Wellness Safaris

You’ll feel refreshed and restored after a visit to Thornybush because nothing can quite compare with the sense of wellbeing gained from spending time in extreme comfort while immersed in nature. The luxury of our lodges, the amicable warmth of our staff, eating well and fresh air is what everybody needs. As guests fall into the rhythm of nature, they slowly drift away from everyday stress and move towards being more mindful and centred. The exceptional spa treatments probably play their part, too.

Beautiful Lodges

Spectacular Sightings

Expert Guides

Passionate People

Community Engagement

Treat yourself

Spa treatments

Our spa is sure to put you at ease and help you feel even more relaxed and pampered. Every treatment is customised to the individual with therapies aiming to bring balance to your well-being and instil a gentle glow to your days with us. Whether it’s a massage or skin treatment, we’ve got something special for you to indulge in.

Farm-to-table meals

Our fresh produce is sourced locally from community farms, while our chefs ensure all our organic ingredients are of the finest quality. Planned with care, created with love and served with typically warm African hospitality, the meals are a bountiful affair that are original creations, healthy and delicious.

Wellness 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.

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.

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.

The Peace and Quiet

“Much self-understanding and less stress; is what I gained from working at River Lodge. The peace and quiet and wonderful wildlife sightings is like a massage to my soul.”

Peter Mazibuko – Butler

Vitality

The regenerative power of nature

The combination of deep rest in a remote wilderness combined with the excitement of coming face-to-face with Africa’s iconic wildlife is a sure-fire way to reboot your mind, body and soul. The secret to its soothing nature is in the small things like the smell of the grass as you drive through it, the sounds at night are eerily comforting, and the wind upon your face on your early morning game drive.

Reconnect

Spending time in the bush, enjoying the exemplary service of the Thornybush team and being able to completely switch off, is a powerful way to reconnect with yourself and your loved ones. This is the most powerful aspect of a Thornybush experience, bringing balance to your being that will resonate long after you’ve left.

mvr12345 · Follow
20th Aug 2020

Ultimate luxury! Our family truly enjoyed the game drives and the fantastic food. Very friendly staff. Experienced ranger and tracker made it possible to view game close up. We LOVED seeing the baby hyenas at their den. Its going to be difficult to match this experience with any future holiday!

Explore Our Lodges

You can expect the finest interpretive experience from our incredible private and specialist guides.
Saseka Tented Camp
Simbambili Game Lodge
Thornybush Game Lodge
Jackalberry Lodge
Tamboti Villa
Nkelenga Tented Camp
Waterbuck Lodge

Looking for a different Safari Type?

Stories/Blog

2020-01-03 04:31

Why a Safari Should be on Your Bucket List

Have you got a bucket list? Find out what makes a safari at Thornybush Game Reserve such a great item to have on your list.

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2020-01-02 02:45

What’s on the Menu at Thornybush?

A safari at Thornybush is not only about the wildlife – making sure that your taste-buds are satisfied is important to us too! Find out what you can expect on y

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FAQ

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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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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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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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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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.

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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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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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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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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.

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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.

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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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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!

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