Thornybush Game Reserve Highlights

Situated in the heart of the Lowveld and adjacent to the world-famous Kruger National Park is Thornybush Game Reserve; home to the Big Five and a variety of other African wildlife species. Game viewing in Thornybush Game Reserve is of very high standard and compares with the best in the world.

The Thornybush Game Reserve consists of over 10,000 hectares of pristine African Bushveld. The reserve is predominantly open savannah and with a near perfect year round climate it is the ideal safari holiday destination.

Tracking animals is a speciality of Thornybush and during 'Art of Tracking' explorations you are taught how to read the spoor and follow animals without putting yourself in danger. There is no thrill quite like watching Africa's most dangerous animals, after you have personally tracked them.

Thornybush Game Reserve Viewing and Activites

Game viewing in Thornybush Game Reserve is of very high standard and compares with the best in the world. Thornybush is renowned for the big five and is home to more than 60 species of wildlife, including lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, hyena and cheetah as well as a multitude of general game, antelope species, giraffe, zebra and incredible birdlife.

The reserve is a birdwatchers' paradise, where more than 280 bird species have been recorded. Expert rangers and trackers lead all game activities.

How to Get there

Air

There are daily flights from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg International) to Hoedspruit Airport (also called Eastgate) and we recommend that guests use this airport for the Thornybush Game Reserve lodges. Phalaborwa Airport is considered best for the northern part of the Kruger National Park; however it can also be used to access the Thornybush safari lodges. Once guests arrive at the various airports they have a choice between, a car hire option (self-drive), a road transfer to the lodge where they will be staying or a short air transfer (flight hop) to the various lodges in the Thornybush Game Reserve.

Land

All the Thornybush Game Reserve lodges are accessible via self drive with a sedan rental car from anywhere in South Africa. Obviously the drive time depends on where you are driving from! To self drive from Johannesburg will take approximately 6 hours.

Seasons and Climate

The climate is regarded as subtropical, summer days are hot and humid with afternoon showers and winters are cool and dry.

Summer is from October to March with very hot and humid days and afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures during the day are high, approximately 32 degrees Celsius with cooler more pleasant evenings following. The summer rains bring lush green bushland, however the vegetation is dense and finding animals becomes more difficult.

Winter, also called the dry season, is from April until September, with warm days and clear blue skies. The early mornings and evenings can get very cold. Water is scarce during winter and animals tend to congregate around the water sources, hence game viewing in the dry winter months is the best.