Description
Found just inland from KwaZulu Natal’s Elephant Coast, vast Thanda Private Game Reserve is an eco-friendly paradise with diverse accommodation options. Thanda Safari Lodge is the main place, but there’s also this hilltop, colonial-style collection of 15 tented suites. While its the most rugged and furthest-flung place, there’s still top notch service and real luxury on offer. During the day, Big Five game drives, photography lessons and turtle tours stand by to thrill you.
Accommodation
The 14 main, spacious tents are romantic enough, thanks to four-poster beds, teak furniture, flickering paraffin lanterns and directors’ chairs. Each also has a private sun deck and en-suite bathroom, while generator power allows you to charge camera batteries and phones. But for true lovebirds, honeymooners are tipped to book secluded Jabula Tent, and its lounge, king-size bed and splash pool.
Facilities
More paraffin-lit pathways lead guests to candlelight dinner spots, a boma bar and a long infinity pool whose sun-loungers are positioned to face lots of animal action. Inside the main mess tent, large sofas and far-reaching views combine to create an old-school safari atmosphere, with guests found book-reading, photography-editing or G&T-drinking in the heat of the day. Spa treatments using Africology products are available inside your own tent.
Activities
Early-morning and early-evening game drives in open-topped vehicles should introduce you to all the Big Five, including rare black rhinos. Bush walks are also offered too, as are stargazing, photography masterclasses and, between November and March, midnight tours to watch turtles lay eggs on nearby beaches. Fishing, horse-riding, beach jaunts, snorkelling, microlight flights and canoe safaris are possible, too, or you could spend a day with Thanda’s elephant-focused conservation team.
Child Policy
Thanda Tented Camp only accepts those 12 and over, with extra beds possible and a special children’s safari programme offered. Younger children are welcome at the main safari lodge.
The Best of South Africa Travel map displays the locations of the destinations and accommodation that we have selected and visited; for each item, hovering over or clicking the marker will display a short summary and photo of that place or hotel, and hotel pricing. Follow the links in the info box to the full page listing which has much more information.
Note that the online map offers both a satellite view (click satellite in the top right) and, for some locations, a street level view (Drag the person in the top left onto the map). These let you explore the country; and when you wish to explore in person, or if you have any questions about the places you see, give our staff a call, or request a quote. Our staff regularly visit the places and accommodation that we feature.
When you book a holiday with us we will provide full driving instructions for reaching your accommodation, where necessary; these can be used by yourself, or you could enjoy the luxury of a driver. Alternatively we will arrange private (car rather than coach) transfers for you; helicopter transfers are also possible for some destinations.
