Thornybush Game Reserve

Thornybush Game Reserve is a premier Big Five private reserve in the Greater Kruger ecosystem, covering 14,000 hectares of classic lowveld bushveld adjacent to the Timbavati and sharing an unfenced boundary with Kruger National Park. The reserve takes its name from the thorny bushveld that characterises its landscape, dotted with marula, knobthorn, and leadwood trees along seasonal riverbeds. Thornybush hosts a collection of luxury lodges ranging from family-friendly options to exclusive-use villas, each offering twice-daily game drives with expert guides. The reserve is particularly well-regarded for its intimate safari experience with strict vehicle limits at sightings, excellent predator viewing, and a strong community upliftment programme that benefits surrounding villages.