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Thula Thula Game Lodge

4.0 star property
Lodge in Ntambanana with 2 outdoor pools and free breakfast

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Thula Thula Game Lodge

Honeymoon Suite
2 outdoor pools
Honeymoon Suite
Breakfast, lunch, dinner served; local cuisine
Family Tent | Bathroom

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Popular amenities

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

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 7 of 7 rooms

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 )

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Separate bath and shower
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Suite Imperiale

Suite Imperiale

Suite Imperiale

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Separate bath and shower
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds

View all photos for Luxury Safari

1 bedroom, desk, WiFi

Luxury Safari

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Separate bath and shower
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Tented Camps

Tented Camps

Tented Camps

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Separate bath and shower
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 2 Twin Beds

View all photos for Family Tent

Family Tent

Family Tent

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Day bed
Private bathroom
Separate bath and shower
Coffee/tea maker
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 3 Twin Beds

View all photos for Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

Deluxe Room

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Separate bath and shower
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 1
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Honeymoon Suite

Honeymoon Suite

Honeymoon Suite

Highlights

Balcony or patio
Separate sitting area
Air conditioning
Separate bedroom
Private bathroom
Separate bath and shower
Coffee/tea maker
Daily housekeeping
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
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About the area

Map
D 312 Buchanana Main Road, Ntambanana, KwaZulu-Natal, 3880

Getting around

  • Richards Bay (RCB) - 71 min drive

About this property

Thula Thula Game Lodge

Upscale lodge in a rural location
At Thula Thula Game Lodge, you can look forward to free full breakfast, game and wildlife viewing and a poolside bar. Treat yourself to spa services, such as reflexology, a massage or aromatherapy. The on-site restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. In-room WiFi (surcharge) is available to all guests, along with a terrace and a garden.
You'll also enjoy the following perks during your stay:
  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Free self-parking
  • A safari, a round-trip airport shuttle (surcharge) and game drive on-site
  • Barbecues, 1 meeting room and concierge services
Room features
All guest rooms at Thula Thula Game Lodge include comforts, such as air conditioning and separate sitting areas, as well as amenities, such as WiFi.
Other conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Bathrooms with separate baths/showers
  • Balconies or patios, separate sitting areas and coffee/tea makers

Languages

English, French

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: WiFi (ZAR 50 per day)
  • Available in some public areas: WiFi (ZAR 20 per hour)

Parking and transport

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

Food and drink

  • Free full breakfast available daily 7 AM to 10 AM
  • A bar/lounge
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant

Things to do

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Game drive
  • Game viewing
  • Safari

Family friendly

  • 2 outdoor pools
  • Laundry facilities
  • Separate bedroom

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities
  • Limited-hour front desk

Guest services

  • Concierge services
  • Dry cleaning/laundry service
  • Housekeeping (daily)

Business services

  • Meeting room

Outdoors

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Picnic area
  • Terrace

Spa

  • Aromatherapy
  • Deep-tissue massages
  • Reflexology

Room amenities

Bathroom

  • Private bathroom
  • Separate bathtub and shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Desk
  • Separate sitting area

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out

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

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

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

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

  • 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)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

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
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

National rating

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

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

Frequently asked questions

Does Thula Thula Game Lodge have a pool?

Yes, this property has 2 outdoor pools.

Is Thula Thula Game Lodge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Thula Thula Game Lodge?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Thula Thula Game Lodge?

Check-in start time: 1 PM; check-in end time: 6 PM.

What time is check-out at Thula Thula Game Lodge?

Checkout is at 11 AM.

Does Thula Thula Game Lodge provide a shuttle to the airport?

Yes, there's an airport shuttle that runs on request.

Where is Thula Thula Game Lodge located?

Situated in a rural location, this lodge is within 20 miles (32 km) of Ntambanana Umtapo Wolwazi Public Library, Life Empangeni Private Hospital and Ngwelezana Hospital. Medicross Tamela and Lower Umfolozi Regional War Memorial Hospital are also within 20 miles (32 km).

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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

Timothy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful stay at Fatula, all of the staff were great combination, charming, and interesting and informative. Our Ranger Senzo, Who led all of our game drives, was excellent, couldn’t have had a more knowledgeable and enthusiastic ambassador for the reserve And South Africa wildlife in general.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Edwina

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

10/10 Excellent

John

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

BEN

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thula Thula had an abundance of wildlife, which is what we came to see.The staff was knowledgeable & courteous.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

jean-francois

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

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

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.