Vacation packages
Stays
Cars
Flights
Support
AARP Member Savings
My Trips
AARP.org
Join
Renew

Thornybush Waterside Lodge

5.0 star property
Luxury lodge with free breakfast and spa services

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Thornybush Waterside Lodge

Lobby lounge
Breakfast, lunch and dinner served
Exterior
Suite (11 & 12) | Minibar, in-room safe, free WiFi
Property entrance
The African savannah awaits at Thornybush Waterside Lodge. Experience close wildlife encounters during game viewing, then unwind on the sun-drenched terrace with panoramic views. The spa offers rejuvenating treatments, including aromatherapy and manicure/pedicure services.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Room service
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping

Room options

Check availability for these dates

Tonight

Sep 12 - Sep 13
Check availability for tonight Sep 12 - Sep 13

Tomorrow

Sep 13 - Sep 14
Check availability for tomorrow Sep 13 - Sep 14
Available filters for rooms
Showing 2 of 2 rooms

View all photos for Suite

Suite | Minibar, in-room safe, free WiFi

Suite

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
Separate bathtub and shower
Minibar
Coffee/tea maker
  • 60 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Double Bed OR 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Suite (11 & 12)

Suite (11 & 12) | Minibar, in-room safe, free WiFi

Suite (11 & 12)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Air conditioning
Ceiling fan
Private bathroom
Bathrobes
Separate bathtub and shower
Minibar
Coffee/tea maker
  • 120 sq m
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

About the neighborhood

Located in Thornybush Game Reserve, Thornybush Waterside Lodge is in a national park. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Selati Nature Reserve and Kapama Private Nature Reserve, while Nyani Cultural Village and Mafunyani Cultural Village are cultural highlights. Discover the area's wildlife on a nearby safari, or try your luck with game drives and game viewing.
Visit our Thornybush Game Reserve travel guideOpens in a new window
View more Lodges in Thornybush Game ReserveOpens in a new window
Map
Thornybush Game Reserve, Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, 1380

What's nearby

  • Selati Nature Reserve - 7 min drive - 2.1 miles
  • Nyani Cultural Village - 46 min drive - 14.2 miles
  • Hoedspruit Wildlife Estate - 48 min drive - 25.3 miles
  • Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre - 55 min drive - 30.3 miles

Getting around

  • Hoedspruit (HDS) - 115 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Bush Pub & Inn - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪Kapama Southern Camp Restaurant - ‬41 min drive
  • ‪Boma - ‬38 min drive

About this property

Thornybush Waterside Lodge

Luxury lodge in a national park
Free full breakfast, game and wildlife viewing, and a terrace are just a few of the amenities provided at Thornybush Waterside Lodge. Treat yourself to spa services, such as aromatherapy, a body treatment, or a facial. The on-site restaurant offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In addition to a coffee shop/cafe and a library, guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • An outdoor pool
  • Free self parking
  • A roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge), babysitting (surcharge), and game drive on site
  • Concierge services, an elevator, and wedding services
Room features
All guestrooms at Thornybush Waterside Lodge offer comforts such as air conditioning and bathrobes, in addition to amenities like free WiFi and safes.
More amenities include:
  • Bathrooms with separate tubs/showers and free toiletries
  • Balconies or patios, coffee/tea makers, and ceiling fans

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: WiFi (ZAR 80 per stay)

Parking and transportation

  • Roundtrip airport shuttle (surcharge)
  • Free self parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily
  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • Game drive
  • Game viewing
  • Library
  • Outdoor pool

Family friendly

  • Babysitting (surcharge)
  • Laundry facilities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Supervised activities for children

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (daily)
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • Business center
  • Computer station
  • Conference center
  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • In a national park
  • Terrace

Spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Body scrubs
  • Facials
  • Manicures/pedicures
  • Massage

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking

More

  • Smoking not allowed

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Slippers
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Free bottled water
  • Limited room service
  • Minibar

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Phone
  • Safe

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight
Contactless check-in available
Late check-in subject to availability

Check-out

Check-out before 10 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 5 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation
For any questions, please contact the property using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

No pets or service animals allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Rollaway/extra beds are not available
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

  • Fee for wireless internet in public areas: ZAR 80.00 per stay (rates may vary)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards; cash is not accepted
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Per property policy, children under 6 years old are not permitted on game drives.

We should mention

No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property

National rating

Quality Graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) – South Africa's official quality assurance organization.

Property is also known as

Thornybush Waterside Lodge Hoedspruit
Thornybush Waterside Hoedspruit
Thornybush Waterside
Thornybush Waterside Lodge Bushbuckridge
Thornybush Waterside Bushbuckridge
Lodge Thornybush Waterside Lodge Bushbuckridge
Bushbuckridge Thornybush Waterside Lodge Lodge
Thornybush Waterside
Lodge Thornybush Waterside Lodge
Thornybush Waterside
Thornybush Waterside Lodge Lodge
Thornybush Waterside Lodge Bushbuckridge
Thornybush Waterside Lodge Lodge Bushbuckridge

Frequently asked questions

Does Thornybush Waterside Lodge have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Thornybush Waterside Lodge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Thornybush Waterside Lodge?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Thornybush Waterside Lodge?

Check-in start time: 2:00 PM; Check-in end time: midnight. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Thornybush Waterside Lodge?

Check-out is at 10 AM.

Does Thornybush Waterside Lodge provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle.

Where is Thornybush Waterside Lodge located?

Situated in a national park, this luxury lodge is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Selati Nature Reserve and 11.6 mi (18.6 km) from Nyani Cultural Village. Mafunyani Cultural Village and Tintswalo Hospital are also within 20 mi (32 km).

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

  • † More information about the $50 gift card with flight package benefit may be found at: https://www.expedia-aarp.com/lp/b/vacationpackages50prepaid

  • English Copyright 1995 – 2025. All rights reserved. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the Expedia User Agreement and Privacy Policy. Expedia pays a royalty fee to AARP for the use of AARP’s intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purpose of AARP. All goods or services and discounts offered via the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia ®, are provided by third-party suppliers. AARP and its affiliates do not endorse and are not responsible for the goods or services and discounts made available on this site. Offers are subject to change and may have restrictions. Please contact the AARP® Travel Center powered by Expedia® directly for full details. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers.