Tshukudu Private Game Reserve

About Tshukudu Private Game Reserve

The family-owned Tshukudu Private Game reserve is situated in the Central Lowveld near Hoedspruit and adjoins the Greater Kruger National Park. The reserve is easily accessible and close to the attractions and activities of the area.

Did you know? Visitors to Tshukudu can enjoy watching a great variety of birds from special lookouts at the dams.

Tshukudu a Big 5 Game Reserve boasts 5000ha of unspoilt bush with a lovely view to the Drakensberg Mountain Range. Building up Tshukudu Game Reserve has been a labour of love for the Sussens family. The Reserve was started in 1980 on what used to be a cattle ranch. Although many antelope species as well as giraffe were already on the property a variety of animals had to be reintroduced. One of the first were rhinoceros, hence the name “Tshukudu” which means “rhino” in Sotho.

Today Tshukudu is teeming with game, the birdlife is prolific and the bush has reverted to its pristine state. The many Acacia and Marula trees give a real feel of the African Bushveld and the sunsets over the Drakensberg Mountains are truly spectacular especially in the dry winter months.

The following animals can be spotted on Tshukudu: Lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, white rhino, buffalo, eland, waterbuck, kudu, bushbuck, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe, warthog, impala, steenbuck, duiker, porcupine, jackal, hyena, caracal, serval, civet, genet, African wild cat, hippo, crocodile and many other wildlife species.

Not only do guests see all the big and small animals in their natural environment but they can interact with our orphaned animals and go for walks with some of them. Over the years we have cared for, raised and reintroduced into the bush a variety of animals. However we specialize in rehabilitating big cats and started our lion breeding project in 1986.

Lion Breeding Project

Only 22,000 lions are left on the entire African continent (compared to 600,000 elephants). We have made it our mission to contribute to restock as many private game reserves as possible with lion and have thus far bread and sold over 250 lions to other game reserves. Guest can be shown this breeding project with all its big and small "Kings of the Jungle" as part of the game drive.

As Tshukudu is an enclosed reserve careful management is essential. Animals are counted every year and the grass lands institute monitors the grasses (vegetation) and rainfall. This enables and optimizes the management of Tshukudu Private Game Reserve in keeping a healthy balance in the reserve. Excess game is sold to other reserves and care is taken to prevent in-breeding by for example exchanging rhino or elephant bulls with other reserves to keep the gene-pool healthy.