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 t

o 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!

15/06/2026

We are hiring!

As an Aviation Manager, you will be responsible for management and oversight of aerial support operations for a single charter aircraft based in the Lowveld. The role entails oversight of aircrew, aircraft, maintenance, personnel and aviation operations. You will also be required to assist with Aviation Safety and Risk Management in the region.

Visit our careers website for more information.

https://www.thornybush.com/vacancy/front-of-house-2-2-3/

We cannot wait to receive your application!

Send your CV to [email protected] with “Aviation Manager” in the subject line.

14/06/2026

From calming spa rituals to the quiet rhythm of nature, wellness at Thornybush is about reconnecting with yourself and the wild.

At Saseka, that journey now includes a dedicated wellness centre, where a lap pool, sauna, cold plunge, and fully equipped gym sit alongside the sights and sounds of the African bush.

Whether you prefer an early morning workout, a restorative treatment, or simply a moment of stillness between game drives, the space has been designed to help you slow down, recharge, and reconnect.

12/06/2026

Your favourite exclusive-use safari stay just picked up a few new additions.

More space. More privacy. More evenings around the firepit. More memories waiting to be made.

With two brand-new suites, expanded outdoor living spaces, and a new firepit overlooking the Monwana riverbed, Little Saseka now offers even more room for families and friends to enjoy the ultimate private safari experience together.

09/06/2026

No matter how many times you see an elephant, a sighting like this never gets old.

Watching a mature bull move effortlessly through the bush is a humbling experience. Every step seems deliberate, every movement commanding attention without demanding it.

One of those special safari moments where nobody says much, because everyone is simply taking it in.

07/06/2026

More space. More comfort. More reasons to stay a little longer.

Discover the latest additions to Saseka Tented Camp, designed to bring families, friends, and unforgettable safari moments together.

A new indoor dining space and bar offer a welcoming retreat on cooler evenings, while a thoughtfully curated wine room invites guests to discover some of South Africa’s finest vintages. The redesigned boma creates an even more beautiful setting for fireside conversations beneath the stars, and the new wellness centre offers space to move, recover, and unwind between safari adventures.

Thoughtfully designed, carefully considered, and always connected to the wilderness beyond.

The bush remains the main attraction. We’ve simply added a few more ways to enjoy it.

05/06/2026

You hear it before you see anything.

A fork-tailed drongo cuts through the silence >> sharp, urgent. Your guide stops walking. So do you. Somewhere ahead, something is moving.

This is what the bush does. It pulls you out of your head and into the world. Suddenly the small things aren’t small anymore. A track pressed into the sand. The smell of wild sage crushed underfoot. A medicinal plant your grandmother might have known by name.

Knowledge passes from tracker to guest, one quiet footstep at a time. The bush has always spoken. We’re just learning to listen again.

In conservation, you learn to hold two things at once: the hope and the heartbreak.
Nationally, rhino poaching dropped 16% in 2025. A hard-won, meaningful step forward. But in the Greater Kruger — this landscape, our backyard — numbers nearly doubled. The fight didn’t move away from us. It moved closer.

There is still so much work to do.
But in 2024, 120 southern white rhinos were rewilded back into the Greater Kruger. A historic moment. Proof that when reserves, rangers, trackers and guests all show up — the wild fights back.

This , we walk. We listen. We protect what we love.

04/06/2026

A triple nomination that has our entire team smiling.
Saseka, Thornybush Game Lodge, and Simbambili are up for the 2026 Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.

It’s an immense honour to have all three properties recognised, and a beautiful nod to the passion our staff put into every single day!

If we’re part of your favourite travel memories, we’d be so grateful for your vote.

Vote now via the link in our bio.

02/06/2026

At Thornybush, sustainability is more than a commitment, it’s part of our DNA.

As proud members of The Long Run, a global network built around Conservation, Community, Culture, and Commerce, we remain focused on protecting biodiversity, supporting local communities, and ensuring tourism creates a meaningful long-term impact.

From endangered species protection and renewable energy to community development and education initiatives, our approach to conservation extends far beyond the safari experience itself.

Because meaningful travel should do more than inspire. It should protect, uplift, and leave a lasting positive impact.

•30% of Thornybush revenue is reinvested directly into conservation efforts.
•25% of our energy usage is currently solar generated.
•100% of wet organic waste is donated to local pig farmers, while approximately 2,500 plastic bottles are diverted from landfill every week.
•85% of the Thornybush team is employed from the local surrounding area, while 3.7% of revenue is invested directly back into community initiatives.
•1,334 school-going children have directly benefited through local schools, 230 children are supported through early childhood development centres, and 64 tourism student internships have been facilitated through Thornybush.

29/05/2026

Quiet moments at Game Lodge.

Coffee. Crackling fires. The rhythm of the wild.

Address

Thornybush Nature Reserve
Hoedspruit
1380

Telephone

+27112536500

Website

http://www.thornybush.com/

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