Kick off the journey to forever in luxury at your home in the African Wilderness
You’ve finally tied the knot after months of tireless planning and now is the time to relax and celebrate your official union with your significant other. Well, what better way to cement your love than in ultimate luxury where you won’t have to lift a finger? Thornybush Private Game Reserve situated in the Greater Kruger National Park is revered for its luxurious bush honeymoons, where couples can delight in the African wilderness amongst the illustrious Big 5. Our 2020 Bride of the Year’s winning couple can certainly attest to their unforgettable time in the bush and are eagerly awaiting a return to Thornybush, where guests travel from all over the globe to experience the magic of the bush. For the ultimate bush honeymoon, we’ve compiled our top tips for an unforgettable honeymoon at one of Thornybush’s collection of premium bush lodging, Saseka Tented Camp, where our 2020 BOTY winning couple enjoyed their prize of a luxurious bush honeymoon!
A honeymoon is a time for you and your significant other to bond, celebrate as a couple, reflect on the relationship, and envision what lies ahead. Thornybush prides itself on providing its guests with extraordinary safari experiences - experiences that are meaningful, immersive and sustainable. It is recommended that couples book for a minimum of three nights to fully immerse themselves and enjoy all that Thornybush has to offer at a leisurely pace - think game drives, bush walks, community engagement, world-class dining, bush spa and more. Guests can look forward to opportunities to reconnect with nature, which will in turn aid reconnection with one’s self and partner, resulting in a truly unique and beneficial honeymoon experience.
Thornybush offers a variety of safari experiences to suit all types of travellers. Customising your experience with the help of their friendly reservations team, will ensure a honeymoon for the books and memories to last a lifetime. Honeymoons are for savouring all the intimate moments between you and your partner and Thornybush’s dedication to going above and beyond, ensures that couples can focus on each other in one of the most romantic destinations in Africa. Thornybush’s flexibility means that couples can turn the romanticism all the way up with offerings such as a candlelit bush dinner in a secluded area where you and your partner can relish in the magnificent sounds of the bush or booking of a charter flight to arrive at the reserve in ultimate style. Be sure to mention to the reservation team if you would like to add a personalised touch to celebrate your union in a meaningful way.
Thornybush Game Reserve boasts five uniquely designed lodges that have been transformed into oases for all its travellers. The lodges are set on riverbeds with incredible views overlooking waterholes and vary in size and stature for the discerning traveller. We recommend booking the honeymoon suite at the Saseka Tented Camp Lodge to fully immerse yourself into the Thornybush environment. The Saseka lodge is home to nine luxurious suites, which remain secluded from the main areas of Thornybush - perfect for couples on honeymoon (just ask our 2020 BOTY winners). Each suite exudes stylish interiors with glass doors that open out onto sweeping decks equipped with sun loungers, your very own private pool and outdoor shower and of course uninterrupted views of the seasonal Mowana riverbed.
Image Credits:
Bottom Middle | @lauraandnicolas
In the main area of the Saseka Camp, is a tiered deck that releases the perfect amount of light similar to a tree canopy thanks to the roof’s innovative design. Couples can look forward to engaging with other travellers as well as the Thornybush staff on the deck over a drink or meal. Whether it is the exchange of stories, sightings of the day or getting lost in a book to the tune of the surrounding trees dancing in the afternoon breeze, one can certainly aliken the Saseka Deck to the significance of animals gathering to quench their thirst at the waterhole. Saseka Tented Camp is truly the merging of comfort and the captivating spell of the bush and there is nothing quite like the soothing rhythm of the bush to settle you for an afternoon slumber on the Saseka Deck.
To be prepared for your daily morning and afternoon game drives, ensure you pack light, neutral clothing such as your khakis, greens, beige, and brown tones as this is best for viewing game as well as comfortable walking shoes. Even though you are on honeymoon, it is best to pack smart through means of layers that can easily be removed and added depending on the weather. Thornybush experiences high daytime temperatures in the summer months with warm early mornings and evenings and incredible rainfall in the late afternoons which, is an experience and a half. In the winter months, expect chilly nights and crisp early mornings with days that are warm. The best thing about Thornybush is that you can experience its magic all year round.
As for your all-inclusive evening dining, we recommend bringing slightly snazzier clothing to add to the romanticism of your trip. After an exciting day out in the bush, there is nothing like reflecting on the beauty of the wilderness with a private dinner in the bush. Couples can look forward to being spoiled for choice when dining and can opt for dinner beside a fire in a riverbed, lanterns in a boma or a candlelit dinner on your very own deck. Thornybush dinners are not exempt from the luxury of the lodge and are described as rather lavish affairs. From Ottolenghi-styled buffets prepared by Solly (a true masterchef of the bush) at the lodge to hearty, farm-to-table bush dinners all expertly paired with South Africa’s renowned wines, all we are going to say is come with a healthy appetite!
Did you know that with every evening game drive, guests are delighted to a unique sundowner experience in a special location in the bush? Guides and staff set up all you need to create the perfect sundowners as you marvel at the African sunset with every sip…and what better way to experience the wonder of the bush than in the arms of your significant other!
Travellers can also enjoy a holistic experience with Thornybush’s spa treatments, which focus on rebooting your mind, body and soul using the rhythm of nature to transcend couples into a state of pure relaxation. Pamper yourself with award-winning spa treatments by Africology right in the comfort of your suite. Treatments can be customised to bring balance to your personal well-being.
Perusing these top tips to an unforgettable honeymoon at Thornybush Game Lodge has already transported us to a state of eternal bliss. Thornybush provides an ideal setting in the heart of the Kruger for couples to truly experience and marvel at the magic of the African wilderness. With their luxurious offerings all seamlessly curated for every type of traveller and of course the coveted Thornybush touch, the bush honeymoon of your dreams can effortlessly become a reality!
Image Credits:
Article Thumbnail | @lauraandnicolas
Thornybush is the perfect location for an elegant safari wedding in the Greater Kruger National Park.
