THORNYBUSH GAME LODGE|Thornybush Game Reserve|Safari Camp

South Africa Safari Vacation
13 Days Best of South Africa Safari
9 Days Exclusive South Africa Safari
African Honeymoon Safari Vacations
Bush & Beach Holidays
Cape Town & Kruger Park Safaris
Kruger Park Safaris
Madikwe Safari Deals
Malaria Free safaris - South Africa
Mauritius Holiday Packages from South Africa
Pilanesberg National Park Safari
South African Luxury Train Trips
South African Fly in Safaris
South African Self Drive Safaris
Special Offers on Safaris
Sun City Tours
Sun City & Kruger Park Safaris
Walking Safaris in South Africa

BOTSWANA SAFARI VACATION
Abu Camp & the Elephant Back Safari Botswana & Livingston
Best of Southern Africa Wing Safari
Great Botswana Adventure
Desert&Delta's Botswana Safari
Journey to the Hearth of Africa
Splendor of Africa Safari
Southern Africa Adventure Safari
Cape Town, Delta and Savuti
Best of Chobe
Botswana, Land & Water
Livingston & the Wilds of Botswana
Livingston, Savuti & Okavango
Botswana in Style
Orient Express Private Air Safari
Wild Waters of Botswana
Botswana Hemingway Safari
Botswana Explorer Safari
Parks of Botswana Safari
Splendors of Botswana
Luxury Okavango Safari
Walk the Wilds of Botswana
Livingston, Savuti & Okavango

Malaria Free Safari Lodges
Bakubung Bush Lodge
Jaci Safari Lodge - Madikwe
Kwa Maritane Bush Lodge
Kwandwe Game Reserve
Kwandwe Ecca Lodge
Mabula Game Reserve
Madikwe Game Reserve
Madikwe Safari Lodge
Makanyane Safari Lodge
Mashatu Game Reserve
Mateya Safari Lodge - Madikwe
Sediba Game Lodge
Shamwari Bayethe Lodge
Shamwari Riverdene Lodge
Shamwari Game Reserve
Shamwari Lobengula Lodge
Shamwari Eagles Crag
Shamwari Long Lee Manor
Shamwari Bushmansriver Lodge
Tau Game Lodge
Tswalu Kalahari Reserve

GAME DRIVES
At all the lodges, Thornybush offers open Land Rover game drives accompanied by experienced rangers and trackers who will share their knowledge of the bush with you. These drives are undertaken at times best suited for game viewing which vary depending on the season.
A typical day at any one of Thornybush's lodges would start off with an early morning game drive followed by breakfast either back at the camp or in the riverbed or bush. The rest of the day is spent at the discretion of the guest which could include a game walk or some of the other activities on offer. The afternoon game drive is preceded by high tea and extends into the evening to view seldom seen nocturnal species. Sundowners and snacks are offered to guests during the game drive at a remote, scenic spot. After dinner - which is taken in the dining room, boma or even in the bush - guests can socialise with a cognac or single malt before returning to bed for another day's adventure.
Where possible, safaris will be tailored to suit individual preferences and interest.

GAME WALKS - Guests are offered walks to suit their interests and fitness levels accompanied by an armed ranger and tracker. Walks allow guests a better chance to see some of the smaller creatures of the bush as well as an opportunity to learn more about the flora and fauna of the region.
The Shangaan trackers will enthral you with their explanations of the medicinal and other uses of the numerous plants and trees along with tales of traditional folklore.
Various interesting day trips can be organised for guests; these include:

Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre - this day trip can be reserved at reception or with your ranger and offers guests a close-up view of the smaller creatures and nocturnal animals not often seen. This is a half-day excursion and would be undertaken between breakfast and your afternoon game drive.

Cheetah Breeding Centre - This centre is the brainchild of Mrs Lente Roode who breeds the rare animal and assists reintroducing them into their natural habitat. The very rare king cheetah can also be viewed close-up together with numerous other endangered species which are cared for by Mrs Roode's team.

Panorama Route Tour - Recommended for guests staying three or more nights, this full day excursion would involve a trip to the top of the escarpment in a minibus with a guide and lunch at one of the quaint roadside lodges or tea-rooms along the way. Highlights of this trip would include the Three Rondavals at Blyde River Canyon, God's Window, Pilgrim's Rest, Mac Mac Falls and Kowyn's Pass.

GOLF - For those guests staying more than two nights, Thornybush is able to offer guests the opportunity to enjoy a round of golf on exceptional golf courses.

Hans Merensky Golf Club in Phalaborwa is a well maintained, 18-hole championship standard course and a trip there can be easily arranged with your hosts.
Leopard Creek CC at Malelane on the banks of the Crocodile River is one of South Africa's most exclusive golfing estates with a spectacular 18-hole Gary Player-designed course. This option would involve a light aircraft charter flight to the golf course and we therefore recommend that golf enthusiasts pre-arrange this excursion.

Balloon Safari - Imagine drifting soundlessly in the crisp morning air while below you herds of elephant and other game move across the landscape. Early morning balloon excursions are offered at all the Thornybush Game Reserve Lodges instead of a game drive. They are subject to availability and weather conditions.

Helicopter Safari - Scenic helicopter trips into the nearby Drakensberg mountain range can easily be arranged at one of the Thornybush lodges' reception or with your ranger. It offers some of the most breathtaking scenery in South Africa and can include a picnic on top of the escarpment.

Weddings - Weddings are catered for by any of the lodges within the group. We strongly recommend that you reserve exclusive use of one of the smaller lodges, dependent on the size of the group, to ensure maximum privacy and the host's full attention. Menus and dining venues can be tailored to suit the groom and bride's wishes.
Consideration needs to be given to weather conditions and the fact that we are in a nature reserve so certain conditions do apply. Fireworks, for example, are forbidden. Ministers from most denominations are easily accessible, as are photographers, cakes, hairdressers and florists.

Honeymoons - All Thornybush lodges are fantastic destinations for honeymooners and hosts will ensure that it is a romantic and unforgettable experience. Thornybush Game Lodge offers a special honeymoon package that includes, an upgrade to a suite (subject to availability or supplement) and their undivided attention.
All the lodges offer the ideal ambience for guests celebrating special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries or other milestones. This information needs to be communicated with your reservations consultant in order for the lodge to prepare for it.

Children are Welcome at Thornybush Game Lodge and Serondella. The other smaller lodges will accept children provided that the family books sole use of the camp. Children at Thornybush Game Lodge have a special program prepared for them prior to their arrival that includes:
* Children are alocated to specific rangers who enjoy interaction with younger guests.
* They receive a complimentary children's pack on arrival, which keeps them entertained and occupied during their stay
* Snack packs (cold drinks/cookies) are sent with them on game drives
* Drives and activities can be tailored to suit children's interest and attention spans
* Walks are designed to ensure that their safety is taken into account and that they experience activities they might not normally do in the city.
* Meal requirements and venues are provided if required by the parents
* Baby sitters and children minders are available
Some of the activities that Thornybush's offer for children include:
PICNICS NEXT TO THE POOL
Packed lunch including sandwiches and fruit, eaten on a blanket, next to the pool
EDUCATIONAL WALKS WITH RANGERS
Short walks with their own ranger pointing out insects, tracks of animals, trees and interesting facts
TREASURE HUNT
Children have to find clues around the lodge using books from the library, to get to their treasure. (a little something supplied by parents)
Thornybush also have little 'Ranger in Training' packs that consist of:

CANVAS BACK PACKS
COLOURING BOOK
CRAYONS
Safari interactive toy to assist little 'Ranger in Training'

ALL THE ABOVE ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED ON THE TARIFFS AND ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Groups - All the Thornybush lodges can cater for group functions depending, of course, on the size of the lodge and the amount of people that will need to be accommodated. Groups are treated as any other guest in our lodges, the only difference might be a group check-in, meal arrangements and billing of extras. Larger groups can be accommodated by securing neighbouring lodges and if need be a joint dinner in the bush or a bush cocktail party can be organised.

Incentives - As with groups, the delegates on the incentive trip will be treated as any other guest in our lodge but they will be aware of the host company?s branding during their stay at the lodge. Within the bounds of the nature reserve Thornybush is able to cater for most requests from incentive houses which may include teambuilding, branding on our Land Rovers, meal requirements, entertainment, pillow/room drops, branded safari gear, surprise bush dinners or cocktail functions. Direct charters into the reserve's airstrip are very popular with incentive groups.

Conferences - Thornybush believes that conferences are more productive in the bush since there are no outside distractions. Thornybusg caters for any conferences from a small board meeting, where the directors could reserve exclusive use of one of the smaller lodges, to the state-of-the-art Thornybush Game Lodge conference room that can accommodate up to 60 delegates. Equipment available at the Thornybush Game Lodge includes a television monitor, a VCR, an overhead projector, a whiteboard, flip charts and black out drapes.