Saseka Tented Camp, Thornbush Game Reserve, Greater Kruger Park

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Overview

Saseka is the latest addition to the Thornybush Game Reserve. But you almost need to suspend any preconceptions of tented camps when you arrive here. It is an unashamedly state-of-the-art, luxurious camp. Yet it is also imbued with the ambience of an idyllic African wilderness. (Saseka is the Tsonga word for Beautiful.)

Saseka is part of the Big 5 game-rich Thornybush Nature Reserve. Thornybush now flows seemlessly into the adjacent Timbavati. And so it enjoys open borders with the Kruger National Park. It lies on a curve of the Monwana dry riverbed, enjoying lovely views down this ancient water course. Plus we love that it blends wonderfully spaciousness and a light, modern look with natural materials and textures. Yet it also retains elements reminiscent of an earlier era.

Saseka’s main area is a stylish composition of wood and stone, blends naturally into the riverine environment. There's an upper and lower deck to maximize the bush ambience. The colour palette is drawn from the natural surroundings with hues of ivory, dark green, apple, sage and flushes of pink. The extraordinary ceiling filters light into the space. It imitates the natural dappled light of a tree canopy.

Activities include morning and afternoon game drives as well as guided bush walks. Walks allow you 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, and to have a chance to follow tracks in more detail. You can also be transferred over to the Amani Spa at Thornybush Game Lodge if you wish to enjoy a spa treatment.

Tented Suites at Saseka

Influenced by the romantic narrative of tented camps from yesteryear, the tents have been re-imagined with a gentle nod to nostalgia. But now the emphasis is very much on modern design. The floor to ceiling sliding doors span the length of the tented suite. These allow the bush sounds to filter in for a truly immersed safari experience. Each air-conditioned tented suite has a spacious, wrap-around deck overlooking the sand bed, a large private plunge pool with comfortable loungers as well as an outdoor shower. Inside the suites are massive with views from both the bedroom and the open place bathroom.

Leadwood Villa - exclusive use

The Leadwood Tented Villa operates as an intimate, camp-within-a-camp. It can accommodate two, four or six adults and up to 3 children on an exclusive basis in 1 to 3 suites. Each of the three suites can take an extra one single bed. The villa’s central area features a lounge and dining area which are exclusive to your party, separate from the rest of the lodge. The large outdoor deck features a splash pool with pool loungers for ultimate privacy and relaxation. Leadwood Villa is perfect for exclusive use by families or smaller groups.

See their gallery for more images

In Pictures

Saseka Tented Camp on the map

Rooms

Luxury Tented Suite

Comprising of 8 luxurious tented rooms, each sleeping 2 people. Solid stacking glass spans the length of the tent, guaranteeing spectacular views of the bush from within your tent, be it in your bedroom or bathroom. The large private wooden-deck features an outdoor shower, as well as a splash pool and large comfortable deck chairs to bask in the African sun.

Leadwood Villa

The breath-taking Leadwood Villa accommodates 2, 4 or 6 adults and up-to 1 child per tent (max 3 children) in 3 separate rooms, with a central entertainment area featuring a lounge and dining area for private meals, separate from the rest of the lodge. The large outdoor deck features a splash pool with pool loungers for ultimate privacy and relaxation. The Villa is perfect for exclusive use by families or smaller groups.

Thohier’s review of Saseka Tented Camp

Saseka is a brand new tented camp. But it’s not your usual tented camp. Very luxurious, spacious and unique with a cutting edge design. The main area of the lodge is huge and has three different lounge areas each with a different ambience which I liked. The roof is designed in a way so that light reflects in diverse ways in the various lounge areas. If it is hot, you can sit in the shaded lounge, if you’re looking for a bit of sun, the lounge in the sun will do and if you’re cold, the lounge by the fireplace is perfect.

The tents are almost completely canvas but with permanent foundations. They also have glass doors opening onto the private deck and pool which overlooks the riverbed. Inside the tents, they have unique designs on the billowing canvas ceiling. This lights up at night and gives this beautiful glow to the room. All tents are air-conditioned.

On the private decks they are planning to build a permanent shaded canopy next to the pool for the sun loungers

There are 8 safari tents. Plus they have a villa named the Leadwood Villa which is separate from the other tents and completely private with its own private catering/chef & private game vehicle. It also has a central lounge area and dining area, so there is no need to go to the main area of the camp. The villa accommodates a maximum of 6 people (4 adults & 2 children under 16 years on a sleeper sofa) in two separate rooms. (The 2^nd tent is situated a couple of metres away. They can also ‘take’ one of the other suites so that 6 people can take the villa.