The Kruger, South Africa
Thornybush Game Lodge

Excellent safari in a private reserve
From elegant, luxury accommodation to sublime cuisine to an animal filled reserve, Thornybush Game Lodge offers a first class safari experience. Found in the famous Thornybush Nature Reserve beside the Kruger, your game drives and walks here promise plenty of Big Five experiences.
When you’re not out exploring the open savannah, your stylish, self-contained suite offers the perfect place to relax. Take in views of the seasonal Monwana River from your private deck or, if you opt for a family suite, from your private plunge pool.
The friendly team here at Thornybush welcomes all ages, with family accommodation and a special safari program designed just for the little ones. Tailored drives, meals and activities will keep the kids entertained, while babysitters and childminders ensure you can enjoy some romantic safari moments to yourselves.
Highlights
Swimming pool
Spa
Library
Daily game drives
Walking safaris
Restaurant and lounge
Activities for children
The impact of your stay:
- Thornybush, bordering Kruger National Park, strategically conserves abundant flora and fauna. Focused on community education, their Kids in Conservation initiative imparts environmental knowledge to local youth through a camp course, fostering understanding of nearby protected areas and exploring cultural heritage.
- Illegal wildlife trade threatens South Africa’s wildlife. Thornybush combats this with an in-house anti-poaching unit and collaborations with local non-profits, actively participating in humane rhino dehorning initiatives. The painless process allows rhino horns to naturally regrow, akin to human fingernails.
- Thornybush actively supports animal conservation through scientific research collaborations with local universities and researchers. Their game drive reports contribute to larger conservation projects, including ground hornbill, rhino tagging, and leopard identification initiatives.

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Places to combine Thornybush with

South Africa
Situated on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, One&Only Cape Town is an invitation to experience the Cape Town at its most captivating. With uninterrupted views of Table Mountain and direct access to the marina’s cosmopolitan energy, this retreat blends exclusivity with the pulse of Cape Town’s thriving cultural scene. Set amidst a network of tranquil private waterways, the hotel offers an extraordinary sense of seclusion, yet remains just steps from the city’s premier design boutiques, acclaimed restaurants and lively bars. Step onto your private balcony to take in spellbinding views including Table Mountain’s rugged silhouette bathed in golden light at sunrise and the serene waters of the marina shimmering at dusk.
Dining at One&Only Cape Town is a celebration of South Africa’s culinary diversity. At Ochre, the flavours of the Cape are reimagined in dishes that honour tradition while embracing modern sophistication. Just steps away, the sunlit terrace of Isola invites you to linger over fresh salads, colourful poke bowls and crisp wood-fired flatbreads, all accompanied by the gentle soundtrack of rippling water. For an exquisite evening, Nobu Cape Town, the only African outpost of the legendary Nobu Matsuhisa, offers an elevated take on Japanese-Peruvian fusion. One&Only Cape Town’s Wine Loft is a sanctuary for oenophiles. Immerse yourself in the artistry of winemaking with expert guidance and rare, sought-after bottles.
Hidden within the hotel’s private waterways, the One&Only Spa is a secluded island of tranquility. Twelve serene treatment rooms await, where ESPA-trained therapists create bespoke wellness journeys. Afterward, recline in the spa’s lush garden, where relaxation is paired with nourishing refreshments. For those seeking more movement, the One&Only Fitness Centre is a state-of-the-art space offering high-energy boot camps and kettlebell training as well as personalised yoga sessions on the summit of Table Mountain. You can also embark on a guided hike up Lion’s Head, where panoramic views reward your climb with a breathtaking perspective of the city below.

The Kalahari
The malaria free Tswalu Reserve, owned by the Oppenheimer family, consists of over 100,000 hectares of the ‘green’ Kalahari grasslands home to eighty mammal species and 340 varieties of bird.
Furthermore, the reserve is not further divided up into concessions or reserves and the only accommodation is the Motse Camp and Tarkuni House, which only allow for a maximum of thirty guests at one time in the entire of Tswalu. If you are staying for three nights or more you’ll also get a complimentary private vehicle, guide and tracker to make this your very own private Kalahari. The motto is, if you see another Range Rover on your game drives, complain.
And whilst you really couldn’t get any further from a package holiday, the accommodation at Tswalu truly does have it all ‘wrapped up’ as far as a five-star safari lodge goes, with more luxury, authenticity, exclusivity and conscientiousness than any other in Africa. Having won awards for both their spa and conservation work, you just have to see the efforts they make to look after the wildlife and support local communities to know the lengths they go to look after you.