There’s just something about the location that makes you happy to sit back at our Jackalberry Lodge, listen to the sounds of the bush on a quiet afternoon and watch the light slowly change on the northern escarpment of the Drankensberg mountain range.
Nataly and Natasja will make you feel right at home, while Ocean’s infectious laugh rings throughout the Jackalberry lodge while also impressing you with his exhaustive knowledge of bird calls.
Jackalberry is a place to slow down and unwind while also mixing in the thrill of world-class game viewing. Overlook a nearby waterhole often visited by elephants (one of the big 5 safari animals) and antelope, guests can enjoy wildlife sightings, without having to leave the comfort of the main area.
Our hacienda has mottled shade for long, relaxed lunches, while our pool and firepit are also firm favorites with guests. Combined, all these elements create a special feeling at Jackalberry, that keep guests coming back time and again.
If you are looking for more options, check out our other Thornybush Game Reserve lodges in the Kruger Park.
Thornybush is a 14,000-hectare private nature reserve that shares a fenceless border with the famous Kruger National Park in South Africa. Big 5 encounters are the standout experiences for our guests, with visitors particularly impressed with the lion and leopard sightings. It’s the vast diversity of wildlife, however, that has seen Thornybush emerge as a leading safari destination. With our passionate and expert guide-and-tracker teams leading the way, our guests leave with a genuine understanding of our entire ecosystem and the enthralling cast of animals.
Each of the seven thatched suites accommodate two guests each and come with a private deck and an outside shower. There is also a family unit accommodating up to four people.
The thatched suites have a home-away-from-home feel, allowing guests space and privacy while also being close to the lodge’s main area. All suites have both inside and outside showers, as well as a large bath. The private veranda allows for some casual game-viewing or a perfect place to read a book. The classic safari decor adds a bit of local flair to the chalet-style suites, which are all en-suite.
The Family Suite has two adjoining suites, ideal for a family holiday. Planned in a similar fashion to the other suites, the Family Suite has both inside and outside showers, as well as a large bath.
The private veranda allows for some casual game-viewing or a perfect place to relax between game drives. The classic safari decor adds a bit of local flair to the chalet-style suites, which are all en-suite and come with comfortable, modern furnishings.
Awaken to a pink dawn, the sounds of the morning chorus as the birds begin to stir and look forward to a new day and an exciting chance to see the african wildlife begin their day – this is the ultimate welcome to a morning drive at Thornybush. You’ll need to be up before the sun, starting with a morning coffee and a snack before you hop into our game vehicles and set off to see the best big 5 animal sightings. Morning game drives are a perfect opportunity to seek out wildlife as this is when the land is cool and the animals are most active. Anything is possible and sightings come quickly, so prepare those cameras and have your bush eyes peeled! After a couple hours of roaming the reserve you’ll stop at a special spot for our famous bush coffee break before heading back for a delicious late breakfast.
With two game drives a day, you’re bound to spot your bucket-list big 5 animal sightings. Following a lazy afternoon, most likely spent by the pool or on your deck, we’ll meet for a deliciously prepared afternoon tea with sweet treats before you climb into your game vehicle for a three-hour drive that leads into the evening. The sundowner stop at one of our favourite viewpoints will no doubt show off one of Africa’s iconic sights – a sunset casting golden light across an African savanna. As night sets in, you’ll start to see new animals stir on your safari at night experience, adding another level of excitement to the end of the drive.
A walking safari offers something quite different to a game drive: the thrill of being on foot in a Big 5 reserve and a chance to engage with the smaller things. You learn about tracking, insects, flowers and most of all the power of the african landscape. It’s a chance to have an immersive experience where you get down and touch and smell what’s out there while at the same time you never quite know what you’ll encounter around the next corner. There is little that compares to a walking safari or going on a safari hiking experience in a true big 5 safari reserve.
Following a morning game drive, our guests can be treated to breakfast in a beautiful bush setting. While the savannah stirs to life, we serve a wide variety of breakfast dishes that our guests enjoy surrounded by the untouched African wilderness. No matter what your dietary requirements may be, we’ve got a dish for you.
