Driving through the river bed of the dry Limpopo river marks the border between Botswana and South Africa. Driving along the thick bush, you immediately realize the beauty of this gem of Botswana, with its stunning rock formations and dreamy sceneries. And it is here, 5 minutes after passing the river, just on that turn, where you’ll find Tuli Safari Lodge, a big lodge areal with only 10 luxurious rooms in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve.

BYOND TRAVELING rating – ★★★☆☆

For whom?
Tuli Safari Lodge is the perfect spot for experienced safari travelers. For those who are looking for a peaceful getaway, rather than a Big 5 safari. Perfect for families & bigger groups.

When to go?
Because of the dryness of the region, especially during winter, animals are scarce. We’d recommend to visit right after the rain season (May or June) or when the rain season starts (October or November).

Location ★★★☆☆
Tuli Safari Lodge is on the edge of the Eastern side of Botswana, bordering South Africa and Zimbabwe, in the The Northern Tuli Game Reserve. From Joburg, it is a 5 1/2 hours drive (550 km). The closest airport is Polokwane, a 2 1/2 hours drive away from the lodge. The lodge will arrange a pick up for you on the border on your arrival. The fenced Lodge itself is located right next to the Limpopo river in a peaceful, spacious garden, attracting day visitors such as Impalas, warthogs and Tuli’s tree residents, two genets. The reserve offers a stunning landscape with beautiful stone formations.

Amenities ★★★★★
10 tented rooms are build into a huge, beautiful garden area, unseen for your neighbors. So relaxing. The rooms are spacious: inspired by “Out of Africa”, featuring a king size bed, a lounge area, a freestanding bathtub, a huge shower/bathroom, a small mini bar and lots of space. Besides, the lodge has a large swimming pool, a main area with high speed wifi build around an old tree which is home to 2 genets, several walking trails and hides within the lodge to spot wildlife and our highlight, the ‘star deck’, the perfect spot for sundowners or during the night overlooking a baobab-studded plain or the African night sky.

Service ★★★★☆
A 4-hours bush walk, a stunning dinner in the bush, 2 rangers with a lot of experience & knowledge, an extremely helpful and friendly staff team. Overall a relaxing atmosphere and an equally good service.

Kitchen ★★★★☆
The food was delicious, from the breakfast to the substantial high tea and the dinner. Another lodge that does not feed its guests while providing a good amount of meals to keep everyone happy. Breakfast and high tea are served in a buffet style. Dinner is á la carte with 2 options to chose from. Our highlight, a bbq style dinner in the bush surrounding by howling hyenas and god knows which other animals, unseen for the human eye in the darkness of the bush.

Sustainability ★★★☆☆
Tuli Game Reserve truly cares for its people. It supports various community projects by employing people form the local village and supporting the local school with donations. Guests can visit the local community, its school and experience the traditional basket-weaving. 50% of all community visit activity fees is donated to our community fund to assist with the funding of various community projects.

Value for money ★★★★☆
Tuli Safari Lodge is not a cheap shot. The price per person per night starts at 450€ per person per night in high season. For certain game reserves this is a standard price. And Tuli’s amenities and the lodge itself is definitely worth the money. However, animals sightings are limited the the size of the Tuli Game Reserve as well.

What we loved the most
Land of the Baobab trees – The Reserve is home of enormous Baobab trees. The plains are baobab-studded, with tress up to 500 years old. And Luca and me, we love Baobabs. For us, there is something magical to be felt when next to these trees. Because of their size and also because of their age. They can become up to 2.500 years old. They have seen things that we only know from our history books.

What we didn’t like so much
Scarcity of animals – Due to the limited size of the Reserve and the stony scenery, animals are limited. The Reserve only hols 3 of the Big 5 which reduces animal sightings further. For safari beginner who want to have spectacular sightings rather than a relaxing lodge in the bush, Tuli might not be the best option to go for. Tuli scores with other things such as comfort, scenery and level of relaxation.