Overview–southafrica

Thornybush Game Reserve

Thornybush is a small private game reserve sharing an open boundary with Timbavati NR which has open boundaries with the world-famous Kruger Park. Animals can freely move in and out of the reserve, which is part of a very large ecosystem. Wildlife viewing is generally very good, but the thick bush makes off-road driving more limited than in the neighboring private reserves.

Best Time to Visit

May to September is the best time for wildlife viewing at Thornybush. These are the winter months, and they coincide with the Dry season. At this time wildlife gathers around permanent water sources and foliage recedes, making animals easier to spot. September is a particularly good time.

May to September –Dry Season – Winter

Wildlife is easier to spot as foliage thins, and animals congregate around water
Clear skies, plenty of sun
Comfortable temperatures and low humidity
Very low chance of malaria
The landscape is dry
Packing warm clothes is essential since morning and evening game drives will be cold

October to April –Wet Season – Summer

Lovely green landscape
Animals are in good shape and newborns can be seen
Migratory birds are present, and birding is very good
Wildlife viewing isn't as good as during the Dry season
It is high season, and the camps might be a bit busier
Days are hot and humid
Antimalarial medication is recommended

Scenery

The terrain consists of mixed woodland and open savannah with patches of tangled thickets and thorny bush, hence the name. The reserve is bisected by several dry riverbeds.

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sept

Jan

Feb

Dec

Mar

April

Oct

Nov

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: May to September (Dry season)

High Season

From: October to March (It is rarely busy)

Size

From: 140km² / 54mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Thornybush has dropped fences with Timbavati, which is open to Kruger Park and is, therefore, part of a large ecosystem. All of the Big Five are regularly seen as well as spotted hyenas, cheetah, and hippo. Wild dog sometimes passes through and viewing opportunities are especially good when they choose to den in the reserve.

Wildlife Highlights

The usually very shy and secretive black rhino is spotted and tracked in Thornybush quite regularly. Night drives are excellent with possible sightings of genet, civet and caracal, as well as porcupine. Lions are easily seen, and the very rare white lion, from neighboring Timbavati, has also been spotted on several occasions.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Wildlife viewing is best in the dry months of June through September. August to September is an especially nice time since the temperature rises again after the cold mid-winter months. In addition, this is the end of a long, dry period and animals gather around reliable water sources, which makes spotting them easier.

General Wheather

Thornybush Game Reserve experiences its winter and summer at opposite times to those seasons in Europe and North America. Winter (May to September) is dry with mild temperatures, while summer (October to April) is wet, hot, and humid. Be sure to pack warm clothing for morning and evening game drives. Thundershowers are typical during the Wet season, although rain rarely lasts long.

Dry Season –May to September – Winter

Rainfall is scarce during the winter and there is little humidity. Permanent water sources become a gathering place for animals as water becomes hard to find elsewhere.

May – May marks the end of summer. Average temperatures cool to around 12°C/54°F in the morning, while afternoons average 28°C/82°F.
June, July & August – Game drives in the early morning tend to be cold, with temperatures around 11°C/52°F, so bring warm clothing. Afternoons tend to be sunny and pleasant with temperatures averaging 25°C/77°F.
September – The heat climbs to an afternoon average of 27°C/81°F. Mornings warm up to 15°C/59°F on average. Rains finally begin, relieving the drought-like conditions.

Wet Season –October to April – Summer

The heat and humidity of the summer can get uncomfortable. Temperatures can peak at 40°C/104°F and higher. On average, the daytime temperatures are around 31°C/88°F. Afternoon storms are common, but it is rare for the rain to last all day.

October & November – The rain is more frequent, and temperatures hover between 18°C/64°F in the morning and 29°C/84°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – These are the wettest and hottest months. Torrential downpours occur during the afternoon, resulting in high humidity. Average afternoon temperatures of 32°C/90°F are common, but temperatures can reach 40°C/104°F or higher and become unbearable.
March & April – It gets slightly cooler, and it rains less. The month of April is almost perfect with clear weather, less humidity, and few clouds. Nights are colder but pleasant at about 15°C/59°F. Daytime temperatures of 32°C/90°F are common.

Prons

Good wildlife viewing with all of the Big Five present
Day and night drives and walking safaris are available
Off-road driving in open vehicles
Lodges catering to different budgets

Cons

Wildlife less abundant compared to Sabi Sands and Timbavati
High density of camps, so less exclusive
Emphasis on checking off the Big Five species

How To Get There

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg is where visitors usually arrive from abroad. From here, Federal Airlines flies twice daily to Thornybush Game Reserve.

Alternatively, you can take a connecting flight from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport (HDS). This airport is close to the reserve, and a transfer can easily be arranged.

Another possibility is to hire a car in Johannesburg and drive to the reserve. Thornybush is situated on the R40 near Hoedspruit, to the west of Kruger National Park. The 450km/280mi drive will take about 5 hours*.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

Please check Skyscanner to see which airlines can take you to O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB), and what tickets would cost.

www.skyscanner.com

Domestic Flights

All domestic flights (charter and regular) are generally arranged by your tour operator. Scheduled domestic flights can also be booked directly with several carriers: