Get in Touch With Us

THORNYBUSH ADDRESS

Thornybush Game Lodge
Thornybush Nature Reserve
Guernsey Road
Hoedspruit
1380
South Africa

Office: +27 11 253 6500
After Hours: +27 82 693 7043
Facsimile: +27 11 803 7350
Email: enquire@thornybush.com

Gowrie Gate for Simbambili : -24.694507, 31.514996

Thornybush Nature Reserve Gate : -24.428404, 31.128351

FAQ

What is the difference between National Parks and Private Reserves?

National parks are administered by South African National Parks Board which ensures a standardised level of accommodation – facilities and the rates are usually kept low. These parks are mainly self-drive destinations. Game viewing in the Nation Parks are restricted to tarred roads with no offer of off-road safaris. The game viewing in a private park is less restrictive to that of the national parks. Game drives are enjoyed in a private open safari vehicle with a trained guide and tracker team ensuring up-close and personalized game viewing experiences.

What is the best time of year to come on safari?

Each season has its own beauty and in an ideal world, one should try and experience the bushveld in the winter and in the summer to enjoy the two contrasts. Our summers are hot but tolerable as the air is very dry. Spectacular thunderstorms occur during the months of November through to March. Winter is dry and generally easier to view game as the bush is not as dense. The winter days are fantastic as temperatures average a moderate 20 degrees Celsius. When traveling in the winter months it is recommended that you dress warmly for both morning and evening game drives.

A typical day on safari?

You will be warmly welcomed by a friendly member of staff who will assist with the check in process and orientation of the lodge. You will then be shown to your room, after which a light late lunch will be served, followed by your first afternoon safari which lasts approximately 3 hours, during which time you will stop at a selected venue to watch the sun set and enjoy a beverage. You will return to the lodge early evening for dinner. The following morning at day-break you will meet in the main area of the lodge, where refreshments and snacks will be on offer before departing on your morning drive which lasts approximately 3 hours. You will be given the opportunity to stretch your legs during this time whilst enjoying a coffee break. On return to the lodge, you will enjoy a full breakfast after which you will have some down-time to make use of the spa or lounge by the pool before lunch is served, followed by your late afternoon safari.

What is the dress code?

Bushveld casual, neutral colours are recommended. Most guests wear long trousers for dinner and always ensure you have a light sweater or windbreaker handy. During summer a bathing costume is recommended to enjoy down time around the swimming pool.

What is an open safari vehicle?

This is a modified four-wheel-drive vehicle, designed to carry between 6 and 8 guests and is used to bring you to within close proximity of the animals. The vehicle does not have a roof or sides and allows for maximum all-round visibility. Our ranger and tracker teams are well qualified and take your safety very seriously. They will communicate the rules of driving on this type of vehicle in the open bushveld before departing on your first game drive.

Malaria prophylactics?

The lodges are situated in low risk malaria area. Precautions are taken annually to treat the lodges and minimize risk. We recommend you consult your medical practitioner on anti-malaria prophylactics.

How long should we stay?

In order to have the most fulfilling safari experience, we would recommend a minimum of 3 nights stay, enabling you to enjoy your safari in a leisurely manner.

What happens in medical emergencies?

Thornybush subscribes to a medical team and evacuation service. However, it is recommended that you include this on your travel insurance policy whilst travelling.

Is the water safe to drink?

The water in all the lodges is perfectly safe to drink, however all lodges have bottled water available for guests.

What should I pack for my safari?

The dress code is informal and neutral colours are recommended. A warm jacket for winter and evening safaris. Comfortable walking shoes, a bathing costume, binoculars, camera and video camera. Sunhats, sunscreen and sunglasses. A select range of safari clothing and amenities are available for purchase in our Curio Shops.

Questions on photography?

Safaris are a photographer’s paradise; video or still-equipment should be in sturdy photographic cases.

Is there a spa?

There is a full-service spa at both Thornybush Game Lodge and Simbambili Game Lodge. The Thornybush Game Lodge spa is accessible to most of the lodges within close proximity.

Should I bring binoculars?

On game drives you do get quite close to the animals but if you are an avid bird watcher we recommend a small lightweight pair of binoculars to enjoy your bird viewing. Most rangers have a pair on the vehicle but it is recommended that you travel with your personal pair which suits your eyesight.

Do I need any vaccines for South Africa?

Please consult your general practitioner or medical travel clinic for detailed information regarding possible vaccines requir

Do the game drives go off road?

Yes, game drives are in 4-wheel drive game viewing vehicles, so if the opportunity arises, your guide will go off-road. None of the roads in Thornybush are tarred, they are all maintained dirt roads.

Not sure what you are looking for?

Our sales team will be able to guide you or answer any of your questions on which safari lodge is perfect for you!

As Featured In

Thornybush on Instagram

🖋️ On The Blog - World Wildlife Day - our rol

🖋️ On The Blog - World Wildlife Day - our role in Sustaining People and Planet

"The earth is what we all have in common.” World Wildlife Day has now become the most important global annual event dedicated to wildlife. With this year’s theme focusing on the forests and livelihoods and sustaining people and our planet, here’s our story on how we are playing our part in bonding local communities through an education programme that lives beyond the classroom.

Read more about what we're doing with this amazing initiative and why celebrating #worldwildlifeday is so important❗️Link In Bio 🧐

#ontheblog #wildlifeday #conservation #communityoutreach

🖋️ On The Blog - World Wildlife Day - our rol

🖋️ On The Blog - World Wildlife Day - our role in Sustaining People and Planet

"The earth is what we all have in common.” World Wildlife Day has now become the most important global annual event dedicated to wildlife. With this year’s theme focusing on the forests and livelihoods and sustaining people and our planet, here’s our story on how we are playing our part in bonding local communities through an education programme that lives beyond the classroom.

Read more about what we're doing with this amazing initiative and why celebrating #worldwildlifeday is so important❗️Link In Bio 🧐

#ontheblog #wildlifeday #conservation #communityoutreach

Happy birthday to us! 🎂 Let's raise a glass a

Happy birthday to us!

🎂 Let's raise a glass as we celebrate another year of bringing world-class wildlife experiences 🐾 and incredible hospitality 🍹 from our lodges to the world.

Of course, this would never be possible without our people, our guests, our local community, the travel trade and of course the spectacular mother nature and wildlife we have grown and nurtured (and become one with) over the last 2 decades.

After a challenging 2020, we cannot be thankful enough for the support we have felt from our local market and the joy to have kept the Thornybush spirit alive and kicking. Reaching another birthday is a momentous occasion and thanks to all you amazing committed people, we can keep our bush dream going well into the future.

Cheers,🥂 and thank you!

#happybirthday

Yellow-billed oxpecker | A birding lifer is return

Yellow-billed oxpecker | A birding lifer is returning

Whether you're a twitcher (a collective noun for birders) or love the smaller jewels of the bush, then seeking out a once extinct species in South Africa will no doubt ruffle those feathers (in a good way).

The yellow-billed oxpecker is returning to our bushveld with sightings becoming more common, naturally re-establishing itself from the north into the Kruger National Park and its environs once again.

Have you ticked this lifer off your list? We'd love to know!

#birdlifesa #birding #extinctspecies #krugarnationalpark #thornybush #birdinglifer #southafricanbirds

Before they start to fly the nest, leave the herd

Before they start to fly the nest, leave the herd and hunt on their own, we just have to get one more look at their miniature cuteness before they become adults... here's to our babies of spring, aren't they just adorable?

🐾 What is your favourite baby animal?

#wildlife #wildlifesightings #thornybush #bigfive #thisissouthafrica #visitsouthafrica #luxurysafari #thornybush #safari #wildlifephotography #babyanimals

Let's play a game❓ Can you guess what type of an

Let's play a game❓
Can you guess what type of animal makes this nest? We'll give you a clue: it's generally found over water.

#naturefacts #guessinggame #natureisawesome #thisissouthafrica #thornybush #wildafrica #bushlife

ANSWER 💯

🐸 It's a foam nest tree frog! These nests are formed when the females secrete a fluid from the oviduct, which they froth into the foam to lay their eggs. Once the tadpoles hatch they can then easily simply drop into the water below them to start their lifecycle.