Thornybush is a world-renowned safari destination within South Africa’s Greater Kruger Park area. Our unfenced boundary with the Kruger National Park allows wildlife to roam freely and gives us traversing rights over 15 000 hectares of unspoilt African wilderness.
As a result, our game viewing is exceptional, and you’ll encounter up-close sightings of the Big Five as well as a wonderful diversity of general game and bird species during your stay.
At our luxury safari lodges in the Sabi Sand and Thornybush Private Nature Reserves, time slows down so you can unwind and soak up the natural beauty of the bush.
“Coupled with superb service from our warm and engaging staff and our expert guides, you’ll experience a life changing African safari our guests often refer to as “that Thornybush feeling.”
Thornybush opened its first commercial lodge in 1961 and is one of the original nature reserves in the Greater Kruger National Park and now operates in both the Thornybush and Sabi Sand Private Nature Reserves.
Along the way, we’ve been involved in a range of wildlife conservation projects, such as the first translocation of an elephant herd from the Kruger National Park, one of the first leopard introductions into a private reserve. We have also done extensive studies on pangolins (the most endangered animal on earth) and released the first black rhino into a private nature reserve in the Lowveld.
In 2017, Thornybush Nature Reserve dropped its fences adjoining the world-famous Kruger National Park, allowing for new herds of wildlife to roam freely across our 15,000-hectare reserve.
EXPLORE DESTINATIONSIn 2005, Thornybush created Inzalo Community Project T/A Thornybush Community Project, a registered non-profit organisation with the objective of nurturing and uplifting the surrounding local communities adjacent to its protected areas.
Located on the western border of the Greater Kruger National Park and on the boundary of the Northern Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Thornybush Community initially focused its work in two Villages, Uthla and a smaller neighbouring community, Dixie.
In 2019, a new geographical area was identified in Acornhoek, and this allowed for some exciting new initiatives and partnerships.
Over the years, our focus areas have expanded, and Thornybush Community has become a contributor in the NPO sector and supports various community initiatives.
READ MOREWe have a holistic approach to health and wellness at Thornybush and embrace it in all aspects of the safari experience we offer our guests. Our Spa at Thornybush Game Lodge and Simbambili are sanctuaries of balance and calm, where healing hands work in harmony with nature to restore the body and mind.
Using the Africology range of natural products, our therapists specialise in treatments for stress and fatigue, as well as jet lag, anti-ageing and deep tissue relaxation. Or try our Crystal Healing Journey, which combines scrubs, wraps and massage to create a wellness treatment that’s specifically tailored to your needs.
Whether you’re lunching on sublime Ottolenghi-style salads from one of our harvest tables, eating tapas by the pool or dining in the magical setting of a lantern-lit riverbed, the food at Thornybush is consistent and delicious.
Our dishes are wholesome and flavourful, the ingredients and produce are carefully sourced from our local suppliers and most of the greens we use are freshly picked from our nearby community garden project.
We thrive on creating unique dining experiences at our camps. These include boma-style dinners served under the stars, a la carte dining on your private deck, tasting menus paired with superb local wines, a Pan-African culinary evening and celebrating special occasions.
If you’re staying at Kamara House or Little Saseka, a private chef will prepare your meals. While our chefs are encouraged to explore their creativity, menus are easily adapted to suit specific dietary requirements. Halaal and Kosher food is also available on request.
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