Wow! Fantastic lodge and safari. In just two days our guide Justin and his tracker Orlando showed us up close the big 5 and so many more animals from Elephants, Leopards, Rhino's, Zebra, Wart Hogs, Giraffes, Hippos, Impala's, etc. The spa offers great massages and a wide range of treatments. My only regret is that I did not stay longer.... More

During my travesl as a tourism marketing officer and later as a tourism journalist, I have been privileged to stay at many (and some of the best) private game lodges in South Africa. Thornybush comes out as the number one on my list! We took our 11 year old son (who is also an experienced 5star traveller) with and all... More

There is little that I can add to comments of the other Trip Advisor reviews regarding Thornybush. This was our first trip to Africa, our first "safari" experience, and it did not in anyway disappoint. In fact, it went beyond our imagining. Seeing the animals in their native habitat is amazing. And with the added information from the guides and... More

Our first time in Thornybush Game Reserve. We did not know what to expect, because we go mostly to the Sabi Sand or Krueger Park. The lodge looked super at the first glance and the rooms are very spacious. Our guide was Craig and tracker Alsol and what a fantastic team the 2 are. Not only did we see Eli,... More

This was a 3 night stop on a group tour of South Africa, and it was the experience of a lifetime. I agree with every other great review of Thornybush. From Donna welcoming us with cold lemonade and damp towels on arrival to our farewell, everything was wonderful. We were treated like honored guests by all the staff. Anything we... More

We stayed at Waterside for one night and Nkelenga for two nights recently and I can honestly say it was heaven. Waterside is a more traditional hotel bush experience in that you stay in rooms and your food is catered - Nkelenga is a self-catering tented camp that you hire in its entirety.Two very different experiences but both equally wonderful.... More

The Thornybush Game Lodge, set in the Thorny bush Nature reserve which is separate to but in the general Kruger National Park area is an excellent 4.5 star bush getaway. Access to the reserve was done by flight from OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg in the regional carrier, which lands at a small airport (Hoedspruit airport) located 30 min... More

Spent two nights at Thornybush at the end of January. Was the most amazing place. From the moment we landed in Hoedspruit (avoiding a family of warthogs on the runway) to the time we left, we had the most incredible time. Between the accommodation, staff, food, safaris can't think of a single negative. As a well seasoned traveller Thornybush is... More

we spent 2 weeks in africa of which three nights at Thornybush. from the moment we arrived till the second we left we were made to feel very welcome. We were travelling with our grown sons and their spouses. We are not early morning people = however we were excited each morning to get our wake up call at 5.00... More