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Waterside Lodge at Thornybush
Waterside Lodge at Thornybush offers a family-friendly safari experience with 20 suites set along a scenic lakeside. Two of the suites share an inter-leading door making it ideal for a family with small children. The private viewing decks are perfect for viewing herds of elephants, antelope, zebra, giraffe, and birdlife from your very own suite. Thornybush Waterside Lodge provides an inviting setting from which to soak in the wonders and tranquillity of the wilderness. It features an elevated deck over lake waters, a swimming pool, restaurant, lounge, library, and gift shop. Daytime activities for kids will allow them to have an exciting and unforgettable safari experience of their own. Weather permitting, evening meals at Thornybush Waterside Lodge can be enjoyed under the starry skies next to crackling fires in the boma. Thornybush also house other 4-star and 5-star safari Lodges on the reserve.
Thornybush is a private game reserve sharing unfenced borders with the Kruger National Park. Known for 14 000 hectares of open savannah woodland with patches of thicket, 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 reserve lodges and guests, you can be assured of uncrowded safari sightings and great photographic opportunities. Thornybush Game Reserve offers an abundance of exciting experiences and wildlife activities. Passionate guides and trackers at Thornybush Waterside Lodge 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.
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.
Activities & facilities:
- Game drives
- Guided bushwalks
- Stargazing
- Birdwatching
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- Open-air traditional African Boma
- Spa & Gym
- Large viewing deck
- Bar & lounges
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 one free night with our PAY 3 STAY 4 offers.
- Honeymoon offers include 50% off one partners accommodation, plus extras.
- South African resident rates are bookable 30 days prior to arrival date only.
Child Policy:
- Pioneer Camp welcomes children over years
- Children under 6 years can be accommodated if the camp is booked for exclusive use
- Children 6 – 11 years pay 50% of adult rate
Inclusions & Exclusions:
- Included: 2 x Game drives per day, guided bush walks, all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages, and private airstrip transfers.
- Excluded: Premium branded drinks, conservation levies, commercial airport transfers, and anything of personal nature.
Rates:
- The updated rates are displayed for each room category below
- Rates are charged per person, per night
- Single supplement of 50% applicable
- Rates displayed are valid until 15 December 2024
Seasons:
- Peak season: 20 December – 03 January
- High season: 04 January – 19 December
Packages:
Cape Town and safari packages are designed by our on-trend team of travel experts. Packages include flights, transfers, accommodation, and full board safari experience. View packages or enquire via the contact form on the page below.
Activities
- Game drives
- Guided bushwalks
- Community village tour
- Hot air balloon rides
- Swimming
- Bush Breakfast
- Kids Club
Highlights
- Exceptional Big 5 sightings
- Walking safari
- World-class dining
Closest airport
- Hoedspruit
- Nelspruit Kruger
- Thornybush Nature Reserve Airstrips
- O.R. Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)
Children policy
Children of all ages welcome. Children under the age of 6 years More Details are not permitted on game drives. Children under the age of 16 years are not permitted on bush walks. Babysitting services are available at an additional cost.
- Children 6-11 years pay 50% of the adult sharing rate
- Children 2 - 5 years pay 25% of the adult sharing rate
Included
2 x Game drives per day, guided bush walks, all meals, soft drinks, in-room minibar and selected alcoholic beverages.
Excluded
Premium brand drinks, cellar wines, gate fees, spa treatments, private-use vehicles, and transfers.
T's & C's
- Rates are per person sharing, per night
- Single supplement of 50% applicable
- Rates displayed are from 01 Jan 2020 – 31 Dec 2020
Accommodation Options
These enchanting thatch suites feature private viewing decks with bushveld views. Spacious bathrooms feature a soaking bathtub and shower, along with comfy dressing gowns. These spacious air-conditioned suites resemble comfort and warmth with classic decor. Read more Suites include a seating area, minibar, coffee facilities, elegantly draped mosquito nets, and heating. Less
Refer to T&C's above
Price $ 492 per person, per night
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Enquire at Thornybush Waterside Lodge
