“Disappointing experience and very poor value for money”
The safari was excellent, largely thanks to our guide Chris, who was extremely knowledgeable, professional, punctual, and passionate about wildlife and nature. He was helpful throughout and even set up a WhatsApp group to share sightings, even when we explored Kruger on our own. Unfortunately, the overall experience fell short of what we expected for the price we paid (around €450 per night). The accommodation and facilities felt dated, with small bathrooms and a level of service below what a luxury safari lodge should offer. Food was a major issue: breakfast and dinner had very limited choices, dinner was a fixed menu with no alternatives, and on our first evening we couldn’t find anything suitable and went to bed hungry. We raised the issue with management, who responded professionally and later offered us two options. We also had an uncomfortable first night because the pillows were extremely thick, and there was no one available at night to resolve it until the next day. The lodge is extremely remote, accessed mainly via gravel roads, so guests rely entirely on on‑site services and can’t just go elsewhere for dinner or other amenities. We also found the lack of a protective barrier around the viewing area overlooking the waterhole concerning, given the significant drop. Overall, Chris and the safari were the clear highlights, but considering the price and comparing it with other lodges we stayed at in South Africa, Tulani offered poor value for money and didn’t meet the standard we expected from a luxury safari lodge.
Eva·A month ago