Opened on 01 December 2018 is famous resort brand andBeyond ‘s latest luxury safari lodge – Tengile River Lodge. Baroque Travel finds out all about the new safari lodge in the famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa
Sabi Sand Game Reserve is one of South Africa’s premier safari locations, situated right next to the famous Kruger National Park, which is famous for its incredibly varied wildlife including the Big Five. The 65,000-hectare reserve offers a number of luxury offerings, and now there’s a new ‘kid’ on the block, the ultra-luxurious andBeyond Tengile River Lodge, situated in a less-visited part of the reserve. Its offering? “A luxury experience that hasn’t been available before.”
The superlative lodge is extremely exclusive, offering only 9 air-conditioned thatched suites that are spacious and plush, each with its own swimming pool, private outdoor deck for dining, built-in bar and outdoor living room where guests can dine in private if they so desire. Suites offer sunken lounges, elegant bedrooms and bathrooms that open out onto the forest. Each lodge is decorated with bespoke pieces created by leading South African designers and each of the suites is located in a shady forest overlooking the spectacular Sand River.
andBeyond believes in sustainable living, so the lodge is completely ‘green’, created with local materials including stones from the nearby Selati railway. The spacious suites are raised above ground level, but sand camouflages the rooftops to ensure total seclusion and privacy. The lodge utilizes water treatment systems to recycle water for use in irrigation. In addition, Tengile River Lodge uses solar power to reduce the use of electricity.
The lodge boasts a lap pool, spa and gym, as well as a lounge and safari store. Guests are spoilt for choice with numerous activities including game drives in the mornings and evenings, guided bush walks and bird watching. The area is famous for its prolific wildlife and a safari here is delightful, offering the opportunity to see animals going about their daily lives in their natural habitat.
Guests can view animals such as leopard, buffalo, lion, spotted hyena, antelope, elephant, white rhino and hippo on their game viewing expeditions, which include thrilling game drives in safari vehicles and exciting, informative walking safaris.
andBeyond Tengile River Lodge also gives back to the community: with its Africa Foundation partners, the lodge works with the Hundzukani Primary School, the Kurhula Secondary School and the Happy Homes Preschool to assist the local residents with medical clinics and school building projects.
Visitors to Tengile are flown to the area from Johannesburg by SA Airlink and then transported to the lodge where an unforgettable experience awaits.