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
Waterside Tamboti Suite
Simbambili Game Lodge
Thornybush Game Lodge
Jackalberry Lodge
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

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 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 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.

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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 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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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.

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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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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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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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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.

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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 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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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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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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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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