The Sabi Sands reserve is the undoubted jewel in South Africa’s safari crown – a reserve where the finest game viewing in the country combines with the country’s finest (and most expensive) lodges. But for one of Africa’s most prestigious safari camp operators, andBeyond, it represented something of a gap in their portfolio following the decision a few years ago of the 3 Dulini camps (which previously operated under the andBeyond banner) to go their own way.
So when andBeyond had the opportunity to build a new flagship property on a prime site on the Sand river in the south of the reserve, the safari industry was filled with anticipation to see what would emerge. And it’s fair to say that the wait was more than worth our while, because the resulting lodge, the spectacular Tengile River Lodge which opened in late 2018, instantly assumed it’s position at the very top of the game lodge pile!
Tengile (meaning “tranquil” in the Tsonga language) is located on a stunning site – a right angled bend on the Sand river which allows each of the lodge’s nine L-shaped suites to enjoy views both upstream and downriver through expansive floor-to-ceiling windows while still affording privacy and seclusion to the lucky guests.
Whilst the architecture is cutting-edge contemporary, Tengile avoids the common problem of many modern lodges of coming across a little cold and clinical through the stylish use of more rustic materials like rough-hewn stones, reclaimed timber, and rusted metal sheets. In fact, the use of such materials is not just for effect, but cleverly references the surrounding environment and the history of the local region. For example, salvaged, hand-quarried stones from the historic Selati railway (which once ran through the area, connecting the gold mines of Johannesburg to the port then known as Lourenço Marques) have been beautifully incorporated into the suites’ terrazzo floors. These stones once polished up, came out in wonderful shades of deep green and rusted red which in turn inspired the rest of the lodge’s colour palette – echoes for example, can be seen in the statement green stone bathroom vanities and cocktail bar counter.
Tengile boasts 9 suites which at over 200 square metres each are frankly enormous and some of the largest in the entire Sabi Sands (2 of them are connected by a covered walkway to form a Family Suite which accepts kids over the age of 12) Secluded under the shade of the surrounding riverine forest and boasting panoramic river views, they’re definitely some of the most attractive and ultra-luxurious suites around! In addition to a master bedroom, bathroom and outdoor shower, there is an inside lounge, dining area, fully-stocked bar, coffee station and a gorgeous outdoor seating and dining area guaranteed to take your breath away. A private lap pool on your spacious private deck comes complete with sunken outdoor lounge from which you might spot herds of elephants or buffalo cooling off in the Sand river directly below!
Have a good look and the pics of the lodge and try to absorb all the wonderfully stylish design details that make Tengile River Lodge so unique and special. Lovely playful yet stylish touches abound, like the side tables shaped like enormous frogs, not to mention the brass hanging birdcages that double as planters as well as shelves for Africology toiletries in the outdoor showers!
If you can bring yourself to drag yourself away from the comfort of your gorgeous suite, the good news continues in the lodge’s stylish yet relaxing communal areas where feature walls have been created from layers of slate stone and rich colours of brass, gold, khaki green and emerald dominate – the green-stone cocktail bar and adjacent library for example have a real elegant olde-world private club type ambiance yet are also simultaneously somehow bang up-to-date. The dining area feels like an upmarket brasserie (we especially love the incredible modern chandelier) and leads out onto a casual alfresco terrace. But our favourite has to be Tengile’s wonderfully different take on the traditional open-air boma, with hefty oak columns giving a much more modern and structured feel to what is often a much more rustic affair – it really is absolutely gorgeous and superbly stylish!
If this isn’t relaxing enough for you, then there’s always the Wellness Centre that overlooks the river and includes a gym and pool, as well as massage rooms and a sunken deck where guests can enjoy Africology spa treatments.
Of course, you’re not just here to luxuriate in the gorgeous environment of the lodge – no doubt you’ll also be keen to get in some quality game viewing. Again, Tengile River Lodge comes up trumps! The density of lodges in the Sabi Sand means that extra traversing rights can set one lodge apart from the next – in this regard Tengile has exclusive access to a large chunk of neighbouring Mala Mala, as well as a portion of Lion Sands. In all Tengile offers 10 500 hectares of traversing over some of the finest safari territory in Africa, with outstanding leopard sightings probably the highlight of the abundance of big game guests regularly get to see here. Of course, that’s also because of the outstanding quality guiding typical of andBeyond lodges, with experienced ranger and tracker teams determined to show guests all the wonders that this magnificent piece of land has to offer!
