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    Thornybush Waterside Lodge

    Luxury Lodge · Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

    Luxury
    PlnrScore 60
    Best time
    Jul–Sep
    Suggested stay
    2-3 nights
    Health
    Malaria-free
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    Thornybush Waterside Lodge is a hotel near Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. 5-star rated.

    Why stay at Thornybush Waterside Lodge

    • 60 mammal species recorded nearby
    • Night drives offered
    • Pool or spa to rest between drives

    Rooms & inclusions

    Rooms

    20 (up to 40 guests)

    Best season

    June to October for dry season game viewing, offering excellent visibility and animal concentration

    Night drives

    Offered

    Children

    Welcome

    Pool / spa

    Yes

    WiFi

    Available

    Activities
    hotel
    Dietary options
    Vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free options available upon request

    Wildlife near this lodge

    Species recorded within 20 km (iNaturalist research-grade observations).

    1,952

    Species

    60

    Mammals

    263

    Birds

    Most observed

    • Lion173 sightings
    • African Savanna Elephant144 sightings
    • Southern Giraffe141 sightings
    • Grey Foam-nest Tree Frog123 sightings
    • Impala115 sightings
    • Nyala105 sightings
    • Leopard102 sightings
    • White-backed Vulture92 sightings
    • Plains Zebra87 sightings
    • Vervet Monkey83 sightings

    Best time to stay at Thornybush Waterside Lodge

    Best months:
    July
    August
    September
    Jan
    Good25°C131mm
    Feb
    Good25°C127mm
    Mar
    Great24°C47mm
    Apr
    Great22°C39mm
    May
    Great20°C25mm
    Jun
    Great18°C14mm
    Jul
    Great18°C7mm
    Aug
    Excellent20°C4mm
    Sep
    Excellent22°C15mm
    Oct
    Great23°C39mm
    Nov
    Great25°C73mm
    Dec
    Good25°C131mm
    Great (4-5)
    Good (3)
    Poor (1-2)
    Best month

    Map & getting there

    Nearest town

    Hoedspruit

    65 km away

    Nearest airport

    Ngala Airport (NGL)

    2 km from the park

    International airport

    Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP)

    115 km from the park

    Open in Google Maps

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    Other parks in Greater Kruger & Mpumalanga Lowveld

    Contact Thornybush Waterside Lodge

    Health & vaccinations for South AfricaTravel advisory for South Africa
    Back to Timbavati Private Nature ReserveBrowse all safari lodges

    Data updated September 2026 · Sources: lodge website, Go2Africa, iNaturalist, Open-Meteo

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