About Tuningi

Tuningi Safari Lodge is situated in the Malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve which offers 165 000 acres of prime Game Viewing. The Lodge can accommodate sixteen guests in large, double volume thatched rooms. All rooms have air conditioning, ceiling fans, gas fireplaces, en-suite bathrooms, beautifully appointed baths, outdoor showers and private wrap around wooden decks.

Tuningi is one of the very few 5-star lodges in South Africa that welcomes children and in by doing so, avails them of the wonders of nature, wildlife and our delicate eco-system.

The theme of the decor is ‘Colonial African chic’ and the main thatched lodge offers a sumptuous lounge, a spacious dining room and a well-stocked bar with an impressive rim flow pool that overlooks a water hole, all interlinked by a sweeping wooden deck that leads to the boma area.

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 delicious, bush dinner, prepared by Tuningi’s Executive Chef, in the boma with a blazing log fire to keep them warm.

Tuningi’s game rangers are highly qualified but more than this they 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 in open 4×4 vehicles. Lion, elephant, buffalo, white and black rhino, leopard and the rare and endangered wild dog are only some of the unique sightings to experience during your stay. There is also extensive plains game and over 340 species of birds to attract your attention..

THE MADIKWE GAME RESERVE

Herman Charles Bosman has woven many a tale about Abjaterskop and the Marico River. It is perhaps he that best describes the vast area where enselsberg rise from the savannahs and an area that is given life from the Marico River. This is the malaria free Madikwe Game Reserve, 75 000 hectares of unique topography and breathtaking beauty, it is also the home to the big 5, wild dog, cheetah and a large variety of mammal and bird life.

This 75 000 hectare reserve is situated in the North-West province of South Africa, on the border with Botswana. The large diversity of vegetation and ecozones allows for a rich diversity of game and bird species to inhabit the reserve.

The reserve was proclaimed in August 1991, but officially became the estate of the North-West Parks Board on the 31 October 1991.

The reserve is one of very few in the world that was proclaimed purely on the grounds of it being the most appropriate sustainable land use for the area in which the reserve lies. Studies done through independent consultants clearly showed that wildlife-based tourism would be the most beneficial option for an area that was in an economic depression. The vision for Madikwe was to have a joint venture run by the North-West Parks Board, private investors and the local communities living in the surrounding area. The reserve has now become a role model for many similar ventures country wide due to the successes achieved within the reserve.

Prior to the park being proclaimed, work had already begun on clearing derelict farm buildings, fencing, and a number of alien plant species. The park has a number of old buildings that were spared from demolition and now serve as The Parks Board headquarters. There were other game scout outposts built to house game scouts and other reserve staff.

The perimeter was fenced with approximately 150km of electric game fencing, which is electrified to prevent the escape of the larger game species. In the park local business and labour was used to demolish buildings, erect fences and to construct roads, dams and lodges.