BEATING AROUND THE BUSH AT THANDA SAFARI
- O&A Team
- May 24, 2021
- Life & Style
- bird ringing, featured, James Rawdon, Kingsley Holgate, Run Wild Weekends, Thanda Safari, Thanda Safari Lodge, Thanda Tented camp, Villa iZulu
- 0 Comments
These days it seems that simply idling in the bush is not enough and five-star private game reserves like Thanda Safari are inviting big names in the world of conservation and exploration to join their guests and share their experiences as an added bonus.
Set in the ancient land in the northern reaches of Zululand, KwaZulu Natal, where the Great Rift Valley meets the Lebombo Mountains, Thanda (meaning ‘love’ in isiZulu) comprises 14 000 hectares of beautiful bushveld.
It is owned by Swedish philanthropists Christin and Dan Olofsson. The reserve offers an authentic South African wildlife experience with excellent game viewing all year round and has a sincere commitment to Zulu culture and conservation. Actively involved in conservation and wildlife research, it works to uplift the local communities through ‘Star for Life’ and other projects.
Thanda offers three different accommodation types – Thanda Safari Lodge, Villa iZulu and Thanda Tented Camp. Thanda Safari Lodge has nine bush suites arranged in the shape of a traditional Zulu homestead. The suites have panoramic views of the surrounding game reserve. Villa iZulu is an outstanding safari hideaway for families, holidaymakers and wedding parties wanting privacy. It is situated amidst lush green lawns and surrounded by expanses of wild African bush and can accommodate 10 guests in five suites.
ROUND THE CAMPFIRE WITH KINGSLEY HOLGATE
Offering a unique African experience and exclusive close-up encounters with Africa’s Big Five, it comes as no surprise that Thanda provides the perfect backdrop for the larger-than-life stories of one of Africa’s most colourful modern day explorers.
From Friday 11 to Sunday 13 June 2021, Thanda Safari will host a special Starlight Production event – ‘A Weekend of Campfire Stories with Kingsley Holgate’.
This exuberant, energetic, enthusiastic force of nature – a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and an explorer, humanitarian, author and storyteller – will share his stories with you around the campfire at the Boma dinner on Saturday night.
Kingsley Holgate will also be staying at Thanda Tented Camp where he’ll join guests on game drives, mingle and be there to chat and interact. If you have any of his books – bring them along and get them signed.
A Weekend of Campfire Stories with Kingsley Holgate:
* Dates: Friday 11 to Sunday 13 June 2021
* Price: From R2 995 per person sharing at Tented Camp (R5 990 per person/ R11 980 per couple for a two-night stay)
* Package includes:
* accommodation – two nights double occupancy accommodation at the luxurious Thanda Tented Camp – spacious colonial safari-style tents, each with private viewing deck and en-suite bathroom
* four game drives with guide and tracker
* all meals and selected local beverages (soft drinks, house wines, spirits and beers)
* Excluded: the conservation levy of R200 per person per stay, gratuities and all items of a personal nature
BIRD RINGING WITH JAMES RAWDON
After two hugely successful Starlight Production Birding Weekends with James Rawdon, Thanda Safari will be welcoming James back for a third Bird Ringing Weekend from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 June 2021.
Rawdon, who originally studied biology and worked for many years in the South African and Botswana bush has always been involved in nature and conservation and had a keen interest in birds. He pursued bird ringing as a hobby. (For non-birders, this means attaching a small, individually numbered metal or plastic tag to the leg or wing of a wild bird for individual identification) and later obtained his bird-ringing license in 2012.
He has been ringing birds (and sharing his passion for birds) at various sites in and around KwaZulu-Natal ever since.
“Bird ringing allows you to see the birds up close”, he says, “and it provides a wonderful opportunity to teach children and adults about birds, conservation and the preservation of their natural resources”.
A Birding Weekend with James Rawdon:
* Date: Friday 25 to Sunday 27 June 2021
* Price: From R2 995 per person sharing at Tented Camp (R5 990 per person/ R11 980 per couple for a two-night stay)
* Package includes:
* accommodation – two nights double occupancy at the luxurious Thanda Tented Camp (spacious colonial safari-style tents, each with private viewing deck and en-suite bathroom)
* two game drives daily with guide and tracker
* Bird Ringing exercise – Saturday and Sunday morning (guests will get to spend time with James and the Thanda Wildlife team-a highlight is that guests actually get to handle, hold and release birds
* all meals
* selected local beverages (soft drinks, house wines, spirits and beers)
* Excluded: conservation levy of R200 per person per stay, gratuities and all items of a personal nature.
PUTTING YOUR BEST FOOT FORWARD IN THE BUSH
From Friday 16 to Sunday 18 July 2021, Thanda Safari is inviting wildlife lovers to another Starlight Production event, The RUN WILD Weekend.
The RUN WILD Weekend will give walkers, joggers, runners and their friends and families the unique chance to experience the vast open spaces, the magnificent terrain and the wildlife of Thanda Safari…on foot!
With the safety of guests being of the utmost importance this exciting and exhilarating experience will be under the supervision and watchful eye of Thanda’s Anti-Poaching unit.
A ‘RUN WILD’ Weekend:
* Date: Friday 16 to Sunday 18 July 2021
* Price: From R2 995 per person sharing at Tented Camp (R5 990 per person/ R11 980 per couple for a two-night stay)
* Package includes:
* accommodation – two nights double occupancy at the luxurious Thanda Tented Camp -spacious colonial safari-style tents, each with private viewing deck and en-suite bathroom
* two game drives daily with guide and tracker
* all meals
* selected local beverages (soft drinks, house wines, spirits and beers)
* Excluded: conservation levy of R200 per person per stay, gratuities and all items of a personal nature.
Terms and conditions apply.
Booking is essential – to make your reservations contact:
Thanda Safari
E: reservations@thanda.co.za
T: +27 (0) 32 586 0149 | www.thandasafari.co.za
Facebook/Instagram: thandasafari
Twitter: Thanda_
