Activities
Your Safari
Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp offers unique exclusive Safari experiences in both open Land Rovers, and on foot. The private reserve is home to an abundance of species: 147 mammals including the "Big Five", 114 reptiles, 507 birds, 49 fish, 34 amphibians and 336 trees. The reserve is predominantly open savannah and with a near perfect year round climate, it is the ideal African safari holiday destination.
A TYPICAL DAY
The day starts as dawn breaks over the African bushveld. After your early morning wakeup call. Shortly after, you depart in your open landrover 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 enthrall 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 late lunch served around 3.00pm. Lunch is followed by the afternoon game drive and extends into the evening to view seldom seen nocturnal species by torchlight.
Once again, you will break somewhere out in the bush, in a remote, scenic spot to watch the sunset, where Sundowners and snacks are offered to guests whilst you once again stretch your legs.
Upon returning for a gourmet 3 course dinner, either in the boma, bush or lodge - guests can socialize with a cognac, single malt or cigar around the campfire or lounge before returning to bed for another day's adventure.
Where possible, safaris will be tailored to suit individual preferences and interest.
Service Times
Meals
Breakfast - 09h00-10h00 - depending on season
Lunch - 15h00-15h30 depending on season
Dinner - 20h00 depending on season
Activities
Times that the game drives depart.
Summer 05H30 and 15H30
Winter 06h00 and 15H30
Times that the walks depart
After brunch
Directions
How To Get There
Directions to Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp
From the South on the R 40 to Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp
Continue through Acornhoek towards Klaserie.
24 km after Klaserie turn off - turn right at the Eastgate Airport sign / Argyle Road.
Continue 14 km (tarred road) and turn right onto Guernsey Road (following the signs to Thornybush Reserve)
Continue 9km (gravel road) and turn left into the Thornybush Game Reserve gate.
From the North on the R 40 to Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp
At Hoedspruit take the R 40 south towards Bushbuckridge.
Continue 6 km and turn left at the Eastgate Airport sign / Argyle Road.
Continue 14 km (tarred road) and turn right onto Guernsey Road (following the signs to Thornybush Reserve)
Continue 9km (gravel road) and turn left into the Thornybush Game Reserve gate.
From Johannesburg to Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp
The N12 to Witbank, where the N12 highway links up with the N4 highway.
Continue with the N4 in the direction Nelspruit.
Approximately 30 km past Middleburg take the R 540 to your left.
Travel though on the town of Belfast and Dullstroom to Lydenburg.
Take the R 36 (which becomes to R 527) towards Hoedspruit, passing through Origstad and descending down the Able Erasmus Pass.
At Hoedspruit take the R 40 south towards Bushbuckridge.
Continue 6 km and turn left at the Eastgate Airport sign / Argyle Road.
Continue 14 km (tarred road) and turn right onto Guernsey Road (following the signs to Thornybush Reserve)
Continue 9km (gravel road) and turn left into the Thornybush Game Reserve gate.
From Pretoria to Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp
Take the N4 in the direction Nelspruit.
Approximately 30 km past Middleburg take the R 540 to your left.
Travel though on the town of Belfast and Dullstroom to Lydenburg.
Take the R 36 (which becomes to R 527) towards Hoedspruit, passing through Origstad and descending down the Able Erasmus Pass.
At Hoedspruit take the R 40 south towards Bushbuckridge.
Continue 6 km and turn left at the Eastgate Airport sign / Argyle Road.
Continue 14 km (tarred road) and turn right onto Guernsey Road (following the signs to Thornybush Reserve)
Continue 9km (gravel road) and turn left into the Thornybush Game Reserve gate.
From Swaziland to Chapungu Luxury Tented Camp
From Jeppe’s Reef border post, follow the R 570.00 north in the direction Malelane.
Take the N4 highway in the direction of Nelspruit for 64 km.
On arrival in Nelspruit turn right on the R 40 in the direction White River.
Continue Through White River, Hazyview and Bushbuckridge to Klaserie.
24 km after Klaserie turn off - turn right at the Eastgate Airport sign / Argyle Road.
Continue 14 km (tarred road) and turn right onto Guernsey Road (following the signs to Thornybush Reserve)
Continue 9km (gravel road) and turn left into the Thornybush Game Reserve gate.
Map / GPS
Latitude : 31.156593 Longitude : -24.424353
Rates
Pricing
Luxury Tents - Per person sharing per night - (01 January – 31 December 2009)
R2,516
Rates
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
The Thornybush Collection reserves the right to stipulate a minimum stay over weekends, public holidays and holiday periods. A weekend constitutes a Friday and a Saturday night. One night bookings are not generally accepted but may be made at the discretion of The Thornybush Collection reservations staff.
To make a reservation please provide the following information:
Surname and Christian names as they appear in the passport
Nationality
Arrival and departure methods
Any special dietary requirements or special requests
Mobile contact number
Room configuration – double / twin or single beds
Important information
Check in time is between 13:00 and 14:00 and check out time is at 11:00.
Lunch is served at Thornybush Game lodge and brunch is served at all our other lodges.
In the event of premature departure guests will be liable for the full extent of the pre booked stay.
Spa treatments are available at Thornybush Game Lodge and Simbambili Game Lodge, please contact reservations should you require a spa menu.
Rates Include
All meals, teas, coffees and snacks.
Accommodation.
Dawn and dusk safaris in open Land Rovers and Bushveld walks. N’Kaya Game Lodge does not offer Bushveld walks.
Thornybush Game Lodge, Shumbalala Lodge and Simbambili Game Lodge include sundowner drinks on game drives.
Rates Exclude
Bar, curio, telephone and laundry expenses.
A Tourism levy of R5.70 per person per night, applicable Gate fees (as per the above) and a Conservation Fee effective 01 January 2009
For self drive guests, the Thornybush Reserve gate entrance fee of R 45.00 per vehicle is applicable and payable on departure. This expires on 31/12/2008.
For self drive guests to Simbambili Game Lodge an entrance fee of R80.00 per vehicle is payable at the Gowrie Gate direct.
DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT POLICY
GENERAL DEPOSIT POLICY
For all F.I.T bookings, a 25% non-refundable deposit is required within seven (7) days of the making of a reservation, unless a booking is made within 30 days prior to the scheduled date of arrival in which case full payment is required to secure the reservation.
Should we receive confirmed bookings against provisional space, we do reserve the right to contact you to request releasing of rooms and we will require a response within 48 hours or the rooms will be automatically reduced.
The balance of the account must be paid, in advance, no less than 30 days prior to the scheduled date of arrival. All other extras must be settled with The Lodge prior to departure.
Please note that a reservation is not confirmed or secured until this deposit requirement has been paid in full. The Thornybush Collection reserves the right, without notice to the Company, to release any accommodation held where the required deposit has not been paid in full within the stated period.
CANCELLATION POLICY : INDIVIDUALS
Upon confirmation of reservation, The Thornybush Collection reserves the right to charge a cancellation fee equivalent to:
60 to 31 days prior to arrival at the lodge = 25% Cancellation fees
30 to 00 days prior to arrival at the lodge = 100% Cancellation fees
All deposits of 25 % received on confirmation are Non-Refundable.
THE THORNYBUSH COLLECTIONS RESERVED RIGHTS
In the event that The Thornybush Collection, at any time, receives another firm enquiry, accompanied by the payment of a 25% deposit, seeking accommodation being held by The Thornybush Collection for the Company, then The Thornybush Collection reserves the right to request the Company to immediately:
Release the said accommodation; or
Pay a non-refundable deposit to The Thornybush Collection in the sum equivalent to 25% of the full account, so as to secure the reservation.
PAYMENTS
Payments can be effected by either:
a) Credit Card, in which event the Company must advise The Thornybush Collection of the card type, card number, card expiry date, cardholder’s name and passport number, the Company must request a credit card authorization form from The Thornybush Collection’s reservations department. This document must be completed and returned by fax to The Thornybush Collection.
b) Bank transfer to – The Thornybush Collection Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Standard Bank Sandton.
Branch code: 019205.
Account No: 420962735.
Swift Code: SBZA ZAJJ.
c) Cheques must be crossed and marked “Not Transferable” made out to The Thornybush Collection Investment Holdings (PTY) Ltd, provided that such cheques are not post-dated
THE THORNYBUSH COLLECTIONS RESERVED RIGHTS
In the event that The Thornybush Collection, at any time, receives another firm enquiry, accompanied by the payment of a 25% deposit, seeking accommodation being held by The Thornybush Collection for the Company, then The Thornybush Collection reserves the right to request the Company to immediately:
Release the said accommodation; or
Pay a non-refundable deposit to The Thornybush Collection in the sum equivalent to 25% of the full account, so as to secure the reservation.
TRAVEL CANCELLATION INSURANCE
The Company is obliged to ensure that it has taken out (or the travelling guest has taken out) adequate travel insurance to cover the financial implications of The Thornybush Collection’s Cancellation Terms and Conditions. The Company will bear the sole and absolute responsibility therefore.
HEALTH MATTERS
Since Malaria is endemic to the Limpopo and Mpumalanga region where The Thornybush Collection lodges are situated, it is essential to ensure that anti-malarial precautions be taken throughout the year. It is the Company’s sole and absolute responsibility to ensure that all guests, tour leaders, tour guides, drivers, guides, pilots and the like consult with their doctors and/or pharmacist prior to attending TC lodges in order to ensure that all necessary precautions against malaria are timeously taken.
AIRSTRIP / PASSENGER TAXES
There is a compulsory Passenger tax for arrivals and departures of R 90.00 per person at Thornybush or R 115.00 at Simbambili.
Should private planes park overnight at Thornybush Airstrip the fee is R 750.0 per day (payable direct upon check out).
In the case where The Thornybush Collection book flight services the taxes are included in the quoted rate.
In the case where agent or guests book flight services directly with the airlines the charges will be collected directly at the lodge.
Agents/Guests wishing to include these costs should please indicate at time of booking.
Costs above are subject to increase without prior notice.
TOMSA Levy and CONSERVATION Fees
Please note that form 01 January 2009 the gate fee will no longer be applicable, all reservations will however be charged a Conservation fee of R 50.00 per person per booking as well as TOMSA Levy of R 5.70 per person per night and these additional cost are applicable to all lodges in the portfolio.
These costs will no longer be collected at the lodges and will thus need to be settled on the reservations invoice.
Sabi Sand gate fee is still payable direct at Gowrie gate.
Please adhere to all deadlines stipulated in the reservation to avoid the reservation being automatically cancelled without prior notice.