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From five stars to the Big Five has never been more apt than at the luxurious Tshukudu Bush Lodge. Built high on a hilltop, the lodge offers sweeping views of the malaria-free Pilanesberg National Park. With only six luxury cottages, it’s a perfectly indulgent getaway for those who appreciate attention to detail and personalised service.
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You can be assured that the 6 luxury cottages at Tshukudu receive our personal attention with regard to every detail. Each unit has its own private balcony offering sweeping views of the Park and waterhole.
One double bed, two single beds, open plan lounge with fireplace, sunken bath overlooking the plains, shower over bath, fully stocked mini bar, bird books, magazines, plug points, hair dryer, tea/coffee making facilities and a safety deposit box.
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When you visit Tshukudu, we ask that you leave all the trappings of city life behind - including your car. Guest vehicles can be parked in protected bays at Bakubung Bush Lodge.
From there, you can entrust everything to us:
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| Transfers between Pilanesberg Airport and Tshukudu can be arranged at a charge.
One daily transfer from Bakubung at 14h00. High tea served on arrival. |
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Directions from Fourways, Sandton:
- Travel north along William Nicol Drive to the four-way intersection with Witkoppen Road.
- Turn left into Witkoppen road towards Lanseria/Roodepoort.
- Turn right at the intersection with Hans Strijdom Extension on the road towards Broederstroom and Lanseria.
- Cross over the Muldersdrift/Diepsloot Road and continue with the R512 towards Broederstroom and Lanseria.
- Cross the bridge over the R28 Krugersdorp/Pretoria highway, pass the Lanseria turnoff and continue straight ahead.
- At the T-junction turn left on the R512 to Magaliesberg.
- Continue on this road until you see the Sun City signboard on your left. Turn right on the R512 to Brits and cross the bridge over Hartebeespoort Dam.
- At the T-junction turn right on the R512 to Brits. Follow directional signs.
- Continue to the four-way stop and turn left on the R512/27 for Brits/Rustenburg.
- Pass the first Brits turnoff. At the signpost R27 Rustenburg/Brits turn right.
- On the bridge turn left towards Rustenburg.
- Continue till you get to the slipway to the left. Take the slipway and continue on the new N4 highway.
- A signboard on the left side of the road indicates Pilanesberg to the left on route 91. Exit left off the highway. At the T-junction turn right and continue on this road to Sun City.
- Pass the Kwa Maritane signboard and Sun Village and turn right at the Bakubung and Tshukudu signpost.
- Follow the road and it will lead you to the Bakubung Gate.
- At Bakubung Reception, ask for Tshukudu Office.
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The transfer to Tshukudu is at 14h00 from Bakubung.
Directions from Centurion, Pretoria:
- Take the N1 North towards Polokwane.
- Take the N4 Rustenberg Split (tollroad)
- Follow the road straight, a signboard on the left side of the road indicates Pilanesberg to the left on route 91. Exit left off the highway. At the T-junction turn right and continue on this road to Sun City.
- Pass the Kwa Maritane signboard and Sun Village and turn right at the Bakubung and Tshukudu signpost.
- Follow the road and it will lead you to the Bakubung Gate.
- At Bakubung Reception, ask for Tshukudu Office.
- The transfer to Tshukudu is at 14h00 from Bakubung.
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We look forward in welcoming you to Tshukudu in the Pilanesberg and have a safe journey.
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Audio visual
Facilities include a TV and VCR, slide projector, portable 2x2m screen, overhead
projector and flip chart.
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Game drives
After high tea, guests are taken on a 3 hour game drive. Another game drive is available in the mornings, with the option of an escorted game walk. All game activities are conducted by experienced field guides. Special interest trails can be arranged for our guests. Tshukudu drives are included in rates.
Park
Pilanesberg National Park, which covers some 55 000 hectare, is the fourth largest in southern Africa. This malaria-free park is perched on the eroded vestiges of an alkaline volcanic crater - one of only three such craters in the world. On its undulating hills and everlasting open plains, you can get a glimpse of the 'Big Five', an abundance of animals and over 360 bird species.
Animals
As well as the 'Big Five' you might also find the nocturnal brown hyena, cheetah, hippo, crocodile and even sable.
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Ponder the silence by a blazing fire at night and enjoy food of international standard and African flavour accompanied by a wine from our splendid selection.
By day, you can laze by the rock plunge pool.
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We find that our guests are most content to spend time at the lodge, drinking in
the meditative silence and holding the wide, open plains in awe.
But they never leave without tracking down the Big Five in the Pilanesberg National Park, on game walks or drives.
For a diversion, there's all the bustle and excitement of a day at Sun City:
| Golf
Tennis
Squash
Horse riding
Ten pin bowling |
Crocodile farm
Aviary
Casino
Live entertainment venues
Theatre and movies |
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Reservations and Enquiries |
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PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK:
Pilanesberg National Park is 50 000 hectares in size and is located in the North West Province of South Africa, 150 kilometre north west of the Gauteng metropolis and 60 kilometres north of Rustenburg.
History
The history of Pilanesberg National Park is also unique amongst national parks in Africa. Pilanesberg National Park's special features of rugged landscape, well-watered valleys and attractive dwelling sites have made it a preferred site for human settlement for thousands of years.
Prior to its proclamation as a reserve in 1979, the Pilanesberg National Park Complex was degraded and depleted of indigenous game populations due to fairly intense settlement by commercial farmers. At considerable expense, the land has been restocked with game, the scars of human settlement were removed and tourism infrastructure was developed during the first 15 years (1979 and 1993). This constituted the largest and most expensive game stocking and land rehabilitation project ever undertaken in any African game reserve at the time.
A 110 kilometre peripheral Big Game fence was erected over some very rugged terrain, 188 kilometres of visitor roads have been developed and more than 6 000 head of game were introduced during the Operation Genesis game translocation programme. Thus, while wildlife resources are rapidly declining in most developing countries in Africa, Pilanesberg National Park is one of the few areas where this trend has been dramatically reversed. For this far-sighted action the North West Province (Previously Bop Parks) and its people have received worldwide acclaim and recognition. The challenge that lies ahead is to further develop and manage Pilanesberg National Park in such a way that the conservation, cultural, recreational and economic benefits of this far-sighted action can be optimally utilised to the benefit of current and future generations
Terrain
Pilanesberg exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as "Bushveld". Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birds and vegetation occur because of this transition zone. Springbok, brown hyaena, the redeyed bulbul, and camel thorn trees usually found in arid areas are found co-habitating with moist-area-limited impala, blackeyed bulbul and Cape chestnut trees. The colourful hues, varied habitats and panoramas will delight and entertain photographers and all but the most unobservant visitor. Pre-sunrise and post-sunset drives are possible owing to gate opening/closure times.
Wildlife
Since late 1979, thanks to Operation Genesis - the largest game translocation ever undertaken at the time - tourists have been able to take note of nature's alphabet - from aardvark to zebra. The park boasts healthy populations of lion, leopard, black and white rhino, elephant and buffalo - Africa's "Big Five". A wide variety of rare and common species exist with endemic species like the nocturnal brown hyaena, the fleet-footed cheetah, the majestic sable, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo and crocodile, to mention but a few.
Geology
Geologically, the area is world famous. Its structure, termed the "Pilanesberg National Park Alkaline Ring Complex" was formed by volcanic eruptions some 1 200 million years ago. Ancient, even by geological time scales this extinct volcano is the most perfect example of an alkaline ring complex. There are only two other alkaline volcanoes in the world, in Russia and in Greenland. Neither are as clearly defined as Pilanesberg National Park. A number of rare (but not necessarily economically important) minerals occur in Pilanesberg National Park. Pilanesberg National Park clearly rates high amongst the world's outstanding geological phenomena.
Diversity
Apart from its unique size, shape and rock types, the volcanic origin and resultant weathering of the extinct crater has resulted in a wide variety of landscapes and associated vegetation communities. This provides some of the most spectacular scenery in Southern Africa. It also provides a wide range of habitats for game animals. Because of this, Pilanesberg National Park has the potential to carry a wider variety of game species than any other similar sized game reserve in Southern Africa. Its potential for supporting rare and endangered species such as black rhino, roan, sable, tsessebe, foot-and-mouth free buffalo and wild dogs is particularly high. Thus apart from its conservation value, the area has very high game viewing and resource products potential.
Accommodation
Accommodation ranges from upmarket lodges to rustic self-catering, tented bush camps.
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