Thornybush

Thornybush Waterside Lodge affords instant relaxation, the lodge has been designed to blend into the natural habitat located along pathways surrounded by an abundance of trees and manicured gardens.

The size of the Lodge is ideal for special gatherings, affording privacy for individual couples, families looking to engage in bush activities with the lodges unique Children’s programme or smaller groups.  The Lodge hosts a sixty seater conference centre overlooking the lake, making this the ideal location for strategic getaways

It's a vast, wild place where the lions roam at Shumbalala Game Lodge, deep in the Thornybush Game Reserve, one of the country's great tracts of untamed game-viewing.

Set as it is in a dry, singeing savanna of Mopane, Acacias and Umbrella thorns, quartered by easterly-flowing rivers densely shrouded in giant figs, fever trees and phoenix palms, the land is an ancient tapestry of natural wonder.

Over-head, Loeries call their sharp warning while horn-bills swoop in an ungainly ballet between trees and vultures elevate on thermals portending an electric storm. 

As you push on through the bush, it is the serendipity of nature that amazes most, as your vehicle skirts art deco zebra, dozy giraffe, bright eyed bush babies, wildebeest (made, it is said, by the committee of left-over parts) and the rest Africa has to offer.

It is even more of an adventure when you stumble upon a leopard lazing in the V of a Jackalberry tree or; a hyena giving you a lazy yellow eye in the gathering dusk; a majestic bull elephant crashing its way through the riverine thicket in search of sweet reeds or; a surprise sunrise encounter with a lion pride on the prowl.

Monwana Game Lodge is located in the middle of approximately 12,000 hectares of nature reserve. The lodges views and vistas are a photographer's paradise. This, coupled with the comfort of the lodge's socialising hub will help create memories that will last a lifetime.

During the day, guests can enjoy the deck at one of the two central living areas which overlooks the banks of the dry Monwana River bed, the ecological backbone of the Thornybush Nature Reserve.

Experiencing magic is easy at Monwana Game Lodge. The Boma offers a three course table d'hote dinner or braai accompanied by a choice of superb Cape wines to be enjoyed under the African night sky. Hospitality is world class with undivided attention to personal service and cuisine, while the surroundings and African bush night life are unforgettable.

For high tea and ultimate relaxing The Gazebo, an open air thatched lounge, is a prime spot overlooking the watering hole. This focal point of Monwana Game Lodge provides the perfect environment for guests to socialise or simply enjoy viewing the assortment of animals visiting the waterhole. The Gazebo oozes attention to detail, from colonial wooden bookshelves and restful couches to animal prints and weathered carpets.

In winter, the Gazebo provides the perfect comfort to keep you warm and snug. With an open fire place and a selection of drinks and snacks on offer you will be made to feel at home.

Washed with the warmth and color of the afternoon sun and in true African style, luxury tents overlook the magnificent bushveld. It is here that our guests while away moments relaxing and reflecting on the tranquility and intimacy afforded by this small camp. Eight comfortable tents, each with private facilities and feature bushveld  bath, connected by pathways with the main Camp.

Ideal entry level Lodge where meals are taken together to afford the opportunity for all guests to share the excitement of the day’s game viewing experiences.  Situated a few minutes drive from Thornybush Game Lodge, where extensive Spa Treatments are available to all Chapungu Tented Camp guests.

This comfortable and intimate Lodge on the banks of a tributary to the dry Monwana River, accommodates eight guests in varied accommodation choices. There  are three luxury Suites, each with excellent vistas from both bedroom and bathroom large windows to the watering hole.

As an alternative for families, is a family suite, completely self contained  with three suites, two downstairs and one suite upstairs, a reception room with open fireplace between the two downstairs bedrooms.  Guests can choose which accommodation choice best suits their requirements, but to a maximum of eight guests.

An exclusive Boma, Bar area close to the Lodges swimming pool makes for an ideal venue for rest and refreshment.  The Lodge is perfectly located and set amongst a wide variety of tress providing shade and an abundance of birdlife.

With a capacity of only four exclusive suites, nKaya Lodge offers the discerning guest the very best in privacy and is the ideal destination for a quiet, peaceful safari. Set on the crest of a hill that overlooks the Drakensberg mountain range and shaded by tall trees, nKaya Lodge boasts spacious double suites each with private lounges and twin en-suite amenities.

This Lodge has recently undergone a soft furnishings upgrade and uniquely in the Collection has the flexibility of providing guests with either eight single en-suite facilities, or 4 spacious completely self contained suites, each with a his and hers bathroom and comfortable lounge area for private entertaining and relaxation. Built around an inviting pool area for all four suites, this Lodge boasts too, an excellent bar, dining and lounge facilities and an outside Boma area for night time Dining.

The lodge offers game drives in open Land Rovers and bush walks for those on safari in South Africa.

The camp owns a waterhole within sight of the lounge and bar. It attracts many species of game, as well as a prolific bird life. After evening safaris guests gather around the huge open-hearth fireplace and share exciting experiences over coffee and liquors of their safari in South Africa.

Safaris in open Land Rovers and bush walks can be tailored to guests on specific requirements. Adventure into excellent night and morning game viewing from open Land Rovers during a safari in South Africa. If you want to relax; laze beside the pool on hot African afternoons or sip a sundowner at the outdoor pub.

The Thornybush Collection proudly introduces this unique self-catering option.

Developed for guest's exclusive use ( you have to book the whole camp ) Nkelenga Camp accommodates 8 to 9 guests and operates its own open land rover. The Camp, equipped with ample fridge and freezer storage, is ideal for families, groups of friends or even informal business breakaways and is our only Camp with DSTV for guest's enjoyment. Ranger,Tracker and Housekeeper are provided for guest comfort and Game viewing excellence.

Situated in the heart of the Thornybush Game Reserve, visitors are treated to a location that features some of the areas' most awe-inspiring vista's. Boasting a bouquet of flora and fauna, Nkelenga Tented Camp provides the visitor with a rustic, humbling experience. Sprawling within a fenced area and under a mighty Acacia Tree, this home from home looks over a large watering hole.

Waterbuck Game Lodge is uniquely positioned adjacent to a water estuary in the Southern part of The Thornybush Nature Reserve, and provides extraordinary wildlife diversity within the confines of a closely located watering hole and abundant birdlife. Waterbuck is truly a "home from home" with centralised entertaining accommodation of warm and comfortable proportions, flanked by individually located bedroom Suites accessed through pathways a few yards from each other providing both privacy and security, individual views from Suites and bathrooms, generous dressing rooms en-suite for added comfort and convenience.