Baby it's cold outside ... so chill out in luxury at this Pilanesberg lodge, writes Paddi Clay When the sun goes down on a winter's evening and you're in an open vehicle, winding through the dips and hills of an extinct, collapsed volcano crater, it is important to be wrapped up warmly.I've learnt over the years that the quality of the supplied blankets in an open vehicle is extremely important, even if you are already swaddled in jackets, beanies and scarves.The managers of Tshukudu Bush Lodge in the Pilanesberg clearly know this too.story_article_left1Their blankets are top notch, soft and fluffy, not those grey, scratchy ones best reserved for dogs' beds.And before sunrise, when the cold could make you regret raising your hand for the dawn game drive, your guide may endear himself to you for life by handing out hot water bottles along with those blankets.In the bush, two nights can feel like a week away.A candle-lit dinner for two, served in front of the fireplace in your suite, restores romance; and daily game drives - with the promise of a great sighting round each bend - stir in some excitement.We began shedding our stress in the vehicle that ferried us up the hills to Tshukudu, "the place of the rhino". On that short drive we spotted elephant, zebra and impala.On our evening drive a few hours later we notched up six cement-coloured rhinos, two spooning lions, two jousting young elephants, an assortment of lion food on the hoof and a violet-backed starling in a thorn tree.How could I have forgotten that, only two hours out of Joburg, beyond the Mordor-esque desolation of the North West's minebelt and next door to the garish, themed pleasures of Sun City, lies the Shangri-La of the Pilanesberg National Park, with its luxury lodge experiences?The view was so good from our soaring, thatch-roofed suite perched on Tshukudu's rocky cliff that we opted to defy our "fomo" (fear of missing out) and skip the first morning game drive to spend some quality time on our private deck with books and binoculars.Bird calls and a moving panorama of plump-bellied zebra, cantering wildebeest and kneeling warthogs kept us mesmerised.The soul soothing continued that evening and again next morning when we made the 5.30am wake-up call for our game drive.The rising sun tinted the grey hills and valleys, a hot-air balloon rose in silhouette against the sky and bird parties rustled the bush awake. We sat in silence with silly grins.We were so relaxed we were practically horizontal.sub_head_start IF YOU GO sub_head_endWHY GO THERE: To get away from ringing cellphones, alarms, TV, kids (no children under 12 allowed) and city life; to spend time with your significant other; for game- and bird-watching and the chance to see rhinos big and small, white and black, with horns and very much alive. It's a great venue to book out completely for a very special birthday or reunion.Local anti-rhino-poaching campaign ambassadors Maps Maponyane, Stacey Holland and Masasa Mbangeni would find it ideal for an uplifting strategy session.story_article_right2WHAT IT HAS: Dassies in every nook and on every rock around the lodge. Expansive views from the 10 individual suites and their private decks, a challenging 132 rough stone steps to the bar and dining area, suites with a fireplace, an obligatory deep tub for two with a view, an indoor shower with a view, an outdoor shower with a view and the crowning jewel, for hot summer days, a small plunge pool on your private deck.WHAT IT'S LIKE: Romantic, luxurious, comfortable, friendly, intimate and peaceful.THE FOOD: Tshukudu provides a full breakfast mid-morning and serves what it calls a High Tea - but in reality a light late lunch and pastries - at 3pm before the evening game drive. The drive has a sundowner stop with snacks. Dinner is a set menu of five courses, consisting of simple, plain and more-than-ample portions.GETTING THERE: By road from Johannesburg or Pretoria, you travel via Rustenburg, which is currently a confusing maze of roadwork detours and single lanes as you enter it; a stretch of the Platinum highway; and a short section of dusty, potholed road leading to the park's Bakubung entrance. Tshukudu transfers you to the lodge at 2pm. You park your car at Bakubung Lodge.READER OFFER: Rates from R3,910 per person sharing per night on a fully inclusive basis - valid until December 31 2016.Bookings to be made via Central Reservations on +27-11-806-6888 or e-mail hotels@legacyhotels.com. Visit their website at legacyhotels.co.za.When booking, please mention the SUNDAY TIMES to qualify for the special rate.• Clay was a guest of Legacy Hotels & Resorts..