Introduction
It’s a vast, wild place where the lions roam at Shumbalala Game Lodge, deep in the Thornybush Game Reserve, one of
the country’s great tracts of untamed game-viewing. Set as it is in a dry, singeing savanna of mopane and acacias and umbrella thorns, quartered by easterly-flowing rivers densely shrouded in giant figs, fever trees and phoenix palms, the land is an ancient tapestry of natural wonder. Over-head, loeries call their sharp warning while horn-bills swoop in an ungainly ballet between trees and vultures elevate on thermals portending an electric storm. As you push on through the bush, it is the serendipity of nature that amazes most, as your vehicle skirts art deco zebra, dozy giraffe, bright eyed bush babies, wildebeest (made, it is said, by the committee of left-over parts) and the rest Africa has to offer. It is even more of an adventure when you stumble upon a leopard lazing in the V of a Jackalberry tree or; a hyaena giving you a lazy yellow eye in the gathering dusk; a majestic bull elephant crashing its way through the riverine thicket in search of sweet reeds or; a surprise sunrise encounter with a lion pride on the prowl. This is the world of Shumbalala Game Lodge, where tales of sightings are recounted over crushed ice and the spontaneous head-rush of it all in the wine cellar which has full view of a waterhole out on the edge of the savanna.

Facilities
Lodging in six luxury suites, all of which have overhead fans, air conditioning, open fireplaces and glass fronts with private
viewing decks into the magical African bush. Bathrooms (all with in- and outside showers) have their own glass picture
windows to watch the wild world go by as you wash off the heat of the day. The double suite Presidential unit includes a
private dining room, lounge, pool and fireside facilities.

Activities
With lazy afternoons swimming in the pool, followed by the rush of the evening game drive, a sumptuous dinner follows
and is enjoyed either fire-side from the lodge deck positioned above the river bed or in the candle-lit dining room in winter.
Each day will bring with it the intricate web of nature which, along with the attention to detail provided at Shumbalala Game Lodge, will evoke in the visitor the exquisite and indelible mood of the bush - a sense of peace some would
describe as being awake dreaming.

A typical day in the Thornybush Game Reserve
The day starts as dawn breaks over the African bushveld. After your early morning wakeup call, coffee, tea & rusks are served on the main deck overlooking the riverbed. Shortly after, you depart in your open Land Rover with your experienced Rangers and Trackers who will share their extensive knowledge of the bush with you. These drives are undertaken at times best suited for game viewing which vary depending on the season but typically start early morning. Where applicable you may be invited out of the vehicle to see tracks, examine certain plants and follow spoor.

After an exhilarating hunt for tracks to see what the animals have been up to during the night, and tracking down whatever you find, you will stop somewhere out in the bush for a break of coffee & tea. Time to stretch your legs whilst having your sunglasses cleaned & indulge in cool towels in summer, and hot towels in winter. In winter, we keep our guests warm on the vehicle with hot water bottles & warm blankets.

After a sumptuous Breakfast is served either back at the camp or in the riverbed or bush, guests are offered walks to suit their interests and fitness levels and are accompanied by an armed ranger and tracker.

Walks allow guests a better chance to see some of the smaller creatures of the bush as well as an opportunity to learn more about the flora and fauna of the region & to have a chance to follow tracks in more detail.

Our Shangaan trackers will enthral you with their explanations of the medicinal and other uses of the numerous plants and trees along with tales of traditional folklore.

The rest of the day is spent at the discretion of the guest for other activities that we offer, with a delicious lunch being served around 1.30pm.

The afternoon game drive is preceded by high tea and extends into the evening to view seldom seen nocturnal species by torchlight.

Upon returning for a gourmet 3 course dinner, either in the boma, bush or lodge - guests can socialise with a cognac, single malt or cigar around the campfire or lounge before returning to bed for another day's adventure.