A Stay at Tintswalo Lapalala

Tintswalo Lapalala is truly a home away from home. Here, perfect harmony of hospitality with nature and wildlife has been achieved by remaining environmentally conscious and completely off the grid.

getting there

Tintswalo Lapalala, located in the greater Waterberg area of Limpopo, is a 3.5 hours’ drive from O. R. Tambo International Airport or a 30-minute charter flight. Once arriving at the main gate, you can expect a 45-minute drive on a safari vehicle through the African bush to reach the 5-star lodge.

the lodge

Situated on 44,500 hectares of untouched malaria-free bushveld along with 27 kilometres of the pristine Palala River gently coursing through the reserve, Tintswalo Lapalala is a family-friendly luxury tented camp with each suite theme-inspired and boasting its own personal plunge pool. The bushveld paradise is completely economically-friendly and runs solely on solar power and generators while still offering all the comforts of a luxury lodge.

The lodge itself is beautifully appointed with modern finishes that are not at all out of place within the bush, but rather drawing inspiration from it. The main lounge area of Tintswalo Lapalala is spacious and a great place for relaxing. Whether lounging by the pool or grabbing a book and settling into one of the many sitting areas scattered throughout, you can expect to enjoy exclusive views of a waterhole that is frequented by a great variety of animals. Here one can truly feel at peace. In the evenings, all lights are dimmed, creating a warm and intimate ambiance while allowing visitors to listen to the nocturnal sound of the wild.

my experience

Upon arriving at the East Gate of Tintswalo Lapalala, my travel companion and I were greeted by our ranger along with cold drinks and a snack pack filled with delicious goodies including droewors (a South African cured meat delicacy) before embarking on a 45-minute drive on a safari vehicle through the reserve. This was a great way to already spot some wildlife on the way to the lodge. Once we arrived, we were welcomed with damp cloths and refreshing homemade iced tea before being shown to our Zulu-inspired suite.

In the summer months (October - March), the Waterberg area is known to be quite warm. This provided us with the perfect opportunity to take advantage of our suite’s private plunge pool overlooking the bush for relaxation and a proper cool down.

activities at tintswalo lapalala

Tintswalo Lapalala offers many great activities to keep the whole family entertained including game drives, game walks and picnics, fishing on the Palala River, stargazing, animal tracking, barge cruises, as well as wild dog tagging as part of a conservation effort.

During our short stay at Tintswalo, we were fortunate enough to do a sundowner barge cruise and an early morning game drive. Both were absolutely incredible experiences. As we cruised down the Palala River, sipping bubbly, and listening to the song of nature and bird calls all around, my heart was filled awe-struck wonder. This quote by Karen Blixen articulates perfectly what I felt in that moment:

“There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.”

This lodge has no shortage of fantastic wildlife sightings, incredible activities sure to entertain and guarantee full immersion in the African bush, and an amazing team of staff members dedicated to ensuring guests have a pleasant and memorable stay. Tintswalo Lapalala held my heart captive from the start of my stay to the very end, and when it was time to leave, a piece remained behind.