Luxury Hotel · South Africa
Thornybush Game Lodge
Tailor-made, always
Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
Your own specialist
One named person and a 24-hour number while you travel.
Hundreds of five-star reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot across ten years of LGBTQ+ luxury travel.
At a glance
Located adjacent to the renowned Kruger National Park, the Thornybush Nature Reserve provides a luxurious haven for experiencing breathtaking wildlife encounters. With its sophisticated accommodations and stunning surroundings, it offers an unparalleled retreat for nature enthusiasts.
Nestled within the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve and the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, the Thornybush Collection offers twelve stunning lodges that seamlessly blend the beauty of the African wilderness with luxurious amenities.
With eleven lodges located within the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve and one within the prestigious Sabi Sand Game Reserve, each lodge exudes an air of refined elegance that will leave guests feeling pampered and rejuvenated.
To curate a truly unforgettable journey, we have handpicked some of the finest lodges the Thornybush Collection has to offer. Revel in the splendor of Thornybush, where enchanting landscapes, breathtaking wildlife, and unmatched luxury converge to create a safari experience unlike any other.
Highlights
- Five-hour drive from Johannesburg
- Private suites and luxury rooms
- Outdoor pools
- Sustainability conscious
- Five-star accommodation
Accommodation
Thornybush Game Lodge
The largest collection of the Thornybush Nature Reserve. There are 18 five-star suites to choose from. The decor is very chic and the suites overlook the Monwana River.
The River Lodge
The River Lodge is located in the 14,000-hectare Thornybush Private Nature Reserve amidst the verdant bushveld. There are four stunning suites overlooking the Monwana River.
Simbambili Game Lodge
Simbambili Game Lodge is located in the iconic Kruger National Park. It’s surrounded by jackalberry trees and a wildlife-rich savannah. Manyeleti River flows through it. This is a great place to experience a 5-star South African safari.
South Africa
South Africa occupies the southern tip of the African continent, bordered by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and sharing land borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini. The country spans eleven official languages and an extraordinary range of landscapes, from the winelands of the Western Cape to the bushveld of Limpopo and the dramatic coastline of the Garden Route. Most itineraries begin in Cape Town, one of the world’s great cities.
Our Experts
There's no better way to appreciate the natural world than by taking part in a South African safari. You'll have the chance to see the Big Five whilst never compromising when it comes to luxury.
The cosmopolitan hub of Cape Town is often overlooked as a fantastic travel destination. It has a palpably vibrant character and a flourishing food scene. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to experience something completely different.
Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.
Anthony S.
Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.
John
I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.
Tiberiu
Suggested tours
Discover KwaZulu-Natal: Bush, Beach & Culture
Tailor-made VacationWelcome to South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal - a region where golden beaches, wildlife-filled wetlands, and mountain kingdoms come together in one remarkable province. This curated 11-day itinerary invites you to slow down, reconnect, and experience the rich natural and cultural heritage that makes this part of the world truly unforgettable.
11 days tailor-made from $10,515 per person View trip
Exclusive South Africa Safari: Kruger Big Five & Tswalu Kalahari Adventure
Tailor-made VacationDiscover two of South Africa’s most extraordinary gay-friendly safari destinations on this highly exclusive journey, combining the legendary wildlife of Greater Kruger with the raw, untamed beauty of the Kalahari. Your curated 10-day adventure begins in Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. Here, the Big Five roam free and intimate lodges bring the bush to your doorstep.
10 days tailor-made from $25,275 per person View trip
Essential South Africa: Johannesburg, Sun City and Safari
Tailor-made VacationThis vibrant journey takes you from the urban energy of Johannesburg to the glamour of Sun City, before culminating in a private safari in one of South Africa’s most renowned game reserves. Perfectly paced and crafted for those seeking variety, immersion, and indulgence, this journey allows you to experience the country’s contrasts - everything from contemporary city life to its sweeping savannahs.
9 days tailor-made from $10,770 per person View tripTell us where your mind keeps going back to. We will do the rest.
Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
We plant trees for every booking
For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
One named specialist, first inquiry to homecoming. No call center, and nothing is charged until you decide to book.