Central Kruger
For a really romantic experience in the wild, book a night at Tinyeleti Treehouse. Set high up in the indigenous woodland overlooking the Sabie River in Lion Sands Reserve, this getaway sets the bar high. Lion Sands lies on the unfenced southern boundary of Kruger National Park, and the treehouse perches in an area known as one the busiest and most wildlife-dense in the country. Predators are especially prolific, with frequent leopard and lion sightings. But the real treat is the chance to break away from the clutter with your loved one, and to interact with nature at its purest.
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From the base of the tree, you climb a wooden ramp, pass through a secure door, and climb the staircase up, up, up to reach the treehouse platform. From here, take in the broad sweep of the treeline, across to a bend in the Sabie River. As far as furniture goes, the sofa at the foot of the bed is great for viewing, and there's a table for your lantern-lit dinner. The soundtrack? Cicadas, wildlife howls and sighs, and birdcalls.
Your bedroom may be exposed to the elements, but it has all the creature comforts you need for a night's sleep, including a four-poster bed with a deep mattress, delicious linens and plenty of blankets and duvets, and an enveloping swathe of netting to keep out mosquito invaders. Just a few steps below the main platform is the reed-walled bathroom, complete with running water and a flush toilet.
After your afternoon game drive, your guide will escort you to your evening dwelling in the trees, with time enough to enjoy a leisurely sunset. Equipped with a fully loaded picnic basket and an ice-cold cooler box, you'll have all you need for your evening refuge. Remain here until the following morning, when a wake-up call comes in the form of birdsong in the canopies. A guide is just a radio-call away, should you need assistance.
Staring at the night sky is maybe the most primitive form of entertainment; here, it's enhanced by an iPad with a stargazing app. Falling asleep to the grunts, groans and honks of leopards, hyenas and hippos is pretty unforgettable too. (You're quite safe, in case you were wondering.)
You're provided with a gourmet picnic dinner, plus a bottle of bubbly and a cooler of your favourite libations. Sheer bliss!
The Treehouse Experience is booked in conjunction with accommodation at the lodge of your choice, at an additional rate, per person per night. Your room remains ready for your return at any point. You’ll pack a stay-over bag with the essentials, leaving the rest of your belongings back at the lodge.
Tinyeleti Treehouse is owned by the MORE collection, which is committed to regenerative tourism. They prioritise sustainability to safeguard the environment and communities for future generations. Their ethos revolves around living and working sustainably, recognising that our actions impact all life on Earth. MORE believes in fostering harmony between humans, plants, and animals for the well-being of present and future generations. For MORE, sustainability is ensuring the continuity of life on our planet.
In the very heart of the Kruger National Park, you’ll find wildlife galore and guides who know the bush like their own backyard.
