October-December 2019

fenced garden ideal for younger guests to play safely.
Striking a balance between old and new, I stayed
at Thanda Tented Camp with its romantic ambience
reminiscent of a bygone era. Lit by paraffin lanterns, all
15 Hemingway-styled canvas tents have wooden decks,
whilst the Jabula Tent features a separate lounge, splash
pool and its own boma. The camp has a large rim-flow
pool, a waterhole sala from where to watch the animals
come in to drink and a boma for dining under the
African stars.
Game Viewing within the Reserve
Early morning and late afternoon game drives and bush
walks are offered as you seek out the reserve’s resident
wildlife. During my stay, my guide Buselaphi with tracker
Wyneth pointed out giraffe, nyala, zebra, wildebeest,
warthog, lion and elephant. On the bird front there were
African hoopoe, glossy starling, hornbill, woolly necked
stalks, brown snake eagle and European rollers, to name
but a few.
We spoke of tree species, the diverse varieties of grass
and the use of rubbing posts by rhino and elephants, as
well as the essential anti-poaching efforts required to
protect the more vulnerable species. At Thanda all rhino
is dehorned as an added precaution.
On the one game drive we spent time with a bigmaned
male lion who’s roar reverberated across the
reserve. There’s not much that resonates more with the
bush for me, than the sound of a lion’s roar. It comes
from the core and once released, echoes through the
plains. The intensity vibrating deep into the mind, and
soul.
Unique to Thanda Safari is their day ‘In the Path
of Wildlife’ program that allows guests to get involved
with game counts, fence checking and even assisting
with necessary veterinary procedures. Those who wish
to delve further into the Zulu culture will be invited by
their guide to see his village, spend time with a Sangoma
or join the school children at a ‘Star for Life’ school.
Owned by Swedish philanthropists Christin and Dan
Olofsson who obtained the land 17 years ago taking two
years to return it to wilderness before opening, Thanda
Safari has grown to employ over 200 staff members,
while reintroducing to the area all the wildlife that once
naturally occurred here.
While I was there, Wildlife Coordinator Mariana
Venter, who oversees game management on the
property had recently had an influx of funds put to good
use increasing the number of plains game in the reserve
and introducing some young cheetah to the land. I was
lucky enough to be there as the one female cheetah
was released into the reserve after her mandatory stay
acclimatising in the boma, taking her first tentative
steps into her new home. Today months later she thrives
in her adopted environment.
Thanda Safari offers considered accommodation and
warm hospitality, an authentic wildlife experience with
excellent game viewing and a sincere commitment to the
Zulu culture and conservation of the environment.
Here the creatures own the earth and lucky for us,
we’re free to visit them anytime we choose.
Thanda Tented Camp - Jabula Tent Interior
Dung Beetle Photo: Dawn Jorgensen
King of the jungle Photo: Dawn Jorgensen
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SA&BEYOND