Thanda Private Game Reserve - Zululand and North Coast

Thanda Private Game Reserve is located in Zululand and North Coast. Find out more about Zululand and North Coast here.

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Exclusivity, romance and Zulu culture in the heart
of the untamed African bush. A five star lodge   

Thanda, meaning love in Zulu, is an expression of the magical union of the power of Zulu culture, wildlife, romance and exclusivity. Thanda Private Game Reserve is South Africas top award winning safari destination and is situated in northern Zululand, in close proximity to the Indian Ocean. The inimitable integration of South Africas best climate and rehabilitated and rich bush land has made Thanda home to amazing wildlife and over four hundred bird species. Ignite your imagination and open your mind to an extraordinary experience for your soul, mind and body. Its the unique and sought after balance between energizing and exclusive relaxation that we want to share with you and your dear ones.
Its the magic of romance and Zulu culture that makes Thanda unforgettable. Thanda does the double at the World Travel Awards

Thanda is the perfect setting to rediscover romance, with romantic turndowns, candlelights, bush dinners lit by paraffin lamps whilst your ranger keeps a watchful eye for any wildlife, private splash pools, your own sala where you can sleep under the stars during the night listening to a lion roaring or take a nap after lunch whilst impalas graze below you, private bomas for romantic dinners with your own fireplace, relaxing massages at the wellness centre, excellent wines, foam baths with candlelights and champagne and outdoor showers that can be used in the magical African night.

Main lodge Let your senses awaken with sumptuous decadence, and candlelit culinary masterpieces impeccably served in your private boma.

The nine luxury bush villas at the main lodge offer a level of opulence that is hard to surpass, 220m in size, each with private heated splash pools and private bomas, ideal for intimate open-air 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 library, business centre, a finely stocked wine cellar and several dining venues where deliciously mouth-watering meals are served.

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.

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.