Thanda Private Game Reserve

Thanda Private Game Reserve has been deemed the most luxurious destination in Africa, winning 'Africa's Leading Luxury Lodge' in the 2007 World Travel Awards ceremony at a gala evening in Abu Dhabi. The award comes only three years after the five-star lodge opened its doors to the public and bears testament to the strong emphasis the lodge places on customer service and unparalleled luxury.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to recognise and reward outstanding achievements within the global travel industry and is endorsed by celebrities and press around the world. The only private game reserve in the world to hold exclusive membership with The Leading Hotels of the World, Thanda's superlative facilities include a decadent main lodge, authentic safari-style tented camp and award-winning wellness centre.

"Exclusivity, romance and Zulu culture in the heart of the untamed African Bush."

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.

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, or embrace nature at the colonial safari-style tented camp. Encounter the abundance of African game including lion, rhino, elephant, buffalo and leopard 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 adrenalin diving with sharks at the nearby warm Indian Ocean waters. Be transfixed in awe as you witness a hundred-year-old ritual performed by Zulu warriors, offering you a glimpse of a powerful nation that still retains its deep traditions.

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.

The voltage is 220/250V. 3-point round-pin plugs are used in South Africa. Each room at the main lodge is fitted with universal plugs. The tented camp does not have electricity; light is provided by paraffin lamps.

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.

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 centre 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.

Warm clothing for winter game drives is essential. It is advisable to bring a good pair of walking shoes and a sun hat. Don't forget your camera!

Charter flights from Johannesburg to Thanda is facilitated by Thanda Air which operates between Rand Germiston in Johannesburg and Mkhuze, 15 minutes away from Thanda.

All rates include 1% tourism levy

pps = per person, sgl = single