Category: Wildlife

This iconic female leopard who rules the northern reaches of Thornybush Nature Reserve with exquisite elegance and graceful power....

The spotted hyena is one of the most misunderstood animals in Africa. Often cast as villains in popular culture, from The Lion King to...

The tranquil setting of Thornybush Game Lodge offers guests a peaceful escape in the heart of the Greater Kruger. But beyond the luxury...

What Does the Rhino Say?  Celebrating World Rhino Day – 22 September Every year on September 22, the world unites to celebrate World...

In the wild, survival isn’t just about strength; it’s about strategy, sacrifice, and resilience. And nowhere is that more evident than...

In Part One, our guide, Sarah shared the power shifts among Thornybush’s lions. Now, in Part Two, she turn’s our attention to...

As winter settles over the Thornybush Nature Reserve, it’s hard to believe we’re already halfway through 2025. The past six months...

Southern African countries like Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa have, over the years, opened their borders where conservation...

With February being the month of love, signs of affection are all around us. But love isn’t just for humans—Sarah Barratt, our Guide...

At Thornybush, we are privileged to be surrounded by the extraordinary animals of the African bush, and over the years, we’ve...

Mapoza, a symbol of strength, power, and success in Thornybush, has fallen from his throne. With heavy hearts, we report on the...

In the aftermath of a devastating poaching crisis that plagued the Greater Kruger area for over 15 years, Friday 7th June marked a...

This month I’m excited to spotlight some of the most powerful females in the animal kingdom: the Spotted Hyena! These creatures are...

Apart from the famous Big Five safaris that the Greater Kruger is world-renowned for, our Reserve also contains countless other amazing...

Honouring World Wildlife Day today, we thought of what better way to share how we, at Thornybush, are protecting our conservation efforts...

If there is one activity to put on your bucket list when visiting a Thornybush safari lodge, it should be going on a walking safari.  Having...

Elephants know a thing or two about life in the wild, that’s why we’re taking advice from these gentle giants. What lessons can we...

There is nothing better than exploring the bush on a private game drive. But knowing the rules of being a passenger can make your experience...

Hyena are in fact some of the most incredible creatures, they are highly intelligent and have a deeply complex social structure.

We have decided to investigate the four most commonly shared “facts” about hippos, and share the truth about these animals.

Do you know the difference between poisonous and venemous? What it really boils down to is how the creatures apply thier dangerous...

When the guides came across an elephant which had died from natural causes it only took a few days for the hyena and vultures to clean...

To experience the Lowveld, is to experience a world within a world. Find out what makes it so special.

People from several African countries are known to eat Mopani worms, but what do Mopani worms eat? Leaves from the Mopani tree of course!...

Ungulates are everywhere! During the average South African safari, you'll come across them daily. They are some of the most numerous...

One of the most widely held beliefs surrounding the praying mantis is the female's habit of ripping her mates head off after copul...

Many of us think of the eerily translucent, wide-eyed type lizard when we hear the word gecko. However, the gecko infra-order is one...

You're almost guaranteed to see leopard on safari at Thornybush. Find out why these animals are in danger.

The African Civet is a relatively common inhabitant in our neck of the woods. But it's still a real treat to see one of these elusive...

Africa is filled with creatures struggling in a sometimes-hostile environment, competing for food among some of the most dangerous...

Once you've stayed at Thornybush for a few days, you are likely to have ticked the Big Five off your list already. The real challenge...

During your South African safari at Thornybush Lodges, you'll discover that there's more to plants than meets the eye. Not content...

Thanks to their association with death other unpleasantries, vultures have a bad reputation. Their penchant for perching on dead trees...

Most bird species in the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve start feathering their nests during the rainy season. But the southern yellow-billed...

It's logical to believe that the zebra is in fact a horse that developed stripes as a means of survival in the wild. However, zebras...

With all the emphasis placed on rhino and elephant conservation, little public attention has been called to the plight of one of Africa's...

While plants are hardly sentient beings, some of them know their stuff when it comes to beating off the bad guys. Some species have...

The lilac breasted roller, a most colourful and splendid bird to spot; but not quite delightful to hear.

Familiarise yourself with the Chacma Baboon, a creature you will likely get to know very while when visiting South Africa.

Male lions are so often perceived as lazy guys, so we take a closer look to see if this really is the case.

Take a closer look at a true wonder of the animal kingdom - an elephant’s trunk and precisely how it works.

Elephants are peaceful creatures most of the time, but they can be dangerous if they’re not respected. These are some of the tell-tale...

The Dwarf Mongoose - the smallest carnivore, a formidable little hunter, but still pretty sweet to watch while out on safari.

Affectionately known as painted wolves, the African wild dog, while belonging to the family Canidae, is only distantly related to any...

Do you know the difference between a meerkat and a mongoose? Find out what sets these two creatures apart and what makes them so interesting...

Find out why the Waterbuck has such a distinctive white ring around it's backside - making it one of the easiest antelopes to identify...

The evolution of the lion remains shrouded in some mystery and speculation. Find out what the current research is saying about these...

Finding the Big 5 on safari is the dream of many guests and at Thornybush the chances are very high - but do you know which animals...