What a wonderful way to get a taste of Kruger, the world's largest game reserve! Tanda Tula boasts truly excellent guides, who know every animal, every bird, every species of flora and a vast amount of history. Most important, they have studied the habits of the animals, and can teach you not just what you are seeing, but the behavior of the different species. Where some guides may show you a leopard and let you watch for a few minutes, Tanda Tula guides will stay around to watch and talk about what the animal is doing and how it interacts with its environment. They will teach you how to track the animals, should you wish, and adjust the vehicle to help get the best possible photos. Because they know the trails and habits of the animals so well, you are almost assured of seeing what have been labeled the "super seven" or "big five," as well as many other species. We had only to ask Civilized, our guide, "Will we see a rhino today?" Lo and behold, he magically found one or more rhinos for us to study...not just see, but study.

A day can be pretty full, with a summer 5AM wake up (6AM in winter), a 4-hour game drive and breakfast, often outside of the lodge in the forest area. Then there is time to wash up, nap or take a bush walk. Lunch is about 1:30 and there is a second game drive from about 4-7:30. Dinner is late, about 8. The jeeps used have three tiers of seats, and, although they can hold up to 9, when I was there, none had more than 6 and most had 3-5 people. Thus, you were not at all crowded.

Meals are well done, and provide a blend of African, as well as western dishes. There is always a blend of meats, fish and vegetables to accommodate even the most hard core vegetarians or carnivores. They are served communal style, so you can meet and talk with other guests and never feel alone. Different members of the Tanda Tula community - guides, managers, and other staff join you for dinner as both resource people and friends. Actually, everyone at Tanda Tula is a friend. The lodge makes a point of both introducing everyone to their staff and of having many staff talk about their work.

Rooms are a delight - tastefully designed and spacious. The bath has both a tub, with salts to soak in, as well as an outside shower. Should you want special treatment - champagne, a dinner outside - they will make it happen.

Truly, Tanda Tula is a gem!

I don't know where to start describing how amazing both the Tanda Tula camp, and the staff are.

Our ranger/tracker pair were Ginger and Isaac were excellent. They took the time to point out all the different animals, birds, etc. -- while at the same time tracking (literally!) the more difficult to find animals. In the end, we saw all of the big 5, giraffes, hippos, hyenas and wild dogs -- and had incredibly up close viewings of both a leopard and a white lion!

The food was out of this world. Three (buffet style) meals per day, but never the same thing twice. Morning wake-up-call tea service, sun downers, and full (open) bar where they happily keep the drinks flowing. Added bonus: the bartender has a fresh drink (flavored iced tea, lemonade, etc.) that he makes daily. Not alcoholic, but perfectly refreshing for the heat.

The accommodations were the perfect blend of rustic: zip up tent, deck, etc., and luxury: super comfortable queen size bed, separated bath room, outdoor (private) shower. As well, because of the "open" nature of the camp, not only did we have animal sightings looking out, but looking in! More than once were we able to see impala, nyala, and kudu inside the camp! And not as a nuisance -- just chowing down on the local vegetation and drinking from the onsite watering hole.

Our fellow guests were a good blend of ages and nationalities. There were other americans, and aussies, and europeans; there were retired couples, other honeymooning couples, and everything in between.

But so far I've probably described most of the other luxury camps as well. What really set Tanda Tula apart to me, was how much they treat their guests like family. It would be impossible for me to single out any one example (there were just too many), but I think it's mostly because *they* are family. Both our Ranger and Tracker's wives also worked at the camp, another staff member has a brother that also work their. The atmosphere of being amongst family isn't an affect, it's just reality.

I know I'm going to miss names (so apologies in advance), but THANK YOU Ginger, Isaac, Smiling, Dale, Dan, Henry, Thabo, Happiness, Pretty, Maggie, Ruth, Scotch, Foreman for just an incredible trip and experience!