll remember the rest of your life: book Tshukudo Bush Lodge and Jann-Rick as your guide. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating “Amazing”

Feb 4, 2020 captaintrigger london

Just to echo the comments of everyone else really. It’s an incredible lodge. We stayed in a luxury suite (with a small pool) and it’s absolutely lovely. The most relaxing, serene place ever. Game drives were amazing! Our guide Tumi (spelling?) was tremendous and found us pretty much everything we wanted. We saw the lot.... Food and drink… Read more
Just to echo the comments of everyone else really. It’s an incredible lodge. We stayed in a luxury suite (with a small pool) and it’s absolutely lovely. The most relaxing, serene place ever. Game drives were amazing! Our guide Tumi (spelling?) was tremendous and found us pretty much everything we wanted. We saw the lot.... Food and drink is top quality, from the lovely breakfasts to the fabulous dinners and everything in between. It’s on a private road so no other safari vehicles passing, it’s your own piece of paradise! Yes, it’s expensive, but definitely worth it. If your only gonna do this once.... Book Tshukudu! Warning, you must be able to navigate big steps. To get to the rooms or lodge you have to walk a very uneven, steep walkway of over 100 steps. Read less