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Leading Small Hotel of the World
Winner of the prestigious 2008World Travel Awards in Africa's Leading Luxury Lodge category, Thanda Private Game Reserve is situated 23km north of Hluhluwe in northern Zululand, South Africa, and is set on a 6000 hectare Big Five private game reserve owned by Swedish investor Dan Olofsson.A year after its opening, Thanda was selected as the first and only game reserve in the world to achieve 'Leading Small Hotels of theWorld' status, and joined the elite membership that is reserved for only 400 of the world's finest hotels.
Thanda, meaning 'love' in Zulu, unites romantic decadence and exclusivity with Zulu culture and wildlife. From the decor to the cuisine, guests will have the opportunity to learn, embrace and appreciate the rich and still very much alive traditions and history of the Zulu culture and people, at Africa's most romantic safari destination.
Facilities
The five-star facilities include a main lodge, tented camp and award winning wellness centre. The nine luxury bush villas at the main lodge each have a private infinity pool, viewing deck, private sala (thatched outdoor day bed area), lounge, fireplace and full bathroom with both inside and outside showers. Each villa has a private boma where meals can be served, ideal for special occasions.
Decorated in Zulu-chic style, the public facilities at the main lodge include a lounge opening on to a viewing deck overlooking tranquil water features, a cosy library, dining room and dining deck, communal boma, wine cellar stocked with an exceptional selection of both local and international wines, cigar bar, and a fully equipped business centre. Ar tefacts made by local artists subtly enhance the public areas in honour of the Zulu culture and craftsmanship.
The non-electrified tented camp is built in colonial safari style, offering an authentic yet luxurious bush experience. The four luxury tents have viewing decks and en-suite canvas bathrooms. Public facilities at the tented camp include a dining tent, a boma area, and a sala consisting of an 'open-air' lounge with magnificent views of the reserve and a splash pool.
Thanda's wellness centre, winner of the Safari Spa category in the 2006 Les Nouvelles Esthetiques spa awards, is the epitome of a luxurious bush spa.Guests can indulge in exclusive treatments such as reflexology, aromatherapy, pressure point scalp massage and hot stone massage, in one of the indoor therapy rooms, or at the outside sala treatment area. The spa also has hot and cold outdoor kniepp therapy pools, a reflexology pool, a steam room, hydrotherapy bath and a deck area for relaxation.
Wildlife
Originally purchased as degraded cattle farms, heavily infested with alien invasive plant species,the land has been restored to re-establish the natural equilibrium. An ongoing game rehabilitation programme will ensure the long-term conservation of wildlife. Eradicated in the past through hunting and farming, the Big Five and animal species endemic to the area have been re-introduced, and it is the first privately owned game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal to introduce a breeding pack of wild dog. Game drives are conducted by trained and knowledgeable guides and trackers exclusively for Thanda guests in open game viewing vehicles.
Vula Zulu Cultural Experience
Vula Zulu, a traditional homestead adjacent to Thanda showcases traditional Zulu warrior s performing age-old dancing rites, as was done prior to and after battle. Guests can taste traditional Zulu beer, observe spear combat methods, and watch as women weave baskets using local Ilala palms and create intricate bead accessories. Thanda is contributing to the preservation of the Zulu culture, through job creation as well as maintaining an ongoing interest in the Zulu heritage. Vula Zulu is one of the only authentic representations of traditional Zulu customs and dance in the Province.
External Activities
Thanda is located on the Elephant Coast in KwaZulu-Natal which has 21 different ecosystems. Sand forests, lakes, lagoons, wetlands and pristine stretches of beaches are home to many animals such as hippos, crocodiles, giant turtles and over 460 bird species. The Greater St. Lucia Wetlands is South Africa's first declared world heritage site. Thanda offers its guests a variety of external activities, such as whale watching between June and November at Cape Vidal, boat cruises at St Lucia, freshwater and deep-sea fishing and birding safaris to name a few. Sodwana Bay, an hour away from Thanda, is one of the best coral reef diving destinations in the world, and a day at the beach can be arranged where guests can dive, snorkel, ride horses on the beach or simply enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.
Social Responsibility
Thanda's philosophy of 'For the love of nature, wildlife and dear ones' embraces the concept of being responsible to the community.
Various projects have been initiated by the Thanda Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded by Dan and wife Christin Olofsson as part of the JAC initiative (an acronym for JOBS,AIDS & CONSERVATION) to ensure that the community is taken into account. The Foundation's flagship project, the Star School concept, is an HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programme which aims to help and support high school students to live an AIDS-free life, to increase their knowledge about HIV/AIDS, to reduce the number of HIV-positive and pregnant students and to change the students' values and attitudes in a perceptual way. Interim research results obtained already reflect a very positive response. Based on anonymous questionnaires and reports from the University of Zululand undertaken for Siphosabadletshe High School where the pilot project was initiated, the annual drop-out rate has decreased by 65%, annual pregnancies have been reduced by 40%, and the average school marks have improved by 25%. Most significantly, in grades 8 and 9, 90% of learners have chosen to abstain, and some learners voluntarily attended the 'Umkhosi Womhlanga', the reed dance ceremony promoting a virginity test, driven by His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini.
In addition to the Star School project, the JAC initiative promotes the establishment of entrepreneur ial projects that create new jobs. JAC Entrepreneur, a key project within the JAC initiative, has committed to foster business links between South African and Swedish entrepreneurs in order to pursue BEE opportunities in South Africa. The company focuses on promoting investments in small and medium-sized companies in the form of equity and loan funding.
Access
The closest regional airport is Richards Bay and the lodge can provide transfers for its guests. A flight charter service is available between Johannesburg and Mkuze, 15 minutes away from Thanda.
Nature of Business: Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure.
Holding Company: Thanda Private Game Reserve/ Thanda Marketing and Reservations/ Thanda Royal Zulu Residences
Customer Base: Local and International
Date Established: 06/2002
CONTACT DETAILS
Physical Address: Thanda Private Game Reserve, First Floor: Technology House, Mulberry Hill Office Park, 4 Broadacres Drive, Cnr William Nicol & Broadacres Drive.
Postal Address: PO Box 3854, Dainfern, 2055.
Tel: +27 (0)11 469 5082
Fax: +27 (0)11 469 5086
Website: http://www.thanda.com
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