Shimungwe Blog Author

Grant has a lifelong connection with the African bush and a deep appreciation for the wildlife that make the Greater Kruger region one of the most extraordinary safari destinations in the world.

As a young boy, Grant spent family holidays Sparta, a farm that today is part of the world-famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve. It was here that his fascination with the bush began. Time spent exploring the wilderness taught him to understand animal behaviour and appreciate the delicate rhythms of life in the African wild.

Over the decades that followed, Grant developed a close association with Thornybush Game Reserve, witnessing the changes shaping the reserve into a remarkable wildlife destination.  He was a member of the syndicate that bought the original farm, Thornybush, a 1,000-hectare property which subsequently grew into the 15,000-hectares that Thornybush Game Reserve protects today.

A historic moment came in 2017 when Thornybush removed the fencing along its boundary with the Kruger National Park, allowing wildlife to roam freely, becoming part of the open Greater Kruger ecosystem and creating exceptional opportunities for wildlife viewing.

In 2003, Grant built Shimungwe Lodge as a family retreat and over the years, he’s shared it generously with family and friends. In 2023 he established his vision to share this intimate, boutique safari retreat with guests to experience the magic of the African bush in comfort and tranquillity. Today, he continues to share his passion for the wilderness with visitors from around the world, welcoming guests to discover the remarkable wildlife, landscapes, and quiet moments that make a big five African safari in Thornybush Game Reserve so special.