Villa iZulu
South Africa, Africa
Situated in the rich wildlife area of South Africa’s northern KwaZulu Natal (KZN) is one of Africa’s most luxurious safari destinations, Thanda Safari. This multi-award-winning, Big Five private game reserve spans over 14,000 hectares and offers four unique safari accommodation options: Thanda Safari Lodge, Villa iZulu, Thanda Tented Camp, and The Royal Residences, each one an absolute dream to experience.
Thanda’s dedicated team of wildlife guides and trackers lead guests on an adventure into the reserve’s plains, valleys, and mountains in search of the legendary Big Five and all the extraordinary wildlife that can be seen on an African Safari. The reserve opened in May 2004 and has consistently been named Africa’s and the World’s Leading Luxury Lodge.
Villa iZulu is Thanda Safari’s luxury classic villa. It was originally built as a getaway for Thanda Safari’s owners, the Olofsson family from Sweden. Today it is available for guests who prefer an exclusive, completely private retreat. It has been honored with the most awards of any luxury, privately-owned villa in Africa by the World Travel Awards.
With five luxurious bedrooms en suite, a large living and dining area, the Hemingway library, and a wine cellar, Villa iZulu has a dedicated butler, chef, and manager looking after the guests. The villa’s dedicated chef prepares delicious cuisine for every dietary requirement, from English breakfasts (with a perfect egg benedict) to four-course fine dining dinners, bush barbecues (braais), and legendary high teas. Outside there is a beautifully landscaped garden with a swimming pool, boma, and helipad, with high-security fencing enclosing the whole property, making it very safe for guests to wander through the gardens or to sit on the deck overlooking the waterhole. This safari villa offers expansive views of the 14,000-hectare reserve where the Big Five and all the other wildlife roam. Villa iZulu has its own safari vehicle, guide, and tracker, and extra vehicles are brought in when needed. Game drives are flexible, and guests can decide when they wish to head into the reserve.
For Spa treatments, the therapists from the Spa at Thanda Safari Lodge come to Villa iZulu, or guests are transported to Thanda Safari Lodge.
“For our family, Thanda is a place of seclusion and wilderness ~ where we restore our senses and rejuvenate our spirit in the heart of the Royal Zulu Kingdom. It is about living the adventure, conserving this wildlife wonder, and sharing in the traditions of this vast, wild domain.” – Dan Olofsson, founder-owner of Thanda
Villa iZulu was initially built as an exclusive luxury villa for the owners of Thanda Safari, the Olofsson family of Sweden. Today it is a sumptuous butler-serviced safari lodge and bush retreat available for guests who prefer a completely private, exclusive retreat. It has been honored with the most awards of any luxury, privately-owned villa in Africa by the World Travel Awards.
Dan Olofsson’s requirement for Villa iZulu is that it should offer absolutely everything that guests would expect from the world’s best safari villa. It has five luxurious bedrooms en suite, a large living and dining area, the Hemingway library, and a wine cellar, and is situated in a beautifully landscaped garden with a swimming pool, boma, and helipad, fenced in from the surrounding reserve. Villa iZulu has been honored with the most awards of any luxury, privately-owned villa in Africa by the World Travel Awards.
In addition to offering guests an unforgettable safari experience, what sets Thanda Safari apart is the embracing of Zulu people and Zulu culture – one of the most enigmatic, powerful, enduring cultures in the world. Thanda Safari is committed to the socio-economic empowerment of the local Zulu communities.
Thanda Safari Lodge offers early morning and late afternoon safari drives as this is the best time to look for the Big Five, led by experts of the African bush. You’ll see an incredible range of animals, including cheetahs, hyaenas, giraffes, warthogs, and an abundance of bird and plant life.
Guided walks through the bush can also be organized, as can photographic safaris. Both offer a thrilling experience of the wilderness and all its inhabitants. Thanda’s guides and trackers share their extensive knowledge and animal tracking ability with you, as well as ancient Zulu stories of the wild.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.