Thornybush Game Reserve
Tailor-made safaris that include 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 across this destination, ordered by what guests pick most. Rates per person sharing, per night.
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Live availability
01 PremiumThornybush 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.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 14 850 R 19 800
Current offers
Stay & Pay
Stay 3 Nights, Pay for 2 – Valid for bookings made until 28 February 2026. Stay 4 Nights, Pay for 3 – Maximum of 6 travelers per group. Valid for travel between 1 March – 30 June 2026 and 1 November – 15 December 2026.
Honeymoon
Partner pays 50% — minimum 4-night stay
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Live availability
02 PremiumShumbalala 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.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 15 600 R 20 800
Current offers
Stay & Pay
Stay 4 nights but only pay for 3 nights when booking during these dates: 7 Jan - 2 Apr, 8 Apr - 31 July, 1 Nov - 15 Dec 2026
Honeymoon
50% discount on accommodation for one member of the bridal party
Combo
Franschhoek Country House & Villas and Shumbalala Game Lodge Combo: 3 Nights accommodation at Franschhoek County & Villas in a Villa Suite including breakfast and a two-course dinner at the Monneaux Restaurant on an evening of choice and 3 nights accommodation at Shumbalala Game Lodge with either a complimentary upgrade to the Presidential Suite (subject to availability) or the 4th night complimentary including all meals, hot beverages, local branded drinks, bottled water, 2 daily game drives, optional bushwalks
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Live availability
03 LuxSaseka 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.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 21 000 R 28 000
Current offers
Stay & Pay
Stay 3 Nights, Pay for 2 – Valid for bookings made until 28 February 2026. Stay 4 Nights, Pay for 3 – Maximum of 6 travelers per group. Valid for travel between 1 March – 30 June 2026 and 1 November – 15 December 2026.
Honeymoon
Celebrate your honeymoon in style with us. • Stay 3 nights or more and receive a 50% discount on one partner’s accommodation • Offer valid at all lodges excluding Kamara House Villa • Not combinable with any other offers | Valid for travel between 15 January – 30 June 2026 and 1 November – 15 December 2026
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04 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.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 23 000
Current offers
Honeymoon
50% discount on one partner's accommodation
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Live availability
05 AffordableShimungwe 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.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 8 620 R 11 500
Current offers
Stay & Pay
Stay for 4 nights and only pay for 3. Only Valid for valid for 7 Jan - 2 April | 8 Apr - 31 Jul | 1 Nov - 15 Dec 2026
Honeymoon
50% discount on accommodation for one member of the bridal party
Combo
Enjoy 3 nights at Franschhoek Country House & Villas, including breakfast and a two-course dinner, followed by 4 nights at Shimungwe Lodge with the 4th night free, all meals, drinks, and two daily game drives included.
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Live availability
06 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.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 8 630 R 11 500
Current offers
Stay & Pay
Stay 4 nights but only pay for 3 nights when booking during these dates: 7 Jan - 2 Apr, 8 Apr - 31 July, 1 Nov - 15 Dec 2026
Honeymoon
50% discount on accommodation for one member of the bridal party
Combo
Franschhoek Country House & Villas and Waterbuck Lodge: 3 Nights accommodation at Franschhoek County & Villas in a Standard Suite including breakfast and a two course dinner at the Monneaux Restaurant on an evening of choice & 4 nights accommodation at either Waterbuck with the 4th night complimentary including all meals, hot beverages, local branded drinks, bottled water, 2 daily game drives. Terms & Conditions Apply
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Live availability
07 PremiumSerondella 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.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 27 000
Current offers
Honeymoon
50% off accommodation rate for one guest of the couple
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Live availability
08 AffordableTangala 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.
Per person sharing, per night, from
R 6 350
The basics
Why, when, and where.
Why
The Thornybush experience
Thornybush game reserve is a Big 5 game reserve situated in the Northern part of the Sabi Sand in the Greater Kruger National Park of South Africa. The Thornybush collection consists of 6 lodges that range from value lodges to luxurious villas, there truly is something for everyone across the range of lodges.
The wildlife at Thornybush Game Reserve is of the best in Southern Africa. Wildlife sightings are of an incredibly high quality here, with expert rangers and the ability to go off road at Thornybush combining to provide guests with once in a lifetime safari experiences.
Highlights
- Big 5 safaris
- Near Johannesburg
- Large range of lodges to choose from
- Off road game drives
Guests enjoy a range of activities, including twice-daily game drives, guided bush walks, horse or elephant-back rides, scenic flights in a helicopter or light aircraft, relaxing spa treatments and hot-air-balloon safaris. Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway or an action-packed, family adventure, Thornybush has a variety of luxurious lodges to suit your needs.
Must see: Enjoy the vibrant spectacle of a tribal dance performance, complete with traditional costumes and infectious African drumming.
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.
"The endless patience of the rep . It was such an important decision and so worried about making the best choice for us to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary, that I asked a million questions and lots of different places were in the mix, but Cearla was very patient and courteous throughout."
"Cearl has been so helpful in offering options and advice. Really appreciated her diligence and attentiveness throughout the booking process."
"Absolutely seamless from start to finish. I had to change my travel options several times, and the team was incredibly patient, understanding, and accommodating throughout the process. We're so happy we found them. They took the time to tailor our trip perfectly to our family's needs, making everything stress-free and enjoyable. I highly recommend their ser…"
"Our travel agent Monica could not have been more helpful, we are very grateful for the effort she made to secure us a Safari at short notice. We are looking forward to travelling to Africa in September. Karen & Clive"
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