Thula Thula Private Game Reserve

The story of Thula Thula is unique

Thula Thula is very special. The reserve is the brainchild of Lawrence Anthony and his Parisian born wife, Francoise. Their story is immortalized in a series of books starting with Lawrence’s “The Elephant Whisperer”. Following Lawrence’s premature death in 2012, Francoise has written two sequels, “An Elephant In My Kitchen” and “The Elephants of Thula Thula”. The story of how the reserve was established and the challenges they had with local politics and especially their initial elephant herd are fascinating and heart warming. You will be left marveling at the extraordinary behaviour of the elephants.

Thula Thula has developed into so much more than a sanctuary for wild elephants. The reserve has a significant diversity of animals so you will be rewarded on a game drive with thrilling encounters with elephant, rhino, cape buffalo, and a variety of plains game including giraffe and zebra. Although this is not a ‘Big Five’ reserve, there are predators such as hyena. Guided game drives into the adjacent Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve can be arranged for a full Big Five’ game experience. But, it will be the elephants of Thula Thula that will provide you with lasting memories.

Accommodation is provided in a number of well appointed thatched rooms and suites. There is also a luxury tented camp. This is rural Africa and so you may encounter the occasional bat in your room and you will need to keep doors closed so you are not visited by the adorable, but very destructive, vervet monkeys. Food has always been a passion of Francoise stemming from her French roots. A package including Thula Thulu provides three gourmet meals each day, two game drives and much interaction with the experienced and long standing rangers and other members of staff. Transfers to and from Durban’s King Shaka Airport are included.