Things to do in South Africa

Sleep out under the stars in a treehouse at Tinga Lodge, Lion Sands Game Reserve

It’s a magical experience to fall asleep under the cosy blanket of the night sky, listening to the sounds of nature…

By Ryno Vosloo

Head Guide at Lion Sands Kruger National Park

Treehouses have been an integral part of the history of Lion Sands Game Reserve. It began with the construction of Chalkley Treehouse located on the site where the owner’s ancestor, Guy Aubrey Chalkley, made a camp in a leadwood tree.

Guests staying at Tinga Lodge can spend the night sleeping out under the stars at our luxurious Tinyeleti Treehouse. Tinyeleti means many stars and it’s a magical experience to fall asleep under the cosy blanket of the night sky, listening to the sounds of nature.

It’s a team effort to get everything ready for the guests’ arrival. Our maintenance department make sure the guests have water, solar power and all lanterns are lit. Our housekeepers are responsible for a clean and beautiful set up ensuring the pillows are plumped on the deluxe king-size bed and the gourmet picnic is ready. The set up takes about two to three hours.

One of our team will meet the guests on arrival at the treehouse and give them a brief orientation and show them where to find the rain shower and toilet. Guests are also shown how to operate the radio in case of an emergency. As added back up we also leave a mobile phone with contact details of the lodge and their guide. The treehouse experience is available year-round but if there is bad weather, or if guests would like to come back early, their room back at the lodge is kept for them. The lodge is about a 10-minute drive from the treehouse.

Once they are settled into their new surroundings, they are left on their own to enjoy sundowners, dinner and a night under the stars. During their treehouse experience they are likely to have some amazing wildlife sightings including the Big Five. Sightings from previous guests include mating leopards, rhino, Cape clawless otters, buffalo, elephants and lions. Hippos are also regular visitors in the evenings. The next day, guests have a choice of a sleep in or to join the morning game drive.

We call our sleep-outs a million-star experience so it’s no wonder our romantic treehouse setting has become a popular venue for marriage proposals.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Icons of Southern Africa
by Adele Jones

Length13 Days

Price range£5,650 - £5,995pp

Alfred & Ryno Vosloo

As Head Guide at Lion Sands Kruger National Park, Ryno has over 11 years’ experience in the field. He’s a professional guide and holds the SKS Bird Guide qualification. He particularly loves seeing the look on guests’ faces when they see the animal they have flown thousands of miles to see. When he’s not showing guests the wildlife of Kruger National Park, Ryno enjoys birding and golf.

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Laura, who's travelled extensively in South Africa. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember - ex banker who can show you the hottest foodie spots in Cape Town, the award-winning young sommelier who can introduce you to Stellenbosch's finest wines and the walking safari ranger who can guide you to the best game.

Laura Preston

Travel Expert for Alfred&

Having travelled extensively through Africa, Laura has a wealth of experience. She is passionate about Tanzania’s diversity from the quiet wilds of Ruaha that feel completely private to the silvery sands of Zanzibar and Stone Town’s spice-laced streets. In South Africa, she sought out the best views over Table Mountain, cocktail in hand, as well as the lesser-visited Kruger conservancies for more exclusive safaris. But her favourite place in the world has to be the Serengeti for its wide-open plains and incredible game that epitomise that feeling of Africa.
Wayne Howarth

Head Safari Guide at Kariega Game Reserve

Wayne loves being outdoors and has spent most of his life between the family farm and working on Private Game Reserves in the Eastern Cape. He has been guiding at Kariega for 12 years. His qualifications include Field Guide Association of South Africa (FGASA) Level 2, Advance Rifle Handling, Skippers Licence Category R and first aid. One of his career highlights was becoming a finalist in the 2021 Safari Guide of the Year competition.
Rupesh Kassen

Founder and guide of Eat Like A Local

Rupesh Kassen abandoned his decade-long career in banking to move to East Africa, where he trained and worked as a chef. He later became immersed in South Africa’s food scene and worked as a food critic before setting up Eat Like A Local in Cape Town. Rupesh now offers guided food tours to showcase the city and its diverse culture and history through food.
Fundi Ziqubu

Sommelier

Fundi was born in Durban and fell in love with wine when it was introduced to her by a few Capetonian friends. On discovering her passion she got the chance to study wine with the department of tourism in collaboration with the Sommeliers Academy. Being appointed sommelier at Lanzerac was a career highlight and in 2019 Fundi was named most up-and-coming wine steward by the Distell Inter-Hotel challenge.
Ntobeko Ntshingila

Duty Manager at Three Tree Hill Lodge

Ntobeko has been part of the Three Trees family for 13 years and describes it as a lovely journey with lots of room for growth and experience. She has her own family, including a daughter of 18, and a son, aged three. She lives in a nearby village with her parents, four siblings and three nephews. When not spending time with her family she manages her broiler chicken business, which brings her extra income.
Cheryl Blackburn

Owner and guide, Three Tree Hill Lodge

Being born in the Kruger National Park instilled in Cheryl a love of nature and wildlife. Having lived and worked as a guide in the Kruger reserve, and also in Botswana, she eventually got the opportunity to run her own lodge, with her growing family, in the lush KwaZulu Natal Drakensberg region. She still finds time to guide guests on foot, tracking white rhino in the neighbouring Spioenkop Game Reserve.