Shumbalala Game Lodge - Kruger Private Reserves - South Africa

Shumbalala Game Lodge is nestled in the heart of Thornybush Private Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park

Situated on the banks of the seasonal Monwana river the camp is an unexpected oasis of luxury and comfort in the unforgiving heat of the African bushveld. It is here where you will find the exclusive Shumbalala Game Lodge managed by a team with a friendly yet professional approach to their guests, also overseen by the family themselves.

Sabi Sands Lodges Reviews

Sabisandlodges has been amazing in…  
September 23, 2026   GB    Website   
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Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us


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Sabisandlodges has been amazing in…  
Annelize Taylor    September 23, 2026   GB    Website   
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Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us in great detail!!

Thank you so much for arranging all our travel - Ulusaba, amazing. The pick ups were great - through vumba tours!!
The La Rochelle tours were fantastic too. Drivers were helpful, friendly and professional.

Really enjoyed our experiences and everyone involved made it even better!!!!

Thank you Max for your recommendation and great service.  
September 23, 2026   ZA    Website   
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Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly

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Thank you Max for your recommendation and great service.  
Andrew W.    September 23, 2026   ZA    Website   
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Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly recommend booking with Sabi Sands Lodges as it saved us time & effort. Experience counts and Max's knowledge was invaluable.

Best in the bushes  
May 6, 2026   ZA    Website   
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What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone

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Best in the bushes  
Candice Tehini    May 6, 2026   ZA    Website   
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What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone for the stress-free bush experience.

From the vanilla scented towels, to the delicious food, exciting game drives and phenomenal staff, our stay at Shiduli was magical from the second we arrived and lives in our hearts long after we left.

Your helpful staff greeted us as we arrived and and were with us every step of the way... literally. We were escorted to our private villa by Gary, who my children absolutely adored. Richard, in the bar was on form and Gogo Dorris had faith that we would see lions... which we did.

Thandy and Karen were friendly, professional and made us feel like old friends. We will definitely be back and will bring our friends and family so they can share in this beautiful gem.

The best safari oasis  
August 19, 2026   Cardiff, UK    Website   
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We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see

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The best safari oasis  
Mandy H    August 19, 2026   Cardiff, UK    Website   
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We’ve have just come back from a 3 night stay at earth lodge. One word incredible. We got to see the big 5 and a lot more animals. The game drives were amazing. The Knowledge of the tracker (Donald) and our guide (Helen) was exceptional and they ensured we were able to see everything. We seen leopards, cheetahs and lions. You stop for a morning coffee out in the bush and sundowners in the evening, this was also excellently organised. The rooms are absolutely stunning with the biggest mini bar I’ve ever seen. The drink options are fantastic. Super comfortable rooms and luxurious. Food was superb. Each evening there was a different location for dinner excellently curated by the team at the hotel, with food prepared to a very high standard. We also used the gym facilities which were great. The service and operational standards at this hotel are exceptional. I would 100% stay at this lodge again it was such an incredible experience

100% Recommended  
July 26, 2026   CL    Website   
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Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100%

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100% Recommended  
Sven Gysling    July 26, 2026   CL    Website   
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Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100% recommended.


Shumbalala Game Lodge - Image Gallery

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Shumbalala Game Lodge

Thornybush Private Nature Reserve, has dropped their fences in February 2017 on the borders of the Timbavati. The adjacent reserve is unfenced on its Kruger boundary which means that the 14,500 hectare wilderness of Thornybush is now a part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Shumbalala is found in the centre of the Thornybush Nature Reserve. Situated on the banks of the seasonal Monwana river the camp is an unexpected oasis of luxury and comfort in the unforgiving heat of the African bushveld.
Set under shady African trees lining the seasonal Monwana River, Shumbalala Game Lodge comprise of a select number of superior suites with privacy and luxurious comfort in mind. To ensure absolute exclusivity and privacy, the lodge prides itself in giving personalized attention to a select number of guests at a time. In addition to the Superior Suites our Presidential Suite is a true haven of opulence and space offering unexpected luxury and exclusivity in the African bush. The Presidential Suite, a total of 225sqm includes two full en-suite bedrooms, a private dining room, private lounge, fireplace, wrap around private deck with outside dining facilities, a private boma and private plunge pool .
Your knowledgeable and experienced ranger conducts professional early morning and later afternoon / evening game drives in an informative and relaxed fashion. An early morning game drive start directly after morning coffee at approximately 5h30 in the morning (and a half an hour later in the winter). The excitement and rush of the adventure is interrupted by a stop over in the open bush for tea or coffee with a light snack - often with a view over nearby game. Following afternoon high tea the afternoon game drives start at approximately 16h00 (and half and hour earlier in the winter) and continues into the night. The game drives are again interrupted by a stop-over in the bush for sundowners watching the splendour of the African sun setting over the mountains. The game viewing at night offers the opportunity to view the nocturnal animals including the possibility of lions out on the prowl. Bush walks are offered after brunch by the lodges experienced rangers and trackers, who guide adventurous guests into the bush to experience the details of nature up-close.
Children are not permitted at the lodge unless the camp is booked for exclusive use.
Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport Co-ordinates: 24 DEGREES 24’50sec S - 31 DEGREES 09’30sec E R538, Mbombela, 1200 Take KMIA Rd to R538 - 5 min (2.4 km) Head southeast - 11 m Keep left to continue on Manning Ave - 450 m Turn left - 110 m At the roundabout, take the 1st exit - 120 m Continue onto KMIA Rd - 1.7 km Follow R40 to Guernsey Rd in Limpopo - 1 hr 52 min (128 km) At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto R538 - 3.0 km Turn left to stay on R538 - 230 m Turn right to stay on R538 - 4.3 km Turn right - 2.8 km Turn left onto R538 - 1.7 km At the roundabout, take the 4th exit onto R40 - 41.1 km Turn left to stay on R40 - 73.6 km Turn right onto Klaserie Rd/R40 - 1.1 km Continue on Guernsey Rd to your destination - 52 min (26.4 km) Turn right onto Guernsey Rd - 11.3 km Turn left to stay on Guernsey Rd - 4.4 km Turn right - 550 m Slight right - 240 m Slight left - 400 m Continue straight - 440 m Turn left - 600 m Turn right - 160 m Turn left - 260 m Turn right - 2.0 km Turn right - 350 m Turn right - 900 m Turn left - 450 m Turn right - 850 m Turn right - 1.4 km Continue straight - 500 m Continue straight - 1.6 km

Price Includes

Luxury Accommodation - Three meals daily - Tea & Coffee - Two game drives per day - Optional walking safaris.

Waterbuck Game Lodge - Wildlife Image Gallery

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What to pack:

- Comfortable, light clothing for summer months, including a swimming costume.

- A very warm jacket for game drives, especially during winter – conditions can be chilly!

- Comfortable closed shoes and socks.

- Sunhat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen - the African sun is harsh for the unprotected body.

- Camera and plenty of memory space.

Enquiry Form - Shumbalala Game Lodge