Last month Thornybush Collection launched Saseka Tented Camp within Thornybush Nature Reserve, along the Monwana River. The elevated tent suites offer guests a mix of social space and privacy with views of the riverbed, perfect 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, Thornybush.

The camp includes 10 tented suites, spaced around two common areas, with the smaller of the two designed as a “camp-within-a-camp” for small group use. Common areas include a bar and library space.

The tent suites blend nostalgia with modernity, each outfitted with an air-conditioned sun deck, outdoor shower and private pool.

Silvio Rech & Lesley Carstens Architecture and Design brought the camp to life as a leading bush lodge design firm for more than 30 years.

“We looked at the indigenous landscape — the flora and fauna,” commented Carstens. “The camp is adjacent to a natural watercourse, the surrounding vegetation is typical riverine bush featuring excellent examples of classic river trees like Jackakberry, Apple Leaf and Leadwood. Our imaginations were fueled by nature — hues of ivory, dark green, apple, sage and subtle flushes of pink, echoing the characteristic tones of the flowers found in the bush.”

“We took a sculptural approach which allowed us to create different spaces within the main area. The use of light was key and we created our extraordinary ceiling which filters light into the space — imitating the natural dappled light of a tree canopy. We christened it the ‘ceiling for all seasons’ which is totally apt,” added Rech.