Tintswalo Safari in the Manyeleti Nature Reserve has once again been recognised as one of South Africa’s leading resorts in the prestigious 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards – this year ranking seventh among South Africa’s 15 Best Resorts.
It is the sixth time that Tintswalo Safari has appeared in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, reinforcing the lodge’s enduring appeal among discerning international travellers and its reputation as one of South Africa’s best destinations for an authentic wildlife experience.
Scoring 97.72, Tintswalo Safari was recognised as one of the readers’ ‘favourite places to view wildlife in South Africa’, highlighting the enduring appeal of its intimate safari experience in the greater Kruger region.
Winners are determined by experiences, recommendations
The 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards were based on more than 798,867 survey responses from readers across the United States, who rated their travel experiences around the world and identified the destinations and properties they most eagerly anticipate revisiting.
With a legacy spanning decades the Readers’ Choice Awards remain one of the travel industry’s most respected accolades, with winners determined by the experiences and recommendations of travellers themselves.
The recognition is particularly meaningful for Tintswalo Safari as the founding lodge of the Tintswalo Collection, which established the foundations of the Tintswalo brand and its distinctive approach to hospitality when it first opened in 2003. Today, Tintswalo is known to offer a profound connection to place, genuine warmth, personalised service and immersive experiences that allow guests to experience South Africa in an authentic and meaningful way.
From its beginnings, the lodge has combined the thrill of a Big Five safari with the personal, understated luxury and heartfelt hospitality that have become hallmarks of the Tintswalo name.
What began with Tintswalo Safari has since grown into the wider Tintswalo Collection, a portfolio of seven family-owned and managed properties situated in six unique locations stretching from the beach to the bush – distinctive properties located in some of South Africa’s most spectacular destinations. Yet the original safari lodge remains at the heart of the story of this family-owned brand.
‘Tintswalo Safari will always be very special to us because it is where the Tintswalo story began’, says Lisa Goosen, CEO of Tintswalo Collection. ‘To be recognised by Condé Nast Traveler once more is an extraordinary achievement and a wonderful affirmation of the experiences our team continues to create. The lodge has a remarkable sense of history, but it has never stood still. Our teams continue to evolve the guest experience while remaining true to the values on which Tintswalo was founded – genuine hospitality, a deep respect for the wilderness and creating meaningful memories for our guests. In an awards category where we compete against numerous spectacular lodges and resorts, we are incredibly proud that the original Tintswalo continues to resonate with travellers from around the world.’
For Tintswalo Safari, the 2026 Readers’ Choice recognition is a celebration not only of its position among South Africa’s leading resorts, but of the longevity of a property that has helped shape the identity of the Tintswalo Collection. As the original Tintswalo property, Tintswalo Safari remains deeply rooted in the wilderness that inspired its creation, offering guests the opportunity to slow down, reconnect with nature and experience the magic of the African bush.
In a nutshell
Tintswalo Safari, the 2026 Readers’ Choice
Tintswalo Collection
Tel: +27 21 773 0900
Email:
www.tintswalo.com
