The Thornybush Private Game Reserve is located on the Western Border of The Greater Kruger National Park. There are two accommodation options at Royal Malewane – Main Lodge which is more classic and grand in style and The Farmstead which is more intimate and contemporary. Thorny Bush & Royal Malewane exude the romance and beauty of a bygone age while offering every modern comfort. The most qualified guiding team in Africa delivers an unrivaled wildlife experience providing fascinating insights into the complex ecosystems of the South African bushveld.
The Thornybush Private Game Reserve is a fantastic 14,000 hectare reserve a short journey away from the Kruger National Park. It borders the Kapama Game Reserve and is located close to the Timbavati.
Tailormade Africa plan your trip from start to finish and make sure you get to your lodge in absolute comfort! We will help you to get to the reserve, including domestic flights and a warm welcome at the airport by someone who will then drive you through to your home in the bush. The nearest airport Hoedspruit is just under an hour away by road from the gate to the Thornybush reserve and there are regular flights from key hubs around the country including Johannesburg and Cape Town. This means you can very easily add a Thornybush safari onto a wider South African itinerary and we’ll take care of it all for you!
Tough one! There are a number of gorgeous lodges on the reserve, from ultra-lux with all bells and whistles to wonderful and modest smaller lodges where you can truly feel the essence of adventure in the bush. We have outstanding relationships with all of the lodges we work with and given we know them so well, including their key qualities, look and feel, we would be delighted to talk to you about what type of lodge would be best for you and help you book the perfect spot!
We just love the Thornybush as it’s a brilliant reserve which is mainly open savannah. This means that game viewing is top notch all year round, and when the bush thins out due to lack of rain, the animals will all congregate around the watering holes which makes for some pretty sensational interactions between predators and prey! When it does rain in the summer (from November through to April time) the bush becomes bright green with beautiful grasses and flowers and is a photographers paradise.
Experience the timeless magic of Royal Malewane. Extraordinary game viewing, fine cuisine and award-winning spa stir the heart and thrill the senses. Six luxurious suites enjoy private pools and magnificent bathrooms while expert rangers and trackers inspire and inform... Learn more
Why us? What makes us different and specialists in our field? Simple. Our safari consultants have lived, worked and still travel extensively throughout Africa, bringing you the best of each safari destination.
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