We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Thanda Private Game Reserve

5.0 of 5
D242 off the N2, Hluhluwe 3960, South Africa
Hotel website
Hotel amenities
Special Offer
Complimentary bottle of wine
Thanda Private Game Reserve
Show the lowest price for this hotel*
Enter dates 1 night 2 nights
Show Prices
* We search the top travel sites for the best price
Booking.com LHW.com Olotels.com
and 3 more sites!
Traveller Reviews
Room Prices
Write a Review

118 reviews from our community

    Trip type
Traveller rating
    104
    7
    3
    4
    0
Date Rating
california
Contributor
20 reviews 20 reviews
13 hotel reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 May 2013 NEW

We stayed four nights at Thanda. We had originally booked the tent cabins, but due to rennovations were upgraded to a luxury room with a private dip pool and stunningly beautiful day bed area outside on the deck overlooking the bush. Wow. It was difficult to pry myself away from our room and go on safaris. Food was very gourmet... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Brighton, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
40 reviews 40 reviews
30 hotel reviews
Reviews in 32 cities Reviews in 32 cities
45 helpful votes 45 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

Spamandla, the lodge manager heads up a very friendly and attentive Thanda team. On the service team Sipho, Nombusa and Wonderboy are great ambassadors for Thanda! At first light, departed on game drive with ranger guide Bernard and Wenneth tracking. Spent time in the savannah following a very playful pride of lion, practising their stalk and pounce moves on each... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
Brighton, United Kingdom
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 April 2013

I would lie to start off by firstly congratualting Thanda staff for providing me and my family with such a wonderful holiday. We felt welcomed from the moment we entered the first gate even though it was raining slighltly there was a covered waiting area with facilities in case you've had a long drive. the guard offered water and taught... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Bristol, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 April 2013

We discovered this lodge through a friend who recommended it in Jan, we took my partner's family in Feb, my parents in March and lastly my brother in April. Each time we have stayed in the safari tents which are beautifully decorated with ensuite bathrooms, some of the tents have an outside shower as well. The game drives are well... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Oslo, Norway
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 April 2013

Our stay in Thanda was an experience of a liftime. Thank you to our wonderful guides who picked us up at the gate, and took good care of us during our stay. The personnel in Thanda are very friendly and helpful. The safaris, the food, the luxury villas - everything was perfect.

Was this review helpful? Yes
Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
11 hotel reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 April 2013

Spent three wonderful nights at Thanda in one of the lodges. From the moment we were picked up through to our departure it was a wonderful experience. The accommodation; the game drives; the food.....and especially all the staff. It just could not have been better. This was the last part of our trip to South Africa and it was a... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
ThandaD, Manager at Thanda Private Game Reserve, responded to this review
16 April 2013

Dear Guest, Thank you for your review on Trip advisor. We are very excited about our upgrade at the end of May this year, and the drop off of plains game. There are a number of exciting animal introductions taking place already. If you are interested you are welcome to connect on our facebook page or contact me personally. Once... More

Durban, South Africa
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
18 hotel reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
14 helpful votes 14 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 5 April 2013

We recently spent 2 nights at the beautiful Royal Private Villa at this magnificent game reserve. It was a weekend of celebrations with the family and we had the exclusive use of the Villa. From the moment we entered we felt at home - a warm welcome, with refreshingly cool towels, drinks and the friendliest people, who greeted us all... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
ThandaD, Manager at Thanda Private Game Reserve, responded to this review
16 April 2013

Dear Maliga, Thank you for your recent review on trip advisor. I remember the night I met you and your vibrant family at the bush dinner the same night that another guest struggled with the storm. It is so interesting how you enjoyed the evening and all that nature can offer, that storm was truly amazing, and after all the... More

Berlin, Germany
Contributor
12 reviews 12 reviews
12 hotel reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 22 March 2013

We stayed for 3 nights at the Thanda Lodge ad had a mixed experience. Positive things first: As the Game reserve is not that big you have a good chance to see the Big 5 - we where really lucky to see the Rhinos, Lions, leopards and Cheetahs quite closely. Other side of the coin is that you drive along... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 2
ThandaD, Manager at Thanda Private Game Reserve, responded to this review
16 April 2013

Dear Guest, Thank you for your recent review which was dissappointing. I remember this night very clearly as this was the same night that Maliga joined us. There was a terrible african electrical storm, we rushed all guests back to the lodge and due to factors beyond our control all lighting went out. Bernard and Sipho your porters had 18... More

Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
3 hotel reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 March 2013

I dont even know where to start because I know that my words to describe our amazing experience will not do Thanda enough justice. In November last year, we decided that we wanted to get married at a private game reserve so that our international guests would be seeing a bit of Africa while attending our wedding. We searched high... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 3
ThandaD, Manager at Thanda Private Game Reserve, responded to this review
16 April 2013

Dear Peter, Thank you for your feedback. We are still waiting for the photographs! We had another wedding this weekend, and my thoughts was with you, your family and all the celebrations. Thank you for choosing Thanda. Kind regards Dulcie Oliver More

London, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 March 2013

I had the pleasure of being invited to a wedding at this Resort and I have to say that it met and went past all of my expectations. Maybe it was due to the fact that it was a wedding package or that everyone was in a jolly mood but the service was out of this world. The villas we... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
 
 
Thanda Private Game Reserve
Enter dates 1 night 2 nights
 
Makhasa Game Reserve and Lodge
Great value on a similar hotel
Hluhluwe Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal
5 of 5 stars 19 Reviews
Show Prices
Still looking for a hotel?
Also consider these accommodations in or near Hluhluwe
Zulu Nyala Game Lodge 4.0 of 5 stars 194 reviews Makhasa Game Reserve and Lodge 5.0 of 5 stars 19 reviews Rhino River Lodge 4.5 of 5 stars 69 reviews Thonga Beach Lodge 4.5 of 5 stars 91 reviews
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d306916?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1726345?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d1563988?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
Show Prices ABS:HotelCheckRates-d630401?&src=Hotel_Review&fromServlet=Hotel_Review&Action=QC_AlsoViewed_Hero
View all 8 hotels in Hluhluwe, ranked by popularity

Been to Thanda Private Game Reserve? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Additional Information about Thanda Private Game Reserve

Also Known As:
Thanda Private Game Reserve Hotel
Thanda Private Game Reserve Hotel Hluhluwe
Address: D242 off the N2, Hluhluwe 3960, South Africa
Phone Number:
Region: South Africa > KwaZulu-Natal > Zululand > Hluhluwe
Amenities:
Bar/Lounge Beach Business Centre Free Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet Free Parking Children Activities Restaurant Room Service Suites Swimming Pool Wheelchair access
Hotel Style:
Ranked #2 of 24 Speciality lodging in Hluhluwe
Price range (per night): RM1,648 - 3,748
Hotel Class:5 star (5*)
Official Description (provided by the hotel):
Thanda Private Game Reserve is situated 23km north of Hluhluwe in northern Zululand, South Africa, and is set on a 14 000-hectare Big Five private game reserve. Thanda, meaning ‘love’ in Zulu, unites romance and exclusivity with Zulu culture and wildlife. The nine luxury bush villas at the main lodge have private infinity pools, viewing decks, private salas, lounges, fireplaces and full bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers. The individual bomas at each villa offer guests dining privacy. The public facilities at the main lodge include a lounge, library, dining room, boma, dining deck, wine cellar, cigar bar, fully equipped business centre and viewing decks. The royal private villa can accommodate 10 people, offering accommodation as a unit or five separate suites. Each suite is individually decorated and very private, with own viewing deck. Public facilities at the royal private villa include a boma, library, cellar, business area, heated pool and a magnificent deck overlooking a waterhole. The tented camp is built in colonial safari style, offering an authentic bush experience in 14 tents. The tents have viewing decks and en-suite canvass bathrooms. Public facilities at the tented camp include a dining tent, a boma area, and a sala consisting of an ‘open-air’ lounge and a 10x5m rim-flow pool. The Honeymoon Tent offers a sophisticated mix of romance, privacy and refined comfort in the heart of the African bush. The Honeymoon Tent features a king-sized bed in a spacious bedroom, and a comfortable separate lounge area for relaxation. A highlight of the tent is the outdoor shower and splash pool which has spectacular panoramic views of the 14000-hectare reserve. Thanda’s award-winning wellness centre offers treatments such as aromatherapy and massages using African essential oils in a base of shea butter and the Africology range. Safaris in open game viewing vehicles are conducted exclusively for Thanda guests on the low risk malaria reserve. Vula Zulu, a traditional homestead adjacent to Thanda is a showcase of traditional Zulu warriors performing age-old dancing rites, as was done prior to and after battle. ... more   less 
Reservation Options:
TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Booking.com, LHW, Olotels, Expedia, Priceline and Hotels.com so you can book your Thanda Private Game Reserve reservations with confidence. We help millions of travellers each month to find the perfect hotel for both holiday and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Thanda Private Game Reserve, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

  • Manage your listing
Thanda Private Game Reserve
Show the lowest price for this hotel
Enter dates 1 night 2 nights
Show Prices