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Lodges Thanda Safari

D242 Road, Bayala,, Hluhluwe, 3915 (show map)

9.4

Superb

130 verified reviews

1/40

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Lodges Overview

Winner of Africa's Leading Luxury Lodge at the 2013 World Travel Awards, Thanda Safari brings man and nature together on a 14 000 hectare access-controlled private game reserve.
Situated in northern Zululand, Thanda Safari is home to amazing wildlife and over 400 different bird species. Find your balance at one of South Africa’s most exquisite bush spas or witness a hundred-year-old ritual performed by Zulu warriors.
Thanda means love in Zulu, signifying the deep connection the game reserve has with Zulu culture and native flora and fauna. Experience the ultimate in luxury in one of the bush suites or embrace nature at the authentic safari-style tented camp. Thanda’s public areas include a library, business centre, wine cellar and spa area, ensuring you hours of entertainment and pleasure.
Two daily game drives are offered to all guests at Thanda Safari.
Culinary masterpieces, prepared by the dedicated kitchen team, can be sampled at several venues, including your private boma. Safaris in open game viewing vehicles are conducted exclusively for Thanda guests on the low risk malaria reserve.

Rooms List

Lodge Suite - enter dates to see room photos

Located in the Thanda Safari Lodge, these spacious and private bush suites have panoramic views of the game reserve. Each suite has a spacious lounge, a master bedroom, a fireplace and full bathroom with both indoor and outdoor shower. They offer a private and heated infinity pool, a viewing deck and a boma for dining in privacy. This package includes: - 3 meals (brunch, high tea and dinner) - 2 game drives per day - guided bush walks - a selection of local beverages (soft drinks, house wines, local spirits and beers) - in-room minibar - laundry Please note that the price is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 3 (see Hotel Policies). The extra person rates vary according to the season and may be lower than indicated in the policies.

Tented Camp - enter dates to see room photos

Known as Thanda Tented Camp, this camp is built in colonial-safari style. Each spacious tent comes with a private sun deck and en-suite canvas bathroom. The camp is non-electrified but does have limited solar and battery power with a back-up generator to power the tents for a few hours each day for guests to charge cameras and phones. Public facilities at the tented camp include a dining tent, a boma area, and a sala consisting of an ‘open-air’ lounge and a splash pool. This package includes: - 3 meals (brunch, high tea and dinner) - 2 game drives per day - a selection of local beverages (tea, coffee, juice) - house wines and local beverages (offered on the afternoon game drive and with dinner) Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to stay in the tented camp for safety reasons. Please note that the price is based on 2 guests. Maximum occupancy is 3 (see Hotel Policies). The extra person rates vary according to the season and may be lower than indicated in the policies.

Tent with Plunge Pool - enter dates to see room photos

Known as the Jabula Tent, this private and spacious tent is decorated in sophisticated safari chic and offers panoramic views of the reserve. It features a king-sized bed, a separate lounge and en-suite canvas bathroom with outdoor shower and splash pool. This package includes: - 3 meals (brunch, high tea and dinner) - 2 game drives per day - a selection of local beverages (tea, coffee, juice) - house wines and local beverages (offered on the afternoon game drive and with dinner) Please note that children under the age of 12 cannot be accommodated in this room.

Private 5 Bedroom Villa - enter dates to see room photos

Known as Villa iZulu, this spacious private villa is surrounded by expanses of African bush and contains five luxuriously decorated suites with private bathrooms. The villa is equipped with a private boma, an outdoor gym, library, cellar, games room, offices with internet and a helicopter pad. The villa also comes with the services of a personal chef and waiting staff. It features a heated swimming pool and a viewing deck with spa bath. This package includes: - 3 meals (brunch, high tea and dinner) - 2 game drives per day (with a private guide and vehicle - guided bush walks - a selection of local beverages (soft drinks, house wines, local spirits and beers) Please note that the price is based on 1-6 guests. Maximum occupancy is 10 (see Hotel Policies). The extra person rates vary according to the season and may be lower than indicated in the policies.

Tent - enter dates to see room photos

The tent is furnished with a desk and a seating area and features a minibar, a wardrobe and garden views. The unit has 2 beds.

Suite - enter dates to see room photos

This luxurious suite provides a pool with a view, a spa bath and a fireplace. The spacious suite features air conditioning, a minibar, a balcony with garden views as well as a private bathroom boasting a walk-in shower. The unit has 3 beds.

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Facilities of Thanda Safari

General
Free parking, On-site parking, Parking, Private parking

Activities
Hiking

Services
Free WiFi, Internet services, WiFi

Food & Drink
Bar, Breakfast in the room, Packed lunches, Restaurant, Room service, Snack bar, Special diet menus (on request)

Pools and wellness
Massage, Outdoor pool, Sauna, Spa and wellness centre

Transportation
Airport shuttle, Airport shuttle (surcharge), Shuttle service (surcharge)

Front-desk/reception area services
24-hour front desk, Currency exchange, Express check-in/check-out, Luggage storage, Private check-in/check-out, Safety deposit box, Tour desk, Valet parking

Common areas
Games room, Garden, Shared lounge/TV area, Sun terrace, Terrace

Entertainment and children services
Babysitting/child services, Kids' club

Cleaning services
Dry cleaning, Ironing service, Laundry, Trouser press

Business facilities
Business centre, Fax/photocopying, Meeting/banquet facilities

Miscellaneous
Air conditioning, Designated smoking area, Family rooms, Heating, Non-smoking rooms, Non-smoking throughout, Soundproof rooms

Room facilities [ These may vary room to room ]
Additional Toilet, Air Conditioning, Balcony, Barbecue, Bath, Bath or Shower, Bathrobe, Bathroom, Cable Channels, Children's high chair, Cleaning products, Clothes rack, Coffee machine, Desk, Dining area, Dining table, Dishwasher, DVD Player, Electric kettle, Extra Long Beds (> 2 metres), Fan, Fireplace, Flat-screen TV, Free toiletries, Garden view, Hairdryer, Hardwood/Parquet floors, Heating, Hot Tub, Iron, Ironing Facilities, Kitchenette, Kitchenware, Linen, Microwave, Minibar, Mosquito net, Outdoor dining area, Outdoor furniture, Oven, Patio, Pool view, Private Pool, Refrigerator, Safety Deposit Box, Satellite Channels, Seating Area, Shower, Slippers, Sofa, Spa Bath, Stovetop, Tea/Coffee Maker, Telephone, Terrace, Tile/Marble floor, Toaster, Toilet, Towels, TV, View, Wake Up Service/Alarm Clock, Wake-up service, Wardrobe/Closet, Washing Machine

Last updated: 18 Jul 2025 - Update now

Hotel Policies

Check-In
From 14:00:00 hours

Check-Out
Untill 11:00:00 hours

Cancellation / Prepayment
Cancellation, prepayment and 'book now pay later' policies vary according to room type. Please check the room conditions when selecting your room above.

Accepted credit cards
The hotel reserves the right to pre-authorise credit cards prior to arrival.

The fine print
Please note: There is no guide/driver on standby at the gate.Guests need to arrive in time for transfer from gate to the lodge. The transfer times from the gate are as follows: 14h00, 14h30, 15h00, 16h00 and 17h00.
No early arrivals will be honoured, unless prior arrangement has been made.
Please note that the game reserve has very strict child policies, and should be cleared with the hotel directly.

Traveller reviews

9.4

Superb

130 verified reviews

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Steph

“Thanda gave us memories we will cherish forever. It is such a special place :)”

10.0

08 Jul 2025

Incredible animal sightings, experienced and knowledgeable guides and trackers, great food (you will not go hungry!), friendly staff and clean well equipped tents.

Leanne

“An exceptional and true reflection of the beauty of South Africa.”

10.0

21 Mar 2025

We loved every minute of our stay from the first Welcome to the last goodbye from the Thanda Team. A true reflection of how beautiful South Africa really is. We are definitely going back.

Terhi

“Superb”

10.0

27 Feb 2025

The breakfast was really delicious, beautiful surroundings, lots of animals and great staff.

Mamfu

“Wheeled to Thanda”

9.0

07 Jan 2025

My birthday cake, the singing, game drive. The staff is really great! I managed to take a bath and a shower in my paraplegic condition. Now that was exciting, the bathroom just had more than enough space and the outdoor shower was fantastic!

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Lodges Thanda Safari

D242 Road, Bayala,, Hluhluwe, 3915 (show map)

Lodges Overview

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Rooms List

Lodge Suite - enter dates to see room photos

Tented Camp - enter dates to see room photos

Tent with Plunge Pool - enter dates to see room photos

Private 5 Bedroom Villa - enter dates to see room photos

Tent - enter dates to see room photos

Suite - enter dates to see room photos

Map

Setup a Price Alert for Thanda Safari

Facilities of Thanda Safari

Hotel Policies

Traveller reviews

Hotel Ratings (Click to select a rating)

“Thanda gave us memories we will cherish forever. It is such a special place :)”

“An exceptional and true reflection of the beauty of South Africa.”

“Superb”

“Wheeled to Thanda”

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GETAROOM DEALS

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Why make a Getaroom.com.au Reservation?

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Lodges Thanda Safari

D242 Road, Bayala,, Hluhluwe, 3915 (show map)

Lodges Overview

Lock in a great price now and relax with our Price Guardian working for you

Rooms List

Lodge Suite - enter dates to see room photos

Tented Camp - enter dates to see room photos

Tent with Plunge Pool - enter dates to see room photos

Private 5 Bedroom Villa - enter dates to see room photos

Tent - enter dates to see room photos

Suite - enter dates to see room photos

Map

Setup a Price Alert for Thanda Safari

Facilities of Thanda Safari

Hotel Policies

Traveller reviews

Hotel Ratings (Click to select a rating)

“Thanda gave us memories we will cherish forever. It is such a special place :)”

“An exceptional and true reflection of the beauty of South Africa.”

“Superb”

“Wheeled to Thanda”

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