About Lion Sands Tinga Lodge

Lion Sands Tinga Lodge situated on the banks of the Sabie River in a private concession of the prime game-viewing area of the Kruger National Park. The Sabie River has the richest biodiversity of any South African river, and the Sabie River valley has the highest recorded density of leopards in Africa. This is due to the high density of impala in this area (95/km2). According to Dr Gus Mill (Research Fellow: SANParks), the area also has one of the highest predator densities in Africa. The Tinga concession is 5000 hectares of exclusive traversing along the Sabie and Sand Rivers, and sightings of the Big Five as well as general game are common. The area also has prolific birdlife, and a wondrous variety of fauna and flora. Over and above the exclusive traversing, Tinga also has access to the entire Kruger road network, allowing guests to visit sites of historical interest, and other landscapes. Game drives at Tinga are conducted in open safari vehicles. To ensure guest comfort, there is a maximum of six guests per vehicle. Tinga’s experienced guides and trackers also take guests on guided bush walks, where the fascinating aspects of Kruger, not visible from a vehicle, can be explored.

For the nostalgic, Tinga Lodge opens onto river frontage with a camp-style look that is reminiscent of the ‘Öut Of Afrca’ era. But far from old-fashoined, a new energy has arrived with an approach to decor and hospitality that is permanently fashionable and classicalyy charming.

The thatched cathedral-like entrance leads through to the colonial comfort of the lounge, which opens onto the massive wooden deck overlooking the Sabie River.

Built around an enormous Jackalberry tree which is reputed to be over 200 years old, the deck affords magnificent views of the Sabie River, and regular sightings of game, including members of the Big Five.

Facilities include a library stocked with an array of African literature, a wine cellar stocked with premier South African and international wines, a boma, bar and wellness centre. There is also a large eternity swimming pool situated next to the wooden deck allowing unobstructed views of the Sabie River.

Features in the suites include, private viewing decks, double air-conditioners, ceiling fans, double showers (with Victorian Rose and Massage sprays), double basins and separate toilet.

As a five-star luxury lodge, the emphasis is on providing a quality safari experience. Lion Sands Tinga Lodge’s unique location also means that the game viewing is not limited to game drives and bush walks. Each of the suites has an unobstructed view of the Sabie River, and guests relaxing on their private viewing decks or in the heated plunge pools are often treated to wonderful sightings of wildlife coming down to the river. The winter months are especially productive as all surface water disappears, and the wildlife becomes more dependent on the river. Elephant and buffalo are daily visitors, with lions and leopards making occasional appearances. The suites are constructed in such a way that even when taking a bath or a shower, one still has a wonderful view of the bushveld.

Tinga’s main focus is to provide a quality wildlife experience in an exclusive, relaxed environment. The suites are well spaced to guarantee privacy and one can savour the bushveld ambience without fear of human disturbance. The birdsong , riverine vegetation and the flowing river enhance the mood of tranquillity.

For those who require something extra, our full-time therapists offer a range of wellness treatments, which can be enjoyed in the privacy of the suites and will ensure that guests achieve a state of relaxation in keeping with their surroundings.

The Skukuza Golf course is located very close to the Tinga concession providing the unique opportunity to play a round of golf on a course where wildlife roams freely.

LION SANDS TINYELETI TREEHOUSE (SLEEP-OUT IN THE BUSH!)

(Maximum 4 Pax: two adults & two children)

From R 3,950.00 per person, per night sharing (children aged 10 – 15 pay 50% of the adult sharing rate).

Valid until 30 April 2022.

Please note, this rate is charged as an activity over and above the daily rate for accommodation at the respective Lion Sands lodges.

Tinyeleti Treehouse is fully equipped for your relaxation and you can expect all the comforts of a luxury stay – such as the option of a relaxing head massage.

Enjoy your choice of tapas or a full meal, and then settle in with a cocktail as the animals come to drink at sunset. The 50m2 deck can accommodate 4 people, and children are welcome. We will provide you with a torch, and, even though there is no electricity, you will find a few bars of cellphone signal. Expect to hear the constant rush of life from the Sabie River on your doorstep, as well as a few animals, night predators and birds chiming in.

Tinyeleti is an uninterrupted overnight experience that cannot be replicated, but that will most definitely be re-told. That is, if you can find the words to describe it. For us who have come here many times over, well, we’re still at a loss.

About The Kruger National Park

The Kruger National Park is the primary destination in South Africa for many international tourists. Each year more than half a million visitors are registered.

The National Park was opened in 1898 at the instigation of then-president Paul Kruger. After hunters had considerably decimated the originally rich game stock, all the land between the Sabie and the Crocodile Rivers was put under the protection of Nature Conservation to ensure the survival of the remaining animals. Only as recently as 1961 was the extended Kruger Park fenced in.

The park stretches from the Crocodile River in the south up to the Limpopo River , which is the international border in the north. Altogether it is 350 km long, 65 km wide and comprises an area of about 20,000 sq km.

A web of roads of 1863 kilometres leads through the National Park, 697 km of them being tarred. For the visitor there are numerous differently equipped rest camps, most of them scenically positioned. Within the park boundaries, travel is only allowed between sunrise and sunset. After dark one has to stay in one of the fenced restcamps.

The best time for observing the animals is the dry winter season. Then the grass is low and bushes and trees don’t have leaves, so that one can have an unobstructed view. Because it virtually doesn’t rain in winter, the animals come to the waterholes to drink in the mornings and evenings and can easily be watched from the car.

Lodge Features