Thornybush
Game Reserve
Thornybush Game Reserve is a private game reserve sharing unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park. Thornybush Game Reserve is 14 000 hectares in size and consists of open savannah woodland with patches of thicket and its superior Big 5 habitat boasts some of the best game viewing in South Africa. Here a full Big 5 sighting within the first 2 days of your safari is very likely. With limited vehicles at any one sighting, you can be assured of uncrowded safari sightings and great photographic opportunities.
Thornybush Game Reserve houses a collection of high standard 4-star and 5-star safari lodges, which are known to be some of the best safari lodges in the Kruger National Park. Each lodge is unique in its own way and offers a variety of accommodation from glamorous 5-star tented suites to more relaxed family friendly options. Passionate guides and trackers at Thornybush Game Reserve strive to connect the dots on each game drive, explaining the ecosystem and how the smallest of insects correlate to the largest mammals. This makes for an intriguing understanding of the wild and makes every sighting even more spectacular. Get up-close to nature during a guided bushwalk and take a night-time safari in search of rare nocturnal animals and big cats with a spotlight. Thornybush Game Reserve offers an abundance of exciting experiences and wildlife activities.
Thornybush Game Reserve is located in the Limpopo Province of South Africa and is in close proximity to Hoedspruit Eastgate Airport. The easiest way to travel to Thornybush Game Reserve is to fly into Hoedspruit Airport followed by a 40 minute road transfer, alternatively it is a 6 hour drive from Johannesburg. Road transfers are pre-arranged.
Wildlife
- High concentration of Big 5 with large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as large lion prides.
- Other wildlife include but are not limited to the hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, African wild dog, hyaena, warthog and many other cat and antelope species.
- Large antelope herds support the populations of predators in the reserve.
- Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the region. Many can be seen in the reserve.
Game Drives
- Game drives take place twice a day in the early mornings and afternoons for a duration of 3-4 hours.
- Game drives are led by an experienced guide and tracker team.
- Vehicles are allowed to go off road to track and follow the wildlife.
- Strict traverse rules are in place and vehicle numbers are limited in each reserve. A maximum of two vehicles are allowed at any sighting.
- Night drives and guided bushwalks are permitted.
Highlights
- 14 000 hectares in size.
- No fences which allows free movement of wildlife between the reserves.
- Seasonal Monwana River is a prominent landmark in the reserve.
- One with the highest variety of fauna and flora.
- Some of the Kruger Park’s most luxurious lodges.
- Exceptional outdoor dining experiences.
- Exciting Big-5 game drives with game rangers and trackers.
- Renowned for close up sightings of the Big-5.
Location
- Situated on the western boundary of the Greater Kruger and Kapama Game Reserve. It is located close to the Timbavati Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park.
- The Kruger National Park is almost 2 million hectares and lies in the north-eastern corner of South Africa in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
Getting There
- Hoedspruit (HDS) is the closet commercial airport to the Thornybush, daily flights operate from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Flight time from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit or private airstrip: 60 minutes.
- Road transfers from Hoedspruit to Thornybush take 30 – 60 minutes lodge depending.
Special Offers
- Enjoy a free night at select safari lodges during exclusive ‘Pay Stay’ periods.
- Celebrate your honeymoon in style with bespoke packages at select lodges.
Discover Safari Lodges
In Thornybush Game Reserve
Thornybush Game Lodge
Shumbalala Game Lodge
Saseka Tented Camp
Thornybush Siviti Lodge
Thornybush Monwana Lodge
Royal Malewane Farmstead
Royal Malewane Waterside lodge
Malewane Lodge
Royal Malewane Masiya’s Camp
Safari Experts at Your Service
Guiding you to Africa’s finest lodges, wildlife encounters, and private safari experiences. Every journey is tailored, seamless, and unforgettable.
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