THE LODGE HAD CLOSED DOWN DURING COVID 

Thornybush Waterside Lodge - Kruger Private Reserves - South Africa

Thornybush Waterside Lodge is located in one of the most impressive game reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park. 

This family-friendly safari lodge is designed to blend into the magnificent scenery surrounding a lake in the exclusive Thornybush Game Reserve. Enjoy stunning views from the main deck which overlooks the water while you savor a delicious breakfast. The lodge also serves meals in the open-air boma (traditional enclosure), in a bush clearing or on a dry riverbed.

You'll find peace and relaxation amongst the towering trees and well tended gardens or around the sparkling swimming pool. Your children will receive a welcome Ranger Pack filled with interesting goodies and there is an excellent kid's programme in place. 

Twice daily game drives and fascinating game walks are the order of the day. But you can just relax in between and simply enjoy your own leisure time too. Local excursions are also on offer for those who want to get out and about.

Each Suite has an en-suite bathroom, indoor shower and patio. 2 Suites share an inter-leading door ideal for families travelling with children.

Sabi Sands Lodges Reviews

Sabisandlodges has been amazing in…  

Sabisandlodges has been amazing in creating a dream holiday!!! They were attentive, quick to respond and arranged everything for us


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September 23, 2026 GB Website
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.  

Our experience with Max from Sabi Sands Lodges was brilliant. His recommendation and attention to details were excellent. We highly

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September 23, 2026 ZA Website
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.

The best safari oasis  

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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August 19, 2026 Cardiff, UK Website
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  

Recommendations were great and all the arrangements worked smoothly. Andy was always reachable and receptive to requests and modification. 100%

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July 26, 2026 CL Website
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.

Best in the bushes  

What a memorable stay.
Our experience was perfect from start to finish. Booking the experience through Andy set the tone

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May 6, 2026 ZA Website
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.


Thornybush Waterside Lodge - Image Gallery

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Thornybush Waterside Lodge – Kruger Private Reserves – South Africa

Thornybush Waterside is a family-friendly safari lodge which is designed to blend into the magnificent scenery surrounding a lake in the exclusive Thornybush Game Reserve. Enjoy stunning views from the main deck which overlooks the water while you savor a delicious breakfast. The lodge also serves meals in the open-air boma (traditional dining enclosure), in a bush clearing or on a dry riverbed. You'll find peace and relaxation amongst the towering trees and well tended gardens or around the sparkling swimming pool. Your children will receive a welcome Ranger Pack filled with interesting goodies and there is an excellent kid's programme in place. Twice daily game drives and fascinating game walks are the order of the day. But you can just relax in between and simply enjoy your own leisure time too. Local excursions are also on offer for those who want to get out and about.
Accommodation at Waterside Lodge comprises of 20 suites, designed in harmony with the natural surroundings but without lacking any of the modern amenities to ensure a comfortable stay. Thatched suites are appointed with air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms and crisp white linen and decks provide an opportunity to relax and take in the view from the privacy of your suite. Inter-leading family suites are available, perfect for families or larger groups.
Thornybush Private Game Reserve is set in the heart of the rolling Lowveld savannah and is adjacent to Kruger National Park in South Africa. Home to the Big Five and a variety of other African wildlife species, it has a near perfect year round climate, making Thornybush a perfect destination for a wildlife safari experience. With an abundance of bird-life and wildlife species including the 'Big 5', explore the African bush on foot and from the back of an open safari vehicle. Discover the animal world, from the smallest termite to the giraffe, mongoose and buffalo. Listen to the distant roar of the lion whilst relaxing around the campfire, or simply appreciate the silence, space and brilliant night skies.
Children of all ages are welcome at Waterside Lodge, however, children younger than six years of age will not be permitted on safaris or bush walks. Children 2 – 5 years of age are not permitted on game drive – lodges do offer babysitting facilities at an additional cost. A special children’s program is available for younger guests staying at Thornybush Waterside Lodge – this is not a full day activity, time will be made during the day for the children. 
From Johannesburg to Thornybush Game Reserve: The N12 to Emalahleni (Witbank), where the N12 highway links up with the N4 highway,continue with the N4 in the direction Mbombela (Nelspruit).Approximately 60 km past Middleburg take the R 540 to your left,travel though the towns of eMakhazeni (Belfast) and eMnotweni (Dullstroom) to Mashishing (Lydenburg) ,take the R 36 (which becomes the R 527) towards Hoedspruit, passing through Origstad and descending down the Able Erasmus Pass.At Hoedspruit take the R 40 south towards Bushbuckridge,continue 6 km and turn left at the Eastgate Airport sign / Argyle Road,Continue 14 km (tarred road) and turn right onto Guernsey Road (following the signs to Thornybush Reserve).Continue 11km (gravel road) and turn left into the Thornybush Game Reserve gate. GPS Coordinates: 24.4116° S, 31.1680° E

Thornybush Waterside Lodge

Thornybush Game Reserve - Wildlife Gallery

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Price Includes

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

Enquiry Form - Thornybush Waterside Lodge

    What to pack:

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

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

    - Walking shoes and socks.

    - Sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen (the African sun is harsh for the unprotected body).

    - Camera and plenty of film/ memory space.

    - A good book.