South African Lodges

Thanda Private Game Reserve

Thanda Private Game Reserve Reviews & Information

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Restaurants

Dining at the Thanda Private Game Reserve

The magnificent Thanda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, offers guests different beautiful dining venues with an authentic African experience. The spectacular African boma with the setting sun and the flames of a roaring fire make for an unforgettable safari dining experience.

Thanda's mouthwatering meals appeal to guests of all nationalities and cultures from around the world.  South African cuisine is presented while seasonal game meat is always on the menu for the more adventurous diners.  The herb garden, which is at the Royal Private Villa of the Thanda Private Game Reserve, provides a constant supply of fresh ingredients. 

Despite the combination of tastes, Thanda's chefs are very traditional in regards to etiquette and value the art of gourmet dining.  Discussions with guests ensure that personal dietary requirements are met, and Thanda’s exceptionally high standards are maintained. Guests are recommended to advise the game lodge of any dietary requirements and allergies when a booking is made.

Fine wines are the ideal complement to delicious cuisine at the Thanda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal.  Thanda features a well-stocked wine cellar and cigar bar for the discerning guest.

Spa

Spa Facilities

Guests may relax and rejuvenate at the Thanda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  The safari spa is a fully-fledged Africology health and beauty spa.  Thanda provides the exclusive Africology range as in-room amenities and also makes use of these for spa treatments.

The Africology spa products are without any chemicals or perfumes.  These are preserved and fragranced by natural oils and extracts. Africology products are not tested on animals and are all organically produced. 
 
Thanda's Wellness Centre offers many spa treatments including, massages, facials, scrubs, waxing and Thanda signature spa treatments.

Activities, Sports & Leisure

Game drives

Thrilling game drives through the vast Thanda Private Game Reserve are conducted early in the mornings and late in the afternoons as animals are more active during the cooler hours of the day.   Thanda's game drives are conducted in open Land Rovers, with a maximum of six guests per vehicle.

Bush walks

The game rangers and trackers at the Thanda Private Game Reserve in South Africa are very knowledgeable of both the fauna and flora in Thanda's unique ecosystems. During exciting bush walks, guests learn about the fascinating uses of plants and learn to identify animal spoor. Guests also have the chance to track specific animals with a ranger's assistance on request.

Wildlife Lectures / Junior Ranger Programmes

Guests at the Thanda Game Lodge who show interest in specific wildlife as well as nature conservation topics enjoy the lectures conducted by the lodge's senior rangers and field guides. Thanda's  younger guests have the opportunity to participate in the Junior Ranger programme which offers a wonderful introduction to the African bushveld.

Star gazing

Knowledgeable rangers introduce guests at the Thanda Private Game Reserve to the incredible world of star gazing as well as the solar system. The natural, unpolluted air at the Thanda Game Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, provides a clear view of the magical African night sky.

Spa treatments

Guests are invited to relax and unwind at the magnificent Thanda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.  The safari spa at the Thanda Game Lodge is a fully-fledged Africology health and beauty spa.  Thanda offers the exclusive Africology range as in-room amenities and also makes use of these for spa treatments.

The Africology spa products are made without any chemicals or perfumes.  These are preserved and fragranced by natural oils and extracts. Africology products are not tested on animals and are all organically produced.

The Wellness Centre at the Thanda Private Game Reserve offers many spa treatments including, massages, facials, scrubs, waxing and Thanda signature spa treatments.

Other activities
  • Bird watching walking trail
  • Crocodile Feeding
  • Traditional Village
  • Hippo & Croc Tour
  • Diving
  • Whale Watching
  • Turtle tours
  • Marine Mammal Experience
  • Deep Sea Fishing
  • The Gemstone & Geology Trail
  • The World Of Our Ancestral Spirit Tour
  • Border Cave Tour
  • Ghost Mountain Tour
  • Day Trips To Tembe National Elephant Park And/Or Ndumo Game Reserve
  • Tiger Fishing
  • Canoeing
  • Hiking
  • Guided Bush Walk
Bush breakfast

The Bush Breakfast is a fantastic way to round off an adventurous morning game drive.  Served in the heart of the untamed African bushveld, rangers keep an eye out for wildlife at Thanda.  The bush breakfast can be arranged at an additional charge.

Bush dinner

The Bush Breakfast is a fantastic way to round off an adventurous morning game drive.  Served in the heart of the untamed African bushveld, rangers keep an eye out for wildlife at Thanda.  The bush breakfast can be arranged at an additional charge.

Services

Check in and Check Out Times
  • Check in: 0:00
  • Check out: 0:00
General Services
  • Airport transfers
  • Babysitting
  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping service
  • Massage treatments
  • Porters
  • Safari drives
  • Tours & Transfers on Request
  • Wake-up call
  • Wellness & Beauty treatments
Malaria Status and Animals
  • The province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa is classified a low-risk malaria area, and the Thanda Private Game Reserve was declared 99% malaria-free by the World Health Organisation.  

    We recommend guests to use a mosquito repellent on exposed skin.  Insect repellent is in both the Thanda tents and the villas.

Children Policy
  • Children of all ages are welcome to stay at the five star Thanda Private Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal.

    The following children policy is applicable:

    • Children under the age of 6 are not permitted at the Tented Camp.
    • Children of all ages are welcome at the Main Lodge, but only children under the age of 12 can share with parents.
    • Stretcher beds are available for children under the age of 12 sharing with their parents at the Main Lodge.
    • Children between the ages of 3 and six may accompany their parents on game drives if exclusive use of a Land Rover has been reserved. Private Land Rovers are subject to availability and a surcharge.
    • Children under the age of 3 will not be permitted on game drives at any time.
    • Individual bush walks around the vicinity of the lodge will be arranged for younger children by their guides.
    • Babysitters are available at a nominal rate and must be reserved on arrival.
    • Children under the age of 16 are not allowed in the Wellness Centre.
    • Children under the age of 3 are not permitted in the boma, dining room or decks for dinner. A private boma experience may be arranged for families travelling with children under the age of 3.
    • A children’s menu is available at all times.
Children Activities
  • The Thanda Private Game Reserve welcomes children of all ages.  Upon arrival at the Thanda Main Lodge or the Thanda Royal Private Villa, kids are invited to join the Thanda Bucks & Bugs Club.

    The Bucks & Bugs Club at Thanda

     Bucks & Bugs is a great children club specially designed for kids staying at the Thanda Private Game Reserve. On arrival, children are given a Bucks & Bugs bag which is filled with a few surprises, a welcome letter as well as information about the new Thanda Junior Rangers course.

     The Junior Rangers course is something exciting for children.  Kids at Thanda are invited to complete this course during their stay.  While enjoying thrilling game drives with a professional ranger and tracker, children are taught about different mammals, birds, trees, footprints and the stars of the Southern Hemisphere.  At the end of their stay at the Thanda Private Game Reserve, kids are asked questions by their ranger.  A specially awarded certificate identifies them as a junior ranger.

    In the library at Thanda, children have many books available, both educational and fun, as well as story books with animal tales and African folk stories. A selection of videos and DVDs as well as animal puzzles and games is also available.
     
    When children go to sleep, a good night story awaits them as well as milk and delicious cookies.  The chef also prepares special children meals such as toasted sandwiches, hamburgers, spaghetti Bolognese, fish and chips, and ice cream with chocolate sauce.  A babysitting service is available which can be pre-booked at an additional charge.

Available Rooms

Thanda Tented Camp: Tent

# Rooms:
14

The tented camp at the Thanda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, provides an authentic African bush experience in accommodation which is reminiscent of a bygone era.  The accommodation packages at the Thanda Tented Camp includes all meals, game activities and selected local beverages.

The tented camp at the Thanda Private Game Reserve was constructed in a unique colonial safari-style.  This type of accommodation at Thanda in South Africa is suitable for guests who appreciated a genuine safari experience.  The 14 tents offer viewing decks and en-suite canvas bathrooms.   The public facilities at Thanda's tented camp are the attractive reception area, a curio shop, a relaxing lounge area, an enhanced dining tent, a 10x5 metre rim-flow swimming pool and a boma.   Soothing spa treatments by Africology are available in the privacy of the tents.

Thanda's tented camp is equipped with a generator which provides electricity to the tents for a few hours every day to enable guests to charge cameras and phones. Even when the generators are running, the lighting is minimal.  The natural atmosphere of the tented camp at the Thanda Private Game Reserve is enhanced through paraffin lanterns and boma fires.

The Thanda Tented Camp can accommodate children from 6-years of age to stay making for an unforgettable family safari getaway.   Thanda’s unique tented camp is about 15-minutes away from the main lodge in an open Land Rover.

Thanda Safari Lodge

# Rooms:
10

The magnificent Thanda Private Game Reserve in South Africa, which is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, offers guests the choice of the luxurious main lodge and the rugged safari-style tented camp.  The safari accommodation packages at Thanda's main lodge and tented camp include the meals, and game activities and selected local beverages.

The main lodge at Thanda features nine beautiful bush villas where guests are offered the epitome of privacy and absolute luxury.  Circular in structure and resembling a traditional homestead nestling on a hill, each of the villas at the Thanda Private Game Reserve provides a scenic view of the surrounding game reserve. 

With a spacious 220 m² in size, each villa at the Thanda Main Lodge offers its own large lounge area as well as a master bedroom with an inter-leading fireplace. The unique African thatched outdoor game-viewing deck and the infinity swimming pool offer refreshment from the summer heat.  The villas feature a full en-suite bathroom which is complete with an oval shaped bathtub and indoor / outdoor showers.  Private bomas for a romantic dining experiences can be found at each villa as well.

Thanda Tented Camp: Jabula Tent

# Rooms:
1

The honeymoon tent at the Thanda Private Game Reserve, South Africa, provides a luxurious combination of privacy, romance and refined comfort within the African bush.  Thanda's honeymoon tent offers a king-sized bed in a spacious bedroom as well as a separate lounge area which invites for relaxation.

A highlight of this honeymoon tent is the outdoor shower and the plunge pool from where magnificent views of the 14000-hectare reserve can be admired.  The tented camp at the Thanda Game Lodge is powered for a few hours each morning and each evening by a generator which allows guests to charge essentials (cameras and mobile phones).  Thanda’s tented camp is located about a 15-minute drive from the main lodge.

Villa Izulu (1 - 6 guests)

The tented camp at the Thanda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, provides an authentic African bush experience in accommodation which is reminiscent of a bygone era.  The accommodation packages at the Thanda Tented Camp includes all meals, game activities and selected local beverages.

The tented camp at the Thanda Private Game Reserve was constructed in a unique colonial safari-style.  This type of accommodation at Thanda in South Africa is suitable for guests who appreciated a genuine safari experience.  The 14 tents offer viewing decks and en-suite canvas bathrooms.  The public facilities at Thanda's tented camp are the attractive reception area, a curio shop, a relaxing lounge area, an enhanced dining tent, a 10x5 metre rim-flow swimming pool and a boma.   Soothing spa treatments by Africology are available in the privacy of the tents.

Thanda's tented camp is equipped with a generator which provides electricity to the tents for a few hours every day to enable guests to charge cameras and phones. Even when the generators are running, the lighting is minimal.  The natural atmosphere of the tented camp at the Thanda Private Game Reserve is enhanced through paraffin lanterns and boma fires.

The Thanda Tented Camp can accommodate children from 6-years of age to stay making for an unforgettable family safari getaway.  Thanda’s unique tented camp is about 15-minutes away from the main lodge in an open Land Rover.

 

GPS Co-Ordinates

Latitude: -27.827598

Longitude: 32.115844

Directions

The Thanda Private Game Reserve nestles 23 km north of Hluhluwe on the N2, towards Mkhuze, which lies about 220 km north of Durban in South Africas KwaZulu-Natal Province.

The Thanda Private Game Reserve can easily be accessed from the N2 with a gravel road, the D242 extending approximately 5 km to the west. The closest commercial airport to the Thanda Lodge is Richards Bay, and the nearest international airport is King Shaka International Airport in Umhlanga / Durban.

Directions to the Thanda Private Game Reserve from Johannesburg:
Take the N17 via Springs to Ermelo.
From Ermelo, take the N2, past Piet Retief.
Continue the N2 towards Hluhluwe - approximately 25 km past Mkhuze (before Hluhluwe), turn right into the D242, continue for approximately 5 km on the gravel road to the Thanda gate on the right.

Directions from Durban to the Thanda Private Game Reserve:

Take the N2 towards Hluhluwe.
Approximately 20 km past the turn-off for Hluhluwe, turn left into the D242, continue for approximately 5 km on the gravel road to the Thanda gate on the right.

Parking

On site parking facilities are provided for guests.

Star Rating

5 Star

Awards

Due to the professional service excellence and high standard of facilities, the Thanda Private Game Reserve in South Africa has received many accolades over the last few years.

The most recent accolades of the Thanda Private Game Reserve include:

  • Winner of Africa's Leading Luxury Villa at the World Travel Awards
  • Winner of the World's Leading Luxury Lodge award World Travel Awards

Hotel Group(s)

  • The Leading Hotels of the World