The Star School project was one of the first programmes implemented by Thanda's JAC-Initiative to promote an AIDS-free lifestyle. Star School promotes the mantra "AIDS-free, that's me" and has been integrated into the curricula of high schools in KwaZulu-Natal.

Thanda Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa has been awarded "luxury individual hotel, lodge or resort offering best overall product and service" in the Selling Long Haul Awards for 2007.

Thanda Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa has been awarded "luxury individual hotel, lodge or resort offering best overall product and service" in the Selling Long Haul Awards for 2007.

Thanda Private Game Reserve in Hluhluwe has been selected as a finalist in the 2007 Imvelo Awards for Responsible Tourism for its social commitment to uplifting its surrounding communities.

The journey begins in the city of Durban but its roots are deeply entrenched in every region of KwaZulu-Natal. The course runs northwards: through the fertile greenery of the North Coast sugar-belt and meanders through the kingdom's majestic wildlife reserves and sanctuaries.

Thanda Private Game Reserve has been deemed the most luxurious destination in Africa, winning ‘Africa’s Leading Luxury Lodge’ in the 2007 World Travel Awards ceremony at a gala evening in Abu Dhabi. The award comes only three years after the five-star lodge opened its doors to the public and bears testament to the strong emphasis the lodge places on customer service and unparalleled luxury.

Months of excitement and preparation culminate this evening as the World Travel Awards heads to Abu Dhabi for the Night of a Thousand Stars. The illustrious Thanda Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal is under the spotlight for awards in four categories this year: Africa’s Leading Luxury Lodge, Africa’s Leading Safari, Africa’s Leading Ecotourism Destination and South Africa’s Leading Safari.

Doctor Khumalo and Sven-Goran Eriksson support local soccer as the Gothia cup comes to SA

Thanda Private Game Reserve, part of the Southern Spoor Marketing portfolio, has purchased Intibane Game Lodge situated adjacent to Thanda.

The Hector Pieterson statue finds its home in the 'Sandton City of Soweto'

Thanda Private Game Reserve is proud to announce the official launch of the Thanda Foundation and Star School premises, to be held on 23rd February. Leading representatives of the business community, politicians, local media and travel trade, and friends from both South Africa and Sweden will join Swedish entrepreneur and owner of Thanda Group, Dan Olofsson to celebrate the opening. His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini will attend as guest of honour.

The act of liberation, captured previously only by a photograph, has been made real. A life-sized statue of revolutionary liberation icon Hector Pieterson jointly commissioned by the Thanda Foundation and former MP, Mathews Phosa will be returned to the people of Soweto. The social conscience of the Thanda Group, the Thanda Foundation, aims to create local and international awareness of the gravity of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and to set a precedent for responsible tourism in South Africa, especially rural KwaZulu-Natal. The statue is a gift of goodwill and a manifestation of the commitment of the Thanda Foundation to the youth of South Africa.

Thanda Private Game Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal is synonymous with exclusivity, romance and wildlife, and we are thrilled to share the photo below taken by a guest who recently stayed at Thanda. The photograph was taken on 17 September this year by Phillipe Bui. Leopard is often the most difficult of the Big Five to spot at any game reserve in South Africa, and our rangers have spent many hours tracking the elusive cat.

His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuZulu, ruler of the magnificent lands of KwaZulu, has recognised the journeys of greatness and contributions of the spirit made by Annabelle Bond (OBE). Formalizing her appointment as First Honorary Princess Nomoya Of the Sacred Council of Ingxotha at a ceremony held at Villa iZulu at Thanda Private Game Reserve today, the King expressed his joy at the re-establishment of this sacred tradition.

Thanda Private Game Reserve in northern Zululand, South Africa, walked away with the coveted Leading Safari in South Africa award at the 2006 World Travel Awards, held last night at the Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa.

The award-winning Thanda Private Game Reserve welcomes several new additions to the ever-growing wildlife population on the private 6 000ha game reserve in northern Zululand. The much-anticipated litter of 7 wild dog pups was born approximately 2 weeks ago.

The wellness centre at the prestigious Thanda Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal was voted as the winner in the Safari Spa category in the Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Awards 2006, held at the Indaba Hotel in Johannesburg on Sunday 25 June 2006.

“We stopped at 'Amanzindlovu' dam for tea and coffee during the morning game drive, found some elephant tracks from the previous night, but none from this morning. Knowing that the elephant drink at this water hole at least 2 times a day (and that they hadn't come this morning) they had to be in the area heading towards the dam.

Thanda Private Game Reserve has been nominated in the 2006 World Travel Awards in South Africa's Leading Safari category. Please support us by submitting your vote on-line at www.worldtravelawards.com

Today Thanda Private Game Reserve will re-introduce a breeding pack of wild dog onto the reserve, this is the first time that a breeding pack of wild dog will be introduced onto private land in South Africa. The dogs are arriving today and we well keep you updated on their progress.

Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova

Preparation for the 2006 Swedish championship.

Prior to the summer season and in line with its comprehensive wildlife programme, Zululand's award winning 5-star Thanda Private Game Reserve has taken stock of additional wildlife and experienced an impressive 4th breeding season, as well as receiving industry accolades such as the 1st and only Game Reserve in the world to achieve 'Leading Hotels of the World' status and join the elite membership that is reserved for only 400 of the world's finest properties.

Thanda Private Game Reserve in Zululand has been selected as the first and only game reserve in the world to achieve ‘Leading Hotels of the World’ status and joins the elite membership that is reserved for only 400 of the world’s finest properties.

Since its opening in June 2005, Thanda Private Game Reserve has been synonymous with setting the standard in luxury accommodation in South Africa, and its recent inclusion as the only private game reserve in the world to achieve Leading Hotels of the World status is no exception.

The 5-star Thanda Private Game Reserve's Wellness Centre was chosen as a top 5 finalist in the category of Resort Spa by Les Nouvelles Esthetique during their inaugural South African 2005 Sanitas Per Aquas Spa Awards and Conference in Johannesburg on 17 July 2005.

Zululand's, 5-star Thanda Private Game Reserve recently hosted Miss Universe 2005, Natalie Glebova, on her first-ever visit to South Africa. Her time in South Africa and Swaziland was part of the Global Health Council's project of HIV/AIDS awareness and her two-day stay at Thanda was to rejuvenate and relax at the end of her visit.

Wildlife Research: Elephant Project
My volunteer, Catherine Pieters arrived on the 5th July. She has been involved in elephant monitoring, PCQ and visibility data collection. Visibility data collection involves recording the distance from the vehicle, along a road, where an animal may be seen. This is important as it will give an indication of the vegetation used along the roadside, as well as the density of vegetation.

Thanda's Wildife Department arrived at Phinda Private Game Reserve on Monday, May 30th, with the intention of relocating two lionesses to Thanda. Dr. Chap Masterson, a wildlife veterinarian, assisted with the relocation, together with the help of Alicia McCall, the State Veterinarian, and Dr Dave Cooper, the standby veterinarian.

On Tuesday the 10th May the male cheetah was released from our bomas. He was captured in the Northern Cape as a "problem animal".

Thanda Private Game Reserve is proud to announce the launch of Thanda Air. The historical maiden flight took place on 11 March 2005 from Rand Germiston Airport to Mkuze Airstrip.

We recently purchased a male cheetah at Thanda Private Game Reserve and have been anxiously awaiting his arrival for several weeks.

Wildlife Research: Elephant Project
February, the shortest month, really did fly past! Two volunteers, Sarah Hodgetts and Julie Barr, were thoroughly spoilt with game viewing - having seen four of the Big Five (including the wild dogs) within a week.

Wildlife Research: Elephant Project
January, a busy start to 2005, was a productive month. Rob Slotow, my supervisor, advised me to focus on collecting dung data as my samples are due to go for analysis at the end of February.

Wildlife Research: Elephant Project
December, the month of extreme heat, humidity and lots of sunshine! In the beginning of the month, the elephants were spending a considerable amount of time in the area between the Villa and Tented Camp.

On November 7th, Thanda Private Game Reserve was visited by a representative from the South African Tourism Grading Council, who considered every aspect of the lodge.

Wildlife Research: Elephant Project
Summer has hit with a vengeance! The Zululand heat and humidity make midday viewing a no-no. Fortunately with the heat comes the rain. We had approximately 100 ml throughout the reserve. This has brought about a drastic change in vegetation throughout the month.

Wildlife Research: Elephant Project
October started with the introduction of the leopard. I was privileged to watch the introduction process. She was truly a beautiful cat, and to experience the texture of her coat, the size of her paws, etc. is uncommon.

Witness the phenomenal show of between fifty and one hundred Impi performing age-old battle dancing rites.

Three lions are now released. It´s a big change in nature regarding who is in charge.

Wildlife Research: Elephant Project
Spring is certainly here with the hot long days. This has provided great elephant viewing at Manzindlovu pan. The bulls have spent most of their time along the Mduna River, occasionally venturing north towards Emzukhulu pan and the surrounding area.

I am sure you have heard by now that we brought in a young female leopard. She is a real beaut and not too Nervous around vehicles. A farmer near Naboomspruit wanted her removed as she had killed his ostrich and about 10 blesbuck. She was trapped only 50 meters from the house while the people were having a barbeque.

Wildlife Research: Elephant Project
I had limited access to the elephants in August, as my Suzuki was with the mechanic for the whole month! I was privileged to borrow Alan's private Hilux to move around the farm on a few occasions.

The buffalo seemed to have gelled in the boma. I think I will give them another week in there. If my plan works, it will be a lot more difficult for the lion to take on the youngsters. The cow that we removed a snare from her leg is recovering well and is now putting weight on the leg.

If you had told me two years ago that we would be well on our way to destroying prickly pears (Opuntia spp) on Thanda, I probably have looked at you in a funny way. But it is happening.

We had a long flight in a rather small plane to Mabula and back from Phinda yesterday to pick up the two new young lioness. All went well with the transfer and introduction into the lion boma to join our beaut male.

Wildlife Research: Elephant Project
July has been an exciting month for me with Mpata, one of the elephant bulls, being in musth. Mpata has spent most of his time with the family group so in order to obtain visuals of them; I had to pass Mpata.

Wildlife Research: Elephant Project
The volunteer program, through Wildlands Trust, has taken effect with Matthew Higgins joining me on the 6th May. Wildlands Trust organises for volunteers to become involved in research programs. The volunteers pay to participate in a project and the money is used to cover the running costs of the project.

May 22nd saw the much-anticipated opening of the ultra luxurious R100 million, Thanda Private Game Reserve, 23km north of Hluhluwe by His Majesty King Zwelithini & owners Dan & Christin Olofsson.

Zululand game reserve to open soon. Corporate types and eco-tourists will be able to destress in style in the Zululand bush once Thanda Game Reserve and Wellness centre opens shop early next year.

Thanda Private Game Reserve, the latest in a series of projects in South Africa’s tourism sector spurred by foreign investment, is set to open its doors in June 2004.

Situated 23km north of Hluhluwe in northern KwaZulu Natal, Thanda Private Game Reserve is set to open its doors in June 2004.