Lion Sands Tinga Lodge — Hotel in Bushbuckridge

Our stay at Lion Sands Tinga Lodge was exceptional, shattering every expectation that we had. From the moment we were picked up at the airport to the moment we said farewell, we were taken care of like family. We felt tremendously fortunate to have such a good experience, and to be able to see so many animals. As wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, seeing the Big 5 almost three times over and up close, and seeing a total of over 20 different animals was really a dream come true.||Lion Sands Tinga Lodge is beautifully situated on the Sabie River. The main Lodge area where the meals are hosted is beautifully furnished and a great place to relax or just enjoy the atmosphere. The rooms are very spacious, and the beds were comfortable. We enjoyed our own private deck with our own plunge pool. Occasionally, wildlife would be observable down by the river or on the opposite bank. One of our nights was spent at the Tinyeleti Treehouse, under the stars. A truly unforgettable luxurious experience sleeping outside and enjoying the raw beauty of the bush.||We absolutely adored Mr. T, the Lodge Manager, and his unmatched energy. He was extremely accommodating to us, making sure we were taken care of and arranging for our stay in the Tinyeleti Treehouse to be moved due to rainy weather. Ntokozo gave us a warm welcome and orientation upon our arrival, and took care of us all week long. Our Butler, Edmond, was always so caring and attentive to our schedule and needs. We really appreciated the time he took to answer all our questions, sharing his insights and knowledge about local customs, culture, and the wildlife. Millicent made sure we were well cared for during our meals and provided attentive and caring service. It was wonderful to meet chef Anna one evening, when she came out to introduce herself. The food was exceptional all week long. Emelda and Vutivi took exceptional care of us at the spa for a couples massage and manicure and pedicure.||All the staff at Lion Sands Tinga Lodge were tremendously professional, warm, and authentic. However, the two individuals we got to spend 5-6 hours a day with really elevated our safari experience to one that my wife and I agreed that money cannot buy. Our Field Guide Sam and our Tracker Ntsako. These two individuals were the epitome of professionalism and experience, and their passion for nature and the wildlife was truly evident throughout the week we spent with them. Perhaps not everyone realizes all the time, preparation, experience, and training that goes into these game drives, but we were able to begin to appreciate what it takes. Sam shared his years of experience in the bush with us, from interpreting what the bush is expressing on any given day and time, to discerning how the animals are acting, their behaviors, and identifying the wildlife, trees, and plants. Ntsako expertly guided us towards the animals and took wonderful care of us during our morning coffees and evening sundowners. Sam and Ntsako always kept our safety at the forefront of our game drives, expertly interpreting the behaviors and mannerisms of the animals before approaching them, and getting us very close to some of them. We saw the Big Five almost three times over, and got to experience lions, leopards, and elephants from very close proximities. Sam and Ntsako graciously took us on a long drive of Kruger National Park one day, since we had been so successful on the reserve. We were very appreciative of this gesture, as we got to experience a different side of the bush and see wildlife we had not seen on the reserve. We will definitely be requesting Sam and Ntsako again when we return...

Lion Sands Tinga Lodge: A Safari Experience We’ll Never Forget

Our stay at Lion Sands Tinga Lodge was absolutely incredible—hands down one of the most memorable trips of our lives. From the moment we arrived, it felt like the staff truly cared about making our experience perfect, and they nailed it in every way.

Our guide, Jabu, and tracker, Reckson, were nothing short of amazing. Before every game drive, they’d ask my daughter what she wanted to see that day, and somehow, they always delivered. One morning, she said she wanted to see a leopard, and sure enough, they tracked one lounging in a tree like it was waiting for us. Another time, she asked to see lion cubs, and we found a playful pride tumbling over each other in the grass. On a different drive, she mentioned buffalo, and within no time, we were watching a massive herd grazing near the riverbank. It wasn’t just luck—these guys are seriously talented.

Then there was the treehouse. Honestly, I’ve never experienced anything like it. Spending the night out there, under the stars, surrounded by the sounds of the bush—it was surreal. Using just a flashlight, we spotted a mother hippo with her two babies right in front of us by the Sabi River. Watching wildlife like that, so close and so raw, was unforgettable. The hot shower in the treehouse, with the view of the Sabi River, was pure magic. Falling asleep to the sounds of the wild and waking up with the sunrise is something I’ll carry with me forever.

Back at the lodge, the service was just as incredible. Benny, our server, was on top of everything. He remembered our drink preferences after one meal and had them ready every time we sat down. While we ate, he’d often point out wildlife in the Sabi River, which added so much to the experience.

Our housekeepers, Zanele and Busisiwe, made sure our room was always spotless. It didn’t matter how often we came and went—they’d clean every time we left. We communicated with them through a little chalkboard in the room, which was a fun and efficient touch. When the light in our shower burned out, we left a note, and by the time we got back from our game drive, it was fixed. They never missed a beat.

I also have to give a huge shoutout to Mr. T, the lodge manager. There was a bit of a situation with an older guy from Durban who tried to boss the group around. Mr. T stepped in and handled it so perfectly that the man didn’t say another word to me for the rest of the trip. It was a relief, and it showed how much the team cares about making sure every guest has a good experience.

Lion Sands Tinga Lodge is a truly special place. From the personalized game drives to the jaw-dropping treehouse, to the incredible staff who take care of every little detail, it’s impossible to walk away without a deep sense of gratitude and awe. If you’re considering a safari, don’t hesitate—this is where you want to be. We can’t...

Our stay at Loin Sands Tinga was exceptional in many ways. The rooms are beautifully luxurious, with thoughtful touches like turn-down service after supper. The shower opens to the outdoors, where we watched nyala wander by, and the mini fridge was well stocked with kombucha and premium liquors.

Ben, our guide, demonstrated excellent driving skills and shared interesting insights — such as how to determine South and true North using the stars. On one of our morning drives, Wanted even left the cruiser to track lions, though without success.

The rest of the team, including Bennie and others, were equally warm and welcoming. The deck area is stunning, built around a large Jakkalberry tree, and small touches like a warm towel on arrival added to the experience. We also really appreciated the beauty of the massive trees and the surrounding landscape — it made the setting truly memorable. The Land Cruiser seats were exceptionally comfortable, and the built walkways made it easy to hop on and off during sightings.

That said, there are a few areas for improvement. For the price point, the food was fairly average, and service during meals did not meet expectations — despite many staff being present, plates were not cleared promptly, and water wasn’t refilled regularly. We were also disrupted by a woodworking workshop just outside our room, with loud machinery running during our afternoon rest. While the noise stopped after we complained, it affected the experience. In addition, the milk in the fridge was off on arrival.

We also felt that a simple in-room information booklet would have been helpful — including details such as drive times, meal times, what’s included and excluded in the package, and general lodge orientation. While the hostess communicated some of this on arrival, it was hard to absorb everything after a long journey.

Regarding the game viewing, it’s worth noting that the Lion Sands Reserve seems to have significantly less wildlife activity compared to Kruger National Park. While we had two excellent sightings of leopard and lions on one drive, the other three drives were relatively quiet. This may not be a concern for international guests unfamiliar with Kruger, but our expectation was for a superior experience, and in hindsight, we might have preferred to pay slightly more to stay in Sabi Sands. Also noting that the lodge is very close to Skukuza making it easy to get to but removing the sense that you are remote as there is noticeable car traffic and flights.

Lastly, during quieter drives, it would enhance the experience if guides took more time to point out birdlife, plants, and other ecological details to keep...