About Us
Toro Yaka is a passion come to life.
The original idea for our bush lodge began when Nicole decided to create a place where nature could take centre stage. As a bush paradise, the lodge has everything you’d expect from a 5-star retreat: great food, exceptional hospitality, plenty of time spent in untouched nature, and a home away from home style of accommodation, where guests can truly relax and rejuvenate.
Nicole set foot in Toro Yaka for the very first time in 2006.
Now welcoming you, our guests, to a breathtaking bush lodge, nestled in the heart of the Greater Kruger region, where untamed wilderness meets luxurious yet homestyle comfort. Imagine waking up to the symphony of nature, with the sun’s first rays filtering through the ancient trees that surround our lodge. Our stunning accommodation is designed to immerse you in the beauty of the African bushveld while providing all the modern amenities you need for a truly unforgettable experience.
As you step outside, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the sights and sounds of the wild. The lodge’s location offers you a front-row seat to the remarkable wildlife that calls this vast expanse home. Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher, a passionate photographer, or simply seeking a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, our lodge offers something for everyone.
At our bush lodge, you’ll discover a unique blend of serenity, adventure, and luxury, creating the perfect setting for an unforgettable African safari experience. Whether you’re seeking the thrill of the wild or the tranquility of the bush, our lodge is your gateway to the magic of the Greater Kruger.
The Staff
The staff at Toro Yaka are one of the reasons why time spent here is so rewarding. They spoil guests and ensure that they are always well taken care of. The staff are friendly and helpful, as well as tremendously skilled. From general maintenance and cleaning to running the lodge and preparing exquisite meals, our staff excel at customer service.
Conservation and care for the environment are always at the forefront of our minds. We only use eco-friendly products and we are committed to recycling everything we can. We also take care of the land on which the lodge has been built. Alien plants are removed and we practice mattress packing to prevent soil erosion.
Today, the lodge offers guests the opportunity to experience the non-commercialised side of Africa. An authentic African safari, along with some pampering, is what you can expect from Toro Yaka.
About Nicole and the Team
Nicole is the driving force behind Toroyaka, along with her tight-knit team.
Nicole was born and raised in a city she loves; Pretoria. There she qualified as a reflexologist, massage therapist, and kinesiologist. When the opportunity to work at a game lodge came her way, she started a life that couldn’t be more different from the one she knew! It didn’t take long for Nicole to fall head over heels in love with the bush and she has never looked back.
The dedicated and passionate team ensures the successful running of our lodge. Comprising individuals with diverse talents and expertise, they seamlessly come together to create a harmonious and unforgettable guest experience.
More than just employees; they share a deep love for the guest experience, a commitment to providing top-notch hospitality, and a genuine desire to make your stay exceptional.
What sets our team apart is their ability to work cohesively, like a well-oiled machine. Their teamwork and mutual respect for each other’s roles ensure that your needs are met seamlessly, from the moment you arrive until the moment you depart. Whether it’s orchestrating thrilling safari adventures, creating mouthwatering culinary delights, or ensuring the lodge is a sanctuary of comfort and cleanliness, their dedication to collaboration is at the heart of our success.
Our lodge’s success is a testament to how effectively our team works together. Their shared passion for the African bushveld and their commitment to providing exceptional service make us more than just a lodge; we’re a community united by the love of nature and the desire to share its wonders with you.
We support
Hoedspruit.HALO
A non-profit volunteer-run organisation, Hoedspruit.HALO works with domestic animal welfare in the rural areas around Hoedspruit. The organisation was founded in 2016 and helps to feed domestic creatures that are brought into the clinic as well as tend to wounds and sicknesses. They rely on the kindness of strangers and do their best to educate pet owners while taking care of animals in need.
Blackmambas
While there are few poaching units in the area, this one, in particular, is quite special in that it is the first majority female unit in the country. The unit was founded in 2013 to protect the Olifants West area of the Balule Nature Reserve. They have since expanded and now protect all areas of the Balule Nature Reserve as well as the Greater Kruger National Park. These fearsome rangers are committed to making the nature reserve as undesirable and as difficult as possible for poachers.
Hoedspruit Paws
Hoedspruit Paws is a local non-profit organisation that seeks to give all animals a happy, loving, safe home while they also take care of any animals in need. The team will do anything to give each pet a happy ending. Not only do they assist in helping animals find a forever home but they also aim to educate pet owners in order to reduce the number of abandoned litters. The organisation drives sterilisation campaigns to encourage pet owners to sterilise their pets and they are also passionate about ensuring that domestic animals get the appropriate vaccinations.
Nourish NPO
The Nourish NPO is determined to create sustainable change and have a long-term impact on both the communities they work in and in the field of conservation. Nourish is working towards creating a resilient community and focuses a lot of its work on health, education and access to opportunities in order to break the cycle of poverty in poor communities. Through doing this work, they also hope to minimise the impact of poaching.
Rhino Revolution
Rhinos are precious and on the brink of extinction due to poaching. Rhino Revolution works at the forefront to stop the poaching of Rhinos in South Africa. Based in Hoedspruit, Rhino Revolution is run by concerned citizens and not only aims to reduce the instances of poaching in the area, but also looks after the victims of poaching; the orphaned Rhinos. The focus of their work is the poor local communities who often resort to poaching as a way to survive. Rhino Revolution is turning the young people in the nearby communities into conservationists.
