Greater Kruger · Safari destination
Thornybush Game Reserve
Polish and wilderness, side by side.
A Big Five reserve in the northern Greater Kruger, with six lodges ranging from affordable escapes to exclusive luxury villas.
Thornybush Game Reserve
Big Five polish beside the Timbavati
Thornybush dropped its fences into the Timbavati, and through it the wider Kruger system, which means its famously polished lodges now sit in genuinely open Big Five country. The reserve pairs some of the Greater Kruger's most comfortable properties with the kind of close-range game viewing that made its guiding reputation.
It suits travellers who want the full luxury treatment, spa, cellar, family suites, without giving up wild credentials.
Common questions
Thornybush Game Reserve, answered.
- Is Thornybush part of the Greater Kruger?
- Yes. Its fences with the Timbavati came down, opening Thornybush into the unfenced Greater Kruger system, so wildlife moves freely between the reserves and the national park beyond.
- Thornybush or the Sabi Sand?
- Sabi Sand for the leopard legend and the marquee names; Thornybush for comparable lodge polish at friendlier rates, with strong Big Five viewing and easy Hoedspruit access. It is one of the best value-for-polish plays in the Greater Kruger.
- Which lodge suits families?
- Several Thornybush properties are notably family-friendly, with suites, child rates and flexible drives; a few are adults-only retreats. Tell your safari specialist the ages and they will place you precisely.
- When is the best time to visit?
- May to September for dry-season viewing; the green summer for value, birds and newborn game. Year-round the reserve delivers, it is a low-risk choice for any date.
- How do I get there?
- Eastgate Airport at Hoedspruit is 30 to 45 minutes from most lodges, with daily flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. Driving from Johannesburg takes around five and a half hours.
- What do rates include?
- The standard Greater Kruger all-inclusive formula: accommodation, twice-daily game drives, meals and most drinks, with spa treatments and premium cellar as extras. From-rates per lodge are on this page.
Tailor-made safaris
Safaris in Thornybush Game Reserve.
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Brochure
Southern Africa Guide
Southern Africa's icons, shaped into one itinerary: Greater Kruger, Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta and Cape Town.
Where to stay
Lodges in Thornybush Game Reserve.
12 lodges
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Premium Live availabilityShumbalala Game Lodge
Nestled along the banks of the seasonal Monwana River, this camp is a surprising oasis of luxury and comfort amid the harsh heat of the African bushveld. Here lies the exclusive Shumbalala Game Lodge, where a friendly yet professional team—along with the overseeing family—ensures a memorable experience for every guest.
From R 20 800 per person · night
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Premium Live availabilityThornybush Game Lodge
Elegant and exclusive, Thornybush Game Lodge offers the complete package for individual guests, family holidays, corporate getaways, small groups or wedding extravaganzas. Exhilarating dawn and dusk safaris, an exclusive on-site spa, gourmet cuisine, the world’s finest wines and sublimely luxurious accommodation await the discerning traveller at Thornybush Game Lodge. A fully-equipped conference centre for sixty delegates completes the picture.
From R 19 800 per person · night
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Premium Live availabilitySaseka Tented Camp
Suspend what you know about luxury tented camps. The latest addition to the Thornybush Collection, Saseka Tented Camp, is state-of-the-art, luxurious and imbued with idyllic African wilderness. Saseka is the Tsonga word for Beautiful. Set in the north-eastern portion of the big-5 game rich Thornybush Nature Reserve, situated in the greater Kruger National Park.
From R 28 000 per person · night
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Affordable Live availabilityShimungwe Lodge
This sophisticated yet relaxed lodge is perfect for families. Designed to deliver top-notch experiences for your enjoyment in the prime game viewing area of the Greater Kruger National Park.
From R 11 500 per person · night
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PremiumKamara House
Kamara House is set within the same region as Thornybush Game Lodge but for guests wanting a more private, exclusive experience. Enjoy a luxurious villa overlooking a small riverbed, creating the perfect atmosphere for groups wanting privacy.
From R 23 000 per person · night
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AffordableWaterbuck Lodge
Situated in the southern region of the private Thornybush Game Reserve and adjacent to a water estuary, Waterbuck Game Lodge offers an extraordinary safari experience from the comfort of a safari vehicle and from the lodge's viewing deck that overlooks an active waterhole.
From R 11 500 per person · night
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Premium Live availabilitySerondella Game Lodge
Serondella Game Lodge is located in the private Thornybush Game Reserve which forms part of the greater Kruger National Park. This gorgeous riverine lodge is a wildlife enthusiast's dream with its abundance of wildlife and various bird species. Serondella translates as "the place of the elephant" which concurs with the frequent sightings of these majestic creatures at the lodge, making Serondella an unforgettable luxury safari destination.
From R 27 000 per person · night
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Affordable Live availabilityTangala Safari Lodge
Tangala Safari Lodge is an intimate, off-grid camp in the Thornybush Private Game Reserve, bordering the Greater Kruger. Nine rustic chalets and tents overlook a busy waterhole with the Drakensberg as backdrop, and twice-daily game drives in Big Five country are led by experienced rangers and trackers from open, custom-built vehicles.
From R 6 350 per person · night
Rates per person sharing, per night.
January
Green season, spa-and-siesta heat
Best time to visit
The Thornybush year.
Polished lodges, lowveld rhythm: winter for concentration, summer for colour and value.
Photos from our guests
A traveller's view.
Every photo below was taken by a guest of ours on a recent trip to Thornybush Game Reserve. No stock imagery, no marketing shots. What they saw, on their cameras.
Imagery
Thornybush Game Reserve, in pictures.
Recent travellers
Word from people who have just been to Thornybush Game Reserve.
Quotes pulled directly from Trustpilot. Where we have specific reviews mentioning Thornybush Game Reserve, those come up first. Otherwise these are recent five-star notes from across the trips we have planned.
"Nerine was lovely and she kept adjusting the trip to my needs. She was patient and kind. The trip was a bit over budget but I know it will be worth it!"
"We had a wonderful experience booking with Safari.com. The whole team (advisor, insurance, concierge, payment) is so professional and the process so smooth. We had the best travel advisor Sara Van Coillie. She was extremely knowledgeable and patient getting to know our needs and preferences and make the best booking uniquely suited for us. She even called lo…"
"Very quick responses with complete and transparent information. I highly recommend."
"The booking with Leigh-Ann went smoothly and she always responded to my questions promptly , although there was a time difference. Looking forward to our safari holiday !"
Speak to a safari specialist
Plan your trip to Thornybush Game Reserve.
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