Thornybush Game Lodge , Kruger Park

Overview

Expansive river setting
Family-friendly lodge
In the heart of the game-rich Thornybush Game Reserve

Thornybush Game Lodge lies within the 11,500 ha Thornybush Private Game Reserve, which lies adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park. The lodge has a lovely setting with expansive views over the Monwana River and its ever-active water hole, to the open grasslands beyond.

Thornybush Game Lodge is home to a wide range of animal and bird species including the Big Five. Unrivalled big game viewing is complemented by well-appointed accommodation and sublime cuisine. The lodge has a very attractive sense of space and style with extensive open air living and dining areas with expansive decks, as well as a library and sitting room inside so that there's always a comfortable place to relax with a book or a pair of binoculars.

Accommodation

Though it is relatively large with 21 luxury rooms and suites, the configuration of the self-contained rooms offers privacy and solitude to couples. Each of the stylish air-conditioned rooms and suites has a sitting area, private deck and spacious bathroom with bath and shower. The family suites are set a little away, and can accommodate two children on two sleeper couches. The suites also have a private plunge pool on the deck and an outdoor shower so not suitable for very little children.

Enjoy exciting dawn and dusk safaris in open land rovers and on walking safaris, enjoy a treatment in the Beauty Spa or relax at the pool with a drink as you bask in Africa's glorious sunshine. An African safari can be a life-changing experience.

Families at Thornybush

Children from 6 upwards can join the adult game drives. Children under 12 can share with parents. There is a children's programme of activities at Main Lodge and Waterside Lodge.

In Pictures

Cedarberg Travel | Thornybush Game Lodge

Thornybush Game Lodge on the map

Rooms

Luxury Suites

The luxury suites are superbly equipped and furnished in the lavish style befitting this five-star lodge. Calming, earth tones are used throughout to enhance the tranquil atmosphere of your surroundings, and the furnishings and accoutrements are of the highest standard. The en-suite bathroom features a double basin, large bath overlooking the Savannah, indoor and outdoor showers. All suites have air conditioning and feature a mini-bar and coffee station.

All the suites have private wooden decks, with comfortable seating, overlooking the reserve and waterhole. Here you can take some time-out to gather your thoughts, catch forty winks or update your journal while enjoying the benefits of fresh air, sunshine and peaceful surroundings.

Thohier’s review of Thornybush Game Lodge

Thornybush Game Lodge runs like a well-oiled machine. They are very precise with time and schedule, which is probably a good thing for a lodge of this size. The lodge itself is on the large side: spacious and very well constructed (with 18 suites and 2 family suites). The rooms are all aligned along the seasonal riverbed and there’s a beautiful walk way that leads to the rooms where you can see some animals grazing. Rooms are quite spaced-out, given the number of rooms, so perhaps not the best option if you have difficulty walking long distances.

They also have 2 family suites which have a small sitting area with sleeper couch for children and private plunge pool on the deck. There’s a kids safari programme.

The food was fantastic - great variety of food and very well presented. Plus the staff were some of the best I’ve seen. They call you by name and you feel as you are the only guest in camp.

Game viewing was very good given the time of year. We’ve seen the Big Five on our two drives, with an unexpected and magnificent black rhino sighting! They now have completely open borders with the Kruger reserves (via the Timbavati), as fences were dropped a couple of years ago. Definitely good place for game-viewing as the guide and tracker were excellent.

Great game-voiewing, good food and amazing staff, is definitely a big YES to me. Overall, we really enjoyed our short stay.