Extraordinary Africa>South Africa>KwaZulu Natal>Thanda Safari Lodge
Thanda Safari Lodge is the ideal spot for visitors to Kwa Zulu Natal wanting a taster of safari in some serious comfort.
What’s Thanda Safari Lodge really like?
The main lodge at Thanda is beautifully designed, painted a deep ochre and filled with interesting artefacts from all over Africa. Did we consider stealing some to bring home? We can’t possibly comment. The bar and lounge look out over a small waterhole (keep an eye out for ellies), and up here there’s a dining room as well as a small wine cellar. Down below is a small library which we thought would be a lovely space to curl up for some peace and quiet between game drives.
Wooden walkways lead you away to the spa, where there’s a pool, and on to the nine suites, which are vast to say the least. They have a sitting room with a cosy fire place, proper coffee, and some board games. On the other side of the bedroom is the huge bathroom with a big tub, indoor and outdoor showers and a deck with a plunge pool, sunbathing area and a glorious view. While Safari Lodge does definitely welcome families, for us this felt like the perfect spot for a couple or honeymooners to snuggle up and really spend some time together.
What can I do at Thanda Safari Lodge?
As Thanda is a fairly small reserve, this works well for people who want to spend 2-3 days getting a taster of safari rather than spend a week or so immersed in the great wildernesses around the Kruger. Game drives are the main activity and we were impressed by both the game viewing and our guide- no matter how many safaris you’ve done, there is always something new to learn. It is also possible to do walking safaris. For an extra fee, you can get involved with more hands-on conservation activities- spending a day with the conservation team, cheetah tracking, or rhino darting. We can also arrange a visit to the nearby Zulu community- please just let us know if you would like to add any of these to your trip as they should be booked in advance.
Giving back at Thanda Safari Lodge:
Thanda partners with a number of organisations to help conserve the magnificent wildlife on the reserve- one particular project is aiming to improve the number and range of the rhino in South Africa, including combating the threat of poaching. Working with the local community is an equally essential part of Thanda’s work. The full range of projects is too lengthy to list here, but include building a new creche and supporting an elephant dung paper project.
Want to know more? We’ve stayed here, so just
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