Thorn Tree Bush Camp. Dinokeng. Rest. Relax. Rejuvenate.

 

 

My Google Maps app and I have a love-hate relationship.

And that is only because I often disagree with some of its instructions.

However, getting to Thorn Tree Bush Camp was straightforward, literally. It is straight up the road from our house, heading North.

But be aware of the afternoon traffic on the Ben Schoeman highway. We left relatively early, around 14h00, to miss the Friday afternoon rush, but it seems that peak hour traffic starts earlier than we expected. There are currently roadworks underway on certain stretches of the road, so this might not be ongoing congestion.

Chatting with some of the guests, I discovered that they had left even earlier than we did and STILL got caught up in the slow-moving traffic.

Traffic aside, it is an easy and cheap (a total of R100.00 in toll fees at the time of writing) drive to reach the camp.

Once INSIDE the camp, the signposting was excellent.

 

 

 

Unlike some self-catering tented camps where guests can park next to their accommodation, here there are trolleys (and staff if required) to get your luggage and food from the car park to the tent.

The walk is not far, and the ground is flat and even, so not much energy is required.

And these wagons can carry more than we expected, so it only required one trip.

 

 

There was a small group of stunning Yellow-fever trees to marvel at.

Not quite enough to be called a forest, their colour against the blue Highveld winter sky made them impressive enough to visit more than once.

Did you know?

 In traditional medicine, the bark is used to treat fevers and eye infections, while the roots are powdered to treat malaria. 

They are often used as part of landscaping in urban gardens.

 

 

 

There is a swimming pool and a clubhouse.

It was even too cold for my wife to try out this facility. And it seemed that the rest of the guests, like me, just walked past while having a look at what the camp had to offer.

 

 

 

This is the Elephant Root Luxury Tent, which was to be our accommodation for the weekend.

FYI:

Elephant Root (also known as the Sumach Bean) is used in Southern Africa as a traditional remedy for a wide range of human diseases and ailments, including dermatological diseases, gastrointestinal system disorders and wounds.

“Rest. Relax. Rejuvinate“. I coined the phrase, and the camp offers exactly that.

An opportunity to disconnect and just enjoy your time surrounded by the sounds of a multitude of bird species, and no noise caused by other guests.

I would have said that the sounds of the birds, specifically in the early morning, could be referred to as a cacophony, but the dictionary definition of that word is ” A harsh, discordant mixture of sounds”. And that was not the case. Much better than being awoken by an alarm or the general sounds of urban living!

This tent was equipped with everything required for a self-catering stay, including towels, linen and toilet paper.

AND there was an air-fryer. We had read on their website that there was a microwave, and as a result, had taken popcorn with us.

The microwave was in a different tent, but it was brought to us, and we were able to enjoy the popcorn as an afternoon snack.

 

 

 

We stayed in ‘Elephant’s Foot’ and were surprised by how spacious and well-appointed it was.

The bed was comfortable, and there were more than enough blankets and hot water bottles to keep us toasty warm despite the cold night air.

There were electric lights and more than enough socket outlets to charge the electronic devices that we wished we did not have to travel with.

 

 

 

Given the size of the tent, there were MORE than enough seating areas that we tried out on a rotational basis during our weekend stay.

And there was more crockery and cutlery than we required. There was an impressive set inside on this table, should we have decided to have a fine dining meal.

And there was more robust crockery if one wants to eat outside. We used a mix of the two and were happy with the experience.

 

 

 

Look carefully…

No, that is not a picture hanging over the bathtub; it is the view through the window.

From here, we were able to watch many bird species as well as antelope and even giraffe wandering past.

There is an outdoor shower that leads off this bathroom and that offers the same views.

 

 

 

But this home-made hot tub was the highlight of our visit.

Both my wife and I chose to make use of it, and although she hopped in withing minutes of our arrival, she and I spent time after dark admiring the night sky and the full moon.

There is something incredibly humbling about lying in the warm, bubbling water while contemplating the Universe that makes one realise just how minute we are in the greater scheme of things.

 

 

 

Lunch time…

There is NOTHING like some wors (sausage) and a couple of chops being cooked over a hot, wood-burning fire.

As we were headed out on an afternoon game drive, we decided to have our main meal at lunchtime, rather than having a large meat meal just before bedtime.

 

 

 

Game drives can be offered to guests, should they wish to experience the possibility of seeing the BIG 5.

While I was at the camp, I chose to do both a morning and an afternoon drive to experience the difference, and I was not disappointed on either occasion.

Although the predators were scarce, I did see 2 of the aforementioned Big 5.

The height of the grass and the ability of the buffalo herd to ‘vanish’ made for this rather interesting image.

 

 

 

Time to head back to camp after a successful afternoon game drive.

The clouds in the early evening light and the sun slipping below the horizon made me grateful for being able to enjoy this experience.

 

 

 

At night, the accommodation takes on a different ambience.

The shadows offered an opportunity to reflect on the day, and the fact that there is no human-generated noise added to this tranquil setting.

 

 

 

The early morning sun cast a shadow on the canvas.

We never needed to light this paraffin lamp as the electric lighting was more than sufficient.

However, it was near the washing-up area and I knocked my head on it several times.

My stupidity, as I could have moved it after the first time!

 

 

 

Another part of the camp is set aside for those who like to travel and bring their own accommodation with them.

These are serious campers who arrived with almost every mod-con under the sun.

In 2020, the movie Nomadland was released. It looks at a certain section of the American population that has become disgruntled with mainstream life.

They have taken to the road in a variety of vehicles, meeting up and forming temporary communities where the individuals become part of an acceptable whole. No judgment for life choices, just an acceptance of them all being in the same boat. How they reached that particular point in their lives is what made the movie work for me.

Much like those portrayed in the movie, those that I interacted with here were both garrulous and gregarious, and I am certain that they have a lot of stories to share.

Part of the ethos of the camp is to create a community rather than focusing on guest turnover,

Many of those I interacted with had visited multiple times and were planning to return yet again.

I can only attribute the high return to the following:

1] The proximity to both Pretoria and Johannesburg (under 2 hours)

2] The attitude of the staff and the owner.

3] The fact that the camp is well-maintained and appeals to a variety of demographics. From those looking for a romantic getaway to families looking to spend quality time together.

 

 

 

The Crimson-breasted Shrike…

Some associate the bird with good luck, particularly when the male’s plumage is vibrant red.

In Namibia, during German colonial rule, the bird’s colours (black and red) were said to resemble the German flag, leading to it being called the “Reichsvogel” or “Empire bird”.

Finally, I managed to get this one to pose, even though it was only for a moment. This species is constantly on the move, and capturing an in-focus image is cause for a silent fist pump.

 

 

 

As I sit at Thorn Tree Bush Camp under the light of a full moon, I ponder what makes time in nature here in Africa so special.

And the only answers I could come up with are what I have mentioned in this post.

It is the fact that the ethos of this camp, although the visitors might arrive individually, enables connections to be made and becomes a community, albeit for a short time.

Sometimes, the greatest adventures begin when you step away from the rush of daily life and sink into the quiet rhythm of nature. In the heart of the Dinokeng Nature Reserve lies this hidden gem — a self-catering bush camp unlike any other. Here, comfort meets character, and every tent and cabin tells its own story.

This is not your typical safari lodge. Think of it as a Nomadland-style retreat — each space unique, inviting you to discover its charm. Some are tucked under ancient trees, others stand with open views across the bushveld.

You might fall asleep to the whooping cackle of a hyena or the yip of a jackal. Or be awakened by squabbling Yellow-billed Hornbills.

Leaning into “Rest. Relax. Rejuvinate” enabled even a workaholic like me to not turn on my laptop, to turn off the volume on my phone and to just ‘BE’ for my time there.

I was able to read a book, cover to cover, and cook for my wife and me.

Would I recommend the camp? Indeed, I would!

And the overriding reason?  Given our hectic lives, it is necessary to take a step back and allow nature to enfold and hold us.

With thanks to Rodney. Magda and the staff for a weekend that we will cherish.

 

 

To find out more about this camp, click on the logo above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Travel & Things is the proud winner of these prestigious awards from the digital British lifestyle magazine Luxlife.

The awards are in the categories:

Best Travel & Experiences Blog 2024 – South Africa

Best African Game Reserves & Lodges Travel Review Site 2025.

Best African Resorts and Retreats Award 2025.

 

 

 

 

See who the guests have been since the inception of this YouTube channel.

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“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?”

Edgar Bergen