Overview

Thula Thula Exclusive Private Game Reserve, a 4500ha, malaria-free game reserve was first established in 1911, & has been operational as Thula Thula for the last twelve years.

Thula Thula is family-owned & operated & is situated in Zululand, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The Zulu name ‘Thula Thula’ literally means ‘peace & tranquillity’. The re-introduction of a family herd of elephant in August 1999 marks the historic return of these great creatures to the area forthe first time in 100 years. Lawrence’s wife, Françoise, carries on his legacy & conservation projects, along with the dedicated staff of Thula Thula. Thula Thula was home to the best-selling author Lawrence Anthony. His second book, ‘The Elephant Whisperer’, relates the story of the rescue of the traumatised Thula Thula elephant herd, & of the very special relationship he created with this herd of seven elephant. Copies of Lawrence’s books are available to purchase from reception.

Lawrence’s first book ‘Babylon’s Ark’ relates his rescue of the starving & neglected animals in the Baghdad Zoo. ‘The Last Rhino’, his third book, was released on the 29th March 2012, shortly after Lawrence passed away, & is already an international best seller.

Thula Thula, with its centuries of cultural & wildlife heritage, takes pride in tracing its origins back to the private hunting grounds of King Shaka, founder of the Zulu Empire. The first historic meeting between Shaka & his father (Senzangakhona), which set the stage for the creation of the Zulu nation, took place along the banks of the Enseleni River at Thula Thula.

Experienced rangers will guide you on exciting safaris in open Land Rovers through the unique diversity of this ancestral land to encounter elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, hyaena, crocodile, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, nyala, waterbuck, bushbuck, impala, bush pig, warthog and a spectacular variety of other indigenous species, great & small, including reptiles & amphibians.

Birdlife is prolific with over 350 identified species, including raptors. (Checklists are available from Reception).