Saseka Tented Camp

OVERVIEW:

Meaning ‘beautiful’ in the local Tsonga dialect, Saseka is a contemporary tented safari camp in the private Thornybush Nature Reserve, which shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park. With its tasteful interiors designed by Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, the style brings South Africa’s early safari years into the 21st century with sophisticated lighting elements, glass doors, extensive decks, and outdoor showers. Families are also catered for by way of the exclusive-use Little Saseka, which can be configured to accommodate up to six guests. Rates at Saseka Tented Camp are full board and include all meals, a selection of alcoholic and soft drinks, game drives, and laundry.

ACCESS & LOCATION:

Saseka Tented Camp is situated within the game-rich Thornybush Nature Reserve, which shares an unfenced border with South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park. There are daily scheduled flights from Johannesburg OR Tambo International and Cape Town International Airport to Hoedspruit Airport. From there, it’s approximately 30 minutes by road to the lodge. Private charters can also be arranged on request.

ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES AT SASEKA TENTED CAMP:

Guest accommodation at Saseka Tented Camp consists of nine luxury suites and a private, exclusive-use unit, Little Saseka. Overlooking the seasonal Monwana River, each suite has a private deck with an outdoor lounge and a plunge pool. The style is light, spacious, and airy, featuring printed fabrics with plants from the herbarium in Pretoria, designed to bring the outdoors inside. Here you’ll find a king-size bed with an overhanging mosquito net, bedside tables and lighting, a writing desk, a comfortable seating area, and ample storage space. Additional amenities include air conditioning, a ceiling fan, a mini-bar, tea- and coffee-making facilities, international adapters, and an electronic safe. Each en-suite bathroom has a flush toilet, twin washbasins, indoor/outdoor showers, and a freestanding bath-tubs. Saseka’s exclusive-use accommodation, Little Saseka, has two en-suite bedrooms, a large lounge, and a shared deck with a pool and garden. Guests of Little Saseka also enjoy optional private dining, use of a private safari vehicle, and the services of a private butler and chef.

The communal spaces at Saseka are equally well presented. The camp’s tiered lounge and dining areas, library, and bar are situated in a contemporary building constructed from timber and thatch. The design optimises the natural light, with an open-sided dining space and slatted ceilings that filter the sunlight. The interiors flow out onto extensive wooden decks, where guests can dine outside with panoramic views of the reserve, accompanied by a creative menu that includes shakshuka at breakfast, health bowls for lunch, and macaroons for tea. In typical atmospheric safari style, drinks are served in the riverbed against the glow of lanterns. Spa treatments and yoga can be arranged on request at an additional cost.

ACTIVITIES AT SASEKA TENTED CAMP:

Saseka Tented Camp offers a great range of game-viewing activities, including night drives and walking safaris.

• Game drives

  – The Thornybush Private Nature Reserve covers approximately 14,000 hectares of sprawling savanna, woodlands, and water sources, and is home to a wealth of wildlife. Highlights include lion, rhino, leopard, elephant, and buffalo – all the Big Five! There are also numerous smaller predators and herbivores to look out for, including cheetah, spotted hyena, wild dog, giraffe, zebra, antelope, 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 plenty of fun searching for the likes of civet, genet, porcupine, and the wide-eyed bush baby!

• Walking safaris

  – Enjoyed in the company of a knowledgeable and experienced guide, walking safaris offer opportunities to discover the smaller aspects of Thornybush, including its plants, insects, and birdlife. At last count, 517 species of bird have been recorded here, among them residents, migrants, and nomads.

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