Description
An exclusive residence in an exclusive wildlife paradise. Neighbouring the Greater Kruger National Park, Thornybush Nature Reserve has all the perks – beautiful scenery, prolific Big Five game-viewing – without downsides like overcrowding, noise or a stuffy limitation to roads. It also has blissful hideaways like Shumbalala, a five-suite, five-star dream above the seasonal Monwana River.
Accommodation
Super-spacious, the four thatched-roof Superior Suites come with a bedroom, a large bathroom with freestanding tub and ‘picture windows’ overlooking the bush, a lounge and – via sliding glass doors - private wooden decks facing a busy watering hole. That private deck also contains an outdoor shower. Even more luxurious is the massive, two-bedroom Presidential Suite, which has all the above plus a private dining room, butler, boma, wraparound deck and retractable plunge pool.
Facilities
Shumbalala’s main area contains another, larger pool, along with a library and an extra viewing deck where afternoon teas are taken. Talking of food, dinners are sometimes served there, in the candlelit dining room or in the main boma, heated by a log fire. Wines from a superbly-stocked cellar add extra enjoyment. And, everywhere you look, there’s somewhere to slumber: be it deep leather sofas, comfy wicker chairs or horizontal daybeds.
Activities
Game drives – included in your board, and using 4x4 vehicles – depart early in the morning and in late afternoon / evening, with a stop for sundowners. Thornybush’s exceptional wildlife means you’ve got a fantastic chance of spying lion prides, exuberant elephants, stalking cheetahs and much more. Unlike the main Kruger park, off-road drives are permitted, as are exciting walking safaris led by experienced rangers and trackers. This is the ultimate way to experience the bush, in its natural, unfettered form.
Child Policy
Children under the age of 12 are accepted, and family activities and babysitting can be organised, but only with prior arrangement
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
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