Thornybush

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Thornybush Thornybush offers a truly authentic safari experience in the Greater Kruger National Park.
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Thornybush sits on 14 000 hectares of pristine, untouched bushveld - adjacent to the Kruger National Park. 12 Luxury lodges and tented camps offer visitors the opportunity to experience a safari in stylish, unpretentious comfort. If you're looking for a true safari experience, in a Big 5 reserve, then Thornybush is the perfect choice. We offer the full safari experience, from morning game drives to guided bush walks and sunset drives, with the main event being the incredible diversity of wildlife. We have both 4 and 5-star lodges, some of which are quite intimate, accommodating only 8 guests, and others which are bigger, accommodating up to 40 people. We also have conferencing facilities and wedding infrastructure for events which are truly unforgettable. If you're planning a Southern Africa safari, then make sure you choose Thornybush!

Meaningful change begins with meaningful relationships. 🌱At Thornybush, our growing partnership with Benica Farm BenicaW...
16/10/2026

Meaningful change begins with meaningful relationships. 🌱

At Thornybush, our growing partnership with Benica Farm BenicaWaMolimi is about more than sourcing fresh, locally grown produce. It’s about building lasting relationships, supporting local farmers and creating opportunities within the communities surrounding us.

From afternoon treats to the all-important final course, our chefs take dessert rather seriously.Which one are you track...
14/10/2026

From afternoon treats to the all-important final course, our chefs take dessert rather seriously.

Which one are you tracking down first?

African Paradise FlycatcherHome is where you nest. 🪺For some of Thornybush’s summer migrants, the Lowveld isn’t just a h...
09/10/2026

African Paradise Flycatcher

Home is where you nest. 🪺
For some of Thornybush’s summer migrants, the Lowveld isn’t just a holiday destination, it’s where they come to breed, nest and raise the next generation.

Dwarf Bittern

Long-haul flight. All-inclusive on arrival. 🐸
One very good reason to travel thousands of kilometres? Food. Lots of it. Summer brings an abundance of insects, frogs and other prey perfect fuel after a mammoth journey.

European Nightjar

Some travellers prefer the night shift. 🌙
Birds can navigate using the sun, stars, landmarks and even the Earth’s magnetic field. Nature’s own built-in GPS.

Lesser Moorhen

No passport. No boarding pass. No problem.
Some species return to remarkably precise locations year after year, guided by instinct and extraordinary sensory systems scientists are still working to fully understand.

Woodlands Kingfisher

And then you hear it: summer has landed. 💙
The call of the Woodland kingfisher is one of Thornybush’s unmistakable sounds of summer, and a sure sign that some of our favourite seasonal visitors are back.

African Cuckoo

Summer’s little travellers are back. 💚
After journeys of thousands of kilometres, Thornybush’s migratory birds have returned to nest, feast and fill the bush with their calls.

Talk about knowing your way home. ✨
Read more on the Thornybush blog, link in bio.

📸: Kaden Maasch

There’s no mistaking the confidence of a honey badger. Tough, tenacious and notoriously determined, these elusive charac...
06/10/2026

There’s no mistaking the confidence of a honey badger.

Tough, tenacious and notoriously determined, these elusive characters are always an exciting sight in the bush, especially when they make an unexpected appearance whilst on a game drive .

Have you ever been lucky enough to spot one on safari?

📸: Kaden Maasch

Architecture in the bush is about more than what you see. It is about how a space makes you feel, how it sits within its...
05/10/2026

Architecture in the bush is about more than what you see. It is about how a space makes you feel, how it sits within its surroundings, and how the details tell its story.

The way light falls across a wall.
The texture of a natural material.
A carefully chosen finish.
The warmth created when these elements come together.

Following the upgrades this year, Saseka has been thoughtfully refreshed, with natural textures, considered finishes and warm lighting creating spaces that feel connected to the landscape around them.

This World Architecture Day, we’re looking a little closer at the spaces that make Saseka feel like home in the bush.

We are Hiring!Thornybush Air Services is seeking a First Officer who will support the Captain in delivering safe, effici...
05/10/2026

We are Hiring!

Thornybush Air Services is seeking a First Officer who will support the Captain in delivering safe, efficient and seamless charter flights for Thornybush guests travelling to and from our lodges in the Greater Kruger.

Requirements:
- Commercial Pilot License (CPL) with an Instrument Rating (IR)
- Valid SACAA Class 1 Medical Certificate
- A minimum of 250 hours Total Time
- Cessna 208 Caravan type/class rating
- Turbine experience
- Valid first aid certificate (advantageous)
- Valid ICAO English Language Proficiency (ELP) Level 4 or higher
- Dangerous Goods awareness training (or willingness to complete)

Systems and Programs:
- ForeFlight / Garmin Pilot
- Microsoft Office (Excel intermediate)
- Safety Management Systems Software
- Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) and flight/duty time logging systems

Applications must be sent to [email protected] with “First Officer” in the subject line.
Or
Candidates can visit the careers website for more information on the position: https://thornybush.com/career/first-officer-thornybush-air-services/

The faces behind the moments you remember. 😊From warm welcomes to the little touches along the way, it’s our people who ...
02/10/2026

The faces behind the moments you remember. 😊

From warm welcomes to the little touches along the way, it’s our people who bring the Thornybush experience to life, always with a smile.

Here’s to the incredible people who make our lodges feel like home.

When you order the catch of the day…📸: Kaden Maasch
29/09/2026

When you order the catch of the day…

📸: Kaden Maasch

A safari is about more than what you see from the vehicle.This World Tourism Day, we’re celebrating the people, traditio...
27/09/2026

A safari is about more than what you see from the vehicle.

This World Tourism Day, we’re celebrating the people, traditions and cultural heritage of Thornybush.
Tourism provides an opportunity to connect with local communities, learn from generations of knowledge and support initiatives that create meaningful opportunities.

Because conservation extends beyond protecting wildlife. It is also about people, communities, culture and the places we all share.

Read our latest blog and find out how your visit can make a difference.

The Monwana Pride is growing. 🦁🤎Four little male cubs have joined the pride and have recently been seen out and about wi...
23/09/2026

The Monwana Pride is growing. 🦁🤎

Four little male cubs have joined the pride and have recently been seen out and about with their mother.

Still small, endlessly curious and already full of character, these four are certainly keeping close to mom as they begin discovering the bush around them.

A very special new chapter for the Monwana Pride, and four very cute new faces we hope to see plenty more of!

📸: Kaden Maasch

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Thornybush Nature Reserve
Hoedspruit
1380

Telephone

+27112536500

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