Monwana
Game Lodge
Monwana Game Lodge, located in the exclusive Thornybush Game Reserve, offers a secluded and luxurious safari experience within the Greater Kruger National Park. As part of the prestigious More Collection, this award-winning lodge is recognized as one of South Africa’s top safari destinations. Thornybush spans 14,000 hectares of open savannah, providing exceptional Big Five game viewing with a high chance of sightings within the first two days. With limited lodges and guests, safari experiences here are intimate, uncrowded, and perfect for photography enthusiasts.
Monwana Game Lodge features just six elegantly designed suites and a private residence, ensuring exclusivity and comfort. Four suites overlook an active waterhole, allowing guests to witness wildlife from their private decks. Families are accommodated in a spacious two-bedroom suite or private residence, with babysitting services available. Each suite blends modern African-inspired décor with natural elements and soft, earthy tones. The main lodge offers open lounges, a swimming pool, a bar, and a large deck overlooking the reserve, creating a perfect setting for relaxation. Guests can also enjoy fireside dining in a traditional African boma under the stars.
Beyond luxury accommodations, Monwana provides immersive wildlife experiences, led by expert guides and trackers. Game drives and guided bushwalks offer deep insights into the ecosystem, from the smallest insects to the largest mammals. Night safaris reveal elusive nocturnal predators, while the reserve’s limited visitors ensure exclusive and uninterrupted sightings. With its combination of breathtaking landscapes, remarkable wildlife encounters, and world-class hospitality, Monwana delivers an unforgettable African safari adventure.
Gallery
Wildlife
- High concentration of Big 5 with large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as large lion prides.
- Other wildlife include but are not limited to the hippopotamus, giraffe, zebra, cheetah, African wild dog, hyaena, warthog and many other cat and antelope species.
- Large antelope herds support the populations of predators in the reserve.
- Over 500 bird species have been recorded in the region. Many can be seen in the reserve.
Game Drives
- Game drives take place twice a day in the early mornings and afternoons for a duration of 3-4 hours.
- Game drive vehicles at Monwana Game Lodge accommodate a maximum of six guests, providing better views and a more intimate safari experience.
- Modified open-sided 4x4s are designed for comfort and optimal wildlife viewing, featuring extra-long seating and 360-degree visibility.
- Game drives are led by an experienced guide and tracker team.
- Vehicles are allowed to go off road to track and follow the wildlife.
- Strict traverse rules are in place and vehicle numbers are limited in the reserve. A maximum of two vehicles are allowed at any sighting.
- Night drives and guided bushwalks are permitted.
Activities & Facilities
- Game drives
- Guided bushwalks
- Stargazing
- Birdwatching
- Swimming Pool
- Restaurant
- Open-air African Boma
- Riverbed dinning
- Spa & Gym
- Viewing deck
- Bar & lounge
- Waterhole
Highlights
- A 5-star luxury, multi-award-winning safari lodge renowned for its exceptional standards.
- Voted the best safari lodge in South Africa by the Travel & Leisure awards.
- Modern African-inspired decor with natural elements and soft tones, featuring stylish furniture and open spaces to highlight stunning reserve views.
- 6 Luxury suites, including two 2-bedroom family suite and one 2-bedroom private residence.
- The two-bedroom family suite and private residence each include a private vehicle.
- A large lookout deck provides guests with a front-row seat to an active waterhole, where wildlife frequently passes by.
- Exceptional outdoor dining experiences include riverbed dining under the stars and fireside dining in a traditional African Boma.
- Exciting Big-5 game drives with game rangers and trackers.
Location
- Situated on the western boundary of the Greater Kruger and Kapama Game Reserve. It is located close to the Timbavati Game Reserve and the Kruger National Park.
- The Kruger National Park is almost 2 million hectares and lies in the north-eastern corner of South Africa in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.
Getting There
- Thonrybush private airstrip is the closet airstrip, two daily chartered flights from Johannesburg are operated by Federal Airlines.
- Hoedspruit (HDS) is the closet commercial airport to Monwana Game Lodge, daily flights operate from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Flight time from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit or private airstrip: 60 minutes.
- Flight time from Cape Town to Hoedspruit: 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Road transfers from Hoedspruit to Monwana Game Lodge take 35 minutes.
Child Policy
- Monwana Game Lodge welcomes children from 10 years.
- Children 10 – 15 years pay 50% of the adult rate.
- Families are best accommodated in the family suites and the 2-bedroom residence.
- Two children under 16 in their own suite, will result in an adult rate for one child.
Inclusions & Exclusions
- Included: 2 x Game drives per day, guided bush walks, all meals, soft drinks, selected alcoholic beverages, an Thornybush Airstrip transfers. Private game drives are included with the family suite and Monwana Residence.
- Excluded: Premium branded drinks, conservation levies, commercial airport transfers, and anything of personal nature.
Rates
- The updated rates are displayed for each room category below.
- Rates are charged per person, per night in the Luxury suites.
- Single supplement of 50% applicable.
- Rates are charged per suite, per night in the Family Suites.
- Rates are charged per villa, per night in the Monwana Residence.
- Rates displayed are valid to 03 January 2026.
Seasons
- Peak season: 01 June – 30 September & 20 December – 03 January
- High season: 01 October – 19 December
- Low season: 04 January – 31 May
Special Offers
- Enjoy one free night with our PAY 3 STAY 4 offers.
- Honeymoon: One partner receives a 50% discount off the accommodation costs for their stay (min 3 nights).
- Return guests receive a 10% discount off their accommodation costs.
- Special offers are valid all year excl. 20 December – 3 January.
- South African resident rates are bookable within a certain time period.
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Luxury Suites
Four elegant luxury suites have a private shaded deck and temperature controlled plunge pool. Additional features include super sized king Read more beds, air conditioning, room fans, mosquito nets, indoor shower, outdoor shower, underfloor heating, personal bar and coffee station. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 3,087per person per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 2,938per person per night |
| Low Season | $ 2,721per person per night |
Family Suite
Two 2-bedroom Family Suites offer a second bedroom with twin beds, and the option of a third extra bed available. Additional features include Read more king size beds, air conditioning, room fans, mosquito nets, indoor shower, outdoor shower, underfloor heating, personal bar and coffee station. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 9,261per suite, per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 8,808per suite, per night |
| Low Season | $ 8,156per suite, per night |
Monwana Residence
Monwana Residence is an exclusive-use offering with two ensuite bedrooms, ideal for friends and family. Additional features include an expansive wooden deck Read more with outdoor lounge and dining area, temperature controlled plunge pool, shared living area, kitchen, indoor lounge, dining area and fireplace. Read Less
| Peak Season | $ 17,770per person per night |
|---|---|
| High Season | $ 16,850per person per night |
| Low Season | $ 15,603per person per night |
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