Tshukudu Bush Lodge Sun City Hotels & Pilanesberg

The nearby Sun City Resort offers many different attractions and activities which can be enjoyed as a day visitor.

Sun City attractions:

• Sun City Casino & Entertainment Centre
• The Palace of the Lost City Hotel
• Cascades Hotel
• Sun City Hotel
• Cabanas Hotel
• Valley of Waves: water park
• Health & Beauty Spa
• Gary Player Golf Course
• Lost City Golf Course
• Bird Aviary
• Farmyard animals
• Kamp Kwena

The Gary Player Golf Course and the Lost City Golf Course at the Sun City Resort provide for unforgettable and challenging rounds of golf.  The 18 hole championship Gary Player Golf Course is home to the annual Nedbank Golf Challenge in which golf players from around the world compete.

Hot Air Balloon Safaris in the Pilanesberg National Park

The Hot Air Balloon Safaris are offered every morning, depending on the weather and number of passengers.  Guest are collected at their hotel or game lodge and are taken into the park to meet with the balloon crew.

The flight is approximately an hour in duration and on landing sparkling wine is served.  A leisurely game drive is then taken through the park to a game lodge where breakfast is served, after which guest are returned to their hotel / game lodge.

• Duration: 1hr flight, +/- 4 hrs in total
• Booking is essential
• a minimum number of guests are required to conduct a flight

Flights are early in the morning and you will need to allow some 4 hours for the full activity which includes the following:

• Early morning collection from your hotel by safari vehicle
• Launch of the balloon from the centre of Pilanesberg National Park
• An hour drifting serenely over the Park
• A sparkling wine celebration on landing, a time-honoured tradition in ballooning
• A Full English breakfast at a Game Lodge
• A First Flight certificate signed by your Pilot
• Return transfer to your hotel / game lodge

Terms and Conditions: Hot Air Balloon Safaris

• 1 hour flight: Minimum 8 passengers / Maximum 60 pax (1 hour flight)
• 30 minute flight: Minimum 20 / Maximum 120 pax (½ hour flight)
• Children under the age of 12 can unfortunately not participate
• Subject to availability of balloons
• Full prepayment is required before the flight takes place

Elephant Back Safari: An Age Old Concept - A New Adventure

Pick up from the Gametrackers Outdoor Adventures desk located at the Welcome Centre. Transfer to "The Elephant Wallow" will be approximately 20 minutes through the Letsatsing Game Reserve giving guests an opportunity to view game along the way.

On arrival, welcome drinks are served and guests are given an introductory talk and introduced to the elephants and their handlers. The elephants are then saddled and the safari commences.

After approximately an hour on elephant back guests return to "The Elephant Wallow" for light snacks. Guests are returned to the Welcome Centre, Sun City.

• Duration: approximately 2-3 hours
• Maximum 10 people – children under 5 years can unfortunately not participate
• Pick up and drop off is the Welcome Centre at the Sun City Resort

Sunrise Elephant Back Safari:

• Pick Up: 06.00 AM summer 1 Sept – 30 April
• Pick Up: 08.00 AM winter 1 May – 31 August

Mid Morning Elephant Back Safari:

• Pick Up: 08.00 AM summer 1 Sept – 30 April
• Pick Up: 10.00 AM winter 1 May – 31 August

Sunset Elephant Back Safari:

• Pick Up: 15.30 summer 1 Sept – 30 April
• Pick Up: 15.30 winter 1 May – 31 August

The bird life diversity in the Pilanesberg National Park, North West province, is fantastic. Whilst some birds are migrants, many are permanent inhabitants. Their food sources vary with some eating carrion or live prey, while others eat seeds, fruit or tiny water organisms.

The Pilanesberg National Park is one of the best places for bird watching in South Africa. Over 350 species have been recorded in this national park located in the North West province and a birder could record up to 100 species in winter and plenty more in summer including both migrant and permanent species.

The transition zone between the dry Kalahari and the wetter lowveld region in this region of South Africa brings with it a unique mix of birds with Red-eyed Bulbus co-habiting with Black-eyed Bulbuls . Many other such fascinating habitations are visible throughout the game reserve but it isn't limited to only bird species but also to other animals and plants.

• Arrive at the Bakubung Bush Lodge for check in & Welcome Drink at 1h30 pm / 13h30
• Transfer to the Tshukudu Bush Lodge
• High Tea
• Afternoon Game Drive
• Pre-Dinner Drinks
• 5 Course Dinner
• Nest morning: Wake Up Call
• Tea / Coffee & Rusks
• Early Morning Game Drive
• Brunch
• if check out: depart Tshukudu Lodge at 11h00 am

Guests at the Tshukudu Bush Lodge are invited to enjoy a wine tasting during their stay.

The rock plunge pool of the Tshukudu Bush Lodge is beautifully located on top of the hill and provides a relaxing retreat surrounded by Africa's untamed bushveld.

The Tshukudu Bush Lodge conducts guided game drives twice a day, one in the early morning and one late in the afternoon. Walking safaris are also available upon request in the guidance of professional trackers. 

The malaria free Pilanesberg National Park is administered by the North West Parks and Tourism Board and is with its 55 000 hectares the fourth largest national park in the country.

The crater of a long extinct volcano dominates the Pilanesberg National Park.  The crater is a fascinating alkaline complex produced by volcanic eruptions some 1300 million years ago. Pilanesberg is one of the largest volcanic complexes of its kind in the world. Its rare rock types and structure make it a unique geological feature.  Over time, wind and water have carved a spectacular landscape with rocky outcrops, open grasslands, wooded valleys and thickets.

Besides the 'Big Five' visitors also have the opportunity to encounter the nocturnal brown hyena, cheetah, hippo, crocodile and even sable. The Pilanesberg mountains offers guests sightings of a wide diversity of animal and plant life including 360 species of birds, the Big Five and almost every type of animal found in Southern Africa.

The Pilanesberg National Park exists within the transition zone between the dry Kalahari and wetter Lowveld vegetation, commonly referred to as "Bushveld". Unlike any other large park, unique overlaps of mammals, birds and vegetation occur because of this transition zone.

Springbok, brown hyena, the red eyed bulbul, and camel thorn trees usually home in arid areas are found cohabiting with moist-area-limited impala, black eyed bulbul and Cape chestnut trees.  Wildlife includes lions, elephants, white and black rhinos, buffaloes, leopards, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles.

The bird life diversity in the Pilanesberg National Park is outstanding. Whilst some birds are migrants, many are permanent inhabitants. Their food sources vary with some eating carrion or live prey, while others eat seeds, fruit or tiny water organisms.