Thula Thula Elephant Safari Lodge

Thula Thula Elephant Safari Lodge boasts stylish décor with exclusive and personalized service. The lodge features 8 luxury chalets decorated in ethnic and colonial-style each accentuating the natural surroundings. Relax on your veranda whilst observing superb birdlife and wildlife that roam freely within the 4,500 hectare conservancy.

The Accommodation

The Suite Royale is perfect for honeymooning couples or for a special occasion. With a large king-size four-poster bed and a separate lounge area, en-suite bathroom with large walk-in shower, bath with bush view and twin basins this suite exudes luxury. Slippers are also provided, and Suite Royale has superb bush views from the private veranda which overlooks the watering hole. This is the only suite that is wheelchair friendly.

The Deluxe Rooms are approximately 25 sqm, with a queen-sized four-poster bed, en-suite bathroom with single basin and shower, as well as a veranda overlooking the bush. The deluxe rooms are ideal for single occupancy.

The Luxury Rooms are approximately 35 sqm, three of the luxury chalets have 2 x ¾ four-poster beds and 1 of the chalets has a queen-size four-poster bed.  The en-suite bathrooms have twin basins, bath, and shower.  Each luxury chalet has a veranda over-looking the bush.  Additional single beds for children can be put into the luxury rooms on request.

The Suite Imperiale, for a journey into the past, exclusively decorated to celebrate nature, offering the very best in elegance and luxury.

The Facilities & Cuisine

The cuisine is fantastic fusion of flavours that will tantalize all your senses making Thula Thula one of the most renowned gourmet destinations in KwaZulu-Natal. Each menu offers a great selection of seafood, venison, and the best vegetarian dishes. The Zulu dinner and venison braai (barbecue) hosted around the fire in the Boma include a vast selection of delicious traditional Zulu dishes cooked on the fire in cast iron pots, accompanied with slow-roasted leg of venison served with red wine sauce and marinated whole fillet cooked on the barbecue with a choice of vegetable cooked in the fire. Followed by a sublime dessert menu.

The Marula Bar is in a thatched Lapa which overlooks the waterhole; great game viewing and magnificent birdlife can be enjoyed with a refreshing beer, exotic cocktail, or fine wine. Drinks at the bar will be charged to the guest’s room account for settlement on departure.

The swimming pool is adjacent to the Marula Bar and waiter service is available. The freshwater pool is approximately 2.5m x 4.5m with gradual steps in one corner. Sun-loungers, tables, chairs, and 2 Hammocks are located around the pool area.

The air-conditioned conference room is approximately 150m from the main Lapa.  The conference room is private with great bush views, seats 32 delegates cinema style, and has a separate air-conditioned breakaway lounge with bar, library, and TV / DVD.

It boasts a private garden with tables and chairs offering bush views with an adjacent tea & coffee station for breaks.  The conference room is equipped with a pull-down screen for overhead projection.  All AV equipment can be sourced locally on request or brought in by the delegates.

Group lunches can be served on the terrace of the Lapa and group dinners in the boma. Suggested team building activities include bush walks and interactive game drives.

About Thula Thula Game Reserve

Thula Thula Private Game Reserve is situated in the heart of Zululand, in the province of Kwa-Zulu Natal. This 4500 hectare, malaria-free wildlife reserve was established in 1911 and has been operational as Thula Thula since 1998. It is home to a wide variety of game such as elephant, buffalo, rhino, leopard, hippo, giraffe, birds, and many more.

Thula Thula, with its centuries of cultural and wildlife heritage, takes pride in tracing back its origin to the private hunting grounds of King Shaka, founder of the Zulu Empire. The first historic meeting between Shaka and his father, Senzangakhona, which set the stage for the creation of the Zulu nation, took place at the Nseleni River at Thula Thula. The Zulu name Thula Thula literally means peace and tranquillity.

Thula Thula was also the home of late bestselling author and conservationist Lawrence Anthony, who passed away on the 2nd of March 2012.  His second book, “The Elephant Whisperer” relates the story of the rescue of the Thula Thula elephants and the special relationship he has created with the herd.

Thula Thula is run by his wife, Francoise Malby Anthony, who carries on the legacy of Lawrence with the conservation projects and running of the two lodges.

Francoise wrote the sequel of the Elephant Whisperer, “An Elephant In My Kitchen”, which was released in July 2018, the true story and numerous adventures of the reality of running Thula Thula after Lawrence passed away.