Tintswalo Lodges
(Photo Archive)
Tintswalo is a group of family owned and managed boutique lodges in South Africa run by mom and daughter duo Lisa Goosen, the 42-year-old CEO, and Gaye Corbett, the 70-year-old co-founder. The two work closely together with roles that often cross over, but with the same commitment to delivering customer and travel excellence. Corbett looks after the safari products while Goosen looks after the Cape properties and the marketing and PR of the business.
“We rely heavily on each other to ensure that we keep to our family ethos and make the right decisions for the Tintswalo brand,” says Corbett. “Tintswalo Lodges were started when we were first involved in property development in the Limpopo region where our strong relationships with the local community saw us put in a bid for a concession in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, part of the Greater Kruger region.”
As a family that had always loved camping and the outdoors, the business of luxury lodges was quite a shift in thinking, at first. However, through trial and error and plenty of hard work, the duo managed to evolve, expand and develop a brand that is today synonymous with unique locations and outstanding luxury.
“We have just opened two brand new luxury properties – Tintswalo Lapalala in the Waterberg and Tinstwalo Boulders Beach Villa in Cape Town,” says Goosen. “Together, with the rest of the family and our wonderful management and staff, we are a resilient team. We are also in the process of rebuilding Tintswalo Atlantic which was destroyed in a fire in February.”
The mom and daughter team focus on building products that are out of the ordinary with each location offering something special. They believe in places where guests can really feel the spiritual benefits of nature.
“By offering unique experiences, warm hospitality and genuine care for our guests, we love to create the spark that brings your soul to a peaceful place. It brings us great joy and satisfaction to be instrumental in taking a family on a once-in-a-lifetime, meaningful adventure or inspiring a newlywed couple to make a wish, plan their future and create their own destiny,” Corbett concludes.