Tuningi Safari Lodge is situated in the malaria-free Big 5 Madikwe Game Reserve. Madikwe Game Reserve is a true African success story and Tuningi proudly showcases this in magnificent style! This private and exclusive Lodge offers guests superior accommodation enhanced by an impressive Big 5 safari experience. Tuningi welcomes children. Experience the wonders of nature, wildlife and the delicate Eco-system first-hand.
The interiors of the Lodge are themed as ‘Colonial African Chic’. The main thatched building offers beautiful indoor and outdoor lounges. An elegant dining room and magnificent rim-flow pool overlooks the waterhole. These areas are interlinked by a sweeping wooden deck that leads to a boma under an ancient Fig Tree. This boma deck is perfect for outdoor dinners around a blazing log fire. Where you can still see and hear the wildlife a few feet away.
Tuningi has been designed in such a way that it is ideal for families, intimate groups or VIP’s in search of utter privacy.
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Tuningi Safari Lodge Accommodation
There are 4 x Luxury Suites and two exclusive Family Suites accommodating a total of 16 guests. The family suites consist of two suites with an adjoining lounge, kitchenette and dining room.
Each spacious Suite, has a comfortable lounge area, with its own gas fireplace that is lit (on the chilly nights). Either on your return from your evening game drives. Or when you retire to bed at night. Air-conditioning and ceiling fans offer cool respite in the summer months. The spacious bathrooms are a real treat at Tuningi Safari Lodge. Not only is there a fireplace, but an oversized bath with fabulous views and a private alfresco (outside) rock shower.
By utilizing retractable doors and windows wherever possible, the spacious and private suites blend into the bush. They have wrap-around decks facing a beautiful valley. Which is frequented by a wide variety of wildlife day and night.
Tuningi Safari Lodge Family safari
Tuningi is one of few lodges in a Big 5 reserve specializing in families with children from the age of 6 welcome. Children can join the first game drive with their parents where their behavior will determine whether they continue joining normal drives. Or whether they will be moved to kiddies drives.
Babies will be looked after by Housekeepers who all have professional training, including First Aid.
Babysitting will be an extra charge
Lots of toys, Lego, coloring books and puzzles are available any time of the day. While the lodge managers host formal activities every day.
Some kids activities include:
Treasure hunts for natural items collected from the bush such as bones, feathers, nests, eggs, etc
T-shirt painting with animal stencils
Clay building competitions
Bush memory game
Older children are issued with an activity book where they can record sightings and animal behavior every day.
Tuningi Safari Lodge Activities
Madikwe Game Reserve offers a wealth of bio-diversity. Tuningi has exceptionally well trained wildlife rangers and with access to 750 square kilometers of traversing. Big 5 game viewing opportunities are excellent.
Wild Dogs of Madikwe
Wild Dogs, also known as Painted Wolves, were once called Cape Hunting Dogs. The Wild Dog is the largest of the wild canids in Africa. And is now one of Africa’s most endangered carnivores. It is estimated that less than 5,000 Wild Dogs still survive in the wild. Viable populations are only found in larger reserves and uninhabited areas in Southern and Eastern Africa.
Wild Dogs are extremely gregarious animals and are usually found in packs of between five and fifteen members. Each pack has a clearly defined social hierarchy and is led by a dominant (or alpha) male and female. Working together in these highly organized units, the Wild Dog is an effective predator, capable of bringing down prey as large as Buffalo. They are also able to defend themselves against their natural enemies, Lions and Spotted Hyenas.
Morning & Afternoon Game Drives
Africa’s big game abounds in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Each day brings something different. As you explore the endless fascination of Africa’s wildlife in an open, state-of-the-art Land Cruiser. A roof for sun protection is used in the summer months. Whether it is a leopard on the hunt, lions roaring at twilight, dung beetles going about their business, or birds building a nest. An amazing experience awaits!
Tuningi’s highly qualified game rangers have a skill for making guests feel passionate about the environment and wildlife. While offering a unique opportunity for those willing to be educated on many aspects of wildlife and bush etiquette.
Photographic Safari
Keen photographic safari enthusiasts will love the underground hide which overlooks the active waterhole. While sipping on a G&T in the hide guests can experience being on the same level as the wildlife. This hide experience is fantastic. Especially when elephants walk right past the windows, offering a unique perspective of their size. Amazing images can be captured with a wide-angle lens. And even some creative low angle photos of animals such as giraffe, zebra, buffalo, kudu and impala drinking from the waterhole.
Community
Tuningi has adopted a local pre-school. As well as the Grade R class in the Supingstad Primary School as their community project.
They utilize donations from guests according to needs as they occur. For example, in 2023, they provided new tables and chairs for the grade R classrooms and are in the process of purchasing formal educational material. Such as coloring books, learn-to-write books, scissors for basic skills development and clay for molding, etc.
Wellness
Guests at Tuningi can indulge in an array of pampering massage treatments in the comfort of their suite or on their private secluded deck. This is the perfect way to round-off your African Safari.
Gym
Keeping active while in the bush is a pleasure at Tuningi. The gym blends into the surrounding bush and guests have the opportunity of viewing wildlife while they build up a sweat. The gym is fitted with a treadmill, spinning bike and a cable cross weight trainer.
Wining and Dining
Every meal at Tuningi is the ultimate indulgence: varied, unique, beautifully presented and delicious. The chef goes to great lengths to accommodate guests with specialist dietary requirements (allergies, vegetarian and plant based diets etc). Delicious meals will be tailored around individual needs. Meals are in the cozy dining room or in the unique boma perfectly set under an old Fig Tree overlooking a very active waterhole.
After a morning of sensational game viewing, guests are treated to a hearty brunch consisting of fruits, eggs, cheeses, and cereals. All freshly prepared and scrumptuous. Lunch too is enjoyed under the giant Fig Tree, where guests can relax and revel in the animals joining them at the waterhole. Some amazing game viewing without even leaving the Lodge. As night sets in, lanterns and candles are lit and the mood goes from bush to baroque. Guests return from their game drive to be presented with a bush extravaganza dinner, prepared by Tuningi’s Executive Chef, in the boma with a blazing log fire to keep them warm.
The boma is a truly memorable way to experience an evening under the African night sky. This is the only meal you will share with the other guests in camp. Here you will indulge in fine cuisine and superb wines, from the extensive cellar, while sitting near a warm, crackling fire. This is the perfect opportunity to reminisce, share and discuss the days sightings and experiences. End off the evening with a sumptuous dessert and a nightcap before bidding farewell to the simmering fire to the calling of your suite.
How to get to Tuningi Safari Lodge
Madikwe Game Reserve is located in the North-West Province. It is roughly a 3 – 3 1/2 hour drive from Johannesburg to the park entrance. And then a further hour onto your accommodation within the park. Charter flights on light aircraft can be arranged. These take approximately 45 minutes with a complimentary transfer from the airstrip to the lodge.
The estimated driving time from Gaborone to Madikwe is 1 to 1½ hours.
Best time to visit
Madikwe is in the north of South Africa and it experiences cold, dry winters and hot, wet summers. Green season runs between November to April and dry season from May to October.
Generally, game viewing is more rewarding towards the end of the dry season as wildlife congregates around permanent water and the veld is less-dense, making animals easier to see. The green season (also low season) is marked by afternoon thunderstorms, vibrant green landscapes and excellent bird watching.
The green season usually offers lower rates and fewer visitors, the dry months conversely higher rates but also more visitors. When you choose to visit will ultimately depend on budget and your interests for your safari (such as birding, lowest risk of malaria and your vacation schedule).
It’s good to know that Madikwe is a year-round malaria-free destination and therefore precautions are not necessary. The slightly more arid climate on the border of the Kalahari Desert means the summer days are not as humid.
Tuningi Safari Lodge Accommodation Rates | Per Person Sharing |
| 1st January 2024 – 31st December 2024 | R 10 400 |
Tuningi Family Suite | Up to 4 adults |
| 1st January 2024 – 31st December 2024 | R41 600 |
1 child (6–12 years old) may share a Luxury Suite with 2 full paying guests (maximum capacity 2 x full paying guests and 1 x child).
Children between 6–12 years will pay 50% of the adult sharing rate.
The maximum capacity of a Family Suite is 4 guests.
One child (6–12 years old) may share on an extra bed in the room (maximum capacity 4 full paying guests + 1 child).
Children between 6–12 years will pay 50% of the adult sharing rate when sharing 1 Family Suite with 4 full paying guests.
One child sharing with one parent will be charged as 2 adults (2 full paying guests per room).
Creating triple suites in a Luxury Suite or adding an additional child to the Family Suite will be subject to availability based on occupancy.
Please Note: No single supplement for the first single suite confirmed in any one reservation. Second single suite or more pay a 50% supplement on the per person sharing rate.
Includes / Excludes
Rates include:
Luxury accommodation.
Two game drives per day.
Three meals daily.
Tea / Coffee.
A wide selection of local beverages, house wines and spirits.
Children’s program.
Rates exclude:
Transfers,
Airport departure taxes,
Curio shop purchases.
Cellar wines and premium spirits.
Telephone calls.
Wellness treatments.
Gratuities,
Additional activities,
Laundry,
Baby sitting services
Park entry and conservation fees
Book our 8 night South Africa Luxury Trilogy Safari which includes Tuningi Safari Lodge.
Tuningi Safari Lodge Destination Safari Wedding
We also do weddings at Tuningi Safari Lodge. Will add to our wedding packages soon. In the meantime, feel free to contact us for your wedding requirements.
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