Immerse yourself into this 3-night safari experience in the heart of the Zululand when you travel to the oldest private game reserve in Kwazulu Natal – Thula Thula located just 2 hours from Durban and 45 minutes from Richards Bay in Southern Zululand. It is a family-owned and run private game reserve set in a malaria-free area which was once part of the private hunting grounds of legendary Zulu King Shaka, founder of the Zulu Empire, but today is home to the Big 4 with buffalo, elephant, rhino, leopard, giraffe, hyenas, crocodile, nyala, kudu, wildebeest, zebra and many more, as well as 370 species of birds, including raptors.
Rediscover nature in great style at the 4-Star Thula Thula Luxury Tented camp.
Experience an exhilarating safari, cultural Interaction, excellent service and the finest cuisine at the oldest private game reserve dedicated to wildlife conservation and protection.
(Enhance this trip with 2 Nights at Phinda Private Game Reserve a 3 Nights to Cape Town )
On arrival at the Durban international airport, you will be welcomed by our representative for your transfer to Thula Thula Private Game Reserve, a journey of about two hours. Seat, relax and enjoy the drive through colourful South Africa.
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. Today, his wife Francoise Malby Anthony carries on the legacy of Lawrence with his conservation projects and the running of the two lodges.
On arrival at the lodge, enjoy Welcome drinks while completing check-in procedures. Settle in your spacious luxury tent. Depending on your arrival time enjoy lunch or afternoon tea or just take a dip in the lodge’s refreshing pool.
Your first game drive at Thula Thula will begin at 16h00 for about 2 and a half hours. A buffet dinner, African style will be served in the boma, under the African sky.
Room Type: Luxury Tent
Meal Basis: All meals, daily game drives and bush walks
Wake up call around 6 am, enjoy tea or coffee and rusks before setting off on a morning game drive at 06h30. Departure time for Game Drives varies according to the seasons: during summer we depart very early before the sun rises hoping to catch up with some leopards on their way from a hunting night.
Back at the lodge, enjoy breakfast. Guests are welcome to join the morning guided bush walk after breakfast. Skilled rangers will not only show you wildlife but also share traditional knowledge about tracking, medicinal plants and birdlife.
The rest of the morning is spent at leisure, relaxing in your room or by the pool or pampering yourself with a relaxing therapeutic massage in the comfort of your room.
Lunch is served between 13h00 – 14h00.
Around 15h30 gather for a decadent high tea, made of muffins, cakes, crunchy biscuits, fruits, tea or coffee before departing for the afternoon game drive which is a “replica” of yesterday afternoon’s sunset game drive.
Back at the lodge and there is enough time to freshen up before seating for dinner and time to share tales and make new friends.
Room Type: Luxury Tent
Meal Basis: All meals, daily game drives and bush walks
The following optional activities are an extra cost
– Full day Big 5 Game Drive into Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve
– Cruise on the St Lucia Estuary
– Champagne picnic lunch
– Gourmet French cuisine cooking classes
– Rural Zulu village excursion
– Game drives in Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve
– A round of golf
– Whale watching (June to October)
You are by now used to the bush routine of early wake-up followed by tea or coffee together with muffins, fruits, and juice, before embarking on your last game drive at Thula Thula Private Game Reserve. Back at the lodge, enjoy a leisurely breakfast followed by check-out procedures before being transferred back to Durban King Shaka International Airport for onward private arrangements.
