Soulful Safaris at Simbambili Game Lodge
Roam Free in South Africa with Thornybush
Quote of the Week
There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.
-Karen Blixen
Dear Postcard Travellers,
Few experiences are more humbling than an African safari. Locking eyes with a leopard in the wild or witnessing a mother lion tenderly groom her cubs are moments that remind us that we are merely a small thread in a wondrous web of life.
Thornybush offers you a taste of these life-changing adventures. This collection of luxury safari lodges and tented camps borders world-famous Kruger National Park in South Africa. Thanks to its unfenced borders, wildlife can roam free between Kruger, Thornybush Nature Reserve and Sabi Sand Game Reserve, providing exceptional game viewing for lucky wildlife lovers.
This week we’re embarking on a soulful safari at Thornybush’s stylish Simbambili Game Lodge. We'll track the shy and elusive leopard, dine under the stars and enjoy a soothing massage at the bush spa.
May your Simbambili journey humble you and inspire awe and wonder.
Karen Hastings
Editor, Postcard Travel Club
This Week’s Featured Partner: Thornybush
Welcome to your haven in the African wilderness: Thornybush, a collection of world-renowned luxury safari lodges. Thornybush’s passion for conservation and connection with the community is the heartbeat of its owner-run legacy.
Nestled within South Africa's Greater Kruger Park area, Thornybush’s lodges allow wildlife to roam freely across their unfenced boundaries through over 15,000 hectares of unspoiled African wilderness. This means your game-viewing experience will be exceptional, offering up-close encounters with the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) and an awe-inspiring array of other animals.
Perched by winding riverbeds and wildlife-rich waterholes, each lodge is a unique oasis. Choose from Little Saseka or Saseka Tented Camp, Thornybush Game Lodge, Kamara House safari-villa or Simbambili Game Lodge.
Whether you’re planning a family safari, a honeymoon or wedding safari, a solo safari or a wellness safari, indulge in a stay where every moment is a chance to reconnect with nature — and your true self.
Let’s explore Simbambili.
Unique Activities
Unwind at Simbambili Game Lodge
Simbambili Game Lodge lies amid a timeless landscape of ancient knobthorns and jackalberries in the northern part of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve within the Greater Kruger area.
Here, you'll find seven stylish suites and spacious open-air living areas, where you can relax and soak up the mesmerising views.
Seasoned hosts, Mike and Tania, welcome you warmly and share stories from their many years of living on this land. You’ll also enjoy rewarding game drives and walks with skilled safari guides.
Savor gin and tonics in the sunken lounge and mingle with other guests from around the world, enjoy a magical evening stargazing as hyenas whoop in the distance, and see your first leopard.
Simbambili offers all these adventures and more.
See Your First Leopard at Simbambili
Simbambili is known for its prolific population of leopards. These elusive cats are one of the most difficult of the Big Five African animals to spot, but Simbambili maximises your chances.
In the cool dawn, accompanied by expert guide-and-tracker teams, you'll set out in open-air safari vehicles in search of the Big Five and other diverse wildlife against the backdrop of a breathtaking sunrise.
After a leisurely afternoon, the magic unfolds on an evening game drive, offering glimpses of nocturnal wildlife under the moonlit sky. Each moment is a photographer's delight in the heart of the Greater Kruger Park.
Better still, opt for a guided walking safari with an expert guide and tracker. Here, the thrill isn't just being in a Big Five Reserve; it's about immersing yourself in nature at ground level, forging an intimate connection with the wilderness around you.
Melt Your Cares Away at Simbambili’s Bush Spa
Indulge in a journey of rejuvenation at Simbambili Lodge's Bush Spa. Here, you can melt all your worries away, serenaded by the songs of birds and the soft kiss of the bush-scented breeze.
The spa’s all-natural Africology products use only natural and organic ingredients that honor the rich botanical heritage and indigenous plants of South Africa, including rooibos, aloe and African potato bush.
Which treatment will you choose during your stay? Perhaps it will be a customised deep cleansing facial, a wellness massage or a detoxing body treatment.
Lodging
Relax in Your Luxury Wilderness Retreat
At Simbambili Game Lodge, luxury is a personalized affair in the nine spacious suites.
Each is artfully designed to face the serene dry riverbed and woodlands. Your retreat features a private deck, plunge pool, sala bed and a free-standing bath, seamlessly blending modern comforts with the natural surroundings.
If romance beckons, choose the Honeymoon Suite or Waterhole Suite for an even more intimate escape. Both offer larger spaces, extra amenities, and an expansive bush-facing deck complete with a plunge pool and shaded day bed where you can watch a parade of wildlife wander by.
Dining
Savor Sumptuous Simbambili Feasts
At Simbambili Lodge, dining experiences are tailored just for you. From traditional barbecues in lantern-lit bomas to fireside feasts under starry riverbed skies, every occasion is uniquely magical.
Picture yourself indulging in a romantic à la carte dinner on your private deck or savoring bush breakfasts and dinners, served in true Out of Africa style.
In the morning, you’ll be greeted by tables under the trees laden with platters of seasonal fruit, yoghurt and homemade muesli, followed by a continental or full-cooked breakfast, coffee, mimosas and Bloody Marys.
In the evenings, menus are paired with superb South African wines and sourced from local suppliers and community farms. Whatever your dietary preferences, every bite is a celebration of local flavors and global tastes, creating an unforgettable experience just for you.
Sustainability Story
Established in 1961, Thornybush has been at the forefront of wildlife conservation. Thornybush engages in groundbreaking projects like the translocation of elephant herds, the introduction of leopards to private reserves and extensive studies on the endangered pangolins.
In a significant move towards sustainability, Thornybush Nature Reserve removed its fences in 2017, connecting with the renowned Kruger National Park and creating a 15,000-hectare haven for diverse wildlife to roam freely.
Nurturing local communities is also a pillar of Thornybush’s vision. Established in 2005, Thornybush Community collaborates with other organizations to uplift local communities through the SEDIWA Hub at Nourish Eco Village. This cultural tourism experience promotes entrepreneurship, offering diverse training programs and hands-on learning while supporting community initiatives through a coffee shop, bakery and craft store.
Discover More Immersive Experiences at Simbambili Game Lodge
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