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About this property

Located on a private game park, Thornwood is surrounded by African bush and forest. This secluded lodge-style villa features three bedrooms and offers its guests absolute privacy. The luxurious villa offers a living area, a private pool, and a fully equipped kitchen, which opens up onto a large deck with a fire-pit. The bedrooms with attached bathroom are fitted with air conditioning and ceiling fans and an additional outdoor shower. The Game Park offers self-guided walking trails, an abundance of bird-life and game. Neighboring the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, Thornwood is about 22 mi from Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Park.

Distance in property description is calculated using © OpenStreetMap

Property highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.4)

Free Private Parking Available On Site

Activities:

  • Fishing

  • Game room

  • Pool table


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Availability

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Accommodation Type
Number of guests
 
Bedroom 1
1 queen bed
Bedroom 2
2 twin beds
Bedroom 3
2 twin beds
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Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff
Facilities
Cleanliness
Comfort
Value for money
Location
Free Wifi

Select topics to read reviews:

Guests who stayed here loved

  • Martijn
    Netherlands Netherlands
    The location of the lodge is amazing! The lodge is completely in the woods. The lodge and the rooms look amazing. Being in the rooms really gives you the feeling you're in the wild. The facilities are good and the staff is amazing. The staff was...
  • Lizanne
    South Africa South Africa
    Stunning, picturesque, tranquil property, superb hosting and service. We had an absolutely wonderful stay. Highest recommendation for those looking to stay here.
  • Mike
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    From the time we arrived and greeted with cold flannels after our long journey until we had to leave, we were looked after so well by Nadia and Angel. Their attentiveness and ease with the way they made sure we had an amazing stay was one in a...
  • Alfred
    South Africa South Africa
    Beautiful property with everything that was needed to make our stay very pleasant
  • Eric
    United States United States
    Lovely property right in the Kuleni Reserve. Nadia was a perfect host, always attentive and willing to help. The layout is partly open and so brought the outdoors in. The bedrooms were all spacious and the whole place was beautifully appointed. ...
  • Brian
    Australia Australia
    Everything!!! Exceptional location and accommodation!!! Great place to get away to. The host is very welcoming and can't do enough to make your stay a memorable one!!!
  • Maureen
    South Africa South Africa
    Thornwood is a lovely, family-friendly home. Private, quiet, and spacious. This was our second visit, and we enjoy being there as a family. Nadia is a charming host, and the housekeeper is excellent. Thank you, Thornwood, for another wonderful stay!
  • Jurie
    South Africa South Africa
    The details! Everything was exceptional. It was luxurious, yet had a distinct African safari feel. As a European, you will absolutely go bananas over this place. The amenities were great. A well working gas bbq, an ice maker, pleanty...
  • David
    South Africa South Africa
    So peaceful, all the facilities for a relaxing, peaceful getaway in the bush. You have got to experience it to believe it. We booked for three nights but stayed for an extra two and would have stayed even longer if not for work commitments. Away...
  • Jolinda
    South Africa South Africa
    The house and location is amazing. The host is also lovely.

Hosted by Nadia Kilian

9.7
Host Review Score
Nadia Kilian
Thornwood was designed by the owners in 2002. Inspired by nature the owners didn't want to feel as though they were stuck indoors while they were suppose to be enjoying the wonderful bush. To create the feeling of a seamless transition from indoors to outdoors the main lodge is open to the bush with only three walls. The '4th wall' is made of drop down mosquito netting that can be left open or closed. The kitchen doors roll all the way open onto a deck and fire pit. Even the bedroom and bathrooms open out into the bush or onto private decks.
There are many birds and animals to be spotted from Thornwood as they come to visit the private waterhole. Many of the trees have been labelled for easy identification. Enjoy your time at Thornwood by relaxing at the lodge or go for a walk around the park by following the trail signs or book one of our excursions. (Thornwood is registered as a Birder Friendly Establishment with Birdlife SA and four star rated by TGCSA.)
At Thornwood you can sit and relax while giraffe, duiker, nyala, kudu, wilde beast, warthog, mongooses, serval, bush babies and many other animals visit the lodge. Feeling active? There are plenty of walking trails to follow in which you will see an abundance of animals and birdlife. Guests can go on excursions in the surrounding area where they encounter: the Big 5, whales, hugging a cheetah, playing with snakes or learning about the local culture. As Thornwood is self- catering ( B&B and Dinner B&B on special request) there are many local restaurants we can recommend.
Languages spoken: Afrikaans,English,Zulu

Area info

Restaurants

4 Restaurants On Site
  • Dellish
    • Cuisine
      South African
    • Open for
      Breakfast • Brunch • Lunch • Dinner
    • Ambience
      Family-friendly
  • Rafikis
    • Open for
      Breakfast • Brunch • Lunch • Dinner
    • Ambience
      Family-friendly
  • Lala weavers

    No additional info available

  • Restaurant #4

    No additional info available

House rules

Thornwood takes special requests – add in the next step!
Check-in
From 2:30 PM to 8:00 PM
You need to let the property know what time you'll be arriving in advance.
Check-out
From 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
Cancellation/ prepayment
Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Enter your stay dates and check the conditions of your selected option.
Curfew
The entrance to the property is closed between 22:00 and 05:00
Refundable damage deposit
A damage deposit of ZAR 2,000 is required. The property charges this 14 days before arrival. That's about $115. This will be collected by bank transfer. You should be reimbursed within 7 days of check-out. The deposit will be fully refunded by bank transfer if there's no damage to the property upon inspection after check-out.
Children & Beds

Child policies

Children of all ages are welcome.

To see correct prices and occupancy info, add the number and ages of children in your group to your search.

Crib and extra bed policies

1 - 2 years
Crib upon request
Free
3+ years
Extra bed upon request
ZAR 750 per person, per night

Prices for cribs and extra beds aren't included in the total price. They'll have to be paid for separately during your stay.

The number of extra beds and cribs allowed depends on the option you choose. Check your selected option for more info.

All cribs and extra beds are subject to availability.

No age restriction
There's no age requirement for check-in
Cards accepted at this property
Visa Cash is not accepted
Parties
Parties/events are not allowed
Quiet hours
Guests need be quiet between 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.

The fine print

Must-know information for guests at this property

Please inform Thornwood of your expected arrival time in advance. You can use the Special Requests box when booking, or contact the property directly using the contact details in your confirmation.

Payment before arrival by bank transfer is required. The property will contact you after you book to provide instructions.

This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.

Quiet hours are between 18:00:00 and 23:00:00.

A damage deposit of ZAR 2,000 is required. The property charges this days before arrival. This will be collected by bank transfer. You should be reimbursed within 7 days of check-out. The deposit will be fully refunded by bank transfer if there's no damage to the property upon inspection after check-out.