Courtney Davison
Google
I have had the privilege of living near Tembe and have visited many times over the last 10+ years - both staying in the lodge overnight and visiting for the day. Growing up in the surrounding area I was fortunate enough to have grown up visiting the park.
The staff are incredible, informative, welcoming, knowledgeable and passionate. If you go on a drive with one of the Tembe drivers, you will learn so much about the animals, ongoing conservation, bird life but also the history of the park and people and communities in the area.
The drivers know the animals, their behavioural patterns and how to approach them - I have always felt extremely safe in their capable hands and have had so many incredible closeup encounters.
Tembe is where I witnessed my first kill - seeing 3 female lions take out an impala when I was much younger, watching them share it with the male lion. I have had so many incredible encounters with their elephants and the big tuskers over the years, but have also seen - lions, plenty of antelope, giraffe, buffalo, wildebeest, wild dogs (back when they were still in the park), tortoises, hippos, water monitors and such incredible bird life too.
The hides are well maintained, have some great information and toilets.
The roads are also well maintained, although every now and again an elephant may push a tree down onto the road - but these get sorted pretty quickly!
If you are staying in the lodge, you will not be disappointed. I have watched the lodge evolve over the years - all the rooms now have aircons. The rooms are clean and well taken care of. There’s a mini fridge if you wish to store some snacks or buy drinks form their well-stocked bar to keep in your room. The showers are private but outdoors, which I have always found so cool. The food is delicious, a light breakfast before the morning drive before returning to a cooked breakfast, lunch and a 3-course dinner. I’m an absolute sucker for their bread and milkshakes (one of my favourite things as both a kid and an adult)- so good!
But you may also get to try some game meat.
Their is a souvenir store when’re you can get a Tembe top, fleece, mug etc.
There are guinnea fowl in the lodge, you may see the bush babies get fed in the evening or the monkeys. There are communal areas, a fire at night and some board games. There is also a pool for swimming and swimming towels available at reception.
The staff are lovely and welcoming, you may even see a traditional dance and they are happy to tell you about the Tembe tribe and the community involvement in the park. One of my favourite memories as a child was one of the old game drivers (Tom) telling my brother and I stories around the fireplace about an ember who fell into the water.
Tembe is a magical place for both children and adults and I could not recommend a better place to visit.
