Tshukudu Bush Lodge

Sun City, North West Province

Star rating

Luxury Chalet
Main Deck
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Dining Room and Lounge
Rock Plunge Pool
Lodge Entrance
Luxury Chalet
Main Deck
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Tshukudu Suite
Dining Room and Lounge
Rock Plunge Pool
Lodge Entrance

The hotel

You’ll feel like you have Pilanesberg National Park all to yourself when you stay at Tshukudu Bush Lodge. The only lodge in the reserve, it has just ten chalets and suites, and sits secluded at the foot of the Pilanesberg mountains, letting you gaze down over vast plains and a wildlife-enticing waterhole. The "Big Five" aren’t the only ones with a water feature here – your Tshukudu Suite has a private plunge pool and the lodge features a stunning rock pool. Adding a unique personal touch, the lodge’s Field Guides don’t just take you on game-drives, they also share local legends as you dine together at a boma out in the African bush.

Amenities

  • Honeymoon
  • Safari
  • Bar
  • Restaurant
  • Swimming Pool

Where is it

Situated on a hill slope, in the malaria free Pilanesberg National Park, only a 2 hour 30 minute drive from Johannesburg.

Hotel information

6 luxury chalets and 4 luxury suites, all individually decorated, and all with a fully-stocked mini-bar, tea/coffee-making facilities and safe. There are no radios, telephones or TVs.

Luxury Chalets offer a private balcony overlooking the savannah/waterhole, open plan lounge and bedroom with 1 queen-size bed, sleeping maximum 2 adults.

All Inclusive: all meals including high tea, selected local beverages, and twice daily game-drives.

Spacious Tshukudu Suites offer a lounge area that leads to a deck with a private plunge pool. Suites also have crystal chandeliers, separate indoor and outdoor shower,

Dining Room & Lounge where breakfast is served and a 5-course dinner menu. Bush boma dinners. Rock plunge pool with bar service. The Deck with 80 degree views of the Pilanesberg. Bush walks. Twice daily game-drives. Bird watching. Complimentary WiFi access.

* Denotes local charge.

Please note: children under 11 years are not permitted at Tshukudu Bush Lodge.

Please note: there are 132 steps to the lodge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
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  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (342)
  • Very good (23)
  • Average (10)
  • Poor (2)
  • Terrible (3)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Sad to leave and can't wait to return

Jun 24, 2025 KTandCP London, United Kingdom

It was our first time in South Africa and we stayed here for 9 nights. Location was excellent and our suite (with plunge pool on deck) which was decorated beautifully (as were all areas in the lodge). Beds was 'Queen' size and very comfortable (as were pillows). We also had an open fire which was lit for us whilst we had dinner. The views were… Read more
It was our first time in South Africa and we stayed here for 9 nights. Location was excellent and our suite (with plunge pool on deck) which was decorated beautifully (as were all areas in the lodge). Beds was 'Queen' size and very comfortable (as were pillows). We also had an open fire which was lit for us whilst we had dinner. The views were amazing and we could also watch the game below and at the watering hole from the deck. We were supplied with ponchos, blankets and hot matter bottles for the morning games drives and these were also available for the afternoon (normally needed after Sundowner stop) The quality of the food was exceptional, healthy and tasty and catered for all tastes (husband is pescatarian), nobody could go hungry: Before the morning game drive - hot drinks and fruit. Mid drive stop - hot drinks and cake. After game drive - continental breakfast followed by cooked a la carte. Before afternoon drive - high tea – savouries, cheese and crackers, cake. Sundowner, Mid drive stop – drink of choice (ours were bubbles) and snacks. Evening meal - a 5 course a la carte dinner (6 if you could also manage cheese). The staff (too many to name) were exceptionally professional and friendly and after 9 days like family. Service was above and beyond - nothing was too much trouble for any of them including the manager who found me an out of publication book 'Saving Africa's Wildlife' to buy. We loved: Sitting and chatting with the other guests at the single dining table during breakfast and dinner – much more personal than when staying at a hotel Getting to see all ‘Big Game 5’ with our wonderful and knowledgeable guides Having a maximum of 6 on the game drives allowing everyone a window seat. Not so great were the 132 steps but we definitely felt fitter and what was awaiting at the top was definitely worth it. Would rate higher if I could and can't wait to return (but during the summer season!). Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Fantastic stay

May 24, 2025 davegannon1

We stayed for 10 days at the lodge as we wanted a full on Safari experience and it didn’t disappoint.We were greeted by all the staff who were friendly and welcoming after a 12 hour flight.The 132 steps up to the top weren’t as bad as we thought although we were out of breathe but recovered quickly.Our cases were delivered to our room which was… Read more
We stayed for 10 days at the lodge as we wanted a full on Safari experience and it didn’t disappoint.We were greeted by all the staff who were friendly and welcoming after a 12 hour flight.The 132 steps up to the top weren’t as bad as we thought although we were out of breathe but recovered quickly.Our cases were delivered to our room which was lovely,clean and full of little touchs.We arrived around 2.30pm and a high tea was served at three,so quick freshen up lovely high tea (loads of food and choice)and plenty choice of drinks then off we went on our 1st game drive.Our guide Jafari asked us our expectations and we were happy to just see the animals (Animals will do what they want to do) over the 10 days we got to know Jafari and he was an excellent guide,patient and respectful to the magnificent animals.He looked after us throughout our stay on all the game drives and joined us for dinner.we had Sundowner drinks in the evening and nibbles and Coffee with Amarulla in the morning there was also plenty of choice of teas,coffee,hot chocolate and muffins.The 5 course meal in evening beat us and we requested it to be reduced to three which they accommodated for us.The chefs Johnny,Elvis and Sam gave us great food.Our room was perfect overlooking the waterhole and by the time we got back from the game drive in the morning housekeeping had been.This lodge is in a perfect location,so quiet and peaceful.As we went in May the morning drives were cold,not so much the temperature but more the wind factor so would recommend taking thermal ,hats and gloves.We would highly recommend this lodge as it has everything to offer and it exceeded our expectations. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Beautiful Bush Lodge in heart of Pilanesberg NP

May 14, 2025 kskae483430

Beautiful location with individual villas perched on the hillside - all with decks overlooking the grasslands. Enjoyed watching animals wonder about.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating ABSOLUTE HEAVEN ON EARTH

May 4, 2025 Devi S Johannesburg, South Africa

My husband and I "disappeared" into the Pilansberg for two nights in May 2025 - Tshukudu was our obvious choice, after hearing so much about the Lodge. Lucky for us, the Lodge wasn't full and we were upgraded to a Presidential unit, which included a heated plunge pool - whatever time we spent in the unit, a good chunk of it was spent in the pool,… Read more
My husband and I "disappeared" into the Pilansberg for two nights in May 2025 - Tshukudu was our obvious choice, after hearing so much about the Lodge. Lucky for us, the Lodge wasn't full and we were upgraded to a Presidential unit, which included a heated plunge pool - whatever time we spent in the unit, a good chunk of it was spent in the pool, watching wildlife visit the watering hole. The food is exceptional, but not in that "I'm too stuffed" kind of way. Meals were well-balanced, tasty and ... dare I say it ... healthy. There really is a lot of food on offer - from a well-curated High Tea at 15:30, just before your afternoon game drive, dinner (5 course) and late breakfast (after the morning game drive). Units are really comfortable - the outside shower is another winner! The +100 stairs to the dining and bar area may sound really daunting, but it isn't. It felt like a whole other experience and by the second day, we were both making the climb easily. An unforgetable experience. JR was our game driver - lexceptional and we were lucky enough to have witness a cheetah, amongst the other usual fare. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating An African Gem

Apr 25, 2025 Gavin L

My wife and i have been on numerous safaris in Southern Africa and this lodge and experience is hard to beat. Rated as four stars but accommodation and service were definitely five star. The only lodge actually in the national park and as you approach it the accommodation looks spectacular on a rocky hill top. There are over a hundred steps to the… Read more
My wife and i have been on numerous safaris in Southern Africa and this lodge and experience is hard to beat. Rated as four stars but accommodation and service were definitely five star. The only lodge actually in the national park and as you approach it the accommodation looks spectacular on a rocky hill top. There are over a hundred steps to the lodge but the exercise is made worthwhile by the stunning view out over a plain that stretches for miles. Upgrading to an executive room was well worth the small extra cost as it boasts a sizeable decking and a plunge pool where you can spend your time catching the sun and spotting game from your lounger. With only 12 rooms this is a quiet lodge and all the staff were wonderful. The game rangers are knowledgeable and make each drive an experience. The only slight downside is that being a national park in which the public can drive their own vehicles there can be an occasional short traffic jam when one of the big five is spotted. We highly recommend this lodge. It is a comfortable three hour drive from Johannesburg and only twenty minutes, but a million miles in class, from Sun City. Andre and his team are magnificent and helped create some magical memories. Read less