My Tanda Tula Experience

Khanyi is a global creative director in the non-profit sector, writer and film photography aficionado based in Cape Town. She absolutely loves local travel and although she has visited many South African safari lodges in the past she felt that Tanda Tula struck a cord with her. In her own words she describes her experience….

My friend Thando and I are no strangers to a bush getaway, so when she suggested Tanda Tula

for her birthday, it was a no-brainer. We were both craving a mix of adventure and relaxation,

luxury and ease – and this gem in the Timbavati didn’t disappoint.

“Khanyi and Thando! Good to see you!” After a long, hot drive from Joburg, those words and a

big smile from Vusi instantly dissolved any discomfort from the journey. Vusi, who has been part

of the Tanda Tula story for about six years, gave us a warm welcome and a tour, swapping light

jokes and chatting as if we were old friends visiting his home.

Tanda Tula’s interiors are a refreshing celebration of African design, steering clear of the typical

“animal print and thatch” aesthetic. Instead, the decor leans into earth and jewel tones, with

natural materials and plush, modern furniture that feel both welcoming and sophisticated. The

colour palette reflects the surrounding landscape, creating a warm, intimate atmosphere. Every

piece feels thoughtfully chosen, from woven textiles and carved wood accents to local artwork

that adds a unique touch to each room.

Our room was no exception. Complete with a private splash pool, it was a sanctuary for

downtime, post-safari naps, and indulgent salt baths. On warm nights, I highly recommend

sleeping with the doors open. Tanda Tula lives up to its name most poetically at night, where

nature comes alive, and you enter a deep, meditative sleep.

We couldn’t come all the way to Timbavati without a few game drives. We spent our weekend

with Tristan, our jovial guide, and Kurisani, our soft-spoken but hilariously quick-witted tracker.

Every morning started with a game drive followed by a bush breakfast, and in the evenings, our

drives were graced by phenomenal sunsets. Our drives gave us incredible sightings: zebra,

giraffe, springbok, and kudu moving through the bush. We were even lucky enough to see lions,

still muddy and dozing after feasting on a hippo the night before.

We also saw a few rhinos and a large herd of buffalo, who seemed as wary of us as we were

fascinated by them. Near their caves, hyenas lingered, and we had plenty of chances to watch

elephants, either cooling off at the lodge’s waterhole or grazing with their families. My personal

highlight, though, was on our Saturday evening drive—just as we were heading back, we

spotted a leopard who treated us to a solid ten minutes of drinking before he tired of the

attention and disappeared into the bush.

(This was my highlight, until I learned that while I opted to sleep in the next morning, Thando,

Tristan, and Kurisani managed to see a female leopard climb a tree, as well as some lion cubs!)

Look, I’m not fussy. I’m usually perfectly content with a plate of chips and salad while everyone

else tucks into hearty stews or braais. I was fully prepared for that—but I couldn’t have been

more wrong. The food was exceptional: fresh, served in generous portions, each plate vibrant

and perfectly balanced in flavour, adding even more to what was already an amazing weekend.

On our final night, Thando was surprised with the most delectable homemade cake (I don’t use

that word lightly—it truly felt like a home-cooked dinner).

Crawling back to our room, full and content, I felt nothing but gratitude. There’s no rule that staff

need to get to know you and serve from the heart. From Harry and Smiling, the brothers who

kept us laughing, to Tristan and Kurisani, who taught us the art of Bokdrol, to Vusi, Portia,

Dolphin, Chad – just to name a few – these are people who wake up each day and actively

choose to make strangers feel like part of their community. Tanda Tula is, in so many ways, the

heart of Timbavati. As we drove away, nostalgia was already creeping in. You know the

song—sing it with me: Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name!