thornybush game reserve

We stayed at Thornybush game reserve early March 2015. Whilst it is an attraction, it is also full board that includes morning and afternoon bush drives (safari) and meals. Absolutely no kids - no exceptions! The entire service during our stay was 10/10. Your own Butler (Elvis) makes sure you get over-fed 3 times a day. Your Tracker (Hendrick) makes sure you get to see your chosen animals up close (Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, Lion, Giraffe, Water Buffalo, Impala, Hippo, Nyala ...) and your Ranger (Ross the best) is so knowledgeable on all things in the bush including all birds (Red and Yellow Beak, Gray and Ground Hornbills to start with) that the overall experience will stay with you for life! The pain is - you have to get up at 05.00 every morning. If you don't you will miss the morning chorus of birds and animals who are very active at this time. The afternoon/evening drive catches them at the end of the day when they are also active. Between these times you eat, read and enjoy the sun by the pool.We will return!

We have just spent 2 nights at Thornybush Main Lodge and then 2 nights at Jackalberry Camp.We could not have wished for better - from the friendly service from lodge staff, the guides and trackers were so knowledgeable and passionate about the environment. The sightings were fantastic. Yes - you can see the big 5 in no time at all but besides that the birding, flora, other animals are fabulous too. Main Lodge is 5 star and the rooms are large and luxurious the view across the riverbed breathtaking and the number of animals that visit the small watering hole constant. The lodge has 20 rooms so not too big not to be able to give personal attention.The food is delicious and well presented. As a vegetarian there was plenty for me to eat and my partner loved the lamb that was on offer at the Boma dinner. The guide Ryno and the tracker Orlando found some amazing sightings for us and nothing was too much trouble. Their knowledge of the diversity from fauna to flora was unsurpassed.Jackalberry is a 4 star small camp with only 8 chalets. The husband and wife management team extremely obliging. Their staff are very helpful and the guides Brad and Ocean and tracker Themba very clued up on all aspects of the bush. Lucy who runs the dining room was so sweet and very attentive. I will certainly be back!!

On a regular basis we go with our guests for a game drive on Thornybush Game Reserve and all are 100 % happy and satisfied. In average we see three out of the Big Five, but on many occasions we have seen the Big Five and even Cheetah. Absolutely fabulous,

Lion World Travel is the best. We booked South Africa in Absolute Style. We were more than pleased. Our consultant, Laurandie du Preez, answered our many pre-trip questions promptly and throughly. Our hotel, Table Bay, in Cape Town was exquisite. No wonder why President Obama and the first lady stayed there. All transfers were on time with professional and friendly drivers. The included meals and attractions were first class. Our stay in Cape Town exceeded our expectations. Then we went to the Thornybush Game Reserve and stayed at Jackalberry Lodge. The accommodations, food, and staff were amazing. Every one of the staff was dedicated to make this trip extraordinary. The ranger and spotter for the 6 safari rides were incredibly good and professional. They take you off road through thick brush to be very close to the Big Five. They know how to find the animals, drive up close to them and safely let you observe their behavior. They are respectful of the animals and dedicated to the guests' seeing the amazing things that happen in the wild. This was a trip of a life time for my wife and me. We had high expectations that were far exceeded. We highly recommend this tour. It's a great value and a wonderful experience.Dave and Vicki Valley

You will see the Big Five! I loved every second of the morning and afternoon game drives. Do not miss one of them. You will see wild life that amazes you on every drive. I went on 2 a day for 5 days and say lions mating, Male giraffes fighting, Rhinos trying to mate;), Cheetah praying and catching an Impala, and Leopards growling.

Wonderful, up-close, luxurious experience. Was able to eat as much as you desire without getting eaten by the big five.

If you want the best safari experience, go to a private game reserve. Thornybush Private Game Reserve guides are allowed to find the animals by going off road into the bush. In Kruger National Park all vehicles must stay on the road. Since the big cats and elephants don't always walk along the road it is hard to see them up close. In Thornybush the guides quietly drive their vehicles off road towards the big animals and then stop. Now you sit and watch lions, elephants and leopards from a distance of 5-10 meters (15-30 ft.). It is worth every penny to get this experience. To visit the reserve you must book with one of the lodges in the reserve. We were at Jackalberry Lodge but there are several others.

We did a game drive at Thornybush, between stays at Hongonyi Game Lodge and Notten's Bush Camp, which was outstanding. Great game-viewing with the "big five" within a couple hours. Knowledgeable range and tracker. Will consider staying at Thornybust next time.

To say that our 3-day stay at Thornybush was excellent isn't enough. We were made to feel like family by Grant, his wife, Melanie, and their incredible staff. The game drives were done professionally and safely, yet we were still able to get very close to the Big Five. To have a rhino get so close that he was scraping the car with his horn or to be able to see the freshly killed impala below the tree where two very full leopards were resting was incredible. The food was delicious and the fancy touches were so unexpected (and appreciated). Each couple gets their own cabin with a large deck and outdoor (and indoor of course) shower. What an experience it was to have giraffe walk by while showering outside. It was truly an unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend!

The property is located on a dry riverbed where animals often visit for water. Elephans were a daily treat. Grounds were frequented by wart hogs and impala. Food was great. Guides for morning and evening animal viewings were knowledgeable and interesting.

The drives are great and they really try to let you see all of the big 5, the staff are friendly and helpful. The beauty spa has everything you want. The food is great and well presented. As to the rooms, well you can feel like a princess in them and everything is spotless. I would love to go back there one day. It is exciting and peaceful at the same time.

great game viewing -- saw lots of animals, in a wonderful setting; our guides were fantastic. we stayed at royal malewane

This was our first experience on Safari.The resort had onlt 10 cabins and they are all very private and set back from one another.The rooms were very comfortable with big spacious bathrooms that have a n indoor and an outdoor shower.Our hosts were supurb. The food is very good and the atmosphere is very relaxed, almost family like.Our guide was Tom and he ws very informative about the anilmals and the surroundings.

We had only 3 nights at Thornybush and could have stayed longer. I can not fault anything about it. The accommodation and food was excellent. The staff were friendly and our guide and tracker were absolutely wonderful. We were up close to all the animals and both the tracker and guide went out of their way to make our experience one of the best ever. Their knowledge of the animals and surrounds was amazing and were able to answer all our questions and more. I would not hesitate to recommend Thornybush Game Reserve to anyone and would certainly go back myself. Thanks guys that’s a BIG tick off the bucket list.

Whilst Thornybush is reknowned for the big 5, great accommodation and excellent staff, I appeal to whoever runs Monwane Camp to re-train their chef. The evening meals were inedible, the morning rusks smelt like mould and the afternoon tea was equally shocking. This an absolute disgrace to this wonderful institution and an extreme embarrassment to me as a South African Just for the record, I was privileged to stay a guest in May 2013.So please, Thornybush, do something about your chef at Monwane Camp !!!!