Tshukudu Bush Lodge - The Crown Jewel of the Pilanesberg

Amarula in front of Tshukudu Bush LodgeAmarula in front of Tshukudu Bush Lodge
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Location

Tshukudu Bush Lodge entrance signTshukudu Bush Lodge entrance sign

Tshukudu Bush Lodge is truly an amazing place, built high on a rocky outcrop, with sweeping views of the Pilanesberg plains below and overlooking their very own waterhole..... 

Wildebeest grazing front of Tshukudu Bush LodgeWildebeest grazing front of Tshukudu Bush Lodge

To reach the main lodge, you are required to climb 132 steps, so take it slow.....

132 steps climb from Tshukudu entrance to main reception areaTshukudu Lodge steps
Jenny resting on Tshukudu stepsJenny resting on Tshukudu steps

About Tshukudu Bush Lodge

At the top of the stairs at Tshukudu bush lodgeAt the top of the stairs at Tshukudu bush lodge

The gorgeous view of the waterhole, surrounding hills and plains, can be viewed either from the main 'nest' area situated in the middle of the chalets or from the chalets themselves.

Tshukudu Bush Lodge viewTshukudu Bush Lodge view

Take some time out to relax in the main decks lounge,

Panoramic view from Tshukudu lounge area in PilanesbergPanoramic view from Tshukudu lounge area

with its 180-degree view of the Pilanesberg...... 

Tshukudu outdoor loungethe outdoor lounge with a view!

From this viewpoint we saw Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Giraffe, Jackal, Baboons, plenty of Rock Dassies, Kudu, Impala, Warthog and that was just in one day. This is a great lodge for Landscape photography!

Mario photographing the setting sun from the main deckMario photographing the setting sun from the main deck
Tshukudu spot lightThe spot light is on the deck
Milky way and tree at TshukuduMilky way and tree image taken in front of Tshukudu
Stars above Tshukudu LodgeStars above Tshukudu Lodge

There is a lovely indoor lounge with fireplace to cosy up to in winter with a good book from the library..... 

indoor lounge with fireplace at Tshukuduindoor lounge with fireplace

the fire pit or small boma area lies next to the main lodge- it's a good spot to warm yourselves before and after dinner and enjoy some bush stories.....

Large Boma near dining area at Tshukudu Bush LodgeLarge Boma near dining area

or relax round the beautiful rock pool......

Rock pool and deck at Tshukudu Bush Lodgethe lovely rock pool and deck

Accommodation

Tshukudu has four luxury suites, each are named- this is the sign to our Sable suite..... 

Tshukudu luxury sable suite signTshukudu luxury sable suite sign

The suites all have a king size extra length bed, minibar, safety deposit box, hairdryer, coffee pod machine, tea and coffee station.

In the picture below you will see our Sable photographs on the wall of the Sable suite......

Tshukudu Lounge and bedSable suite bedroom and lounge

the large en-suite bathroom with freestanding bath, a separate indoor shower and an outdoor shower.....

HDR picture of Tshukudu BathroomHDR picture of the bathroom

the spacious lounge with fireplace leads onto a large wooden deck.......

HDR photograph of the Tshukudu LoungeHDR photograph of the Sable suite lounge

with its own private plunge pool.....

HDR photograph of the Tshukudu patio and poolHDR photograph of the patio and pool

and stunning views......

HDR photograph of the lovely view from the deck at Tshukudu lodgeHDR photograph of the lovely view from the deck at Tshukudu lodge

there are six luxury chalets, they all have an open plan lounge with fireplacefully-stocked mini bar, books and magazines, plug points, hair dryer, safety deposit box.... 

Tshukudu luxury chalet bedroom and loungeTshukudu luxury chalet bedroom and lounge

a queen size bed....

Tshukudu luxury chalet bedroomTshukudu luxury chalet bedroom

en suite bathroom with sunken bath and shower over bath....

Tshukudu Lodge Luxury Chalet sunken bath with a viewsunken bath with a view

a separate area with the tea/coffee station......

Tshukudu bedroom with tea and coffee stationTshukudu bedroom with tea and coffee station

the wooden deck that overlooks the waterhole and plains below gives photographers a good vantage point.....

Tshukudu luxury chalet deck viewTshukudu luxury chalet deck view
Tshukudu luxury chalet deckTshukudu luxury chalet deck

we enjoyed photographing both by day and at night.......

Mario shining spot light from chalet deck at Tshukudu lodgeMario shining spot light from chalet deck
Wildebeest silhouette at sunsetWildebeest silhouette at sunset

The Rock Dassies live in the rocks next to the chalets – they will keep you entertained all day long....

Rock Dassies huddled together on rock below our chalet at Tshukudu LodgeRock Dassies huddled together on rock below our chalet

Food and Drink

Meal times are a treat - wonderful 5-course dinners which you can have on the main covered area next to the bar, where you will find a splendid selection of wines for the perfect accompaniment to your meal. With both - excellent service and great food, how can you go wrong.....

Tshukudu main area with barTshukudu main lodge area with bar

in the main dining room where breakfast and high tea are both served...... 

Breakfast in the dining room at TshukuduBreakfast in the dining room
High tea at TshukuduHigh tea

or in the comfort of your chalet or suite......

Dinner in our chalet at TshukuduDinner in our chalet at Tshukudu
Cosy Dinner in our chalet at TshukuduCosy Dinner in our chalet at Tshukudu
Starter of Avo and cheese at Tshukudu LodgeStarter of Avo and cheese

Dinner of Kudu steak at Tshukudu lodgeDinner of Kudu steak and veggies
Chocolate mousse dessert at Tshukudu LodgeChocolate mousse dessert

Amidst the quiet hills, about 2km from the Lodge lies an enchanting bush braai or boma area.....

Tshukudu Bush Lodge Boma braaiTshukudu Bush Lodge Boma braai

Guests are seated around the fire, where you can enjoy the beautiful African bush and night sky. 

Soup is served, followed by a plated starter and traditional South African braai (barbecue) buffet and to end the meal a plated dessert and choice of cheeses.

This was a truly unforgettable experience......

Tshukudu boma bush braaiBush braai under the African night sky

Activities

Amarula the elephant munching in front of Tshukudu Bush LodgeAmarula the elephant munching in front of Tshukudu Bush Lodge

there are two game drives a day; morning and afternoon.....

Evening game drive at Tshukudu Bush Lodge drive in the PilanesbergEvening game drive at Tshukudu Bush Lodge

we enjoyed all our game drives with Shawn- she also photographers so she understood how and where to park the vehicle so we could get the best lighting for our photographs, and while we were photographing she was too, which was great......

Shawn and Jenny photographing on game driveShawn and Jenny photographing on game drive
Photographing lions on a Tshukudu game drivePhotographing a male lion
On game drive with Tshukudu LodgeOn game drive with Tshukudu Lodge

We had some great sightings of the Big-five and many other good sightings......

lionesses hunting image taken on  photographic safari with Tshukudulionesses hunting in the early morning
Tlhware Leopard taken on Tshukudu game driveTlhware Leopard
Black rhinos on our photographic Game Drive at TshukuduBlack rhinos on our photographic safari
giraffe sucking bone image taken on our Tshukudu game drivegiraffe sucking bone
Zebra image taken on our Tshukudu game driveZebra image taken on our game drive
cheetah crossing road in front of our game viewing vehiclecheetah crossing road in front of our game viewing vehicle
white rhino in the Pilanesbergwhite rhino in the Pilanesberg
Lioness drinking at the dam in the PilanesbergLioness drinking at the dam
elephant dust bath in the Pilanesbergelephant dust bath in the Pilanesberg
Black Rhinos in PilanesbergBlack Rhinos in Pilanesberg
Zebras playing at Mankwe damZebras playing at Mankwe dam
Our game drive Coffee stop with TshukuduOur game drive Coffee stop with Tshukudu

Throughout the Lodge you will see framed photographs that have been taken by Shawn...

Shawns pics at Tshukudu LodgeShawns pics

To share in our excitement of Tshukudu Bush Lodge check out our Pilanesberg trip report


For more information or to book your stay please click here


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