Lodge
Thanda Safari Lodge
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Thanda Safari Lodge
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Thanda Safari Lodge
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About the lodge
An overview of Thanda Safari Lodge.
Thanda Safari Lodge sits on a Big Five reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, blending Zulu cultural heritage with nine thatched bush suites. Each suite has a private plunge pool, indoor and outdoor showers, and dedicated game drives in open vehicles led by guides who share both wildlife knowledge and Zulu stories of the land.
Highlights
- Big Five game viewing across the private reserve
- Nine thatched bush suites, each with a private plunge pool and indoor and outdoor showers
- Morning and afternoon game drives with expert guides and trackers
- Guided bush walks and dedicated photographic safaris
- Strong Zulu cultural focus, with guides sharing ancient stories of the wild
You Should Know
- Children are welcome, and childminding can be arranged
- Maximum 18 guests across the lodge, ensuring an intimate experience
- Kosher catering can be arranged on request
The Details
Thanda Safari Lodge sits within the private Big Five reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, a region steeped in Zulu heritage and home to one of the oldest conservation areas in Africa. The lodge takes its name from the Zulu word for love, and that thread runs through the design, the cuisine, and the way guides and trackers introduce guests to the bush.
The lodge is fenced and patrolled, with thatched suites set among the trees and a central area opening to views over the reserve. The setting balances the rituals of an African safari with the comfort of a private retreat, and the small guest count keeps the atmosphere personal.
Accommodation
Nine thatched bush suites accommodate a maximum of 18 guests. Each suite features either two twin beds or one extra-large double, a private plunge pool, both indoor and outdoor showers, a bath, double vanity, minibar, in-room safe, telephone, hairdryer, mosquito nets, fans and air conditioning. Laundry is included in the stay.
Dining
Cuisine is built around guest preferences and dietary requirements, with breakfast menus, two-course lunches, and three- or four-course dinners. The kitchen also lays on bush braais and high teas, and kosher catering is offered on request. Private dinners can be arranged in the bush or within the lodge.
Wildlife and Activities
Game drives run early morning and late afternoon in open safari vehicles, timed to the windows when the Big Five are most active. Beyond the headline species, guests regularly see cheetah, hyaena, giraffe, warthog and a strong cast of birdlife. Guided bush walks and photographic safaris can be arranged, with trackers and guides sharing their knowledge alongside Zulu stories of the land. A swimming pool and spa facilities are available back at the lodge.
Price Includes
- Accommodation in a Twin or Double Suite
- Breakfast, lunch, high tea and dinner daily
- Two safari activities per day (morning and afternoon game drives)
- Services of qualified guides and trackers
- Laundry service
- Wifi in the lodge
The same as booking direct
Rates and pricing.
Per person sharing, per night. Final pricing depends on dates, room category and party size.
Valid until 10 Jan 2027
Why book through us
You pay the lodge's rate, never a markup. What you get on top is a specialist who knows Thanda Safari Lodge personally, looks after every detail of the trip, and stays reachable on WhatsApp from the moment you enquire to the day you come home.
By season
Low season
1 Jan 2026 – 18 Dec 2026
All Inclusive - Luxury accommodation, two game drives per day with professional guide and tracker, all meals, selected local beverages and bush walks with specialist walking guides
R 9 960
Festive
19 Dec 2026 – 10 Jan 2027
All Inclusive - Luxury accommodation, two game drives per day with professional guide and tracker, all meals, selected local beverages and bush walks with specialist walking guides
R 11 160
Rates are per person sharing, per night. A single supplement may apply for solo travellers. We offer a price match guarantee, just ask your safari specialist.
Exclusive offer
Available right now.
Stay & Pay
Stay for 4 nights and only pay for 3 when travelling between May and August 2026. Stay for 7 nights and only pay for 5 when travelling between January and 18 December 2026.
Honeymoon
Honeymoon couples are invited to celebrate the beginning of their journey together with a romantic three-night escape, enjoying 50% off the partner rate. Valid 12 January to 18 December 2026
Photographic safari options
Built for photographers.
Specific photographic infrastructure available at Thanda Safari Lodge, taken from Thanda Safari's published rate sheets, not marketing copy.
Photographic vehicle
Private Safari Vehicle with Photographic Guide and Photographic Vehicle
Thanda Safari offers a dedicated photographic vehicle paired with a specialist Photographic Guide, available as a private daily hire. The vehicle accommodates a maximum of 4 guests and children under 6 are not permitted, ensuring a focused, unhurried photographic experience.
Photographic vehicle with Photographic Guide; maximum 4 guests; no children under 6; private hire per day.
- Availability
- Subject to availability and non-commissionable
Specialist guide
Photo Pro. Photographic Guide
A dedicated Photographic Guide accompanies guests on the private photographic vehicle at Thanda Safari, providing specialist wildlife photography mentoring and guidance during game drives. Booked as part of the photographic vehicle package, per day.
Photographic Guide included with the photographic vehicle booking; per day rate; maximum 4 guests.
- Availability
- Subject to availability and non-commissionable
Sourced from operator rate sheets and audited by our safari specialists. Prices and availability subject to change. Your specialist confirms at booking.
Family policies
Travelling with children.
What our safari specialists know about bringing children to Thanda Safari Lodge: minimum ages, activities, family rooms and child rates, current as of May 2026. They plan family trips here all the time, so anything below that needs arranging, they will sort. For the bigger picture, see our guide to safari with children .
Minimum ages
- Stay
- All ages
- Game drives
- 6+
- Walking safari
- 16+
Programmes & care
No dedicated kids' programme.
Babysitting available
Accommodation
Family unit available.
Child rates
Children under 3 stay free. Children 3–16 pay 50% off when sharing a suite with 2 full-paying adults at Thanda Lodge. Villa iZulu (subject to availability). At Thanda Tented Camp, children 6–16 pay 50% off sharing a tent with 2 full-paying adults. Up to two children aged 16 or younger may share with 2 full-paying parents subject to availability. Guests 17+ pay full adult rates.
Notable exceptions
- Children of all ages are welcome to stay at Thanda Lodge and Villa iZulu; Thanda Tented Camp only accepts children aged 6 and older. At Tented Camp, only three tents accommodate one extra child (Jabula Tent fits 2 adults + 2 children subject to availability); other families require two tents. Scheduled game drives: minimum age 6. Children aged 3–6 may join safari only when an exclusive-use vehicle is booked (max 9 guests, surcharge approx. R7,950 per night, subject to availability). Children under 3 are not permitted on scheduled game drives, though a "Bush Bumble" in a closed vehicle may be arranged on property between drives. The photographic vehicle (max 4 guests) does not allow children under 6. Children under 3 may not dine in the boma, dining room, at bush dinner, or on decks at Thanda Lodge — a private boma experience or in-room dining with a childminder may be arranged. Sightings restrictions on drives with young children are at the guide's discretion. Bush walks remain strictly 16+. Villa iZulu (exclusive use, max 10) is a fully fenced private bush villa with host, chef and private safari vehicle, ideal for families. The Royal Residences (Four Bedroom, Five Bedroom Grand, and Tailormade 2/3-bedroom options) sit within The Royal Thanda Club Estate — a 386-hectare fenced area free of dangerous game — and are marketed for multi-generational families.
Imagery
A closer look.
14 photographs · click any image to expand
Speak to a safari specialist
Plan your dream safari at Thanda Safari Lodge.
From your first enquiry to the day you come home, one named safari specialist looks after every detail. We can handle the whole trip, not just the stay at Thanda Safari Lodge: multi-country itineraries, internal flights, road transfers, tipping guidance, travel insurance, the lot. A safari specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours.
Ready when you are
Let's design your stay.
Your specialist will be in touch within as little as 15 minutes during working hours with availability, exact pricing, and suggestions for what to combine it with.