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GillyShreeve

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

122

An outstanding Experience

Name: An outstanding Experience
Item: Tintswalo Safari Lodge
Rating: 5
Author: GillyShreeve

Review of Tintswalo Safari Lodge

Reviewed January 28, 2013

My husband and I have just had 5 days in paradise. We have been to many game lodges and game reserves but Tintswalo Safari is by far our best game and lodge experience ever. Firstly the bedrooms are very private, they consist of a suite of two rooms, beautiful bathrooms, an enormous patio,and then each room has a private swimming poole which hangs over the river. They are decorated with antiques and lovely furniture with attention to your every detail. Our animal sightings were breathtaking. We had seen the big 5 within the first 24 hours. We saw 2 lion kills, we watched 4 hyenas fight with another pack of hyenas. We saw hyenas trying to take a kill away from a pride of lion. We saw leopard. The amount of animals around the lodge is incredible. We saw so many other animals.The long list of animal and bird sightings goes on. What is most remarkable is, our game experiences were all within a short drive from the lodge. Fritz Breytenbach and guide Simon went the extra mile to take us up close to all the sightings. Their knowledge of fauna, flora , trees and birds is excellent. So if you hate to drive around for hours in a game reserve, Tintswalo is the reserve to go to as everything happens around the lodge. The food prepared by qualified chef Johan is delicious and hard to resist. Its always delicious...My husband and I have just had 5 days in paradise. We have been to many game lodges and game reserves but Tintswalo Safari is by far our best game and lodge experience ever. Firstly the bedrooms are very private, they consist of a suite of two rooms, beautiful bathrooms, an enormous patio,and then each room has a private swimming poole which hangs over the river. They are decorated with antiques and lovely furniture with attention to your every detail. Our animal sightings were breathtaking. We had seen the big 5 within the first 24 hours. We saw 2 lion kills, we watched 4 hyenas fight with another pack of hyenas. We saw hyenas trying to take a kill away from a pride of lion. We saw leopard. The amount of animals around the lodge is incredible. We saw so many other animals.The long list of animal and bird sightings goes on. What is most remarkable is, our game experiences were all within a short drive from the lodge. Fritz Breytenbach and guide Simon went the extra mile to take us up close to all the sightings. Their knowledge of fauna, flora , trees and birds is excellent. So if you hate to drive around for hours in a game reserve, Tintswalo is the reserve to go to as everything happens around the lodge. The food prepared by qualified chef Johan is delicious and hard to resist. Its always delicious and beauitifully presented. The tables are laid in a different venue for each meal - in the dining room; patio; boma; wine cellar; library...its always a surprise. Each and everyone of the staff go the extra mile to see to your comfort and no detail is ignored.
Yes, I cant wait to return to Tintswalo Safari Lodge for another incredible experienceMore

Date of stay: January 2013

See all 716 reviews

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JacquesK896 wrote a review Dec 2012
14 contributions1 helpful vote
Heaven on earth, complete, with the angels !
We are still in South Africa, visiting from France...we were in 2 other very nice lodges before and after Tintswalo, and this is our 4th safari experience over the years.....but it seems like we just cannot forget Tintswalo, a unique experience both in terms of general ambiance inside the lodge and quality of the game drives. The magic is difficult to translate in words. it is the perfect combination between Africa the way you dream it before discovering it, a respectful architecture and a team of passionate people who really care...
And it works in an extraordinary way from the minute you arrive until the sad moment of departure...
The trackers should look carefully for our tracks in this bush, because we definitely intend to migrate back to this heavenly place one day soon..
Our warmest thoughts to all the beautiful people working at Tintswalo, and our best wishes for a great New Year 2013.
Jacques, Judith and Benjamin Konckier (Paris)
December 29th 2012
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Faith K wrote a review Nov 2012
14 contributions
Best trip of our lives - Tintswalo was terrific
My husband and I just came back from South Africa a few days ago (11-27) celebrating my husband's birthday. Our 3 night visit at Tintswalo Safari lodge was the absolute highlight of the best trip of our lives. Darren was our guide and he was absolutely fabulous. The game that was saw in the Manyeleti reserve was fantastic. The lodge was absolute luxury. The staff is incredibly kind and knowledgeable. We have traveled the world and this was absolutely The Best Experience we have had. Fantastic.... only seven rooms so you get lots of personal attention. Not commercialized like larger camps such as Lonolozi in Sabi Sands.

Tintswalo should be packed every night of the year!!!! The secret is getting out so book while you can

Faith n Tim
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gerry S wrote a review Nov 2012
12 contributions2 helpful votes
Sheer luxury, elegance and an authentic safari experience
We have just returned from a 3 night trip to heaven or as some call it; Tintswalo Safari Lodge! We frequent this gem as often as we can as it is quite simply the best safari experience in South Africa by far. They have skillfully created a non-fussy relaxed but very professional ambiance and have an army of angels to attend to you and ensure that your every need (and even whim) is taken care of. This is not your typical tourist sausage factory - it is small and exclusive and very private. The suites are well spaced out and cleverly designed so that you really feel that you are alone with your companions and nature. There is an exquisite spa on site and it is worth going for this facility alone!

The game rangers and trackers are incredibly knowledgeable and without arrogance. They are so obviously passionate about their work and ensuring that every guest has the best possible experience. The reserve is huge yet it seems that they know every inch of the terrain intimately. We always have amazing sightings and this time was no exception. An amazing "cheetah on the hunt" as we arrived and 2 lion kiils (one with a dozen hyaena in attendance) shortly before we left.

I gave everything 5 stars simply because there was no option to grade higher
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GranBeba wrote a review Nov 2012
48 contributions16 helpful votes
Absolutely FABULOUS!
We have just returned from our holiday in South Africa and Victoria Falls. The very first stop of our stay was for three nights at Tintswalo Sarari Lodge. We had no idea what to expect. I had seen the photos and read the reviews but was still not prepared for the experience of a lifetime. I believe we could not have had better luck than to have been put in the care of Fritz, our ranger, and Simon, our tracker. They were so welcoming and made us feel so comfortable. They were also full of wonderful information. We did not have a moment of boredom. Every game drive brought new delights. We had seen the "Big Five" by the end of our second day. The very first night when we spent some time right in front of a roaring lion in the darkness, illuminated by the spotlight that Simon had is a memory that I will count among the most memorable of my life. I can still hear that roar! Thanks guys, you are the best!
But as special and the game drives were, and they WERE the highlight, the lodge itself is spectacular. Our suite, the Livingstone, was like a luxurious home. It was a very large two room(plus) suite that opened onto a huge veranda with a private plunge pool overlooking a dry river bed. The two overstuffed chairs with matching ottomans that faced the window were so comfortable! I wanted to bring them home. The suite was decorated impeccably down to the smallest detail. The large bed with mosquito netting, the separate dressing area, the huge bathroom with free standing tub set before windows onto the veranda and the large walk in shower with a glass door opening onto the outside, and on and on.
The main lodge was equally spectacular. The huge deck on the back under an enormous Jackelberry tree was a favorite gathering place. The lodge was furnished with antiques and Persian rugs and lovely paintings, etc. The main dining room was where we had breakfast every day. We dined in a different location each night. The food was spectacular. Thanks, Orlando, for the great service.
We found everyone to be so friendly. We felt like Ronel and Fritz and Simon, etc were old friends by the time we left. Thanks for making our time with you so fantastic! We miss you all....
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Melissa M wrote a review Oct 2012
3 contributions1 helpful vote
OUTSTANDING
We recently stayed at Tintswalo for our Honeymoon, words cannot describe this amazing resort. My husband and I are already planning our trip back. The rooms are incredible, the staff is so attentive, and the food was gourmet but you could still get the south african flare. Our guide was Fritz and our tracker SiSi, we can't imagine going on a safari without them, they made our experience. Both were extremely knowledgable and made sure we were well looked after. We got to see all the big 5 and many many more. We visited the spa, martha was a delight. Megan and Ronnly were also some of the staff we go to know and they were both soo great and willing to go out of there way! Can't wait to go back!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.