Imagine a KZN Big Five safari in South Africa where all the boxes can be ticked and the emphasis is on appreciation of life, love and nature. Taking top honours is Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve situated in a low risk Malaria area in Zululand.
Thanda Safari offers a wonderful KwaZulu-Natal safari on 16 500 hectares of prime land. Extensive land rehabilitation and re-stocking of endemic animals including Elephant, Lion, Buffalo, Rhino, Leopard and Cheetah have been achieved. Wildlife management on Thanda have also re-introduced a breeding pack of Wild Dog, the first private reserve in KwaZulu-Natal to do so.
Wildlife on Thanda also includes many other fascinating animals which are often overlooked in the rush for Big Five sightings. Expert trackers and rangers introduce guests to the life and times of many creatures, Hyena, Warthog, Serval, Porcupine; the list goes on an on.
Guests at Thanda Safari in KwaZulu-Natal can also enjoy numerous external activities on the Elephant Coast where there are magnificent scuba diving and snorkelling sites, long golden beaches and World Heritage Site Wetlands iSimangaliso (St Lucia). Other exciting options include excursions to the Lebombo Mountains and Lake Jozini (Sibaya).
Getting to Thanda Safari
Thanda Safari is easily accessible via South Africa’s two major international gateways - OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) and King Shaka International Airport (Durban), both of which connect seamlessly to major cities across the world.
By Air
For a faster arrival, guests can fly by charter plane from Johannesburg to Mkuze Airport (±1 hr 15 min), followed by a short 20-minute road transfer.
Alternatively, flights into Richards Bay Airport (±1 hr 10 min) offer another option, with a scenic 1 hr 30 min drive to the reserve.
Private jets can land at Mkuze Airport, which accommodates larger aircraft, although customs must still be cleared in Johannesburg or Durban beforehand.
For the most direct and dramatic arrival, a helicopter flight brings guests direct to the reserve in about an hour, with breathtaking views over KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast and the historic Hluhluwe-Imfolozi landscape along the way.
By Road
Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve is 260 km north of Durban. If you’re flying into the local Richards Bay Airport (90 minutes away) or King Shaka International Airport in Durban (3 hours away), a road transfer can be arranged. You will meet you upon arrival and driven to Thanda Safari Private Game Reserve.
Self-drive From Johannesburg
Take the N17 via Springs to Ermelo. From Ermelo, take the N2, past Piet Retief. Continue on the N2 towards Hluhluwe - approximately 25km (16 miles) past Mkhuze (before Hluhluwe), turn right into the D242, continue for approximately 5km (3 miles) on the gravel road to the Thanda Safari gate on the right.
Self-drive From Durban
Take the N2 towards Hluhluwe. Approximately 20km (12 miles) past the turn-off for Hluhluwe, turn left into the D242, continue for approximately 5km (3 miles) on the gravel road to the Thanda Safari gate on the right.
