Thornwood

Kuleni Game Park, R22 Sodwana Road, 3960 KwaNibela, South Africa – Excellent location – show map

<p><b>Excellent</b> location – rated 9.7/10! <small>(score from <b>52</b> reviews)</small></p> <p>Real guests • Real stays • Real opinions</p>
9.5
Scored 9.5
Exceptional
Rated exceptional
52 reviews
a towel sitting on a deck next to a swimming pool at Thornwood in KwaNibela
a kitchen with a basket of fruit on a counter at Thornwood in KwaNibela
a large living room with wooden beams on the ceilings at Thornwood in KwaNibela
a wooden deck with chairs and a house at Thornwood in KwaNibela
a bedroom with two beds with mosquito nets at Thornwood in KwaNibela
a blue sign that says weve won a traveler review award at Thornwood in KwaNibela
+33 photos

Thornwood

Lock in a great price for Thornwood – rated 9.5 by recent guests!

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Lock in a great price for Thornwood – rated 9.5 by recent guests! to get started.
  • Entire home
  • 484 ft² size
  • Kitchen
  • View
  • Garden
  • Swimming pool
  • BBQ facilities
  • Washing machine
  • Free WiFi
  • Terrace
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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

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Most popular amenities
  • 2 swimming pools
  • Free parking
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Family rooms

Property highlights

Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (9.7)

Free Private Parking Available On Site

Activities:

Golf course (within 2 miles)

Fishing

Game room

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Reliable Info
Guests say the description and photos for this property are very accurate.
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Availability

Select dates to see this property's availability and prices

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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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Property practices

This property told us they've implemented certain practices across some or all of these categories: waste, water, energy and greenhouse gases, destination and community, and nature.
Guest reviews

Categories:

Staff
9.4
Facilities
9.6
Cleanliness
9.4
Comfort
9.6
Value for money
9.5
Location
9.7
Free WiFi
10
High score for KwaNibela
Select topics to read reviews:

See what guests loved the most:

  • 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!!!”
  • Dean
    United Kingdom United Kingdom
    “Gorgeous property in a beautiful location, nice and clean. Great braai area and fire pit.”
  • Reshika
    South Africa South Africa
    “Very unique almost glamping type of set up. Loved the amenities and entire feel of being almost outdoors but not quite.”

Hosted by Nadia Kilian

9.4
9.4
Host Review Score
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

Amenities of Thornwood
Great facilities! Review score, 9.6

Most popular amenities
  • 2 swimming pools
  • Free parking
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Family rooms
Parking
Free private parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
  • Accessible parking
Internet
WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge.
Kitchen
  • Dining table
  • Coffee machine
  • Toaster
  • Stovetop
  • Oven
  • Dryer
  • Kitchenware
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
Bedroom
  • Linens
  • Wardrobe or closet
Bathroom
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels
  • Additional bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Private Bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Bathtub
  • Shower
Living Area
  • Dining area
  • Sofa
  • Sitting area
  • Desk
Media & Technology
  • Flat-screen TV
  • Satellite channels
  • TV
Room Amenities
  • Clothes rack
  • Mosquito net
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Private entrance
  • Fan
  • Iron
Outdoors
  • Outdoor fireplace
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Outdoor dining area
  • Sun deck
  • Barbecue
  • Private pool
  • BBQ facilities
  • Patio
  • Balcony
  • Terrace
  • Garden
Common Areas
  • Shared lounge/TV area
  • Game room
2 swimming pools
Pool 1 – outdoorFree!
  • Open all year
  • All ages welcome
  • Pool with view
  • Pool/Beach towels
  • Beach chairs/Loungers
Pool 2 – outdoorFree!
  • Open all year
  • All ages welcome
  • Plunge pool
  • Pool/Beach towels
  • Beach chairs/Loungers
Spa
  • Beach chairs/Loungers
Food & Drink
  • Packed lunches
Activities
  • Bike tours
    Additional charge
  • Walking tours
    Additional charge
  • Game drives
    Additional charge
  • Mini golf
    Additional charge
  • Snorkeling
    Additional chargeOff-site
  • Diving
    Additional chargeOff-site
  • Cycling
    Off-site
  • Hiking
  • Pool table
  • Fishing
    Additional chargeOff-site
  • Golf course (within 2 miles)
    Additional charge
Outdoor & View
  • Pool view
  • Garden view
  • View
Building Characteristics
  • Detached
Front Desk Services
  • Invoice provided
  • Tour desk
Entertainment & Family Services
  • Board games/Puzzles
  • Board games/puzzles
Cleaning Services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Ironing service
    Additional charge
  • Laundry
    Additional charge
Business Facilities
  • Fax/Photocopying
    Additional charge
Miscellaneous
  • Designated smoking area
  • Air conditioning
  • Heating
  • Family rooms
  • Non-smoking rooms
Safety & security
  • Fire extinguishers
  • 24-hour security
  • Safe
Languages Spoken
  • Afrikaans
  • English
  • Zulu

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 accommodations type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check what conditions apply to your preferred room.

Refundable damage deposit

A damage deposit of ZAR 2000 is required. The property charges this 14 days before arrival. That's about USD 108. This will be collected by bank transfer. You should be reimbursed within 7 days of check-out. Your deposit will be refunded in full by bank transfer, subject to an inspection of the property.

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

0+ years
Extra bed upon request
ZAR 750 per person, per night

Prices for 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 allowed depends on the option you choose. Check your selected option for more info.

There are no cribs available at this property.

All extra beds are subject to availability.

No age restriction

There's no age requirement for check-in

Visa Diners Club Cash is not accepted Thornwood accepts these cards and reserves the right to temporarily hold an amount prior to arrival.

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. Your deposit will be refunded in full by bank transfer, subject to an inspection of the property.

FAQs about Thornwood

  • Yes, Thornwood is popular with guests booking family stays.

  • Thornwood can accommodate this group size:

    • 6 guests

    For more detailed info, check the accommodation option(s) breakdown on this page.

  • Yes, this hotel has a pool. See details about the pool and other facilities on this page.

  • Thornwood is 5.6 miles from the center of KwaNibela. All distances are measured in straight lines. Actual travel distances may vary.

  • Check-in at Thornwood is from 2:30 PM, and check-out is until 10:00 AM.

  • Thornwood offers the following activities/services (charges may apply):

    • Cycling
    • Hiking
    • Pool table
    • Game room
    • Snorkeling
    • Diving
    • Fishing
    • Mini golf
    • Golf course (within 2 miles)
    • Walking tours
    • Swimming pool
    • Bike tours
    • Game drives

  • Yes, there are options at this property that have a terrace. You can find out more about this and the other facilities at Thornwood on this page.

  • Yes, there are options at this property that have a balcony. You can find out more about this and the other facilities at Thornwood on this page.

  • The prices at Thornwood may vary depending on your stay (e.g. dates, hotel's policy etc.). To see prices, enter your dates.

  • Yes, there's a private pool. You can find out more about this and the other facilities at Thornwood on this page.

  • Thornwood has the following number of bedrooms:

    • 3 bedrooms

    For more detailed info, check the accommodation option(s) breakdown on this page.