Last month the Thornybush Collection opened Saseka Tented Camp within Thornybush Nature Reserve, situated along the Monwana River. The elevated tented suites are designed to give guests a balance of shared social areas and private retreats, with clear views over the riverbed ideal for wildlife watching.
“We wanted to offer our guests a completely different experience to what we already have at Thornybush — a luxury tented safari experience with innovative design,” said Andy Payne, chairman of Thornybush.
The camp comprises 10 tented suites arranged around two communal hubs. The smaller hub is conceived as a camp-within-a-camp for small group use, while the main area houses a bar and a library, providing relaxed social spaces for guests to gather.
Each tent suite blends nostalgic safari charm with contemporary comfort, and features an air-conditioned sun deck, an outdoor shower, and a private plunge pool, giving guests modern amenities without losing the sense of connection to the bush.
Leading lodge designers Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens Architecture and Design brought the camp to life, drawing on more than 30 years of experience in crafting bush lodges.
“We looked at the indigenous landscape — the flora and fauna,” said Lesley Carstens. “The camp sits beside a natural watercourse and the surrounding vegetation is classic riverine bush, with notable trees like jackalberry, apple leaf and leadwood. Nature inspired our palette — hues of ivory, dark green, apple, sage and soft pinks echo the tones of flowers found in the bush.”
“We adopted a sculptural approach to create a variety of spaces within the main area,” added Silvio Rech. “Light was central to the design, so we developed an extraordinary ceiling that filters light into the space, imitating the dappled glow beneath a tree canopy. We call it the ‘ceiling for all seasons,’ which feels very apt.”
The design intent is to keep guests immersed in the natural environment while delivering contemporary comforts. Strategic placement of suites and communal areas maximizes viewing opportunities along the riverbed and supports privacy for individual groups. At the same time, the shared spaces encourage relaxed social interaction, offering a mix of intimate and communal experiences.
Saseka’s materials and finishes respond to the immediate landscape and wildlife, aiming for durability in a bush environment while maintaining a warm, understated aesthetic. The result is a camp that reads as both timeless and modern: tents that feel rooted in classic safari tradition, updated with thoughtful detailing and practical amenities for today’s travelers.
Beyond accommodation, the camp’s layout supports a range of activities typical of safari lodges, including guided game drives, walking safaris and moments of quiet observation from private decks. The combination of location, design and amenities positions Saseka Tented Camp as an appealing new option for visitors seeking a luxury tented experience in Thornybush Nature Reserve.