Tanda Tula Safari Camp
Set on the Nlharalumi riverbed and enveloped by bushveld, Tanda Tula strikes all the high notes: superb wildlife viewing, high caliber guiding, service on a first-name basis, and glamorous safari suites cradled in a lush forest. Owner-operated, Tanda Tula is people and purpose-centered, and guests can sense it. Gorgeous as the setting is, and as memorable as the animal sightings will be, it’s the warm welcome and joyful team that quickly becomes family that leaves an indelible mark on the heart.
Located in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa, Tanda Tula is a sanctuary to the Big Five. An uncrowded wilderness of more than 49,421 acres, it shares unfenced borders with Kruger National Park to the east, Umbabat to the north, and the Klaserie and Thornybush to the west. The camp’s highly qualified rangers and tracker teams get up close to animals like lion, elephant, hyena, wild dog, zebra, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, antelope and warthog during early morning and evening game drives. Vehicles are open-air six-seaters. On foot, guided walking safaris and bush walks wind through the wilds of the Timbavati and Klaserie Private Nature Reserves.
Tanda Tula completed an extensive 18-month renovation in mid-2023. Replacing Meru-style safari tents, there are now nine hybrid canvas-and-glass, open plan suites. Two are Family Suites (two bedrooms) and seven are one-bedroom suites. Each is equipped with an ensuite bathroom with a freestanding tub, lounge areas, a pass-through breakfast window, a private plunge pool, and a covered outdoor deck with sunken bench seating. Suites are air-conditioned and have Wi-Fi. Local art, indigenous Tsonga design patterns, and timber accents give the suites a distinct sense of place. Each is positioned to overlook the Nhlaralumi riverbed and features sliding glass doors that invite guests to appreciate the great outdoors, unfiltered and in widescreen.
The property features a host of amenities to enjoy between game-watching. Take a refreshing dip in the swimming pool, check out the “curiosity cabinets” in the library, relax in the Wellness Nest spa, work out in the small but well-equipped gym, or simply sit back with a G&T in the open-air bar. The main lounge area overlooks the riverbed and across to the waterhole, so you can enjoy game viewing from the deck while you dine. Expect South African cuisine created from ingredients sourced within 50 miles of camp, and a wine cellar that has a special bottle for every occasion. The new elegant dining rooms have a restaurant feel to them, but wilder meals can be enjoyed during bush breakfasts, wilderness picnics, safari sundowners, and in the boma.
Tanda Tula is a good fit for travelers who want wilderness in comfort, and luxury finishes with a casual, unpretentious atmosphere.
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Luxury South Africa safari itineraries featuring Tanda Tula
- Itinerary
South Africa: Wine, Whales, and Safari
Whale-watching, Wine tasting and the Big 5
Our favorite Greater Kruger luxury safari camps
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