Our stay at Thanda Safari:
Wild Luxury
The bush is the answer to so many needs of the soul. When you need peace, the bush will offer you peace and quiet. When you need adventure, the bush will surprise you. When you need love, the bush will warm your heart. In the midst of these strange, uncertain times we found solace at the marvellous Thanda Safari, a slice of heaven on the hills of Kwa-Zulu-Natal, South Africa.
Thanda Safari is a private game reserve extending over 14,000 hectares, a world of wilderness, wildlife and great commitment to Zulu culture and to environmental conservation. Thanda is involved in several conservation initiatives, including being a founder member of Project Rhino KZN, an anti-poaching and conservation collaboration between KZN leading conservation agencies and provincial game reserves.
At Thanda, you can experience the ultimate luxury safari experience marvelling at the wildlife and seeing the big five. The reserve offers three different types of accommodations, a lodge with nine rooms, a private villa that can accommodate ten people and a luxury tented camp with fifteen stunning tents nestled in the lush vegetation.
We had the pleasure of staying in the honeymoon suite at Thanda Tented Camp, and it was nothing short of magical. Our tent was spacious and beautifully decorated, with an incredibly comfortable bed, a lounge area and a spacious bathroom featuring one of the biggest bathtubs we had ever seen. On our private outside deck, we enjoyed a jacuzzi overlooking the landscape and comfortable sunbeds. The main area hosted a beautiful pool with ample space for lounging, a bar for sundowners and a cosy, open-air fireplace where to gather under the starry sky.
The Thanda experience includes meals and two game drives a day, making your time at the reserve filled with unforgettable moments. At our arrival, we had the first taste of the delicious cuisine that accompanies our stay, with an incredible lunch before embarking on our first game drive. It appeared to us that everyone working at Thanda truly loved their job, from the chefs to our butler, to the guides. Welcoming, engaging, passionate, the whole staff made our stay truly special.
During our three day stay, we had the pleasure of exploring the reserve with Buse and Winneth, our guide and tracker, on four-game drives. Without a doubt, some of the best game drives we have ever been on. Starting from the vehicle, a mighty Land Rover that made driving on rocks feel like driving on pillows. Followed by the beauty of being able to drive around with two very knowledgeable guides, which makes each game drive a moment of learning.
Thanks to the vast experience of our tracker Winneth we were able to follow tracks that led us to incredible wildlife encounters, including buffaloes, lions, elephants, rhinos and even a leopard. Buse, our guide, entertained us with his incredible energy, taught us uncountable precious information on wildlife and made our experience unforgettable.
The Thanda experience is also found in the details. In the morning during our drives, we stopped for a coffee and snacks in the middle of the reserve, while in the afternoon we enjoyed sundowners from a fully fitted bar that pops-out at the front of the mighty car. Watching the deep orange African sunset immersed in the tranquillity and vastness of the bush while sipping on a drink is an experience that will linger in our memories forever.
Three days flew past way too fast and we already look forward to returning to this special place where the world seems to make a bit more sense and our soul feels at home.
