Tuningi Safari Lodge

This is the best experience you can ever have - from luxury surrounding to amazing staff and surreal safari. We would recommend this to anyone who wants amazing game drives and 5 star treatment.

Our return visit to Tuningi Safari Lodge in Madikwe Game Reserve in May 2026 came just over 3 years after our fabulous trip there in January 2023. And the top line is that the service from start to finish from Fiona Bibby - The Travel Architect - was just simply the best! Tuningi tself was even better than our previous visit - and that is going some! We travelled to South Africa as a trio - myself Colin; my wife Di; and my brother Donald, who has learning difficulties. When you decide to return to the venue of what was a trip of a lifetime, there is always the risk that things have changed from the incredible experience you remember. But incredibly the Safari Lodge was even better than on our visit 3 years ago. The already highly luxurious have been totally recamped and refurbished - taking Tuningi up another few steps further beyond perfection. What ever words I use to describe Tuningi would not be enough to describe the top notch 6-star-plus level of luxury. Heidi and Gavin are the most wonderful hosts - ensuring everything was just as it should be, down to the tiniest level of detail. Thanks to Fiona, The Travel Architect, for making all the excellent arrangements so everything went like clockwork. Fiona fully endorsed our decision to return to Tuningi - stressing that we would not be disappointed. And how correct she was! She made the whole trip effortless - making all the tailor-made bookings, with an incredible level of personal attention. It was also very reassuring to have access to direct personal contact details - just on case anything went wrong. But, of course, they were not needed! Undoubtedly the daily highlights of a stay at Tuningi is the two 3-hour plus Game Drives into the Madikwe Reserve - at sunrise and sunset - where Donald has been in his element - in the open sided 4x4 Land cruisers. Over our 6-night stay we saw a huge variety of species, ticking off 4 of the Big 5 - elephant, rhino, wild buffalo, and multiple lions - including a Mum with her cubs. Only the elusive leopard failed to come out for a sighting, despite the best efforts of our Game Ranger, Gavin who was so knowledgeable and had a great rapport (and patience) with Donald! But we did see multiple zebra, giraffe, impala, wilderbeast, warthog, jackal ... amongst many others. Two highlights, from many, come to mind. Firstly we were fortunate to see a pack of the rare wild dogs - who launched an unsuccessful kill attempt on a huge group of impala, racing past the front of our vehicle. The second was enjoying real close contact with cheetah. There are only 6 in the reserve and we were lucky enough to see 5 of them together all lazing in the sun. The sunrises and sunsets have to be seen to be believed - and the superb morning game drive coffee stops - with optional Amarula! - and afternoon drive sundowners was a wonderful added feature. We even purchased Tuningi fleeces and skip hats to feel part of the Safari Ranger's team! The Tuningi Safari Lodge exudes understated luxury from the second we arrived, after flying into Tuningi's own airstrip on a small aircraft, direct from our long haul flight to Johannesburg. It can only take 16 guests, so the level of personal attention can't be surpassed - and obsequious is clearly not a word in the amazingly attentive staff's vocabulary. Indeed the answer to every request, no matter how small or big, was: "Nothing is a problem at Tuningi!" As for the accommodation, it is difficult to describe the level of luxury in our lodge - one of 2 family suites - other than to say it is out of this world. And given it's incredibly remote location that is quite something. Two of the magnificent touches are the newly added plunge pool and the outdoor shower so you can swim or wash while watching the wild animals. What freedom! We had great experiences sitting on the huge wrap-round decking of our super family lodge watching elephants wander past to Tuningi's watering hole. The meals were exceptional fine dining experiences, giving a wonderful chance to socialise with fellow guests. One night there was a traditional African evening at the Bona tree - under the stars, looking out to the watering hole, and backed by an open fire. As they say, money can't buy these experiences! Everyone at Tuningi deserves a medal for their hospitality efforts. It's not cheap - but it is 100% worth it. As they say - just go! You won't regret it! And, if you are going, remember to book with The Travel Architect for the best overall experience of a lifetime!

This lodge is very special! The villas are incredible, the decor is modern and luxurious. The food and service of the waiting staff where phenomenal. My son is a fussy eater, they went out of there way to ensure that they provided great food options for him. The highlight of the whole trip (apart from seeing the animals) was our ranger called Ash. He was soooo knowledgeable and friendly. He struck up a really great bond with my son and answered all of his endless questions. Id definitely recommend this place!