Tintswalo Safari Lodge

Tintswalo Safari Lodge has a great location inside the Manyeleti Private Game Reserve, which shares unfenced boundaries with the Kruger National Park, the Timbavati Private Reserve and Sabi Sand Reserve. This classic, colonial-style luxury lodge provides guests with an excellent game-rich safari experience and accommodation that celebrates the spirit of fearless nineteenth-century African explorers.

Six explorer suites

Individually decorated, each of Tintwalo's six suites is named after a pioneer of African exploration from the 1800s. Situated between the trees on the banks of the Nwaswitsontso River, the air-conditioned suites sleep two and have spacious en-suite bathrooms that boast indoor and outdoor showers. The suites are connected to the main lodge by elevated wooden walkways and have private viewing decks and plunge pools.

Family suite

The Grant Suite is ideal for families with children older than nine. The two-bedroom family suite has two en-suite bathrooms, a central lounge area, a private viewing deck and plunge pool. Grant Suite guests have access to a private game-viewing vehicle, a private safari guide and tracker, a personalized game-viewing itinerary and a children's programme. Meals are served in the main lodge.

Presidential suite

Perfect for a family of four with children of all ages or two couples looking for a fully-inclusive safari retreat, guests who stay in the Baines Presidential Suite are catered for by a private chef and a Baines Suite butler in their exclusive lounge, fully equipped kitchen and secluded, private outdoor boma. There are two king or twin suites, two en-suite bathrooms with clawfoot bathtubs and indoor/outdoor showers and a large, private, bush-facing viewing deck and plunge pool. Baines Suite guests have access to a private game-viewing vehicle, a private safari guide and tracker, a personalized game-viewing itinerary and a children's programme.

Manor House

Tintswalo Manor House is a standalone thatched villa ideal for small groups of up to 10 or extended families looking for an intimate safari getaway. There are five spacious en-suite twin or double suites, some with an outdoor bathtub, a private lounge and kitchen, a shaded outdoor patio, a boma, a private-use family-size swimming pool and a fenced garden overlooking an active waterhole. Manor House guests are attended to by a private butler and chef, have access to their own game-viewing vehicle, safari guide and tracker and a personalized children's programme. A minimum of four guests is required for a Tintswalo Manor House booking. Please contact us for further details.

Main lodge

In keeping with the vintage safari feel, the spacious main lodge has a large, central, wood-burning fireplace and walks onto a wooden deck that overlooks a dry riverbed and small waterhole which attracts elephant and other big game. Traditional cuisine, prepared and presented with love, is served in various locations such as the waterhole-facing viewing deck, wine cellar or alfresco in the boma. Tinswalo Safari Lodge also has a gym, spa and curio shop that sells handmade, locally produced items.

Game viewing activities

The Manyeleti is one of Kruger's best-kept secrets and it's easy to see why. Sharing unfenced borders with the Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park and Timbavati Game Reserve, the 24,000-hectare game reserve which encompasses open savanna grassland, seasonal rivers, Acacia bushveld and a number of dams makes Big Five game viewing in the Manyeleti exceptionally rewarding.

Tintswalo Safari Lodge offers two game drives a day in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Interactive bushwalks, rhino tracking, night drives, stargazing, bush picnics, birdwatching and sundowners are some of the wildlife and nature activities you can expect to experience. The low number of vehicles permitted entry to the reserve adds to the authentic and personalized game-viewing experience.

Getting there

By road - You can easily get to Tintswalo Safari Lodge by road from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The road trip takes about six hours. We'd be more than happy to arrange a comfortable road transfer for you.

By air - From Eastgate Airport in Hoedspruit, it takes about an hour by car to get to Tintswalo Safari Lodge. Speak to us about arranging a transfer from the airport to the lodge.

Our take on Tintswalo Safari Lodge

Tintswalo is a Shangaan word that describes the sense of gratitude one feels when one has been given a particularly meaningful gift. It's a fitting name for this safari lodge inside one of the Kruger's most underrated private game reserves, the Manyeleti. One night is far too short to enjoy Tintswalo Safari Lodge. We would recommend a minimum of three nights. In the dry season, you might get to see elephants gathering to drink at the waterhole right in front of the main lodge. The suites are spacious and beautiful, the meals are fantastic and the safari guides are very friendly and professional. And because the Manyeleti Game Reserve includes numerous open areas, your chances of spotting the elusive cheetah are good. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend Tintswalo Safari Lodge - it is the premier lodge inside Manyeleti and is among the top luxury lodges in greater Kruger.