Zululand’s ultimate Big Five safari lodge
It’s rare that we uncover a contemporary bushveld hideaway, perfectly positioned in a Big Five game reserve and in the heart of historic Zululand. Thuleni Homestead stands surrounded by acacia bushveld and sweeping views across the vast Manyoni Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. It’s one of the most enchanting luxury safari lodges South Africa has to offer.
The Homestead was designed by award-winning architect, Richard Stretton, who was specifically chosen by the owners for his touch-the-earth-lightly philosophy. Every aspect of this private game lodge is intended to make you feel close to nature. And it the safari hideaway succeeds spectacularly.
With floor-to-ceiling glass affording views over the deck and pool to the waterhole below, this luxury safari lodge offers all the makings of a perfect safari destination. Ghost Mountain can be seen through the canopy of trees from your bed in the main suite. It’s part of the Lebombo mountain range, where natural theatre plays out in the late afternoon light. At dawn, sunlight steams into the living areas, making it a wonderfully cocooning space in the African bush, especially in winter.
‘I wanted to feel like I was sleeping under the stars in the bush. That’s why the whole place can open up,’ says the owner, who used to sleep with the doors wide open before the lion population increased. Architect Richard Stretton calls it ‘formalised camping’ but we can assure you that it’s nothing of the sort. This is the most comfortable bush home imaginable. We love the fact that local artisans crafted the stone walls, and even the Tamboti pillars were upcycled from a dairy farm in Bela Bela.
Extraordinary natural diversity
Manyoni Private Game Reserve is one of the largest privately owned reserves in KwaZulu-Natal. It started back in 2004, when 17 conservation-conscious landowners dropped their fences to create one huge protected wildlife reserve. The private game reserve then became the focus of the World Wildlife Fund Black Rhino Range Expansion Project, which has seen historic species return and thrive.
Today, if you sit quietly on the deck for long enough, the waterhole is likely to be visited by impala, nyala, wildebeest, kudu, zebra, leopard, cheetah, and giraffe. If you are really lucky, you will be visited by lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo. And then there are game drives offered too.
With a mix of riverine woodland and savannah interspersed with hilly areas, this is a particularly beautiful part of South Africa. Iconic umbrella thorn Acacias, striking candelabra Euphorbias, massive Marulas, Weeping Boer Bean, Bush Willow, and Tamboti trees dot the private reserve along with Knobthorn Acacia forest. It is home to over 455 bird species at last count. So, it’s no surprise then that Manyoni means ‘Place of Birds’ in Zulu, while offering exceptional, luxury safari accommodation in South Africa.
What we love!
- Thuleni Homestead is unfenced (apart from a single-strand elephant fence), making this an authentic African safari experience – even lion and cheetah have been seen near the deck of the Homestead.
- It’s an easy drive from Johannesburg (six hours) and Durban (three hours) and is also close enough to the coast to do a beach and bush combo holiday – especially in winter when the coastal temperatures are much warmer than elsewhere in the country.
- This African safari accommodation is a home-away-from-home with all the comforts – even DSTV for those who want it on extended stays.
- There is also easy flight access from London Heathrow to King Shaka International Airport in Durban.
What you need to know…
- Please note that Thuleni Homestead can only be booked for sole-use by you and your loved ones. It is not available on a room-by-room basis.
- The Manyoni Private Game Reserve gate is opposite Mkuze Game Reserve. Then it is a half-hour game drive through the private reserve to reach the Homestead.
- Ideally, the house sleeps 8 adults and 2 children, or 6 adults and 4 children.
- Two game drives are included per day. Game vehicles seat 10 guests.
- There is an additional conservation levy payable.
- If you plan to go walking while at Manyoni, do pack good walking shoes and socks, long trousers and antihistamine tablets for any insect bites. Also pack sunblock and a water bottle. Keep an eye open for snakes and scorpions in summer.
Reviewed by Michelle Snaddon
Edited by Keri Harvey