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Debbie JT
GB
Visited:
July 2016
Reviewed: Jul 26, 2016
Email Debbie JT | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
The wildlife viewing was excellent. We stayed for a week, and saw six individual leopards (two of whom were busy producing the next generation!) and lions with young cubs. Being 15ft from a male lion when he started to roar was an experience not to be forgotten! All the usual suspects are present: giraffe, elephants, buffalo, rhino (we saw both black and white on our trip), kudu, impala. They limit the number of vehicles at a sighting to two, giving a very private experience. Safari vehicles use both a ranger and an experienced tracker, whose skills must be seen to be believed.
We stayed at N'Kaya, a small lodge with only four rooms, each of which is an individual cottage with bedroom, living room and two bathrooms. The food was superb, and the hospitality
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second to none. The lodge overlooks its own waterhole, so time between game drives can be spent watching what visits the lodge.
Don
US
Visited:
August 2010
Reviewed: May 27, 2012
Email Don | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent mix of pamper and excitement
The "tents" were awesome! I would pick this over the top of the ANA hotel in Tokyo any day of the week. Bed was good, bathroom was crazy nice and the tub was one of these baths that overlooked the scenery. Just like in the movies.
Our guides did a great job of tracking and finding animals in their native environment. During the day, we found the lions sleeping peacefully on the hillside. They looked so cool and you could hear them breathing, you just wanted to rest your head on their bellies and give them a great scratch......and then in the night tour! We caught them in the act of feeding. It was stunning, natural, scary, ALIVE! I caught an awesome video of it all and posted it on YouTube, just search for Thornybush lion kill.
FOOD was good and there was a great
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variety.We drove through the forests to Phalaborwa, spent the night and played golf at the Hans Merenski where I was able to play around the giraffes, literally.
But I promise you, take the time to get to Thorneybush. It's a totally different experience.
I would have brought a better coat. It was warm in the day and chilly at night.
I would also have added another day to spend at the lodge.
If I was to improve the experience, I would suggest everyone gets a keepsake, something native and simple to remind them of their visit. Our guide showed me how to weave a rope with the native grass, which was cool, but I forgot to bring it home. The Americans would probably have confiscated it anyway.
Don't try to bring home biltong, they will ask at the airport in the US.
DO try some, it's fabulous.
Elizabeth
CA
Visited:
April 2016
Reviewed: Apr 29, 2016
Email Elizabeth | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
This experience was beyond all expectations. We would recommend Waterside without hesitation.
Wildlife- we saw every animal imaginable in a few short days.
Accommodation- luxury class and wonderful service from all
Large variety of birds and animals, pretty scenery, high level of hospitality.
mbd
FR
Visited:
April 2007
Reviewed: Apr 29, 2012
50-65 years of age
Maybe we were very unlucky to have a guide who was determined to show us yet more elephants and completely ignored the leopard I spotted because it was time to get back to camp. We don't like this attitude of rushing people from one big 5to the next as if they were the only worthwhile animals to see
Eduardo
GB
Visited:
September 2024
Reviewed: Oct 10, 2024
Email Eduardo | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Saw all the big 5 and the guides were super professional and knowledgeable and friendly.
Debra Younghans
CA
Visited:
February 2024
Reviewed: Mar 24, 2024
Email Debra Younghans | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Wildlife viewing paled in comparison to Timbavati Nature Reserve. The vibe at the lodge was good but not exceptional like Kambaku.
Sonia
CA
Visited:
October 2022
Reviewed: Dec 15, 2022
Email Sonia | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Incredible sightings everyday, beautiful landscapes, up and close with the animals on every drive.
Part of the greater kruger area and not fully enclosed reserve, with antipoaching efforts underway making it a great choice for folks interested in conservation and the protection of these beautiful animals!
Paula
GB
Visited:
August 2022
Reviewed: Sep 5, 2022
Email Paula | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ulrik
NL
Visited:
April 2022
Reviewed: May 8, 2022
Email Ulrik | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Perfect days with wonderful staff, superb food and great viewings
What a wonderful stay at Thornybush Game Lodge. We had very good game sightings (and superb food, not least the lunches) but what made the stay truly special was how kind and attentive the staff was. Daniel, our field guide, and John, our tracker, were as friendly as they were knowledgeable, not least to our nine year old daughter. Sannie, one of the cooks, came out to talk to us every morning (and when we arrived) to ask our daughter for her meal preferences for that day. And our personal waiter, Clinton, had a smile all the time that would lit up the room.
Jennifer, the Deputy Manager, went the extra mile for us, including finding a private game viewing vehicle for us (with super knowledgeable Tracy and Orlando) to do a photo shoot safari one afternoon.
We will definitely be coming back - we have in fact promised our daughter.
