Thula Thula

Well after all this hardship, we figured it was time to splash out on a touch of luxury and experience firsthand how the other 0.1% live. Safari lodge, G & Ts watching the African sunset, luxury tented camp, dinner around the fire in the boma - life's tough.

Thula Thula is a private game reserve established by the late Lawrence Anthony - author, conservationist, humanitarian, founder of The Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation and, it would seem, ARGG (All Round Good Guy).






One of his books (The Elephant Whisperer) is about the relationship he forms with a herd of rogue elephants he brings to Thula Thula, saving them from extermination. The elephants have since chilled out, reproduced and are now the drawcard for many European travellers, where his books are big sellers. We seem to have got the elephant a bit by the trunk (so to speak), as none of us had read the book, and were really just looking forward to checking out the safari tents....

To add to his ARGG status, his second book, Babylon's Ark, is about his work with the Baghdad Zoo during the coalition invasion of Iraq. I have to admit, while watching the nightly news reports at the time, the existence of the Baghdad Zoo, let alone the fate of the animals within it, was the furthest thing from my mind.

Well, we found the elephants whilst out and about, and they were more than impressive. Having such a close relationship with the herd, the guides were able to take us right up to them - a little nerve wracking given all we'd heard about the volatility and aggression elephants can display....at times.

This is Nana, the matriarch of the herd with her latest little calf who had a bit to

say about us invading his personal space. Very cute.

And here's another one of the young males from the herd crossing the road after 'harumphing' loudly at us to get out of his way! Siya, the guy on the front of the truck, was our spotter - incredible knowledge of the reserve and wildlife, and quite amusing to boot.

Thula Thula is also a bit of a sanctuary for rhino, particularly those orphaned by poaching elsewhere in South Africa.  This is one of a pair of rhino which were rescued and are now upwards of 4 years old.  Believe it or not, they have a 24hour armed guard (who you can see sitting in the bakkie just behind). One of these rhino was shot by poachers last year (and survived) and the guard has been in place since then.

But back to the Safari Tents...

Our tent was the "Family Tent" and was absolutely enormous! The double wooden front doors opened into the Master Bedroom pictured below, and little room dividers separated the kiddies room to the left and the luxe bathroom to the right. The weather was glorious with blue skies in the day, but freezing cold at night. The electric blankets were considerately switched on for us while we were at dinner, so it was pure delight to slip between the sheets after a very chilly trek back to the tent each night.

The boudoir - despite the lack of bugs, there's something quite
exotic about climbing into a bed draped with mosquito nets.

Even the throne had a fantastic view!

And so...

...our first venture into the land of tented safari camps! Thula thula was a great place to start - as well as enjoying all the luxury on offer, you also felt personally involved in the conservation efforts of the place. Now I've started reading the book, we may just have to make a second trip...