Tintswalo Safari suites and lodge are all situated along a seasonal river bed among an ancient sycamore tree grove.

The exquisitely appointed main lodge overlooks a waterhole frequented by a large herd of elephant and other big game. The Explorer suites and Presidential are all linked to the main lodge by raised wooden walkways.

The Tintswalo suites are authentically decorated to reflect the pioneering times of the nineteenth century African explorers. The air-conditioned suites are situated along the banks of the seasonal Nwaswitsontso River. Providing supreme comfort, privacy and an opportunity for effortless birding, as well as the chance to view a large variety of big game from the privacy of each unit. The indoor/outdoor shower leads off from the spacious bathroom which opens out onto the deck. Luxuriate in a private plunge pool or just relax on a lounger under the African Sun.

Kingsley Suite – Mary Kingsley, a nineteenth century spinster, explored with humble resources collecting fish and insects samples for the Royal Geographic Society. An understated twin or double suite.

Livingston Suite – The most widely known explorer of Africa’s colonial history. A twin or double luxury traveller suite.

Burton Suite – Richard Burton, a controversial character donning a turban, historically he translated the Arabian Nights into English. A richly decorated twin or double suite.

Speke Suite – John Hanning Speke, a true gentleman, also in search of the illusive source of the Nile. A spacious luxury suite with large four-poster.

Stanley Suite – Originally a Welshman, Henry Morton Stanley was the man who found Livingston. A beautifully appointed double suite with a large sleigh bed.

Baines Suite – Thomas Baines, an engineer and artist. This suite is part of the Presidential Suite and accommodates four guests, either as part of the main lodge or privately.

Every suite has an extra length double or twin bed, en-suite bathroom, air conditioners, overhead fans mosquito nets, private deck with an intimate plunge pool overlooking a game-friendly river bed and magnificent Sycamore groves.

The unique aspects of the Tintswalo Safari Lodge experience can be summarised as follows:

The Vital Source Spa
The Vital Source Spa is privately situated at the lodge and has Internationally Trained Therapists awaiting guests, ready to ensure removal of the last vestiges of city stress from body and mind. The Spa specializes in hands-on treatment for both men and women utilizing Elemis and Africology Products to stimulate all the senses.

“Repair and healing always starts with one’s self. What appears on the outside is often a manifestation of what is happening on the inside. A clear mind, good rest and good nutrition are the first steps to a youthful skin.”

There is no better place to relax, unwind and let one’s mind, body and soul be pampered, than in the Vital Source Spa.

Situated in complete privacy and in a stunning setting at Safari Lodge, our internationally trained therapists will ensure you are thoroughly renewed after your visit.

Elemis and Africology products are used, and all guests are invited to indulge themselves.

A range of treatments are on offer at Tintswalo's Elemis Spa - including skin-care treatments; body treatments (massages; wraps; embalming & sloughing; hydrotherapy); hand & foot treatments; depillation; and vichy shower.

You can browse around our small but exclusive library of rare books or relax completely in our Vital Source Spa.

Visits to surrounding areas and attractions can be arranged at an additional charge.

Afternoon game-viewing follows with a sunset sundowner stop , thereafter, your day will be completed with a superb candlelit dinner.

We go out of our way to allow guests to dine privately or with other guests and never in the same place!

Game viewing at Tintswalo takes place on foot or in individually seated open game vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with spot lights for night viewing, radios for communication, mosquito repellent, poncho’s for wet weather and individual blankets for the night chill. A canvas bag containing binoculars, reference books and treats is also placed on each seat for your use.

Walks in the reserve are guided through the ever changing environment of the African bush. This experience allows the guest the opportunity to come away with information on wildlife, nature enlightenment and insight into the local Shangaan traditions ~ this is only obtainable with an ‘on the ground’ experience.

All our experienced & professional guides are accredited and they are always accompanied by skilled trackers who know their surrounding well.

Private charter flights have a number of advantages over scheduled flights.

ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Environmental Responsibility
Tintswalo Lodges continued commitment to the environment is an ongoing programme in keeping with the conservation ethics of the South African Parks Board. Our entire concessions road work, removal of alien plant species and waterhole rotation is undertaken by the lodge's staff. Waterhole rotation is an important factor with regards to the movement of animals in any reserve area and plays a critical part in the elimination of overgrazing around these vital areas.

Tintswalo work closely with the Mpumalanga Parks board and Wildlife authorities regarding the management of the Manyeleti Reserve.

Refuse in any lodge creates it own set of dynamic's from an environmental impact perspective. The bigger the lodge, the larger the impact. Tintswalo have a professional managed scenario whereby the waste is all removed from the reserve by an off site company and dealt with accordingly.

The field guides at Tintswalo fully understand and respect the very fine line between philosophy and science. We practice this philosophy whether we're out in the wilderness or hosting dinner with our guests. This is an extremely important duty and responsibility to fulfil. A guide is the link between the natural environment and our guest and our intention is to view nature in its ordinary state, from flora to fauna, with minimal interaction or interference. We strive to inform each and every guest of the goings on within Mother Nature's life style. This is where the social & ethical role of the guide team comes into play and this is what Tintswalo field guides' are renowned for.

YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PROGRAMME
Tintswalo has embarked on the sponsorship and management of a new project this year called YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS - UNITED.

The purpose of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is to teach youth around the globe about human rights so they become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace.

YHRI is an independent non- Profit Corporation based in Los Angeles. It was founded in 2001 by Mary Shuttleworth, an educator with 30 years’ experience, who now serves as its president. She began YHRI because she realized that not enough was being done to teach human rights to children at a level they could understand and apply.

The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is the document that forms the basis for YHRI’s work. YHRI has published What are Human Rights? A childfriendly version of the Declaration, available in 21 languages.

The UNITED Human Rights Handbook was developed by YHRI to provide educators and community leaders with a practical means of teaching human rights to the young. It has been found that the lesson plans in the Handbook can result in less class bullying and better relationships between young people.

Tintswalo has the purpose of teaching the youth in our local community areas about their Human rights so that they may become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace in their own communities.
We have four full time staff going into the local schools. They present both the teachers and students with the streetwise, multi-ethnic DVD of each human right and then hand out the printed booklet “What are Human Rights?”, The children are then urged to start activities in their community to aid one or more of the rights they have learnt and to write to our government to ask their assistance and advice on how their contribution in their community may aid our country’s overall viewpoint on human rights.

Climate
The area has a subtropical climate which lends to warm rainy summers and a dry cooler winter.
The rainy season is predominantly from October through to March during which time the temperate averages a mid day heat of 30°C.
The generally dry winter has temperate days with nights cooling quickly to around 5°C.

Children
Children of all ages are welcome at the Presidential Suite and Manor House. Children staying in the main Safari lodge is only done if the entire lodge is reserved or by special arrangement.

Children under the age of 12 are permitted on game drive but at the discretion of the guide. However dangerous game sightings will be limited.
Children under the age of 16 are not permitted on walks.

Dietary requirements
Our chefs are able to cater for any dietary requirements. Please let us know your needs in advance of your arrival.

What to bring
Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, a good pair of walking shoes, cool clothing for daytime and a sweater for the evenings. A warm jacket (parka) is advised for early morning and evening drives in winter. Do not forget your camera, and sufficient film/ memory space!

Consult your local physician to provide the correct anti-malaria prophylactic.

Emergencies
All guests are automatically covered by the Tintswalo emergency evacuation policy. If emergency hospitalisation is required, rapid transport by road or air is available. However, it is a condition of booking with Tintswalo Safari Lodges that each and every guest be adequately covered by their own comprehensive travel and medical insurance.

Communications
Every suite has a telephone. Faxes and all computer facilities are available at reception . Guest email and internet are available in the main lodge.

Community levy
Tintswalo is aggressively pro-active in respect of upliftment programs for local communities. Chief amongst these is the sponsorship and management of a new project called YOUTH FOR HUMAN RIGHTS - UNITED.

The purpose of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is to teach youth around the globe about human rights so they become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace.

Tintswalo has the purpose of teaching the youth in our local community areas about their Human rights so that they may become valuable advocates for tolerance and peace in their own communities.

We have full time staff dedicated to this project and ten children are taught and taken on a field trip every day into the Manyeleti Reserve.

Guests are charged R40 per person per stay as a contribution towards this project. Additional contributions to any of our many community projects are voluntary but very welcome. Should you wish to make a donation, please chat to management.

Staff
Our staffs are always there to help and accommodate guests wherever possible. They are experienced and trained for their specific area of expertise.

Should at any time you have any concern about our staff, dining, activities or any other Tintswalo item please contact the general managers while you are at the lodge or notify the Head Office following departure from the lodge.

Gratuities are discretionary but always welcome and are greatly appreciated by our staff. If any staff member’s performance impresses you please tip them directly or alternatively upon your departure a tip can be left with Lodge Management with any specific instructions. Lodge Management will gladly assist with providing guidelines in this respect.

Currency
One Rand (R) = 100 cents (c). Notes issued R200, R100, R50, R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c, 5c, 2c, & 1c. Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the press.

Driving
Non-residents are permitted to drive with a driving licence issued and valid in their own country, provided it bears the photograph and signature of the holder and is in English. If your drivers licence does not meet these requirements, an international driver's licence is required. Driving is on the left and the wearing of seatbelts is compulsory.

Immunisations
No international immunisation is needed when entering South Africa. The only inoculation requirement is a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers over one year of age entering South Africa within six days of leaving an infected country. Visitors who travel through or disembark in these areas are advised to be inoculated against the disease before visiting South Africa

Malaria
The Manyeleti Reserve falls within a Malaria area. Anti malarial prophylactics are essential all year round. Visitors are advised to consult their physician prior to travel for the most appropriate prophylactics.

Passports & Visas
For the majority of foreign nationals who travel to South Africa for vacation, entry is straightforward and hassle-free. All visitors to South Africa must be in possession of a valid passport in order to enter the country, and in some cases, a visa.

Power Supply
South Africa's electricity supply: 220/230 volts AC 50 Hz
Most plugs have three round pins but some plugs with two smaller pins are also found on appliances. Adaptors can be purchased but may be in short supply. US-made appliances may need a transformer.

Standard Time
South African standard Time is two hours in advance of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT + 2), one hour in advance of central European winter time and seven hours in advance of United States eastern standard time throughout the year. There are no time zone differences within the country.

The Sun
We have a warm sunny climate and you should wear sunscreen and a hat whenever you are out of doors during the day, particularly between 10am and 4pm, regardless of whether there is cloud cover or not. Even if you have a dark complexion, you can still get sunburned if you are from a cooler climate and have not had much exposure to the sun. Sunglasses are also recommended wear, as the glare of the African sun can be strong.

South African Time Zone
South Africa, which is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2), does not operate on daylight saving time.

VAT
VAT (Value Added Tax) is currently at 14% and is included in the price of most goods, services and hotel accommodation. Foreign tourists qualify for a VAT refund on items purchased and taken out of the country upon departure. No VAT refund may be claimed on goods consumed or services rendered.
For further information, visit www.taxrefunds.co.za.