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Thula Thula Game Lodge

4.0 star property

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Thula Thula Game Lodge

Honeymoon Suite
2 outdoor pools
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; local cuisine
Suite Imperiale
Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.0 out of 10

Wonderful

Popular amenities

  • Bar
    Bar
  • Pool
    Pool
  • Spa
    Spa
  • Breakfast included
    Breakfast included
  • Housekeeping
    Housekeeping
  • Laundry
    Laundry

Explore the area

Map
D 312 Buchanana Main Road, Ntambanana, KwaZulu-Natal, 3880
  • Enseleni Nature Reserve
    40 min drive
  • Boardwalk Mall
    42 min drive
  • Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park
    56 min drive
  • Richards Bay (RCB)
    71 min drive

Room options

View all photos for Luxury Safari Suites 6 (Queen Size Bed )

Luxury Safari Suites 6 (Queen Size Bed )

Luxury Safari Suites 6 (Queen Size Bed )

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Suite Imperiale

Suite Imperiale

Suite Imperiale

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Luxury Safari

1 bedroom, desk, WiFi

Luxury Safari

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Tented Camps

Tented Camps

Tented Camps

  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Family Tent

Family Tent

Family Tent

  • Sleeps 4
  • 3 Twin Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Honeymoon Suite

Honeymoon Suite

Honeymoon Suite

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

About this property

Thula Thula Game Lodge

Lodge in Ntambanana with 2 outdoor pools and free breakfast
This lodge features 2 outdoor pools, a restaurant, and a bar/lounge. Free full breakfast and free self parking are also provided. Other amenities include a poolside bar, WiFi in public areas, and spa services.
Thula Thula Game Lodge offers 8 accommodations with coffee/tea makers. Rooms open to balconies or patios. Accommodations offer separate sitting areas and include desks. This Ntambanana lodge provides wireless Internet access for a surcharge. Bathrooms include separate bathtubs and showers. Housekeeping is provided daily.
2 outdoor swimming pools are on site.

The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.

Guests can pamper themselves by indulging in the onsite spa services. Services include deep-tissue massages and massages. A variety of treatment therapies are provided, including aromatherapy and reflexology.
At Thula Thula Game Lodge, you'll find features like free breakfast and self parking, plus 2 outdoor pools.
  • Free full breakfast served daily
  • Free self parking
  • Drinking and dining options include a restaurant, a poolside bar, and a bar/lounge
  • WiFi for a fee
  • Take a swim in the 2 outdoor pools
  • Amenities include a meeting room, laundry facilities, and a terrace
  • 13.2 mi (21.3 km) from Ntambanana Umtapo Wolwazi Public Library and 16.9 mi (27.2 km) from Life Empangeni Private Hospital
  • Airport shuttle service available for a fee
Thula Thula Game Lodge offers its guests 2 outdoor swimming pools. There's a restaurant on site. You can enjoy a drink at one of the bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. Free breakfast is available daily. Public spaces have WiFi for a fee.

Spa services, a terrace, and barbecue grills are also featured at the business-friendly Thula Thula Game Lodge. An airport shuttle (available on request) is available for a fee. Self parking is free.

Guests are served free full breakfast daily from 7 AM to 10 AM.
Onsite venue - This restaurant specializes in local cuisine and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Languages

English, French

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: WiFi (ZAR 50 per day)
  • Available in some public areas: WiFi (ZAR 20.00 per hour)

Parking and public transport

  • Free self-parking on site
  • Return airport shuttle (surcharge) during limited hours
  • Airport shuttle on request

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 7 AM–10 AM
  • 1 restaurant
  • 1 poolside bar and 1 bar

Things to do

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Game/wildlife drives
  • Game/wildlife viewing
  • Safari
  • Spa services

Family friendly

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Laundry facilities

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Daily housekeeping
  • Dry-cleaning service
  • Front desk (limited hours)
  • Laundry facilities

Business services

  • A meeting room

Outdoors

  • BBQ grill(s)
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Massage - deep-tissue
  • Reflexology

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)

Bathroom

  • Private bathroom
  • Separate bath and shower
  • Towels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Desk
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 1 PM; Check-in end time: 6 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property offers transfers from the airport (surcharges may apply); guests must contact the property with arrival details before travel, using the contact information on the booking confirmation
The front desk is open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM
Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in instructions; front desk staffed during limited hours
To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property ahead of time using the information on the booking confirmation
If you are planning to arrive after 5 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Front desk (limited hours)

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cribs (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Fee for in-room wireless internet: ZAR 50 per day (rates may vary)
  • Fee for wireless internet in public areas: ZAR 20.00 per hour (rates may vary)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards
Cashless transactions are available
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system, and a first aid kit
Thula Thula Game Lodge offers transfers from the airport (fees may apply). Please contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation with your arrival details prior to travel. The front desk at this property is open daily from 8 AM - 5 PM.
To arrange for check-in, guests must contact the property in advance of arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests arriving after 5 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property in advance for check-in information. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival.

National rating

Quality Graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) – South Africa's official quality assurance organization.

Property is also known as

Thula Thula Game Lodge Ntambanana
Thula Thula Game Lodge
Thula Thula Game Ntambanana
Thula Thula Game Lodge Lodge
Thula Thula Game Lodge Ntambanana
Thula Thula Game Lodge Lodge Ntambanana

Thula Thula Game Lodge Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 9 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 14 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Staff & service

9.8/10

Amenities

9.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Edwina

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved absolutely everything about the accommodation, the game drives and excellent game ranger (Khaya) and we can't say enough about all the staff who were wonderful. "Meeting" the elephants talked about in the books was so moving and one we'll never forget. It was a truly magical experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

8/10 Good

jean-francois

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

John

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The game drives were fantastic, Andrew is very good, he knows the game and birds very well, he is excellent with the Elephant's, the way he talks to them, coming right up to the vehicle, it was amazing our best sighting of Elephant ever. thank you Andrew.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Amazing. Got to meet elephants and baby rhinos. Beautiful place. Wonderful staff. Trip of a lifetime.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Donna, Connecticut, USA

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thula Thula was an incredibly unique experience. Our inspiration were the books written by Lawrence Anthony who is Francoise's husband. Please read The Elephant Whisperer prior to arrival. The guide, Muzi, was very knowledgeable about the environment and appeared to have a personal relationship with the elephants and rhinos. It was clear that he truly enjoyed and respected them. Incredible experience. The proximity to the animals added to our experience. Kruger was okay. Thula Thula was fantastic. Exceeded our expectations.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very disappointing. Meals very ordinary. General appearance tatty. False advertising.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2018

8/10 Good

Glenda, London United Kingdom

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
We stayed in the tented camp which was very quiet and peaceful.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

WildlifeConserv, United States

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not only a safari lodge, a safari experience
Those familiar with Lawrence Anthony's humanitarian and conservation work, books, and non-profit programs (Lawrence Anthony Earth Organization) know Thula Thula's reputation as a prime location to see healthy, friendly elephants in Zululand. As Thula Thula is not a "big five" property, the luxury safari experience is geared towards seeing the elephants rescued by the Anthonys as well as orphaned white rhino. The Safari Lodge accommodations are individual cabins with great decor and a view of the wilderness. They offer two game drives per day, as well as an optional game walk in the late morning, and are an excellent value. Food at the Safari Lodge is served family-style (eating separately is an option), giving guests an opportunity to socialize over phenomenal 2-course lunches and full course dinners. The Luxury Tented Camp accommodations have a more qualified game ranger, so guests wanting to see the world famous elephants would do well to spend the extra time and money for accommodations there. Or stay for 3+ nights to have the best odds of seeing them. Intermittent problems with the complimentary WiFi was disappointing. WiFi for the guests at the camp and lodge had been out for 3 days when I arrived and was still out when I departed. However their infrastructure is being upgraded and I was told it would be fixed soon. The housekeeping and hospitality staff are excellent and incredibly focused on providing guests with the best experience possible.

10/10 Excellent

Charmaine, London

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Outstanding!
My partner and I had am thoroughly enjoyable stay at Thula Thula Safari Lodge. We could not fault it in any way and would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to spoil themselves and enjoy the wonderful wildlife and scenery. The trackers were extremely knowledgeable and humorous and were able to find us lots of animals. I had also read the Elephant Whisperer beforehand so it was very special to meet the elephants by name :-)

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Anthony's Thula Thula
Having read Anthony Lawrence's books, it was a must do. So fabulous to see the elephants and rhino as featured. The park is a beautiful. Having an opportunity to walk through the bush and explore the small animal world and flora was really special. The staff were fabulous and took very good care of us during our stay.

10/10 Excellent

Thérèse

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

6/10 Okay

Christophe

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022