Saseka Tented Camp

OVERVIEW:

The latest property to join the Thornybush Collection, Saseka provides a very contemporary-style safari camp in the wildlife-rich Kruger region! As well as luxury suites, there’s a villa for family or small groups.

Thornybush launched its first property in 1961, five years after the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve had been established. Today the company operates 12 properties, among them the classic Thornybush Game Lodge and Waterside Lodge. Saseka offers a very stylish base camp from which to explore the reserve, thanks to designers Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens. The suite accommodation is booked on a full-board basis, including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, dawn and dusk vehicle safaris, walking safaris, sundowners on vehicle safaris, and access to Wi-Fi. The price of your stay at the villa features all suite inclusions apart from Wi-Fi, as well as use of exclusive safari vehicle, private staff, and a laundry service. The camp is open all year round.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

The camp can be accessed via road transfer from Johannesburg, Pretoria, or Swaziland. It’s situated within the Thornybush Private Nature Reserve, in the western region of Kruger National Park.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT SASEKA TENTED CAMP:

Guest accommodation consists of eight suites and a two bedroom private villa. All structures are made out of timber and glass, under canvas roofing held in place with sleek metal poles. This design enables guests to feel close to nature within a luxurious setting, a feeling enhanced by the natural palette and unusual floral-print ceiling! Entering a suite, you’ll find a king-size bed with mosquito netting, bedside tables and lighting, a writing desk and chair, a pleasant seating area, and ample storage space. Additional amenities include air conditioning, telephone, mini-bar, and safe. The en-suite facilities are positioned to one side of the sleeping space, and they comprise a flush toilet, twin washbasins, indoor/outdoor showers, and a freestanding bathtub. From the bedroom, doors lead out on to your private deck, which boasts a plunge pool, a couple of sunloungers, and amazing vistas over Thornybush Private Nature Reserve! The private villa, which is called Leadwood Villa, has two en-suite bedrooms, a large lounge, and a shared deck featuring a garden as well as a pool. Guests of Leadwood Villa also enjoy optional private dining, use of a private safari vehicle, and the attentions of a private butler and chef.

The communal spaces at Saseka are just as well presented as the guest accommodation. The camp’s sumptuous lounge and dining areas, library, and bar occupy a very contemporary building constructed out of timber and thatch and set out on various levels. Throughout, there’s a sense of consistency in the bespoke furniture and amenities, while the color scheme is light and fresh, with tones and hues reflecting the surrounding bushscape. The innovative design makes the most of natural light, particularly in the multi-layered slatted roof that allows varying degrees of dappled sunlight through and adds to a sense of immersion in the reserve. This sense is usually associated with tented camps described as ‘rustic’, ‘authentic’, or ‘back to basics’, but there’s nothing basic about Saseka! The interiors flow out onto decks where guests can enjoy some al fresco lounging and dining, and among the luxurious seating and elegant dining furniture there’s even a swing seat, which is fun to use.

ACTIVITIES AT SASEKA TENTED CAMP:

Saseka offers a great range of things to do, as follows:

• Expertly guided game drives

  - The Thornybush Private Nature Reserve covers approximately 14,000 hectares of sprawling savanna, woodlands, and water sources, and it’s home to a real wealth of wildlife. Highlights include lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo – all the Big Five! There are plenty of smaller predators and herbivores to look out for too, such as cheetah, spotted hyena, wild dog, giraffe, zebra, antelopes, and hippo.

• Night drives

  - Guests interested in viewing the nocturnal species of the reserve can head out with an expert guide after sunset. You’ll have a lot of fun searching for the likes of civet, genet, porcupine, and the adorable bush baby!

• Walking safaris

  - Also enjoyed in the company of a knowledgeable and experienced guide, walks provide opportunities to get to know the smaller aspects of Thornybush – the plants, insects, and birdlife. At last count, 517 types of feathery friend were recorded here, among them residents, migrants, and nomads.

*This property is unfenced and located in a wildlife area, so large and potentially dangerous animals do pass through. If you opt to stay here, always be alert when walking around the camp and request for a member of staff to escort you if you have any concerns. Any guest is escorted after dark as a matter of course.