Allow Tanda Tula Tented Safari Lodge to transcend your honeymoon experience with the magic of the African bush.
Tanda Tula: to love the quiet - a fitting yet poignant saying attributing the authentic moments of connection that await you in the heart of Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. Drawing inspiration from the people and wildlife of Timbavati, Tanda Tula Tented Safari Lodge is an oasis for couples that offers luxurious, all-inclusive experiences in the African bush. There’s no better way to celebrate your union than in the heart of the Kruger - just ask our Bride of the Year 2020 winning couple, Lindie and Smanga, who won a safari honeymoon at Tanda Tula (read all about their incredible experience here). After reading Lindie and Smanga’s experience, it’s no wonder that the SA Weddings team is so captivated by the magic of Tanda Tula. Here are our top 5 reasons why you should book a safari honeymoon at Tanda Tula Tented Safari Lodge:
Whether you and your partner want to forget about the rest of the world on honeymoon or be amongst other travellers, Tanda Tula boasts three uniquely designed camps that are not shy of luxury and style. Each camp is fully-inclusive allowing you to savour every moment of your honeymoon.
For couples wanting to go off the grid to be at one with the African wilderness, we recommend Tanda Tula’s Field Camp (NB: this is a wifi-free camp). Nestled between the Mopono and Nlharalumi Rivers, couples can experience exclusive use of the camp under the guidance of Tanda Tula’s skilled guides and trackers who are in tune with the rhythm of the Timbavati Plains. The camp includes 4 Explorer tents with en suite open-air bathrooms that can host up to 8 guests or for exclusive use of the entire camp, a minimum of four guests is required (perfect for a couples getaway!). The Field Camp also includes a communal area known as the Main Mes tent for couples to wind down and enjoy refreshments in its lounge and bar area.
For ultimate bush luxury (glamping anyone?) and your home away from home, we recommend the Plains Camp at Tanda Tula. This spacious homestead offers panoramic views of the Timbavati Plains, including a wifi-enabled Main Lodge area with a relaxing lounge, dining, bar and library area that open onto a deep verandah for you to take in Tanda Tula in all its glory. Its rustic-chic interiors are home to timeless Tanda Tula pieces and draw in beautiful light from the African sun. Each of the 6 luxury suites (in addition to 2 family suites sleeping 4), boast their own private pools - perfect for honeymooners to share some one-on-one time. However, the Main Lodge also includes a communal pool and viewing deck with uninterrupted views of the nearby watering hole.
Psst...there's something coming soon for the eco-conscious honeymooners! The new Tanda Tula Safari Camp will be re-launching this June. This camp overlooks the Nlharalumi riverbed and features a more ecologically-sensitive design with a lighter footprint to conserve wildlife for the next generation. Expect a modern, African design rooted in the spirit and culture of Tanda Tula.
Tanda Tula offers a range of activities that not only allow you to marvel at the beauty of the African bush but will also allow you to immerse yourselves and become one with the rhythm of Tanda Tula. Couples can look forward to early morning and afternoon game drives under the expertise of Tanda Tula’s renowned guides and trackers who are privy to the Big 5's movements. Remember to pack in sturdy walking shoes for guided nature and wildlife walks as well as wildlife tracking on foot and experience the richness of the Timbavati Plains. Don’t worry, you won’t work up an appetite for nothing as all your meals and snacks will be accounted for - even sundowners! After all the day's activities, cool off back at your tent or in the pool before relishing in a dining experience for the books. From romantic private dinners to breakfast near the waterhole and lunch in the bush, Tanda Tula offers unique experiences that will ensure a honeymoon filled with memories to last a lifetime.
Tanda Tula offers an all-inclusive dining experience that will never leave you hungry. Enjoy unique homegrown food with a twist by Tanda Tula's expert chefs and kitchen staff. Delicious spreads await you at breakfast, lunch, and dinner with ample snacks and refreshments in between. Enjoy crafted sundowners in the bush and delightful morning brews accompanied by homemade rusks that will hit all the right spots. Guests can also participate in campfire dinners, picnic brunches, and interactive cooking experiences using locally sourced ingredients.
Tip:
Be sure to experience a Boma Dinner at Tanda Tula: a sensory dining experience that pays homage to the diversity of South Africa through an interactive dining journey rooted in heritage and culture. Think Cape Malay frikkadels with soft herbs and pink pickled onions, Amasi flatbreads, 8-hour slow, coal-roasted Potjie style lamb shoulder, mouth-watering braai, and many more tantalising dishes bursting with South African flavour and a side of pure Tanda Tula magic.
Why not turn your honeymoon into a wedding experience too and experience the magic of Tanda Tula with those closest to you? Tanda Tula has hosted many a wedding on the banks of the Machaton River where couples say I do under the arch of two majestic fig trees. There is something so profound and therapeutic about celebrating a union in the African bush in all its splendour but don't worry, you won't have to plan your wedding alone. Tanda Tula's wedding packages for up to 24 guests, include a dedicated wedding coordinator who will ensure every aspect of your wedding day is executed to perfection. Your private, intimate ceremony will be nothing short of memorable with special touches such as a serenade by the Tanda Tula Choir after your ceremony followed by sundowners and an exquisite fine-dining reception dinner upon your return to a fairy-lit lodge. The fun doesn't have to stop there as you, your partner and wedding guests can all look forward to an immersive bush weekend together.
Image Credits:
1st Row | Middle: Kobus Tollig Photography
There is truly something magical about the African bush. Graced by both local and international guests, Tanda Tula is truly a sight to behold. The Timbavati Plains form part of the Greater Kruger National Park and include diverse landscapes including savannah woodlands, grasslands, rivers, and glades. Home to the illustrious Big 5, Tanda Tula is a unique location that guarantees experiences that will bring you and your partner closer to one another as you appreciate and immerse yourselves in the beauty around you.
When we think of honeymoon destinations, our minds often wander to exotic island destinations far, far away. However, it is clear as the African night sky of the Timbavati Plains situated in the Greater Kruger National Park, that Tanda Tula is a world-class honeymoon destination (right on our doorstep too!). From their luxury tented safaris with unparalleled views of the African bush, all-inclusive dining experiences that pay homage to South Africa's heritage, to their diverse landscapes and wildlife including the Big 5, and immersive bush activities that will have you marvel in wonder throughout your entire honeymoon - Tanda Tula is the perfect location to begin your journey as newly-weds. The innate rhythm of Tanda Tula allows couples to truly focus on one another, cultivating deeper connection and memories to cherish for a lifetime.
Getting married in the heart of the Timbavati surrounded by wild spaces and starry skies is a magical experience for any bride and groom.
