Thanda Private Game Reserve

Thanda Private Game Reserve is a five-star game lodge in KwaZulu-Natal.

Thembi Khowane or Sma Ndela +27 (0)11 469 5082 reservations@thanda.co.za www.thanda.com

Description

Thanda, meaning ‘love’ in Zulu, unites romantic decadence and exclusivity with Zulu culture and wildlife. The five-star facilities include a main lodge, tented camp, executive royal suite and award-winning wellness centre. Encounter the abundance of African game which includes the big-five as well as the endangered wild dog found at Thanda. Let your tension be smoothed away at one of South Africa's most exquisite African bush spas, or feel the rush of adrenaline diving with sharks in the nearby warm Indian Ocean waters. Be transfixed in awe as you witness a hundred-year-old ritual performed by Zulu warriors at Vula Zulu. This cultural homestead lies adjacent to Thanda and will offer you a glimpse of a powerful nation that still retains its age-old traditions.

ACCOMMODATION

Born from a dream to create harmony between man and nature, an exclusive hideaway awaits those who dare to share the dream. Reawaken romance in one of the luxury bush villas, the royal suite or embrace nature at the colonial safari-style tented camp.

Luxury Bush Villas

The nine luxury bush villas at the main lodge each have a private infinity pool, viewing deck, private sala (thatched outdoor day bed area), lounge, fireplace and full bathroom with both inside and outside showers. Five-star cuisine can be served at the private boma (open-air reed enclosure with a fireplace) at each villa for guests wanting total privacy.

Tented Camp

The non-electrified tented camp is built in colonial safari style, offering an authentic yet luxurious bush experience. The four luxury tents have viewing decks and en-suite canvas bathrooms. Public facilities at the tented camp include a dining tent, a boma area, and a sala consisting of an open-air lounge and a splash pool. 

Exclusive royal suite

 Thanda library (public area)

As Africa's leading luxury lodge, Thanda Private Game Reserve offers guests a choice between the opulence of the main lodge and the rugged refinement of the safari-style tented camp. Both options offer five-star accommodation and service in very private surroundings. Accommodation packages at both the main lodge and tented camp include all meals, game activities and local drinks served on game drives.

Africa's leading luxury lodge.

The main lodge encompasses nine bush villas which offer guests the epitome of self-contained privacy and sheer luxury. Circular in structure and reminiscent of a traditional homestead against a hill, each of the villas boasts a breathtaking view of the surrounding game reserve. 220 m2 in size, each villa has its own spacious lounge area and master bedroom with inter-leading fireplace. A thatched outdoor game-viewing deck (sala) and infinity pool offer refreshing solace from the summer heat. Each of the villas has a full en-suite bathroom complete with an enormous oval shaped bath and indoor and outdoor showers. The villas are all equipped with private bomas for an intimate and romantic dining experience.

Should the urge arise to venture beyond your private retreat, the lodge's public areas include a library, business centre, finely-stocked wine cellar and cigar bar, as well as a choice between romantic dining venues in the heart of the African bush.

The luxury African safari: For the love of wildlife

Early morning and late afternoon game drives in search of the elusive Big Five are conducted in open Land Rovers under the supervision of knowledgeable rangers and trackers. Other wildlife on Thanda's 7800-ha property include the very entertaining wild dog, cheetah, hyaena, warthog and plains game as well as an abundance of bird life.

ACCOMMODATION

Born from a dream to create harmony between man and nature, an exclusive hideaway awaits those who dare to share the dream. Reawaken romance in one of the luxury bush villas, the royal suite or embrace nature at the colonial safari-style tented camp.

Luxury Bush Villas

The nine luxury bush villas at the main lodge each have a private infinity pool, viewing deck, private sala (thatched outdoor day bed area), lounge, fireplace and full bathroom with both inside and outside showers. Five-star cuisine can be served at the private boma (open-air reed enclosure with a fireplace) at each villa for guests wanting total privacy.

Tented Camp

The non-electrified tented camp is built in colonial safari style, offering an authentic yet luxurious bush experience. The four luxury tents have viewing decks and en-suite canvas bathrooms. Public facilities at the tented camp include a dining tent, a boma area, and a sala consisting of an open-air lounge and a splash pool. 

Exclusive royal suite

Attractions

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.

Thanda is a unique beach and bush destination, with Sodwana Bay located merely an hour away. A day at the beach can be arranged where guests have the possibility to dive with sharks, snorkel above coral reefs, ride horses on the beach or just enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Bush Breakfast

A fantastic way to end an exciting morning game drive is with a deliciously prepared bush breakfast, served in a secluded spot in the heart of the bush - but rangers will keep an eye out for the wilder inhabitants of Thanda!

Bush Dinner

Guests can get close to nature and enjoy a decadent African bush dinner lit by paraffin lamps and candlelight - perfect for a romantic surprise, or a special occasion.

Bush Walk

Our game rangers, field guides and trackers have a vast knowledge not only of the fauna, but the flora too. During bush walks, guests can have the opportunity to learn about all the fascinating uses of the plants in the area, and to identify spoor. On request, guests can track animals with specially trained rangers.

Game Drive

The best time for game drives is first thing in the morning, and early evening as animals tend to be more active at these times of the day. Game drives are conducted in the latest Land Rovers, with a maximum of 6 guests per vehicle. We will try and give families their own vehicle depending on availability.

WELLNESS CENTRE

Winner of the Safari Spa category in the Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Awards 2006, the wellness centre at Thanda Private Game Reserve offers exclusive treatments such as reflexology, aromatherapy, pressure point scalp massage and hot stone massage using African essential oils in a base of shea butter.

Unique features include hot & cold outdoor kniepp therapy pools, a reflexology pool, outdoor sala treatment area, and a steam room & hydrotherapy bath, all with a unique Zulu feel and designed exclusively for Thanda. The Thanda Signature Treatments draw inspiration from the Zulu culture and are designed to be indulgent to both the body and soul.

Directions

Location