Winner of World's Leading Luxury Lodge at the 2011 World Travel Awards, this exclusive 5-star lodge brings man and nature together on a 14 000 hectare access-controlled private game reserve.
Situated in northern Zululand, Thanda Private Game Reserve is home to amazing wildlife and over 400 different bird species. Find your balance at one of South Africa’s most exquisite bush spas or witness a hundred-year-old ritual performed by Zulu warriors.
Thanda means love in Zulu, signifying the deep connection the game reserve has with Zulu culture and native flora and fauna. Experience the ultimate in luxury in one of the bush villas or embrace nature at the colonial safari-style tented camp. Thanda’s public areas include a library, business centre, wine cellar and spa area, ensuring you hours of entertainment and pleasure.
Culinary masterpieces, prepared by the dedicated kitchen team, can be sampled at several venues, including your private boma. Safaris in open game viewing vehicles are conducted exclusively for Thanda guests on the low risk malaria reserve
Hotel informationThanda Private Game Reserve features world-class spa facilities. Treat yourself to an aromatherapy session or experience a hot stone massage using only African oils. Next to hot and cold outdoor Kneipp therapy pools, a reflexology pool and an outdoor sala treatment area, the spa includes a steam room and hydrotherapy bath.
Food & beverage
Private dining is possible at the bush villas, where meals can be served in your private boma or on the villa deck, underneath a clear night sky. For special occasions, the staff is happy to organize bush breakfast, lunches or dinners. Next to a wine cellar and fire-lit dining room and outdoor boma, the main lodge includes a superbly stocked wine cellar and cigar bar.
Travel information
By car:
- Coming from Johannesburg, take the N17 via Springs to Ermelo.
- From Emelo, follow the N2 past Piet Retief.
- Continue on the N2 in direction of Hluhluwe.
- Approximately 25 km past Mkhuze (before Hluhluwe), turn right onto
the D242.
- Continue for about 5 km on the gravel road, until you see the gate to
your right.
- Coming from Durban, take the N2 in the direction of Hluhluwe.
- About 20 km past the Hluhluwe turn-off, turn left onto the D242.
- Continue for about 5 km on the gravel road, until you see the gate to
your right.
Important information
Please note: Thandas gate closes at 18:00 and it is manned by a security guard. There is no guide/driver on standby at the gate. Guests must provide an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) to avoid a delay of 30 minutes whilst a guide/driver is alerted.
Please note that the game reserve has very strict child policies, and should be cleared with the hotel directly.
The 9 luxury bush villas at the main lodge offer a level of opulence that is hard to surpass. Up to 220m² in size, each of the villas includes a private heated pool and boma, ideal for intimate al fresco dinners. The non-electrified tented camp is built in colonial safari style, ideal for guests looking to experience an authentic yet luxurious bush experience. Each of the 4 beautifully furnished tents features a four-poster bed, en suite canvas bathrooms and boasts magnificent views of the game reserve.
Luxury Safari Lodge
These bush villas at the main lodge have private infinity pools, viewing decks, private salas, lounges, fireplaces and full bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers.
The individual bomas at each villa offer guests dining privacy.
Tented Safari Camp
The tented camp is built in colonial-safari style and offer viewing decks and en-suite canvass 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
Children under the age of 16 are not permitted to stay in the tented camp for safety reasons.
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