Thornybush Game Lodge
Thornybush Game Lodge, Guernsey Road, Hoedspruit, South Africa
ZAR 11,175
per adult sharing per nightOverview
Game Lodge was the first of its kind in the Thornybush Nature Reserve, opening its doors back in 1961. As the original establishment, it put Thornybush on the map and established our reputation for world-class game-viewing.
Now, with a note of sophistication in the design and layout, our thatched main area overlooks a waterhole and riverbed frequently visited by elephants, buffalo and other large game. The classic lower deck flows between the open dining area and a beautiful bar.
Sunbirds, attracted to the many aloes which surround the main deck, are just some of the many small delights you can expect on your stay at Thornybush Game Lodge.
The warm-hearted staff, riverbed setting and legacy of excellence are standout features. Meals, when taken at the lodge, are Ottolenghi-style buffets prepared by Solly, the legendary master bush chef! Bush dinners are a firm favorite with our guests, where you get to enjoy a hearty meal, surrounded by lanterns, candles and the sound of the African wilderness.
Gallery
Additional Details
- Babysitting
- Bar
- Boma
- Bush breakfast
- Bush dinner
- Children activities
- Conference facilities
- Deck dining room
- Game drives
- Library
- Lounge
- Mobile coverage
- Outside lounge
- Pool
- Spa
- Wake up calls
- Wifi
The 20 luxurious suites fan out from the main area, with 18 of them enjoying splendid river-facing views. Two of the 20 are Family Suites.
- Thornybush Game Lodge, Jackalberry Lodge and Waterbuck Lodge
- Children of all ages are welcome
- Children under 6 years of age are not permitted on game drives unless authorized by management
- To guarantee game drive for children, a private vehicle should be booked at an additional cost
- Children under 16 years of age are not permitted on bush walks
- Conservation fee of R495 per person per booking
- TOMSA Levy of R 14 per person per night
- Sabi Sand Gate Fee is payable direct at Gowrie Gate (for guests staying at Simbambili)
- R310 light vehicle entry
- R140 per person entry
Rooms
Suite
Double
ZAR 11,175
per guest per night
Family Suite
Double Accomodates 2 adults and 2 kids
ZAR 12,265
per guest per night
Map & Directions
Thornybush Game Lodge, Guernsey Road, Hoedspruit, South Africa
Activities
Morning Game Drives
A pink dawn, birds stirring and a chance to see the wildlife begin their day – welcome to a morning drive at Thornybush. You’ll need to be up before the sun and in the vehicle after a quick snack to see the best sightings. This is when the land is cool and the animals are most active, when anything is possible and sightings come quickly. After a couple hours of roaming the reserve you’ll stop at a special spot for a coffee break before heading back for a delicious late breakfast.
Bush Breakfast
Following a morning game drive, our guests can be treated to breakfast in a beautiful bush setting. While the savannah stirs to life, we serve a wide variety of breakfast dishes that our guests enjoy surrounded by the untouched African wilderness.
Walking Safaris
A walking safari offers something quite different to a game drive: the thrill of being on foot in a Big 5 reserve and a chance to engage with the smaller things. You learn about tracking, insects and flowers. It’s a chance to have an immersive experience where you get down and touch and smell what’s out there while at the same time you never quite know what you’ll encounter around the next corner, and there’s little that compares to the experience when you do.
Community Interaction
Thornybush runs a non-profit organisation that aims to uplift the surrounding local communities that many of our staff members come from. Exciting initiatives such as community owned agricultural businesses, food security, youth focused conservation awareness, sustainable procurement and infrastructure upgrades are all major focus area’s of ours.
Afternoon Game Drives
Following a lazy afternoon, most likely spent by the pool or on your deck, we’ll meet for afternoon tea before climbing into the game vehicle for a three-hour drive that leads into the evening. The sundowner stop at one of our favourite viewpoints will take in one of the iconic sights – a sunset casting golden light across an African savanna. As night sets in, new animals stir adding another level of excitement to the end of the drive.
Private Dining
Dinners at Thornybush are roaming affairs – locations can range from lantern-lit bomas to starry riverbeds, but the most memorable meals are often enjoyed in the privacy of your own deck. While the night sounds of the African bush ring through the air and mysterious eyes watch you from afar, you get to enjoy superbly prepared meals accompanied by South Africa’s finest wines.
