View from Thornybush Waterside Lodge (Mary Curry)
We flew into Hoedspruit and transferred to Thornybush Game Reserve, northwest of Kruger National Park. Many of the private game reserves along the borders of Kruger, including Thornybush, have taken down fences between each other and the National Park to allow wildlife freedom of movement across the entire Greater Kruger area (described to me as approximately the size of Israel). We had chosen to split our time between the north and south ends of Kruger as the vegetation and wildlife vary a bit based on preferred habitats. Thornybush, as the name suggests, has a lot of thicker vegetation and thorny thickets that are especially well liked by the endangered black rhino and devoured by the elephants.
Upon arrival we were offered a drink and introduced to our ranger, Craig. He is 100% committed to keeping both his travelers and the game protected and I could tell immediately that we would be in great hands. He approved when we declined lunch to head straight for the afternoon game drive departing a few minutes later. On the way into the lodge, we passed by the watering hole that gives this lodge its name: Thornybush Waterside Lodge. A family of hippos were in the pool and the setting couldn't be more stunnning!
We headed to the vehicles and met our tracker, Moses, who could spot a chameleon in the dark on a tree branch 20 feet off the road-- just the kind of person you want with you as you search for wildlife.
Hailey had gotten sick earlier in the day, but she didn't want to miss the wildlife and was rewarded within moments with our first sightings of giraffe. Next we saw a lone bull elephant. Craig taught us how to evaluate his behavior and make sure that we weren't getting too close and disrupting the elephant's routine. The bull looked at us briefly and then returned to chomping his bush. As Craig says, "an eating elephant is a happy elephant". Elepant at Thornybush Reserve (Mary Curry)Giraffe at Thornybush Reserve (Mary Curry) Water Buffalo at Thornybush Reserve (Mary Curry)Red Billed Hornbill at Thornybush Reserve (Mary Curry)Sundowner with our Tracker Moses and Ranger Craig at Thornybush Reserve (Mary Curry)
We stopped for drinks at sundown and then got a call over the radio that a mating pair of lions had been spotted nearby. By the time we found them, it was dark, but the vehicles are equipped with strong spotlights (and specific rules on how to use them without annoying the animals) so we were able to watch the pair snuggled up in the dark. Lions by Spotlight at Thornybush Reserve (Mary Curry)
Just when we thought our day was done and we were headed back to the lodge, we rounded the corner to see dozens of paper lanterns, a bonfire and a lavish spread of food. The lodge had arranged a braai or outdoor barbecue for us that was fantastic. Sadly Hailey's tummy wasn't well enough to partake of the grilled kudo skewers and other delicious treats. If she had been feeling better, it would have been ideal, but it was still a magical setting. Braai at Thornybush Reserve (Mary Curry)
Excellent travel advice and service
This is my second experience working with Adventure Life. I’m sold. Jess Heuermann is an experienced traveler and provides a lot of useful information when planning a trip. These are the questions I like to ask at the outset - What’s it like to go here, there, what would you suggest, what do people report, can we add any additional side trips? Jess took the time to answer my questions and seek additional information to share with me. Petchie Colina is outstanding in helping with travel logistics and final preparations. Adventure Life has excellent guides and offers private guides and small group adventures. We enjoyed the opportunity to talk with the guides and drivers to learn more about their countries, cultures and histories. A highlight was having the guides pick local restaurants where we could share meals together. Highly recommend.
Claire Cordon
5 days ago
Our six-day tour in Iceland went smoothly with one exception. We had asked for two rooms each night. Somehow we were booked with one room with three beds. It could not be fixed at the first hotel in Reykjavik because the hotel was fully booked. Once informed of the problem, however, Adventure Life rebooked for two rooms for the remainder of the trip. As an 85-year-old traveler, I appreciated that one could participate at different physical levels at many of the stops. Iceland is a great place to visit but on the expensive side.
Mary Warren
6 days ago
Jess was very easy going and answered all our questions. It’s not easy dealing with 6 people at once but she did an outstanding job!
Diane Foster
1 week ago
Kassandra and the Adventure Life team have been incredible! Kassandra was very knowledgeable and attentive to our asks while making sure we kept within our budget. This was our first experience with a travel agent and we were blown away by the booking/initial exploration service. We will use Adventure Life again.