How Do You Measure the Value of a Moment That Stays With You Forever?
What is the value of a single minute – one that stays with you forever? A moment that changes your perspective, deepens your relationships, restores your sense of self, and leaves you lighter, happier, and more alive.
At Tanda Tula, every single minute is considered. Every detail is designed so you need not think, decide, or plan. This is what fully inclusive means – where everything you could wish for is quietly taken care of, so that you can surrender completely to the wild magic of Africa in the Timbavati Nature Reserve.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of judging and assessing by numbers – dollars, euros, rands and cents. Let’s instead take a walk through of what a day on safari at Tanda Tula looks like to give you a better perspective of real value.
Morning: Waking to the wild
The day begins gently after a restful night of deep sleep. Rise to a personal wake-up call. It’s time to head out on safari as the bush responds to the sun’s imminent arrival. Step outside into the cool, quiet dawn and wander to the bar, where fresh grade-A coffee – prepared to your liking – and still-warm pastries get the first of your senses excited. Dear human, there is so much more to come!
Your private open safari vehicle awaits – no more than six guests, a dedicated guide, and a skilled tracker who know this vast and wild land and its many animals intimately. These are specialists – meticulously trained, veterans of the bush. You’ve come to the wild for a reason, and you want to know you are in the hands of the best in the industry.
As the first light spills across the savanna, you set off into a vast 53000+ hectare wilderness – the furthest you’ve been from civilisation. With the Timbavati’s very low human density, you have the equivalent of 143 hectares of space all to yourself! It’s quiet here, deeply quiet – until the roar of a lion, the deep rumble of an elephant’s stomach, the melodic trill of birdsong, or the crackle of hooves on dry grass reminds you exactly where you are.
Four hours of adventure follow – sitting with wild animals in close, unhurried silence, observing their behaviour, absorbing their energy, learning from your guide’s deep storytelling. These aren’t sightings; they’re encounters. And somewhere along the way, you realise this is as much about discovering yourself as it is about discovering the wild.
Mid-morning: Breakfast in the Bush
When it’s time to pause, your guide pulls up somewhere impossibly beautiful – a riverbank, an open plain, a shaded grove. Here, steaming mugs of fresh-brewed coffee are poured, with a splash of Amarula if you like, alongside more baked treats straight from camp. Space like this, all to yourself? Priceless. The view, the ground beneath your feet, the earthy scents, and of course – the company. For a long time to come, you will be able to close your eyes and still remember every detail. And the feeling of simple happiness.
Then, a little later, comes breakfast in the bush – lavishly set up under wide skies, tables adorned with fresh fruit, creamy yoghurts, warm breads, and cooked-to-order favourites sizzling over an open fire. How is it that coffee tastes this good, fruit this fresh, and eggs this perfect, when you’re miles from anywhere?
Between Game Drives: Languish in your Dream Home in the Wild
Return to camp, the home you’ve dreamed of.
Here, time is yours to:
- Retreat to your suite to relax in a sanctuary with uninterrupted river views. Your private plunge pool offers front-row seats to the Nhlaralumi riverbed. It’s so easy to be lulled into gentle sleep under the trees, with the soundtrack of birdsong and monkey chatter. Or simply curl up with a book, feet up, heart full.
- Languish by the communal pool beneath ancient Jackalberry trees, overlooking the waterhole where animals frequently come to drink.
- Watch quietly from the hide as wildlife comes and goes.
- Head to the spa for a therapeutic massage or body treatment.
And the best part? A dedicated team that is never more than a moment away. Whatever you need, whenever you need it – they’ll make it happen.
Lunch & Leisure: Taste freedom
Lunch arrives as an à la carte experience, meticulously paired with the beverage of your choice – from premium wines to non-alcoholic treats. Fresh, bold flavours served simply, elegantly, perfectly.
Spend your afternoon as you wish:
- Swim.
- Nap.
- Gather around the pool, where fascinating conversations unfold with fellow travellers from around the world.
- Or simply be – knowing you don’t need to plan, decide, or lift a finger.
Afternoon Safari: Your Front Row Seat to the Wild
After high tea on the deck (the iced coffee is legendary!) as the golden light softens, you set out again into the Timbavati, one of the planet’s last truly protected wildernesses. Your guide and tracker anticipate your hopes and follow quiet signs through the bush, leading you to unexpected moments you’ll never forget. Who needs to travel to the moon when we still have this?
Sundowners are served at a lookout chosen just for you. Drinks in hand, you watch the vast African sky deepen in mesmerising hues as the Timbavati prepares for night.
Evening: Fireside Connections
Back at camp, the glow of lanterns welcomes you home. Refresh with a welcome drink and wander to dinner – a different setting every evening, each one unforgettable.
An impeccable three-course meal awaits, paired with carefully selected wines or zero-alcohol alternatives, and easy conversation carries across the firelight. Inspiring connections stretch long into the night beneath a canopy of stars, until eventually, you drift back to your suite to fall into deep and restorative slumber.
The Value of a Minute
How do you truly measure the value of a minute here?
- A closer bond with someone you love.
- A deeper connection with yourself.
- A quieter mind than you’ve had in years.
- A story you’ll still be telling a decade from now.
Some memories last forever. This is where they begin.
Your Questions Answered
What Is Included in the Daily Rate?
Your fully inclusive rate at Tanda Tula covers:
- Morning and afternoon game drives with private vehicles, expert guides, and trackers.
- Bush coffee stops and breakfasts served outdoors.
- À la carte lunches paired with beverages.
- Sundowners in scenic locations.
- Evening three-course dinners with wines and non-alcoholic options.
- Luxury suites with private plunge pools and river views.
- In room mini-bar, with beverages, snacks and deluxe coffee machine.
- Attentive, personalised service from a dedicated team of industry specialists – trackers, guides, and hosts with decades of experience in both hospitality and the wild – who elevate every encounter with knowledge, warmth, and rare expertise.
Why is Tanda Tula’s rate higher than other lodges?
Tanda Tula is deliberately small and intimate. The camp has been designed this way so that every safari vehicle carries no more than six guests, ensuring you enjoy space, comfort, and the full attention of your guide and tracker. Fewer people also means a lighter impact on the land.
With fewer guests, we can offer ultra-personalised service – attentive care that anticipates your needs, along with the freedom to tailor your experience in ways larger lodges cannot. Every element is considered with care and crafted with quality, right down to the smallest detail.
Another part of the value lies in our people. Tanda Tula is home to some of the most experienced guides, trackers, and hosts in the industry. Many have decades of knowledge in both hospitality and the wild. Just as you would seek out a specialist in any field, here you are cared for by a team of experts whose skill, insight, and warmth make every encounter richer.
This is what makes Tanda Tula rare, and why the value you receive goes far beyond the rate.
Is the experience suitable for families or couples?
Yes. Tanda Tula creates space for both private retreats for couples and thoughtful care for families seeking shared adventure. Children between 6 and 16 sharing with an adult qualify for a 50% discount off the daily rate.
Is there anything I still need to pay for?
Almost everything you experience at Tanda Tula is included in your stay. There are just a few exceptions. Wellness treatments, curios, gratuities, and premium beverages such as champagne or imported wines are at your own discretion.
A small sustainability levy and the Timbavati Reserve gate fee contribute directly to conservation, helping to protect this precious wilderness for generations to come. Private vehicle hire is also available, although we encourage shared drives to keep the number of vehicles on the reserve to a minimum and lessen our impact on the land.
Transfers and landing fees are additional, as is standard practice when travelling in this region. Beyond these few items, there is nothing more to think about — your daily rate is designed to let you simply arrive, and everything else is taken care of.
