Get in Touch With Us

THORNYBUSH HEAD OFFICE

2nd Floor
Rivonia Village
Corner Rivonia Boulevard and Mutual Road
Rivonia
Johannesburg
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

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 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.

Can we request something special for our Honeymoon or special occasion?

Absolutely! Please inform our reservations department when making your booking should you wish for something special to be arranged.

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.

What if I have specific dietary requirements?

Your specific dietary requirements should be communicated with the reservation’s consultant at the time of confirmation, this enables the lodge to ensure your preferred meals are available and supplies are ordered in time for your arrival.

Do I need any vaccines for South Africa?

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

Will I see the Big 5 at Thornybush?

Thornybush and the Sabi Sand are big 5 reserves, so yes, the chances of seeing them are very high. We can however not guarantee what will be seen on safari as wildlife roam freely. However, we will do our utmost to ensure you get to see everything you have come to see.

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 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.

Is Thornybush situated inside the Kruger National Park?

Thornybush Private Nature reserve forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. This is an area which covers a massive expanse of unfenced wilderness, allowing wildlife to roam freely between the Kruger National Park and a vast number of private concessions. Thornybush has 11 lodges withing the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve and 1 property situated in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.

What is the weather like?

Daytime summer temperatures (September – April) are high and may soar above 36°C/97°F. Evenings and early mornings are warm. Winters (May – August) have chilly nights and crisp early mornings (minimum 3°C/38°F), but the days are fine and warm. Rainfall occurs predominantly in the summer months from October to April in the form of magnificent late afternoon/evening thundershowers.

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.

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.

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.

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

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On Monday 23rd March President Cyril Ramaphosa ann

On Monday 23rd March President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a nationwide lockdown in South Africa, to contain the spread of the Coronavirus (Covid-19). The lockdown will begin at 23:59 on Thursday 26th March and end on 16th April, and will impact almost every sector of society, and most certainly the Tourism sector. But our President's sentiment is something we stand by, "While this measure will have a considerable impact on people's livelihoods, on the life of our society and on our economy, the human cost of delaying this action would be far, far greater." And so we move forward into a space of solidarity and isolation, relying on our virtual communities to keep us company in these trying times. South Africa is a brave nation, filled with magic and we are proud to be keeping it safe for now. Until we can welcome you to our soils, we'll keep bringing you snapshots of our beloved wildlife. #news #covid19 #update #lockdown #isolation #solidarity #stayhome #stayhealthy #staysafe #postponedontcancel

"Amidst all the uncertainty and developing stories

"Amidst all the uncertainty and developing stories of Covid-19, there is still room for some positive news! On 3rd March, the last patient treated for Ebola virus disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was released from hospital. According to WHO (World Health Organisation), as of 19 March there are still no new cases of EVD. The outbreak can be declared over once 42 days have passed without a new case - equivalent to two cycles of 21 days, the maximum incubation period for the virus. #goodnews

“And the people stayed home. And read books and

“And the people stayed home. And read books and listened, and rested and exercised, and made art and played games, and learned new ways of being and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And, in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless and heartless ways the earth began to heal. And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed.” ~Kitty O'Meara . #covid19 #update #thornybush #leopard #bigcatsofinstagram #prose #silverlining #nature #environmental

You may not see much activity from us here for the

You may not see much activity from us here for the next week or so as we prepare for our re-launch :) Please be aware that our username will be changing so if you can't find us where you usually do, then just type 'Thornybush' into the search bar in Instagram, and we will still pop up. Similarly if you've linked to us from anywhere, then the URL you've used for this will also need to

Celebrating World Wildlife Day today with Saseka -

Celebrating World Wildlife Day today with Saseka - surveying her world from the branches of a marula tree. #wwd2020 #conservation #thornybush #saseka