Solo Safaris

At Thornybush, all our lodges cater for solo travellers. Whether you’d like a smaller, more intimate lodge or a larger, busier one, Thornybush is well aware of what a solo traveller finds important. Travelling solo grants our guests the freedom to move as they please and shape their days to their own specific whims. Meals can be enjoyed in the company of our guides or other guests, with a lot of free time in the day to soak up the peace and beauty of the bush.

Beautiful Lodges

Spectacular Sightings

Expert Guides

Passionate People

Community Engagement

Private journeys

Me time

To travel in good company is a magical thing, but there’s nothing quite like the freedom of traveling on your own terms. Solo travellers to Thornybush can luxuriate in their own freedom and move at their own pace. The joy of going on a solo safari is that you can be fully immersed in the bush experience.

Freedom of choice

As a solo traveller you’ll likely join other groups and individuals on game drives and at meal times. While this is often a fantastic time to meet other travellers  you’ll also have the option of disengaging from the group and spending your holiday the way you want to.

Solo Safaris Experiences

Community Interaction

Thornybush runs a non-profit organisation that aims to uplift the surrounding local communities that many of our staff members come from. Exciting initiatives such as community owned agricultural businesses, food security, youth focused conservation awareness, sustainable procurement and infrastructure upgrades are all major focus area’s of ours.

Morning Game Drives

A pink dawn, birds stirring and a chance to see the wildlife begin their day – welcome to a morning drive at Thornybush. You’ll need to be up before the sun and in the vehicle after a quick snack to see the best sightings. This is when the land is cool and the animals are most active, when anything is possible and sightings come quickly. After a couple hours of roaming the reserve you’ll stop at a special spot for a coffee break before heading back for a delicious late breakfast.

Afternoon Drives

Following a lazy afternoon, most likely spent by the pool or on your deck, we’ll meet for afternoon tea before climbing into the game vehicle for a three-hour drive that leads into the evening. The sundowner stop at one of our favourite viewpoints will take in one of the iconic sights – a sunset casting golden light across an African savanna. As night sets in, new animals stir adding another level of excitement to the end of the drive.

Bush Breakfast

Following a morning game drive, our guests can be treated to breakfast in a beautiful bush setting. While the savannah stirs to life, we serve a wide variety of breakfast dishes that our guests enjoy surrounded by the untouched Afican wilderness.

Private Dining

Dinners at Thornybush are roaming affairs – locations can range from lantern-lit bomas to starry riverbeds, but the most memorable meals are often enjoyed in the privacy of your own deck. While the night sounds of the African bush ring through the air and mysterious eyes watch you from afar, you get to enjoy superbly prepared meals accompanied by South Africa’s finest wines.

Walking Safaris

A walking safari offers something quite different to a game drive: the thrill of being on foot in a Big 5 reserve and a chance to engage with the smaller things. You learn about tracking, insects and flowers. It’s a chance to have an immersive experience where you get down and touch and smell what’s out there while at the same time you never quite know what you’ll encounter around the next corner, and there’s little that compares to the experience when you do.

Serve my Guests

“It always give me pleasure to be able to serve my guests under such an environment being surrounded by the wave of nature is so refreshing, it makes my job a whole lot easier.”

Sissa Nqwenya – Butler

Peace of Mind

It’s safe

Travelling alone brings with it its own challenges and concerns and one of them can be safety. At Thornybush, we can meet you right off the plane to ensure a safe journey directly to your lodge. While with us, in the security of the reserve, you should have no concerns of any kind and can enjoy the best of our wildlife, free of any worries.

It’s social

From game drives and sundowners, to pre-dinner drinks and hosted meals there are ample opportunities to socialise with other people – guests and staff alike. Many of the activities which happen on safari are by their nature social events, and making sure everyone feels included is part of what we do so well at Thornybush.

Jeanne K · Follow
6th Jan 2015

Multiple, up close sightings of the BIg Five and more. The rangers and trackers were clearly very experienced and worked well together to give all of the guests the best experience possible. I will also add that I traveled alone and was completely comfortable – in fact they went out of their way to make me feel so. I cannot wait to go back!

Explore Our Lodges

You can expect the finest interpretive experience from our incredible private and specialist guides.
Saseka Tented Camp
Simbambili Game Lodge
The River Lodge
Thornybush Game Lodge
Shumbalala Game Lodge
Waterside Lodge
Jackalberry Lodge
Serondella Lodge
Monwana Lodge
Chapungu Tented Camp
Waterbuck Lodge
Nkaya Lodge

Looking for a different Safari Type?

Stories/Blog

2020-01-03 04:16

Finding the Big Five on Safari

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2020-01-03 02:05

Your First Safari in Africa – What You Need To Know

If you’ve never been on safari before, you may have a few questions around what to expect. Find out all you need to know for your first visit to an African Game

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FAQ

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.

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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.

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What extra costs will I have at the lodge?

The rates for Thornybush are all-inclusive, however there may be some additional costs. For a full list of lodge inclusions,  refer to the relevant lodge rates page.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Questions on photography?

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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What does my safari package include?

The rates at our lodges are all -inclusive which means accommodation, meals, snacks, early morning and evening game drives and optional guided bushwalks. For a full list of lodge inclusions, refer to the relevant lodge rates page.

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Do I need any vaccines for South Africa?

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

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Is the fruit safe to eat?

The fruit supplied by the lodges is perfectly safe to eat, however DO NOT pick fruit from trees or pick any berries or fruit up off the ground without consulting your ranger as they may be poisonous.

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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.

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Are nature walks included?

Yes, nature walks are included, however, these are at the discretion of your guide. As the lodges are situated within a big 5 reserve, your safety is our primary concern. Kindly note, no children under the age of 16 are not permitted on bush walks.

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

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