Thanda Tau

Our lunch time stop over today between durban and jhb - my husbands R90 toasted sandwhich was 2 pieces of toast with chicken mayo (toast with chicken and mayo and a toasted chicken mayo sandwhich are not the same thing especially when you are charging R90!!!) they didnt have mince for the jaffel - they only had coke and sprite... My Jaffel eventually arrived cold, my iced coffee was completely unsweetened, had to ask for straws, had to ask for condements... Biltong from the shop is yummy although sliced biltong is covered in flies... It was such a story to find somewhere to pay as no one was manning the till inside, coffee shop couldt help us so we had to wait for them to find someone... Its been an expensive stop over that tool much longer than it should have with below average food and service charged at rediculous rates and will definitely be our last. The waiter couldnt answer any basic questions about the menu or even tell me if any sugar had been added to my iced coffee... Not worth visiting... be better off grabbing yourself a steers burger and being on your way...

Very disappointing experience at Thanda Tau. Waited more than 90 minutes for breakfast and won’t be going back. Avoid at all cost if you are on the way somewhere.

Stay away from ordering a chicken schnitzel. TOTAL RIPOFF. Nearly R160 for a small salad. Few chips and one small fast service schnitzel I can buy bulk at Econo foods. I had to pay an extra R30 for the cheese sauce. RIPOFF if you compare it to the price of the pies and quiche.....which were very tasty and homemade.......

Today would have been our 10 time stopping here. Never again!!!!Don’t stop there on a busy weekend or holiday.Staff only come in at 9:00. They can’t help with food or anything else. Second time I’m so disappointed in them. The last time we stop there they had a wedding!!!! Nothing was mentioned on there website or a notice to any other clients. Last time you see me.

Absolutely pathetic service. Placed an order for takeaway’s (since we were in a hurry), waiter notified that it will take 15 minutes. After 40 minutes we finally received our food, just to notice that our order was incorrect (after paying for the correct order). Food is also very expensive and portions are very small (i.e. 10 chips with a toasted sandwich which cost R72). Staff are not helpful and no one seemed to take ownership of our food order. Will definitely not visit this place again.

We had the misfortune to visit this highly recommend " establishment on the 23rd of December 2022 with two visitors from Australia on our way to Golden Gate National Park & Clarence and what a disappointment. I say this for the following reasons:1. We were met with a very rude man telling us that the wildlife enclosure is closed because he cannot afford to spare some staff to take us on the tour of the wildlife. And he doesn't want people to write bad reviews because of not enough waiters etc.2. Then we decided to have refreshments after traveling for a few hours and asked for some menu's upon taking some seats outside on the terrace. We waited for more than half an hour and the menu's never made their appearance.3. So we went to place our own orders at the counter ourselves. And then we left after our drinks didn't arrive after another hour.We will never again take the time or go through the effort to leave the motorway to stop here.Won't bother recommending it to others."

You can't fault the shop, restaurant, play area and immaculate accommodation. Walking through, you can't help but appreciate the effort, money and thought that has gone into this 'gem'. So misleading for what comes next! A walk through the next gate and you can't believe how the same owner is responsible for the conditions of these animals. We literally walked through rubbish, litter!! We couldn't believe it. We didn't see all the animals... it's appalling! Not a tree in sight. Each 'pen' was exactly the same. Grass, wooden structure and the animals! Each animal called to as if being fed so they would react. Disgusting that these beautiful beasts be kept like this. To finish this awful experience, we are walked through the accommodation and train tracks for fun kiddies rides and all the amazing facilities for guests with money. This further pushing the very clear point that these animals are here simply for money sake. The burning question is how this is acceptable. I wasn't able to talk to the owner himself because he was in his 'big house' but I would literally love to see a day, pay 10x the rate to see him in any one of these enclosures in 30 degree heat! Shame on you for allowing this when clearly you have the funds and resources to do better!! WHY are you not doing better?!!

Stopped for a light meal. Ordered a chicken and mushroom pie with gravy, chips and salad. The pie was so spicy, it was unpleasant! I would hate to see it given to an unsuspecting child.

We stumbled upon this place while on a tour to Lesotho, looking for a bathroom. We have never heard about Thanda Tau. We had a really good experience. The craft beer and Gin on tap was really good. And the bakery makes the BEST croissants ever! We were blown away by the lions and how well they are looked after. They look healthy and well fed.