Thanda Private Game Reserve (KwaZulu-Natal) South Africa
Location:
Situated 23km north of Hluhluwe in northern Zululand in
South Africa, Thanda Private Game Reserve is a celebration
of the Zulu people and their rich culture. Thanda, meaning
'love' in Zulu, is an expression of the magical union of
powerful Zulu culture, wildlife, romantic decadence and
exclusivity. It's the magic of romance and Zulu culture that
makes Thanda unforgettable.
• The Wellness Centre at the prestigious Thanda Private
Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal was voted as the winner in the
Safari Spa category in the Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa
Awards 2006, June 2006 • Thanda Private Game Reserve in
Zululand has been selected as the first and only game
reserve in the world to achieve ‘Leading Hotels of the
World’ status and joins the elite membership that is
reserved for only 400 of the world’s finest properties,
September 2005 • The 5-star Thanda Private Game Reserve's
Wellness Centre was chosen as a top 5 finalist in the
category of Resort Spa by Les Nouvelles Esthetique during
their inaugural South African 2005 Sanitas Per Aquas Spa
Awards, July 2005
Accommodation:
The nine luxury bush villas at the main lodge offer a
level of opulence that is hard to surpass. Measuring 220
square meters in size, each villas has its own private
heated splash pool, viewing deck and boma, ideal for
intimate open-air private dinners. The outdoor salas are
impossible to resist for an afternoon siesta on
feather-filled cushions amid extraordinary views of the
surrounding unfenced bush.
Each villa has a fireplace interleading between the
bedroom and the lounge. Luxurious bathrooms have enormous
egg-shaped baths and indoor as well as outdoor showers.
Should the urge arise to venture out of your private
retreat, Thanda's public areas include a lounge, library,
fully equipped business center, a finely stocked wine
cellar, cigar bar and several dining venues where
deliciously mouth-watering meals are served. There are also
viewing and dining decks overlooking tranquil water
features. The curio shop stocks artifacts made by local
artists.
Tented
Camp
The non-electrified tented camp is built in a colonial
safari style, suited for guests in search of an authentic,
yet luxurious bush experience. Situated on the slope of a
hill, the tents have spectacular views of the reserve and
offer guests an authentic bush experience. With no
compromise on luxury or service, the Tented Camp offers
guests an opportunity to get closer to nature in style. The
four beautifully furnished tents have four-poster beds,
en-suite canvas bathrooms with a shower, and magnificent
views of the game reserve.
Public facilities include an intimate dining tent and
boma, a very stylish outdoor lounge and a plunge pool for
cool relief on hot summer days. Guests can opt to have their
meals in the dining tent or around the boma fire. The lounge
in the sala is ideal for relaxing and the splash pool is
welcoming during the warm days of summer. Guests and be assured of best rates at
the Tented Camp may make use of the facilities at the Main
Lodge and at the Wellness Centre.
Facilities
/ Attractions:
Thanda Private Game Reserve has created a world-class spa
facility with exclusive treatments which consist of
reflexology, aromatherapy, hot stone massage using African
essential oils in a base of shea butter, pressure point
scalp massage, manicures, pedicures, hot & cold outdoor
kniepp therapy pools, a reflexology pool, outdoor sala
treatment area, steam room & hydrotherapy bath all with a
unique Zulu feel and designed exclusively for Thanda. Guests
can pamper, indulge and rejuvenate mind, body and soul
whilst being inspired by the vast expanse of African bush.
The Thanda Signature Treatments draw inspiration from the
Zulu culture and are designed to be indulgent to both the
body and soul, allowing the African spirit to enchant each
and every guest. The wellness center was voted as the winner
in the Safari Spa category in the Les Nouvelles Esthetiques
Spa Awards 2006, and it was a finalist in the category
Resort Spa in 2005. Communication: Each villa has a
telephone and there is a good Internet connection at the
main lodge. There is no Internet facility at the tented
camp, nor are there telephones as the tented camp is not
electrified. There is reception for mobile phones in many
parts of the reserve, but mountains obstruct the signal in
certain areas.
Culinary masterpieces skillfully prepared by the
dedicated and professional chefs can be experienced in a
variety of venues at Thanda. The public facilities of the
main lodge include a fire-lit dining room, outdoor dining
decks and an outdoor 'boma' (open reed enclosure).
Private dining is available at the bush villas, where
meals can be served in the private bomas or the private
decks of each villa, under sparkling skies on clear nights.
Bush breakfasts, lunches or dinners are also available
for special occasions. Dining facilities at the tented camp
include an intimate dining tent and a boma. A superbly
stocked wine cellar and cigar bar are available at the main
lodge.
Game Viewing & Activities:
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 sport
fish, dive with sharks, snorkel above coral reefs, ride
horses on the beach or just enjoy the warm waters of the
Indian Ocean. Thanda Private Game Reserve aims to restore
nature's balance by reintroducing species endemic to the
area, as well as the Big Five. The rehabilitated land has
encouraged the birds and wildlife to flourish, and has
assisted in the re-establishment of the natural ecosystem.
Game drives in the open game viewing vehicles and bush walks
guided by knowledgeable and experienced game rangers and
trackers afford guests a better understanding and
appreciation of our wild heritage.
The
private game reserve is part of an ongoing game
rehabilitation program that will ensure the long-term
sustainment of wildlife. It is the first privately owned
game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal to introduce a breeding pack
of wild dog, complementing the Big Five experience. Why
settle for the Big Five when you can have the Big Seven?
Once you've had your fill of game viewing, you can opt to
join one of the many outside activities that Thanda offers.
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. For
those guests who would like to learn more about our solar
system, our game rangers are knowledgeable in this field,
and star gazing can be enjoyed during evening game drives.
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! 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. The 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 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. Guests
interested in specific topics related to wildlife and
conservation will enjoy the wildlife lectures given by the
senior rangers and field guides. Thanda's younger guests can
participate in the Junior Ranger Program, a wonderful
introduction to the bush.
The focus point of Thanda Private Game Reserve is to
fully embrace the Zulu culture by including elements of it
throughout all aspects of the lodge. From the décor to the
cuisine, guests will truly learn to appreciate the rich and
still very much alive traditions of the Zulu people. Vula
Zulu, a traditional homestead is the setting for guests to
have the privilege of watching 50 to 100 Impi warriors
trained by an associate of a Zulu prince, performing age-old
dancing rites, as was done prior to and after battle. A
guided tour to a nearby Zulu tribal village will offer
guests an insight into the daily life of the community.
Visit local historical sites and battlegrounds, or witness
young children's enthusiasm and ambition during a visit to a
local school.
Thanda's
rangers will embrace the close connections and traditions
between nature and the Zulu people, and in the library at
the main lodge, you can read about the many fascinating
aspects of the Zulu nation, from culture and history to
myths and legends. Even the Zulu songs will stay with you
long after your visit to Thanda! In this way, Thanda is
contributing to the sustainment the sustainment of the Zulu
culture, through job creation as well as maintaining an
ongoing interest in the Zulu heritage, and offering guests a
unique opportunity to experience all aspects of this
incredibly interesting culture, not found at any other
lodge.
Vula Zulu Cultural Experience is a traditional homestead
showcasing Zulu culture and history, situated adjacent to
Thanda. With the advice and assistance of experts
specializing in Zulu culture, the homestead has been
purpose-built as a museum for visitors to get an insight
into the way of life of the Zulu people in days gone by.
Guests can taste traditional Zulu beer, observe spear combat
methods, and watch as women weave baskets using local Ilala
palms and create intricate bead accessories. The highlight
of Vula Zulu is the immensely powerful traditional Impi
dancing, where warriors perform age-old dancing rites as was
done pre- and post-battle with King Shaka Zulu. Facilities
at Vula Zulu include a restaurant, a craft center and a
curio shop stocked with artifacts made by local craftsmen.
Accommodation Rates: From $790 per person per night
sharing. Please contact us for a quote and suggested
itinerary
