As the year starts coming to a close, we are no doubt starting to search for ways to find a bit of reprieve from the monotonous plod of pandemic life. If youâre looking for a well-deserved time out, and an opportunity to top-up that wellness bank, booking a safari could be your way to do just that. We understand that travellers are straddling the fence between booking that long-haul holiday to escape daily life but also are more conscious than…
Read MoreItâs a warm African afternoon and your guide welcomes you on your first 4x4 safari outing, after reminding you about the rules of a game drive, you set off to find your first wildlife sighting. Game drives are the best way to truly experience the African bushveld. Armed with a professional guide and tracker in an open game vehicle, the feeling of becoming one with nature has never been so attainable. But knowing the rules of how to behave…
Read MoreâFish cakesâ... You would go a long way to find more contradictory food terminology, both items individually loved, but the concept of combining them is a little disturbing. Luckily, the word cake is really only involved in its form, and not the sweet, sticky appeal usually associated with the word! According to Chinese folktales fish cakes have been around for over 4000 years, since the Emperor Shun discovered these delicacies from a simple fisherman on a long and arduous journey.…
Read MoreParacelsus, the 16th-century physician, wrote: âThe art of healing comes from nature, not from the physicianâ. According to the â2020 Top Wellness Travel Trendsâ, South Africa is one of the up and coming wellness destinations in the world, leading the innovation behind health and wellness tourism. Itâs no surprise to us here at Thornybush, that the transformative experience one feels on safari is where youâll discover how the wilderness awakens your own true nature. Why Wellness Travel in South…
Read MoreIf youâve ever had the gift of enjoying a spa treatment, weâre sure you can agree that thereâs nothing quite as rejuvenating as pampering your body, relaxing your mind, and spending some time in quiet contemplation. At Thornybush, we pride ourselves on offering this experience amongst the beautiful backdrop of the South African bush. However, things arenât quite as they should be right now, amidst the Covid-19 crisis. The New Normal The words âface maskâ have taken a whole new…
Read MoreIf you were to pick up a map tomorrow and blindly point your finger at a destination, be sure youâve chosen the map of Africa as there is no better place than an African safari to recharge, re-centre and reconnect with nature. Picture yourself in the middle of nowhere (ânowhereâ being the most picturesque safari lodge youâve ever laid eyes on, of course), your ears adjusting to the surrounding orchestra of the bush; the chatter of the Southern yellow-billed hornbill…
Read MoreSkattie Mathebula â Housekeeper at River Lodge What's in a name? The word 'skat' means treasure in Afrikaans, and it's a fitting moniker for River Lodge's, Skattie Mathebula. You'll know when Skattie's been in the house. She influences all spaces as she whizzes from room to room, brandishing her magical feather duster, spreading fairy dust and delight wherever she goes. Skattie has the magician's touch when it comes to coaxing new life into our main communal areas at River Lodge…
Read MoreHailing all the way from neighbouring Zimbabwe, Sissa Nqwenya works as a butler at Chapungu Tented Bush Camp. The Travels of Sissa Sissa was born in a small town across the border named Gweru and completed her schooling in Zimbabwe, before her passion for travel drew her to South Africa. Her first port of call was Hoedspruit, where she gained three years' experience as a waitress and bar lady, before making her way to Thornybush's Chapungu Tented Camp in August…
Read MoreThere's no doubt that a safari setting is one of the most luxurious and romantic locations in which to get married if you love the African bush as much as your partner to be. Glorious sunrises and sunsets, pristine wilderness and prestigious exclusivity are all a part of the package when you book your wedding with Thornybush. Aside from the traditional singers, spa treatments, exceptional field guides, memorable game drives and lingering sunset cocktails, here are just a few of…
Read MoreThere's no denying the facts about South Africa - the country is filled with amazing wildlife and abundant opportunities to spot the Big Five, jaw-dropping scenery, a wide array of diverse cultures and plenty of good food to sample. Many of these wonderful things are best experienced in person, most especially a safari. Here's why you should choose any one of the twelve lodges within the Thornybush Private Game Reserve as your first port of call on the continent: …
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