Luxury, Self-Catering Accommodation

The lodge offers four luxurious and spacious thatched-chalets with an open-plan living and entertainment area. Each accommodating two adults and the option of snooza’s (fold up mattresses) for younger children, all accommodating up to ten guests in total (additional children on request – terms apply).

The luxury, thatched chalets have been carefully designed and positioned to maximise the spectacular views of the Pilanesberg mountains and the surrounding wildlife.

The luxurious en-suite bathrooms leave little to be desired with his and hers basins, a double shower and beautiful stone bath. And, for those wanting to fully immerse themselves in nature, there is also an outdoor shower to be enjoyed, in tandem with the sights and sounds of the wild. Each chalet also offers a tea and coffee station, bar fridge and lockable safe.

The main entertainment area is spacious and consists of a fully-fitted modern kitchen with a fridge and freezer. Boasting an automatic coffee machine, microwave and ice machine in the kitchen area, you can enjoy all of the conveniences of home-living without having to compete with other guests for the use of these facilities.

An eight-seater dining room forms the heart of the dining area, while the casual lounge lends itself to kicking-back and channel flicking – so now you can go on safari and get the score in the same weekend! The formal lounge is an area where you can relax and read, or head to the bar area for a few drinks. There are both wine and beverage fridges available for you to utilize on a self-stock basis.

The boma and braai area joins onto a large thatched lapa which offers casual seating and a large dining table for alfresco dining. If you’re not up for the afternoon game drive, spend your time lounging around the pool with a good book, or take a stroll to the thatched viewing-hide a few meters away. The lodge is surrounded by an electrified fence to keep you safe from the Big 5 animals that are regularly spotted in the area.

Take to the crystal-clear, blue water of the pool after a game drive, before enjoying an evening of stargazing, sipping drinks around the fire, and listening to the sounds of the African bush at night.

While Thutlwa Safari Lodge is available exclusively – guests can rest assured that a member of staff is on the premises 24 hours a day. The lodge is serviced daily for our guests’ convenience

Note: There is cell-phone coverage at the lodge, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi in the main area.

Family Friendly

The freedom that comes with booking an exclusive-use lodge means you get to enjoy the entire space without being concerned about other guests and how your holiday may impact them. By choosing Thutlwa Safari Lodge you get to choose your safari times and durations, as well as who accompanies you on your drive, with small children to join at parents’ discretion. If you’d prefer to stay at the lodge with your toddler or young child while others head out, the following items are available to you on request: High chair, baby monitor, plastic dishes and cutlery, sleeping cot.

Thutlwa Safari Lodge is fully-equipped to cater for groups and families looking to get away, safari-style. While the Lodge is fully serviced daily, you are invited to make full use of the facilities on offer on a self-catering basis. Shop in advance or do some last-minute provision shopping at the nearby convenience store.

If you’re looking to travel with young children or babies, the Black Rhino Game Reserve (as well as the greater Pilanesberg area) is a safe option as it’s one of the few Big 5 bushland areas deemed malaria-free.

The main entertainment area is spacious and consists of a fully-fitted modern kitchen with a fridge and freezer. Boasting an automatic coffee machine, microwave and ice machine in the kitchen area, you can enjoy all of the conveniences of home-living without having to compete with other guests for the use of these facilities.

An eight-seater dining room forms the heart of the dining area, while the casual lounge lends itself to kicking-back and channel flicking – so now you can go on safari and get the score in the same weekend! The formal lounge is an area where you can relax and read, or head to the bar area for a few drinks. There are both wine and beverage fridges available for you to utilize on a self-stock basis.

The boma and braai area joins onto a large thatched lapa which offers casual seating and a large dining table for alfresco dining. If you’re not up for the afternoon game drive, spend your time lounging around the pool with a good book, or take a stroll to the thatched viewing-hide a few meters away. The lodge is surrounded by an electrified fence to keep you safe from the Big 5 animals that are regularly spotted in the area.

Take to the crystal-clear, blue water of the pool after a game drive, before enjoying an evening of stargazing, sipping drinks around the fire, and listening to the sounds of the African bush at night.

While Thutlwa Safari Lodge is available exclusively – guests can rest assured that a member of staff is on the premises 24 hours a day. The lodge is serviced daily for our guests’ convenience

Note: There is cell-phone coverage at the lodge, as well as complimentary Wi-Fi in the main area.

ABOUT THE BLACK RHINO GAME RESERVE

Black Rhino is a private game reserve that forms an additional ‘corner’ on the Pilanesberg National Park. It is on the North West side of the Pilanesberg, with its own secured, private entrance that is situated on the western side of the reserve. While ecological conditions at Black Rhino are very similar to that of  Pilanesberg, a noticeable difference is the sweet veld vegetation which complements Pilanesberg’s predominantly mixed sour veld.

Lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, rhino (black and white) and the endangered African wild dog all roam free on the reserve. Welcome to Big 5 country! Antelope species to try and tick-off your sightings list include eland, sable, impala, gemsbok, tsessebe as well as springbok.

If you’re up for a challenge, keep your eyes peeled for the less popular ‘small 5’, namely the elephant shrew, the antlion, the buffalo weaver, the leopard tortoise and the rhino beetle.

As per the Lodges’ namesake giraffes are also abundant on this reserve. There are over 354 bird species waiting to be spotted and identified by those avid bird enthusiasts.

ACCESS TO PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK

The Black Rhino Game Reserve has established traversing rights with the North West Parks and Tourism Board whereby the privately-owned lodges within the Black Rhino Game Reserve are entitled to cross from the Black Rhino Game Reserve into the Pilanesberg National Park.

This allows you to enjoy the privacy of the reserve along with the richness of the national park, and to experience the abundant sights and sounds of the bush from the comfort of Thutlwa’s 10-seater, open safari vehicle.

Accommodation

Each of the 4 luxury 80sqm standalone chalets all has the following:

• King size / twin beds
• Air conditioning
• En-suite bathroom (bath and shower)
• Complimentary bathroom amenities
• Outside shower
• Luxurious cotton linen
• Bath & Swimming towels
• Outside patio with seating facilities
• Bar fridge
• Tea/Coffee making facility with a Nespresso machine
• Complimentary Tea/Coffee
• Electronic safe
• Hairdryer 

Kitchen

The large kitchen area is fully serviced and equipped with:

• Cutlery, crockery and glassware
• Large fridge/freezer
• Dishwasher
• Washing machine
• 4-plate electric stove and oven
• Nespresso coffee machine
• Microwave
• Ice machine

Outdoor

• Plunge pool
• Sun loungers
• Hot tub
• Firepit
• Braai/barbeque facilities
• Thatched lapa
• Formal and casual seating
• Thatched-bird hide

Indoor

• 8-seater dining room table
• Causal lounge area
• Flat screen LCD TV
• Satellite TV
• DVD Player
• Formal lounge area
• Bar area
• Wine and beverage fridges
• Guest toilet
• Wi-Fi in main area
• Air conditioning

The freedom that comes with booking an exclusive-use lodge means you get to enjoy the entire space without being concerned about other guests and how your holiday may impact them. By choosing Thutlwa Safari Lodge you get to choose your safari times and durations, as well as who accompanies you on your drive, with small children to join at parents’ discretion. If you’d prefer to stay at the lodge with your toddler or young child while others head out, the following items are available to you on request: High chair, baby monitor, plastic dishes and cutlery, sleeping cot.

• Comfortable walking shoes,
• sun hat,
• sunglasses, sunscreen,
• binoculars, camera,
• light, neutral coloured clothing,
• swimming costume,
• warm jackets,
• insect repellent, fire lighters,
• all food and beverages including coffee beans and Nespresso capsules.
• The water at the Lodge is drinkable, should you prefer bottled water, please bring this along as well.

Tautona Safaris - + 27 (0 ) 82 962 3224

Team building activities help and enable variety of groups to reach their potential, goals and identify the main problems or weaknesses. Not only does this help promote self – motivation and confidence, it also helps them to learn how to get solutions, improve their personal skills and it assists in improving their daily life style or routine. Our main objectives is to create a profitable and viable business minded team work whereby Trust, Proper communication and personal skill are achieved with the activities that will be conducted. Activities such as Treasure Hunt, Amazing Race, Quad Bikes, Paintball, Obstacles Courses, Mind Games, Archery, Motivational speakers to mention few.

This is a recreational fun activity that helps breaking the tension between/ among the guests. It also helps to know one another. It also helps to adapt to the environment and be comfortable before the actual activities e.g. the ability to clear the mind to focus on the task ahead is something successful people have known for generations. R300.00 pp

Experience nature as a team in a unique, healthy and thrilling way and orientation on the quads for all.
Adventure sets the mind rolling for productive brainstorming. Participants are taken for a jolly ride on quad bike for a trail for enhancing their sensibility and sensitivity to nature. R680.00 pp

This is a collective mind game. All the tyres must be put from the top of the pole down to the ground surface. The tyres must not touch the pole. Each time they touch it has to be restarted. When all tyres are packed inside the poles, the same strategy has be implemented, lift them out of the pole one by one. R 320.00 pp

Tug-of-War is a game of strength that is played by young children in elementary school as well as tough soldiers in the Army. The rules are simple yet contain metaphorical association to the idea of combat and conquest. The ultimate goal is to use teamwork to overcome the strength of the opposing team. Scientific principles, including leverage, can create a situation in which the stronger team does not necessarily always win. R 320.00 pp

It creates a great sense of achievement for the team that wants to reach the target. It also enhances ones power of concentration. R 320.00 pp

Paintball is an exciting character-building sport, and above all its fun! It’s a chance to shake your day to day responsibilities and revive your spirit of adventure. When adrenaline starts pumping, you can’t help but love the thrill of the game. R 480.00 pp 250 BALLS

7. CHESS –GAME OF BRAINS

Chess is a game for people of all ages. You can learn to play at any age and in chess, unlike in many other sports, you don't ever have to retire. Age is also not a factor when you're looking for an opponent - young can play old and old can play young.
Chess develops logical thinking. Chess requires some understanding of logical strategy. For example, you will know that it is important to think logically. Although you will find yourself doing that occasionally through your career, mistakes are inevitable like life, is a never-ending learning process. R250.00 pp

8. INTERACTIVE DRUMMING

One of the oldest forms of communication known to man. Enjoy the interactive rhythms of Africa, facilitated by a well experienced artist. R320.00pp

9. VOLLEY BALL

Want to build successful and effective work teams in your organization? Start with these ideas and you will create a powerful and positive teamwork. Your state of mind is as key to being good at volleyball as your skill set. To be a great player you have to learn to be mentally tough. Train your brain as well as your body and you will find success. Here is a definition of mental toughness as it pertains to volleyball and here are some tips for developing it. R 250.00 pp

10. TRAFFIC JAM

These indoor/outdoor games improve and work mostly with concentration/ focus. Groups divided into two equal lines chairs facing each other. Group A must eventually sit where group B is presently sitting. They must use single free chair provided. R 320.00 pp

11. NAIL BALANCING

Problem solving and decision-making are important skills for business and life. Problem-solving often involves decision-making, and decision-making is especially important for management and leadership. There are processes and techniques to improve decision-making and the quality of decisions. Decision-making is more natural to certain personalities, so these people should focus more on improving the quality of their decisions. This activity motivates your employees with a genuine feeling of making a difference. R 320.00 pp

12. ARCHERY

Experience the ancient art of archery with the help of modern day equipment. Competent instructions will help you master the technique of shooting a re-curve bow. R 330.00 pp

13. TREASURE HUNT (PILANESBERG NATIONAL PARK)

A treasure hunt is a game that usually sends you on a wild goose hunt in search of clues to help you get closer to the treasure that is hidden. It is a great game to play for people of all ages. Here is one of our typical example; THE FUN WAY TO EXPLORE

The magic ingredient is to get everyone involved in the activity. This activity involves the teams to go on a “game drive” with the focus on finding treasures within the National Pilanesberg.
A set of (different) clues are set up for each group and the group has to solve the clues to find their next locations, where the next clue will be given.
Once a clue has been solved and the team got them to the correct location, a set of questions will be asked and this is where everyone has to participate. R1 620.00 pp

13.2 TREASURE HUNT (TAUTONA SOUL ADVENTURE)

A treasure hunt is a game that usually sends you on a wild goose hunt in search of clues to help you get closer to the treasure that is hidden. It is a great game to play for people of all ages. Here is one of our typical
example;THE FUN WAY TO EXPLORE The magic ingredient is to get everyone involved in the activity.

A set of (different) clues are set up for each group and the group has to solve the clues to find their next locations, where the next clue will be given. This activity is not conducted in wildlife however adjacent to Pilanesberg National Park. Once a clue has been solved and the team got them to the correct location, a set of questions will be asked and this is where everyone has to participate.. R 1 150.00 pp

13. AMAZING RACE

An Amazing Race is a fun, fast paced team event, where through a series of tasks and discoveries, teams are ultimately aiming to be the first at the finish line. Each amazing race is a completely tailor-made event, starting and finishing where and when you want it to, anywhere in South Africa. The end point remains a mystery until the participants get there. R1 150.00 pp

14. POTJIEKOS COOKING

The Potjiekos Cooking Competition is a great event for building team spirit. When the cooking begins, at least one member of each team will be required to watch their team’s potjies. Once the potjies are ready, they are presented for judging, and the winner announced. The only thing left is to eat the Potjiekos dishes and enjoy a great time of socializing and getting to know your team members better. Rates on request

15. FIVE BY FIVE
This activity is designed to enhance team work through fun and interactive exercise. The goal of is to increase the participants understanding of team dynamics and to improve how the team works together. Team participation, communication, negotiation and leadership abilities are developed and highlighted. R 320.00 pp

16. RIST ROPES
Poor communication lies at the root of many team problems. It can lead to mistakes, quality problems, conflict, missed deadlines, and lost opportunities. Not only can these boost people's communication skills, but they can also help them build good relationships with one another. R 320.00 pp

18. SPIDER WEB
The structure for this activity must look exactly like a spider web. Each member must go through one hole without touching the rope (web). No member is allowed to use the hole that the other member has already used. Every time a person touches the rope, the whole team has to start again. R320.00 pp

19. FIVE-A- SIDE FOOTBALL

The game can be played by boys and girls, Adults, Veterans even disabilities. It also features the increasingly popular walking football (over 50s), which caters to those who enjoy playing the beautiful game at a slightly more sedate pace! R350.00 pp