Thula Thula Game Lodge

I have been on many safaris in many different Africa countries ... loving them all ... but THULA THULA was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I read the books by Lawrence and Francoise Malby-Anthony and came to this place very excited to see the animals. With Cenzo as our guide I got so much more than a sighting of the animals. Sharing his knowledge and taking such time, I was able to truly be IN the moment - IN the landscape -I got to learn about and observe the animals, the birds and all the flora and fauna -all with time. We were never rushed. Every staff member - the bartender, all the kitchen staff, those who looked after our rooms were wonderful people - never without smiles. Francoise was such a gracious host and the meals - just fabulous. The travelers I met were just a delight too - all brought together by the books and wanting to be IN this magical place. I will be back.

One of my optional trips on my cruise was to Thula Thula, it has been on my bucket list since I read the elephant whisperer and there’s an elephant in my kitchen. Ideally I would have stayed at the lodge because it was a wish of my late husband for us to visit the lodge. Francois was a fabulous host and seeing Nana, Nandi and other animals in the books was the cherry on the cake. The guide was so knowledgeable and we had a fantastic game drive, followed by a fantastic lunch cooked by Tom. I had just finished reading the elephants of Thula Thula and Francois was kind enough to sign it for me. Precious memories

Will go there again Have enquired for 2024. A place worth visiting. Staff and venue brilliant. Would spend there longer if possible. Guide excellent. Food and service could not be better. Would like to join the volunteer programme

We did a day visit and it was one of the highlights of our 18 days visit in the area. Our game drive with Victor was superb and lunch on the outside patio was divine. Francoise gave us a warm welcome and we took pictures on the patio. Definitely bring friends for a much longer stay at Thula Thula.

What an unforgettable experience we have had. The weather didnt cooperate and we spent most of our 6 nights in rain but it didnt dampen our experience one little bit. From the minute we got there everything was effortless and well organised. We had the warmest welcome from the staff who were ALWAYS friendly, helpful and caring. Our guide for our stay was Victor and to be honest this gentle kind soul of a man made the experience for us. He is very knowledgeable and every day he taught us something new, a new fact we could digest and soak up. No 2 drives were ever the same. His love of the park, what he does and for the animals shines through from the first interaction we had with an animal on the drive. He talks to them and talks about them like they are his family. His love for the animals really draws you in. Even when it was horrendous rain he looked after us all with blankets and ponchos and his enthusiasm kept everyones spirits up. Always positive about the game drives and positive we would see at least some animals when the weather had other ideas. This isnt a job for Victor, this is his way of life and he loves it, thats evident from the start, he takes pride in what he does. And that mahindra is some machine, comfortable, able and powerful. The tented accommodation we stayed in was spotless. The beds were comfortable and warm and the staff always looked after us, if it was cold and wet we could get back to the wee heater on and the heated blankets on in the bed. Always more water put in the fridge if needed. The outside shower was just the best for a morning wake up. The food served was always fresh and delicious. We will definitely be back for a visit at some point. Definitely recommend this for a holiday we have never felt so calm or at peace than when we were there. Its a magical place. Thanks to the team for making it so good.

A great place to view some of South Africa's animals. Accommodations were top notch and the service was outstanding. Gourmet meals served in a beautiful atmosphere. Evening game drives should start no later than 3:30 in September for best photography.

After reading the books by Lawrence Anthony and the books by his widow Francois Malby Anthony, I wanted an opportunity to experience the magic of Thula Thula and photograph the elephants that starred in the books along with other wildlife on the reserve. I signed up for the pqckage with the photography course with Thula Thula Photographer Kim Mcleod who did a phenomenal job covering photography theory, camera settings, editing, and organization. Taking the course was a great way to fill the day while waiting for game drives. Kim's easy going attitude and fun spirit made it an enjoyable learning experience. It was my first experience staying at a resort and after years of backpacking and staying in hostels I wasn't sure what to expect or if I'd like it. In this case, I really did enjoy the hospitality offered by the resort. Everyone that worked there was warm and welcoming. The food was superb and the housekeeping and staff were exceptional in the service they provided. The I stayed at the Tented camps as that was where the photography course was centered and enjoyed a glamping experience and loved falling asleep to the sounds of nature. The game drives are in the morning and at night. I did one morning drive and the rest night as it worked better in the photography course to learn something then go out at night and practice it then to do it in reverse. The game drives are unique because the rangers share a special bond with the animals in particular the elephants. You will have close up opportunities to see (no touching) these beautiful animals that you won't get anywhere else.

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.

I have wanted to visit Thula Thula for years after having read the book(s). It was a dream come true and quite emotional at times. All of the guests seem to know the stories and being re-told some of the episodes by the rangers is quite special and different from other safari experiences we have had. It's like we already know the place, a bit like coming home. Loved it!