Thula Thula Private Game Reserve

Amazing Safair experience.. Got so close to the elephants you could of touched them! Lots of wildlife everywhere you look.Staff attended to all my needs with no fuss, they were excellent.. And the food is out of this world!!Highly recommend this game reserve A++

The lodge is a little old, but what it lacks in appearance is made up with exceptional staff, game viewing and French cuisine!!Really enjoyed the experience all round. Just two and a half hours away from Durban, the drive on the scenic N2 sets the tone quite nicely. Through Empangeni was not very enjoyable but the lodge nestled in the bush was so worth it.The story behind the lodge is also fascinating - the books Elephant whisperer and there’s an elephant in my kitchen are factual accounts of why happened on the reserve!!Well worth a visit.

Thula Thula is the most magical place on earth! It is impossible to describe the feelings you have while sitting among the elephants, sometimes inches away from their beautifully massive bodies, and with the most incredible driver calling each of them by name (and watching them respond to his soft voice). It is definitely a place to put on your bucket list!

Our family of 9 had an amazing experience at Thula Thula. We travelled with 3 generations from the United States. The food in the Tent camp was delicious and plentiful. Siya was our guide, and he did an outstanding job of teaching us about animals, plants, birds and the Zulu culture. We went in early June and the weather was perfect- 75 during the day and 50s at night, which made climbing in to bed with heated mattress pads very cozy. We did multiple day trips, including a swim in the Indian ocean. The highlight of the trip was being near the Thula Thula elephants and rhinos. The elephants came right up to our jeep, and one day we were gifted with the experience of watching them swim, play and trumpet in the dam. It was a peaceful place to visit for a large family trip, and we look forward to visiting again.

If you want an EXPERIENCE with animals, and be guided by top quality people sharing their amazing knowledge, then THULA THULA will be life changing for you, as it was for usWe will return.

Our guide went to great lengths to make us part of Thula Thula family of animals and people. It is truly a place of quiet and tranquility, more than just a game reserve. It's a place of peace and safety and happiness.

We booked a day game drive and saw quite a few animals which was nice. The staff were friendly but the food was shocking for the amount of money we paid. There could definitely be a few improvements to match the 4 stars.

Once in a lifetime experience. We are staying at the Volunteers Academy, very good experience. Our guide Sheldon does a great job, teaching us so many things about wildlife, flowers, birds, insects, Zulu traditions etc.

Loved every single aspect of our trip to Thula Thula! Our reservations were handled so competently by Aphi, and Madoma generously handled our additional requests. Our rooms were lovely! Spotlessly cleaned and very comfortable. Loved the netting around our beds and the coffee and tea table was wonderful in the morning. Our meals were such a treat and always surpassed our expectations. The wait staff were so kind and efficient and made us feel like royalty. Thanks, Cindy, Cecelia, Lungani, and others. And our incredible ranger, Victor, could not have been more amazing! His eagle eyes and knowledge of all the animals, insects, birds, and amphibians gave us the perfect combination of opportunity and knowledge. He knew just what to expect and when! He began each drive with the question, And what would you like to see on this drive?" and by golly