Situated 23km north of Hluhluwe in northern
Zululand, Thanda Private Game Reserve is a celebration of the
Zulu people and their rich culture.
Not only will guests have the opportunity to learn more about
their history and traditions, the people from the adjacent tribal
land will benefit in many ways from the creation of Thanda Private
Game Reserve.
It´s the magic of romance and Zulu culture that makes Thanda
unforgettable
The philosophy 'For the love of nature,
wildlife and dear ones' embraces Thanda's vision of creating
harmony between man and nature. 'Thanda' - 'love' in Zulu -
is truly a game reserve centred around 'love'.
Let your senses awaken with sumptuous decadence, and candlelit
culinary masterpieces impeccably served in your private boma.
Thanda invites you to experience ultimate luxury and world-class
service.
The nine luxury bush villas are pure indulgence. Each spacious
bush villa has a private splash pool and viewing deck, sala, lounge,
fireplace and a full bathroom with an inside as well as an outside
shower.
Situated on the slope of a hill, the tented
camps have spectacular views of the reserve, and offer guests
an authentic bush experience. The camp has no electricity, and
guests can opt to have their meals in the dining tent or around
the boma fire. Without compromising luxury or service, the tented
camp offers guests an opportunity to get closer to nature in
style. Each of the four luxury tents has a viewing deck, and
a spacious bathroom with a shower.
The private bomas offer absolute privacy should that be your choice.
Artefacts made by local artists can be found in the curio shop
adjacent to the business centre.
The public area at the main lodge has a lounge, library, dining
room, boma, dining deck, wine cellar, cigar bar, fully equipped
business centre and viewing decks overlooking tranquil water features.
In the coolness of the night, dine on tender delicacies to the
echoing sounds of triumphant creatures feasting.
Our dedicated and professional chefs will
skilfully prepare an exquisite variation of Western and traditional
Zulu cuisine.
And you choose where you would prefer to savour the masterpieces
that will be presented to you: in front of a roaring fire in
the dining room in winter, under sparkling skies on clear nights
in the boma or in the bush, or for a more romantic or private
option, in your own secluded private boma or terrace. Guests
staying at the tented camp can partake in their meals at the
dining tent, or at the dining facilities at the main lodge.
The wellness centre offers a variety of
therapies and beauty treatments to ease the effects of life's
daily stresses on your body and mind. Qualified health and skin
care therapists will ensure that your soothing full body aromatherapy
massage or healing reflexology, to name just a few, will aid
you to unwind and relax in the beautiful surroundings of Thanda
Private Game Reserve.
Take heed of your body and mind's desire
for inner peace and close your eyes whilst life's daily stresses
vanish beneath skilful hands.
Thanda is the perfect environment to rediscover
romance, with romantic turndowns, candlelights, bush dinners
lit by paraffin lamps with your ranger being your guard, private
heated splash pools, your own sala where you can sleep under
the stars during the night listening to a lion roaring or take
a nap after lunch whilst impalas graze below you, private bomas
for romantic dinners with your own fireplace, relaxing massages
at the wellness centre, excellent wines, foam baths with candlelights
and champagne and outdoor showers that can be used in the magical
African night.
Thanda is an exquisite venue for a honeymoon or a bush wedding.
All co-ordination requirements will be taken care of by the lodge,
from the legal documents to arranging an ordained minister, ensuring
that the most special day of your life is totally unforgettable
and stress-free. Thanda can accommodate a maximum of 26, however
the lodge is able to cater for more guests for the wedding ceremony
and reception, and would assist in finding additional accommodation
nearby if required.
Free your adventurous spirit with the thrill of Big Five game
viewing, the exhilaration of diving with dolphins, or the wonder
of whale watching from sun-drenched beaches. Or perhaps you would
prefer to restore your soul with a leisurely cruise through tropical
estuaries followed by a refreshingly cool swim in your private
splash pool?
An abundance of activities awaits guests who would like to enjoy
all that the area has to offer. The Elephant Coast, as this part
of KwaZulu-Natal is now called, has 21 different ecosystems and
is home to a rich variety of fauna and flora. Sand forests, lakes,
lagoons, wetlands and pristine stretches of beaches are home to
many animals such as hippos, crocodiles, giant turtles and over
460 bird species.
Spot whales and dolphins on a deep-sea boat
trip between June and November along the eastern shores of KwaZulu-Natal,
or dive with sharks in Sodwana's warm waters. The Greater St.
Lucia Wetlands is South Africa's first declared world heritage
site, and a boat cruise on the estuary will enable you to encounter
some of the 1500 species of fauna found here.
Other activities arranged by Thanda include
fresh-water and deep-sea fishing, horse riding on the beach
or at a nearby non-Big Five game reserve, swimming and walking
along the pristine beaches at the Indian ocean and having your
own beach barbeque, snorkeling, birding safaris, microlight
flights, midnight turtle tours to Mbibi, kayak and canoe safaris
and visits to a traditional village and school. There are also
five golf courses in the surrounding areas for golf enthusiasts.
The closest airport is Richards Bay, and guests arriving there
will be transferred by the lodge.
Overseas guests usually fly to Johannesburg and a connecting
domestic flight takes you to Richards Bay, where Thanda staff
will meet you.
Private air charter
Fly direct with Thanda's own private charter plane and land
within Thanda Private Game Reserve. Our rangers will meet you
with a warm welcome and a glass of champagne before transferring
you to the main lodge or tented camp by Land Rover.
The climate at Thanda Private Game Reserve is tropical throughout
the year. Average daily temperatures are between 20-30ºc.
