★★★★★
Lodge
Thornybush Game Reserve
9.8/10

Shumbalala Game Lodge

Shumbalala Game Lodge is situated in the heart of the 14000-hectare Thornybush Game Reserve and lies adjacent to the Greater Kruger National Park. This African themed 5-star lodge features a swimming pool, sun terrace and a private viewing deck. Elegantly decorated in neutral and white shades, the beds are draped with a mosquito net and feature a modern combination of wooden and stone finished floors. The suite includes a cosy seating area and fireplace. Each suite has a minibar, tea-and-coffee-making facilities and a private viewing deck. Shumbalala Game Lodge's restaurant offers scrumptious dishes prepared by the in-house chefs. Dinners are hosted in the intimate and elegant dining room, as well as the uniquely designed cellar that offers views of the water hole. Shumbalala offers an African safari experience and features an array of wildlife ranging from lions, leopards, impalas, cheetahs and birds of prey. Hoedspruit’s Eastgate Airport is 25 km away.

Top location: Highly rated by recent guests (10.0)
Free private parking available on-site

Book now — best price guaranteed!

Kids

Children older than 10 years are welcome.

Dogs

Pets are not allowed.

Address

Thornybush Main Gate, Guernsey Road, 1380 Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa, Thornybush Game Reserve, South Africa

Facilities

Non-smoking rooms Airport shuttle Free parking Room service Free WiFi Facilities for disabled guests Restaurant Tea/coffee maker in all rooms Breakfast

Gallery

a large bathroom with a tub and a window at Shumbalala Game Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve

a living room with a couch and a fireplace at Shumbalala Game Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve

a bedroom with a canopy bed and a balcony at Shumbalala Game Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve

a large bed with a couch in a room at Shumbalala Game Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve

a bathroom with a sink and two mirrors at Shumbalala Game Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve

a bath tub with a sink and a window at Shumbalala Game Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve

two benches sitting on top of a wooden deck at Shumbalala Game Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve

a dining room with a table and chairs at Shumbalala Game Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve

a table with a plate of food and wine glasses at Shumbalala Game Lodge in Thornybush Game Reserve

More photos on Booking

Reviews

Juliana 10/10

Brazil 🇧🇷

The best vacations we could imagine

Pros: The shumbalala location is amazing!!! Inside the thornbush reserve with a water hole just in front. the team is just gorgeous, Andri is very sweet, Danielle is super proactive, iordi and Fumani they are the best! They just met all expectations and succed.

Elena 10/10

Russia 🇷🇺

Highly recommend for visiting.

Pros: The lodge is beautiful, the views are amazing. Shumbalala Family made the stay unforgettable. Everything is well thought and organized, friendly and sincere. All is needed from guests is to relax and enjoy, which we truly did. Ryan was our ranger and together with the tracker arranged awesome game drives and so much information about animals, birds and flora around. Loved every moment of our stay.

Mark 10/10

Mexico 🇲🇽

Pros: I guess what stood out the most for us was the wood burning fireplace in our room. Very nice as in early August it can get quite cold there. And of course, everything about Shumbalala was absolutely top shelf. Special kudos to Emilo, our driver. He got us into tho EVERYTHING. Good job all.

La 10/10

Brazil 🇧🇷

Especial e memorável. Vamos sentir saudades

Pros: Tudo excepcional, do café, ao quarto e cama, equipe especial. Realmente um lugar unico.

Cons: Gostei de tudo !

Sydney 10/10

Germany 🇩🇪

Amazing experience, highly recommended!

Pros: Classic safari lodge decor suitable for anyone looking for an exceptional and memorable safari. Very experienced and knowledgable guide, great food and comfortable ambience with a view of the watering hole from almost everywhere. Thornybush has a high concentration of animals and only a few lodges, plus it allows off-roading, so you’re almost guaranteed to have up-close animal sightings. Chalets have everything you need plus a plunge pool, private deck, fireplace, and super comfortable beds.

Cons: The chalets are a bit dark.

Pedro 10/10

Brazil 🇧🇷

Pros: Melhor lodge que já fiquei em todos os aspectos. Thornybush é uma ótima reserva para ver os animais.

Kevin 10/10

United States 🇺🇸

Fantastic Stay at a World Class Lodge

Pros: The staff and accommodations were absolutely wonderful. We were greeted upon arrival to warm smiles, clear instructions on what to expect for the trip, and a beautiful main lodge. The rooms were incredible - all of the extras (plunge pools, fire places, and shower / sink amenities were well above our expectations. The game drives were fantastic - we had some amazing sightings and the guides were always able to spot what was on our wish list for the day. My best advice is to let them lead you to what they think is exciting and keep an open mind! Hearing that the lodge is still under South African ownership was also a major plus for us.

Cons: Nothing went wrong during our trip and honestly there was not much that I would change.

Edwin 10/10

Netherlands 🇳🇱

Hemels

Pros: In in het kleinste detail is werkelijk alles tot in de puntjes geregeld. De meest ultieme safari beleving na vele malen Afrika is gewoon hier. Het personeel is uitzonderlijk begaan met alles. Het eten is uitstekend. Geweldig!!

Cons: Alles is 100%

Barry 10/10

United States 🇺🇸