We depart from Johannesburg between 06h00 – 08h00 to allow for various collection points. Our route takes us through the wide-open spaces of the Highveld, down the escarpment, and through the scenic Lowveld area. We stop for lunch en-route (own expense) and reach the Kruger National Park and Pretoriuskop Rest Camp in the afternoon. (Guests flying into Nelspruit’s Kruger Mpumalanga airport, wishing to join the shuttle, need to land between 11h00 & 12h45 and be aware that they may have to wait for a little for the shuttle to arrive from Johannesburg.

Private transfers are available to guests booked on flights at alternative times at an additional charge.) After settling into our accommodations, you go out on your first game drive which is a SAN Parks sunset drive. A sunset drive affords you the opportunity to see nocturnal animals that are more active at night and the Park’s rangers can return after the normal gate closing times. Note that these drives take place in one of the Kruger Park’s vehicles with a Park Ranger. This is not a private game drive and there may be other guests on this drive. (Children under 6 years of age are not permitted on open vehicle drives.) Dinner is a three-course meal, served al fresco at our camp within Pretoriuskop. Wine is served with dinner, but guests are welcome to bring along additional/alternative drinks which can be purchased at the shop.

Thorn Tree Bush Camp in The Dinokeng Game Reserve in Hammanskraal, Gauteng, is for the true nature lover where you can enjoy the tranquillity of nature, where the stars are brighter at night, where lion roars, jackal bark, bushbabies cry, owls screeches, and the insects sing and much more are often heard at night. Get away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life, enjoy a braai under the stars with the sounds of the wild surrounding you, or take a game drive to view the BIG 5. Enjoy our beautiful sunrises and sunsets that color the skies above with a palette of brilliant colors.

Overnight: Thorn Tree Bush Camp

Distance: 405.9 km
Time: 4 hr 34 min

Safaris are all about early mornings, getting out there and seeing animals! After an early wake-up call (the time varies according to the seasons and park gate opening times) we have tea or coffee & muffins. We then set off on the morning safari which will take approximately 3-4 hours. Your guide has an intimate knowledge of the park, which contributes a great deal towards brilliant sightings! On returning to Pretoriuskop, breakfast/brunch will be ready at our camp. You then have time to enjoy a swim, catch up on some sleep, visit the park shop or take a walk around the camp. After a siesta we set off on the afternoon game drive. We conduct all our game drives in specially adapted 4×4 open game drive vehicles to allow our guests the best possible vantage point. We share safari stories at the campfire under the stars after dinner served at our camp.

Safaris are all about early mornings, getting out there, and seeing animals! After an early wake-up call (the time varies according to the seasons and park gate opening times) we have tea or coffee & muffins. We then set off on the morning safari which will take approximately 3-4 hours. Your guide has an intimate knowledge of the park, which contributes a great deal towards brilliant sightings! On returning to Pretoriuskop, breakfast/brunch will be ready at our camp. You then have time to enjoy a swim, catch up on some sleep, visit the park shop or take a walk around the camp. After a siesta, we set off on the afternoon game drive. We conduct all our game drives in specially adapted 4×4 open game drive vehicles to allow our guests the best possible vantage point. We share safari stories at the campfire under the stars after dinner served at our camp.

Overnight: Thorn Tree Bush Camp

Distance: 372km

Time: 4 hr 9 min

The sun rises over our final day in the Park and we have one last chance to find the animals that have eluded us thus far. After breakfast, we return to Johannesburg. The drive back takes at least 6 hours and guests are advised to sleep over in Johannesburg on this night.(Guests flying out of Nelspruit, wishing to still join the morning game drive and the shuttle going through Nelspruit, should book flights departing from 13h30 onwards. Any earlier flights will result in missing the morning game drive and having to book a private transfer at an additional charge.)

Overnight: Thorn Tree Bush Camp

Distance: 7.1 km

Time: 16 min