We visited this lodge in 2023 as part of our honeymoon. We had originally booked a single night, checking in during the late afternoon. It is worth noting that our stay took place shortly after the lodge had opened, which likely contributed to our initial experience.

First Impressions & Teething Problems

Our initial welcome was noticeably lacking in enthusiasm, and it was clear that operations were not running smoothly that day. We were simply handed documents to sign and unfortunately assigned a tent in the back row (the property features two rows of tents).

Initially, this was a disappointment as it meant we had no river view. However, it became a major drawback at night: the fronts of these tents face the main pathway connecting the camp. While it makes sense for the path to be brightly lit, this "stadium lighting" completely ruined any cozy atmosphere, leaving us quite underwhelmed.

The Accommodation & A Crucial Tip

That being said, this criticism does not apply to the accommodation itself in the slightest. The luxury safari tent is superbly equipped, featuring a small kitchen, a large bed, and a spacious bathroom. Everything felt incredibly high-quality, and we felt very comfortable inside.

One crucial detail to note—which we hadn't considered and which wasn't communicated beforehand—is that there is no food available for purchase on-site. If you don't buy your supplies during the park's official shop hours, you are out of luck.

Pure Wilderness

The absolute biggest advantage of this lodge, however, is the lack of fences. You are right in the middle of the Kruger National Park—it doesn't get more authentic than this! We were lucky enough to have elephants pass close by our tent that evening, and a hyena came within five meters of us after dark.

A Remarkable Turnaround

Despite the incredible wildlife, we were generally disappointed with our first experience, particularly since we had paid the full premium price for a floodlit, second-row tent. I mentioned this openly in my TripAdvisor review, but it quickly became clear that we had simply been unlucky.

That very evening, management sent me a direct message, apologizing for the subpar experience and offering us a complimentary two-night stay at the lodge to make things right. We accepted and canceled our upcoming bookings in Skukuza. As it turned out, this was an incredibly good decision.

The Second Stay: Perfection

Upon our return, the contrast was night and day. We received a remarkably warm welcome, the entire team was highly professional and friendly, and the overall atmosphere was vastly improved. We instantly felt at ease.

This time, we were accommodated in a front-row tent. To celebrate our honeymoon, the staff had prepared a snack platter and a bottle of sparkling wine in our room. We felt completely well looked after. We had lovely conversations with the night guard and were once again lucky enough to be visited by the hyena and other animals. In the evening, we used the provided gas grill to cook and enjoy the food we had brought with us.

Conclusion

Our second stay was outstanding and truly unforgettable; we couldn't have asked for a better experience. It is clear that the issues during our first visit were simply opening-phase teething problems. Since then, I have only heard and seen positive things and can recommend a visit without reservation. A huge thank you to the great team—keep up the fantastic work!

(Side note: The lodge has since adjusted the pricing for the second-row tents, which is a very fair and welcome move!)

Nkuhlu Tented Camp: From Initial Hiccups to an Unforgettable Stay