Autumn leaves are falling, and the bush is glowing in golden hues; in this newsletter, we are embracing family bonds on safari. Discover how to offer the perfect safari getaway for your guests and keep them coming back for more.
#FamilySafaris

Founded in the early 1990s, Andy Payne and Richard Napier have built a family legacy fuelled by a shared passion for the wilderness. Spanning generations, the business has remained a family affair, with Andy Payne's father playing a pivotal role until his retirement. This is a true testament to the collective efforts of all who have contributed to the business's success.

Another growing legacy this season is our Sabi Sands Nature Reserve safari lodge, Simbambili Game Lodge. Our couple-run lodge is closed for construction as it gets a beautiful glow-up. We are excited to share this refreshed look with you when it reopens in June 2024. 

We're celebrating many brand achievements and garnering more global recognition because of our dedicated teams, our commitment to the planet and our unparalleled luxury offerings. We thank you for your continued support. We owe our growing legacy to you.

#ASafariForAllSeasons

                                   REQUEST YOUR 2025 STO RATES

NEW! 2025 Rates are available!

Saseka Tented Camp
* ZAR 26 000 per person per night sharing: adults only

Little Saseka 
- Private vehicle for Game Drives
- Private meals
* ZAR 36 000 per person per night sharing: adults
* ZAR 18 000 per child per night sharing: 6 - 11 years old
* ZAR 9 000 per child per night sharing: 2 - 5 years old

Thornybush Game Lodge
* ZAR 18 500 per person per night sharing 

Simbambili Game Lodge 
* ZAR 25 000 per person per night sharing (01 Jan - 30 June 2024)

Kamara House - Private Villa
- Private vehicle for game drives
- Private meals 
* ZAR 85 000 per night for 4 guests exclusive-use 
* ZAR 130 000 per night for 5-6 guests exclusive-use
* ZAR 170 000 per night + bush suite for 7-8 guests exclusive-use

Rates Include
* Luxury accommodation 
* Morning and afternoon game drives in an open-air game-viewing vehicle
* All meals and snacks
* All beverages except. premium brands 
* Minibar drinks
* Wi-Fi
* Laundry 
2025 Rates applicable: 01 January - 31 December 2025

IMPORTANT! A private vehicle should be booked (subject to availability) at an additional cost to guarantee a game drive for children.
*R14,500 per day. The private vehicle can only be booked 24 – 48 hours before arrival. (For children not staying at Kamara House or Little Saseka)

**Request your 2025 STO Rates:email [email protected] 
Terms and Conditions apply

NEWS FLASH! Simbambili Game Lodge
- Lodge is currently closed as a refurbishment is underway and will be completed in mid-June 2024

What to expect:  Refreshed Simbambili Game Lodge
- The main area will be renovated with a new thatch roof, doors installed to provide warmer dining space in winter, a two-level deck, and a fire pit. Soft furnishings will be new, and a newly designed bar area will be added.
- A new wellness centre: renovations of the old conference room and gym will create a new-look spa with two treatment rooms, a modernised gym, and a new library area with an outside deck and swimming pool. This space will also provide an additional dining area for the lodge, with a deck covered with a weatherproof pergola.
- Boma upgrade with a guest bathroom nearby.
- A refresh of the suite interiors
- A replacement of all the suite decks, the private swimming pools resurfaced, and the outside sala beds get new pergola roofs.  
* New Rate: R22 000 per person per night: 01 July - 31 Dec 2024

Standard Rates and Terms and Conditions apply.
For more information, email: [email protected] 

Kids on Safari

Our Kid's offering: 
- We allocate family groups to guides who enjoy interaction with younger guests. 
- Children receive a complimentary kids' pack on arrival. This keeps kids entertained and occupied during their stay and teaches them a thing or two about the bush.
- Depending on the guide's discretion, game drives and activities can be tailored to suit children’s interests and attention spans. Our drives can be long, and we want the most out of your kids' stay with us.

** Please note that kids under 6 are not permitted on game drives. 
Bush walks for kids under 16 will be taken around the lodge property. These walks are designed to focus on the more minor details of the bush and include learning about some bush skills. Our trackers ensure that the walk is interactive and fun while keeping children safe in the immediate surroundings of the lodge.

“Kamara House villa just makes sense.”

- Exclusive-use private villa set in a secluded part of the Thornybush Game Lodge property 
- An allocated private game drive vehicle and guide with 2x game drives daily.
- Private chef and butler at your service
- Private firepit and pool to enjoy lazy afternoons and long chats into the night. 
- Beautiful lounge with board games and reading books to keep your family entertained. 
- Kids' room and family rooms are all en-suite 
- Access to our spa and gym. While the parents relax, kids can partake in baking activities in the villa.

Recommend.com Website: We recently hosted the World Stompers at Kamara House, an internationally influential travel family.
Check out their article explaining why Kamara House should be recommended to your family clients. Read here.

BIG Congratulations! The awards season is upon us, and our beloved Thornybush Game Lodge has been nominated again for the prestigious Conde Nast Awards 2024!

We need your votes!
- Follow this link here.
- Search for "Thornybush Game Lodge"
- Complete the survey and vote!

Thornybush Game Lodge was named in the 2024 Travel + Leisure 500 

Thornybush received #1 in the Visual Tourism category for Saseka Tented Camp at the inaugural African Journalism Awards held last month at WTM Africa 2024. Big congrats to our Marketing team! (view the winning video on your right)

Tracey Bruton, our Field Guide at Thornybush Game Lodge, is one of the five finalists participating in FGASA's Safari Guide of the Year 2024! We're exceptionally proud of her achievement as she continues to shine and grow with us! #EmpoweringFemaleGuides 

Technology: A Magical Virtual Experience of Thornybush Game Lodge and Kamara House

We enjoyed capturing Thornybush Game Lodge and Kamara House for your virtual reality experience. This immersive preview offers a true sense of the environment with no filter! Have a look at some of our facilities below: 

Thornybush Game Lodge 
Entrance
Dining Area
Library
Bar
Team Photo

Kamara House 
Entrance
Living Area
Master Bedroom
Master Bathroom
Patio
Firepit

Impactful Experiences
An easy way to make a family safari impactful and meaningful is to add a cultural tour of our neighbouring villages. Spending time with the local communities is a great way to understand and promote why contributing economic support to our local communities inspires more significant conservation efforts.

Meet Chere Doodhnath, Key Account Manager

Here are 4 Facts about her:
1. She’s been in the industry since 2001 
2. Cape Town born, and never left.
3. She's travelled to the Mediterranean but wants to see New York as her bucket list destination. 
4. The one thing she loves about Thornybush is that it feels like a home away from home, and she can still enjoy the luxury of a high-end safari lodge.