Name: Thornybush Kwa Mbili Game Lodge
Address: Guernsey Road, Thornybush Main Gate, Thornybush Game Reserve 1380, Limpopo, Timbavati, Timbavati, Timbavati, 1380, South Africa
Rating: 10

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Hoedspruit Airport

Londolozi Airport

Phalaborwa Airport

Thornybush Kwa Mbili Game Lodge

Timbavati

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This is our fourth visit to this wonderful game lodge which has just undergone some renovations which have improved the layout with a small pool now overlooking the open bush and water hole. Our tents were wonderful with everything you could need - very comfortable and right next to the sites and sounds of the bush.
We had four game drives during which our grandchildren were introduced to the spectacular excitement of animal encounters with the help of our ranger Neil.  All the staff made us very welcome and as always the food was extraordinarily good. You do not need to pay the big bucks other lodges charge in the area when you can have a wonderful time at Kwambili.

Another wonderful time at Kwambili

I wish we could have stayed longer! We stayed for two nights and until now the best of the whole trip! Jesse, one of the staff members was so lovely welcoming us. We missed the afternoon game drive because of a flat tyre but we were lucky enough to see many elephants in front of our tent and at the waterhole when we arrived. Like I said, the staff is excellent, so helpful and the food was the best! Even with my gluten intolerance they served the best! They even made me a home made gluten free bread, I was so happy as it was delicious! Gheti (hope I am writing her name correctly) was also so lovely serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. She made us feel very welcome. The tents are perfect, everything was clean and I think, especially the bathroom, it’s next level for glamping! In the night we heard hyenas and even lions! 

And I haven’t even started about the game drives… we saw so many animals! Even a leopard and wild dogs, which are not easy to find! Neil, the driver and ranger and ofcourse Roel, sitting at the front of the car, were such great guides. They found us so many beautiful sightings to see. And it was so much fun sitting in an open vehicle, the animals came so close which was quite the kick especially with the lions! Make sure to take clothes for all weather as it can get cold very quickly! 

All in all we had such a lovely stay, sad to leave so soon. Make sure to book more than 2 or 3 nights so you can enjoy it to the fullest! Thank you guys so much, we had a wonderful time!

Everything was perfect! 6 star rating!

Amazing little gem in Thornybush. Tents are large and comfortable, food is great and the team are absolutely amazing. We were with our 6 year old and they were fantastic with her, especially Neil. Still dreaming of KwaMbili and wish I’m back there. 

Amazing game lodge 

We had a truly memorable, once in a lifetime experience at Kwa Mbili. As first time safari goers, our priority was to see as much and as diverse a range of game as possible. We saw the Big 5 many times over and so much more! Our ranger Squirrel and tracker Reul went above and beyond, sharing their vast knowledge and creating a fun atmosphere. 

Beyond the fantastic game viewing, we were overwhelmed by the warm hospitality of this intimate lodge - only 10 guests maximum allows a truly tailor made experience! Our tent was comfortable and clean, while giving us the experience of waking up to the view of the Bush and the sounds of whatever animals were wandering outside. The common areas are beautifully designed (safari chic!), with a pool and cozy hide that overlook a watering hole - we even got to see a herd of elephants drinking there for almost an hour! The food was delicious and beautifully presented, and we were so grateful to the kitchen staff for accommodating our specific dietary requirements. 

Thank you to Ross, Keesha, Neil, Squirrel, Ruel and the whole Kwa Mbili staff for a truly fantastic experience! We hope to be back!

Once in a life time experience at Kwa Mbili!

Well, what can we say about KwaMbili Safari Lodge? It is positioned as an ‘Out of Africa’ experience (as in the fabulous 1985 Robert Redford/Meryl Streep movie) and what an experience it is. As UK visitors, we had not been on a game/safari holiday before and so were not completely sure what to expect, but all of our expectations were far exceeded.

Before the holiday, with various ‘daft lad’ questions to ask about travelling arrangements to and from the lodge and other points, the host team of Jesse and Keesha were endlessly patient, helpful, with nothing being too much trouble. The travel arrangements which they organised from Hoedspruit Airport to the lodge worked perfectly smoothly (via Osprey Tours, who were also excellent in the 3 trips they did for us, so would fully recommend them too) and on arrival we had a really warm welcome from Jesse and Keesha as hosts of the lodge.

The lodge itself is beautiful and authentic to its ‘Out of Africa’ theme. The lodge we stayed in was, as promised, yes, a  sturdy tent but inside, a beautifully traditional, old-fashioned feel of antique furniture, bed and lighting, which gives a wonderful Edwardian safari ambience. And, particularly welcome, the bed was deliciously comfortable after a day of game hunting. The bathroom at the rear of the tent is very spacious indeed, enclosed within the tent and very well appointed with shower, toilet, dual sinks and mirrors with toiletries provided – so, whilst a tent in the middle of the bush, all mod con luxuries that you might expect from a Dubai hotel. The shower temperature was slightly temperamental but there was certainly plenty of hot water to keep out the cold of the 5.30 morning starts when being awakened for the game drive at the crack of dawn!

In addition to the 5 lodges, hosting up to max 10 guests, there is also an elevated observation hide, with a view over a close-by watering hole from which we saw elephants and other game and comfy sofas and chairs to lounge in the afternoon. There’s also a small swimming pool which would be very welcome indeed to cool off from the summer sun (our visit was late winter/early spring) and with a good array of sun loungers for relaxation between dips in the pool.

We had two game drives per day, one at 6 am in the morning and one at 3:30 in the afternoon. The game drives were a joy, not least because of the expert, knowledgeable and friendly accompaniment of the game rangers and trackers (Squirrel, Jesse, Paulee and Ruel) but also because of the sheer beauty of the South African low veldt. Thanks to the team’s knowledge and skill we were able to see pretty much all of the big game, including lion, leopard, loads of elephants, several rhinos, buffalo, wild dogs, hyena and many different types of antelope. If you’re into birds, the guides are really knowledgeable on those as well.

And, amongst all the other pleasant surprises, on each game drive, which lasts about 3 hours, a welcome halfway stop in a suitable clearing (to avoid uninvited company!), a hamper emerges from the back of the vehicle so you can enjoy a delicious and welcome cup of morning coffee, fortified by Amarula Cream liqueur and, in the evening, your drink of choice. So what better than a perfectly made gin & tonic with plenty of ice and lemon in the middle of the bush, with the gorgeous red African sunrise or sunset as the backdrop?

Back at the lodge, the food was absolutely excellent. With 3 hearty meals all included in the daily rate and with brilliant quality and quantity combined, this is real value for money. Breakfast comprises a cold cereal buffet but then a cooked-to-order full English breakfast which is just to die for, all under the friendly and generous supervision of Mama Catro, Gerty and the rest of the catering team who do a wonderful job. For good measure, there is unlimited coffee, tea etc available throughout the day on a help yourself basis. 

Lunch is a lighter affair with say pasta and delicious salads but the evening dinners at the lodge are a real highlight and a truly atmospheric African occasion. Dinner is taken outside in the ‘boma’, a small circular, traditional wooden stockade. Guests sit together at one table with the atmosphere created by hurricane lamp lighting and a lovely wood fire in the middle of the boma. The food is delicious, with 3 courses beginning with a light starter; main courses are a really good-sized portion invariably involving delicious cooked meats from the braai including steak and of course that staple of South African barbecuing,  boerewors sausage, together with chops and chicken skewers and so on. The pork medallions were another particular highlight.

Lastly, and importantly, all of this is complemented by a well-stocked bar, as what evening would be complete without another gin & tonic and a bottle of South African red with dinner!

So, all in all, 5 days of tremendous fun, good company, top class hospitality and hosting by Jesse, Keesha and the team, all accompanied by the timeless beauty of the African landscape and wild life. 

As a visitor from the UK who has not been to southern Africa for 45 years, and admittedly with some reservations about visiting SA, this was a joy. Yes, SA has its issues, but what country doesn’t and, if you are in any doubt, I would strongly urge you to go ahead, take the plunge and go. Visit the country, experience the fabulous game reserves, enjoy the friendly reception from its welcoming people and see if KwaMbili Lodge matches up to the memorable heights of what we experienced – in, not out, of Africa.       

Chris J - August 2023


WONDERFUL SAFARI EXPERIENCE - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED  

We've just come away from 3 amazing days at Kwa Mbili.

The tented accommodation was 1st class, comfortable and the showers powerful and refreshing.

The staff were superb from start to finish. Jessie, Keesha and Gerty in camp couldn't do enough for us. Squirrel and Eddie out on the drives were superb, very knowledgeable and managed to see the big 5. We even spotted Impala - so rare, so beautiful.

We came away and commented we couldn't think of anything they could improve on. Very highly recommended.

Thank you all at Kwa Mbili

Amazing 3 days

Short notice overnight excursion with an sunset and sunrise game drive. From arrival we were treated to an amazing experience and made to feel welcome and comfortable in the surrounding of the lodge and within the team. Accommodation was of the highest calibre in the lap of luxury in such wild and beautiful surroundings. Kwambilli can cater for 10 but there were just the 2 of us out of the main season. I would highly recommend going outside of main holidays as this place is worth experiencing with the minimal of external noise. We were treated in to two very eventful game drives so much to see and with really knowledgeable and passionate guides. The evening meal was stunning under an amazing sky. Thank you so much to Wesley and Stu for an awesome experience. Very highly recommended.

Kwambiki Sunset overnight game drive Jan 23

We spent 3 nights at Kwambili last month. It was amazing! The tented camp is cozy, with a super nice pool and hide where you can spot the animals, the camp is located in a area with lots of wildlife around so during the night you can hear all the incredible sounds and that was amazing. The staff was super friendly, they helped in everything to make us feel super comfortable. The game drives were also super exciting, Giulia one of the guides drives incredibly good and we had super nice sightings! 
One of the best safaris of my life. I would repeat it at Kwambili without any doubt! 
From Penélope, Laura, Jaime, Gine and Maria

The best of the best

We do not know what it is we have to come back to kwambili as much as we can. Kwambili has an atmosphere not to be compared with other lodges. It is intimate, small, awesome staff, good food and we love the tents. It is a place where we make friends every time we were there and that are many times.
The safaris are great. We just came back from our second stay within two months and hope to go again soon. Kwambili means being in the bush we do not need the luxury of a lodge with a bath on your deck this is perfect all you need.

Our home away from home

We have not long returned from enjoying six utterly fabulous days at KwaMbili.  The entire experience was just magical.  My wife and I stayed in one tent and my daughter and her partner in another.  The luxury tents, which resembled something from the movie Out of Africa, were special and secure, and added to the wonderful experience.  Our tent overlooked a waterhole, which was often frequented by elephants and at one point lions.  Ross and his wife Annalieke, the owners of KwaMbili, made us so welcome, as did all the staff of the lodge.  Ross is an inspiration and a man who clearly cares deeply about the Kruger, conservation and his lodge.

As a family, we went of two game drives per day and thanks to our excellent ranger, Jessie and our ‘eagle eyed’ guides Squirrel and Eddie, we saw so much wildlife that it is still hard to comprehend.  Jessie was a font of knowledge and made the holiday for us.  We simply cannot praise KwaMbili and its staff enough.  The accommodation was beyond excellent, the food sublime and the views and experience were just breath taking.  If you want to do a fun and safe safari in the Kruger, then look no further – KwaMbili is most assuredly the place to go.  We will be back next year.  Many thanks again to Ross and his excellent team.

Thornybush Kwa Mbili Game Lodge

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