Nineteen years after Robb Report outlined the vision for Jumeirah Thanda Safari and the Royal Thanda Club, we travel to South Africa to see the realised project—and learn how you can share in the magic.
“Stop, stop,” a voice crackles through our guide’s radio, and our open-top Land Cruiser comes to an abrupt halt. We are halfway up a dirt track in the middle of the South African bush, following a report of two lions trailing a kudu. A tense silence ensues for about 10 seconds as we wait with bated breath. “They’ve got it,” the radio crackles. “Go, go, go.” The engine roars to life. As we crest the hill, our eyes fill with the sight of a male and female lion pinning down their prey—its legs still flailing. We roll to a standstill about 10 m away and watch quietly as the pair work together to secure the kudu and carry it into the depths of the bush. It is an emotional moment for an animal lover, but one that reminds you of the circle of life that keeps the African plains brimming with wildlife.
That was day one of four at Jumeirah Thanda Safari—a private luxury game reserve in the heart of South Africa’s Zululand. As the days go on, so do the close encounters. We come face-to-face with a pair of adult elephants stripping branches from trees; we watch a crash of rhinos huddled by a stream; we spot zebra and buffalo grazing side by side; and we tick off impala, warthogs and a chorus of African birds. One morning, we leave the safety of the car, trek into the bush on foot, and use a telemetry device to locate a cheetah and her cub. That evening, we meet the eerie silhouette of a hyena stalking for prey—an after-dark reminder that while the reserve might be private, the bush is governed by its own wild residents.
Reserve Regale
Thanda Safari was founded in 2002 by Swedish entrepreneurs Christin and Dan Olofsson, who envisioned a wilderness escape in Africa for family and friends. Thanda—meaning “love” in Zulu—began with a few thousand hectares and a single lodge; today it spans 16,500 hectares of private nature reserve and six individual villas, residences and rooms for guests. Now under the management of luxury hospitality group Jumeirah, Thanda adjoins the Mduna Royal Reserve, held in trust by the Zulu king, where wildlife—much of it endangered—roams freely between the two. All of the Big Five are found here, making it an ideal place for safari game drives before returning to the comfort of a private villa.
Within the game-fenced Royal Thanda Club Estate, guests discover a striking collection of two-to-five-bed Royal Residences built into the bush, with luxury-hotel-standard amenities and in-villa dining by private chefs. We stay in Villa Thandawena, whose name means “love you”. It is owned by Pierre Delvaux, CEO of the reserve and a key Thanda visionary who first shared his ambitions for the project with Robb Report back in 2006.
Suite Spot
The villa is regarded as South Africa’s most luxurious—and most expensive—private safari residence for hire, and with good reason. Perched on the southern foothills of the Great African Rift Valley, the five-bedroom contemporary residence is an architectural showpiece. It pairs ancient stone and textured leathers with inviting, modern furnishings and crackling fireplaces—and features sculptural moments such as a floating staircase leading to the master suite.
Step outside and the drama continues: Villa Thandawena opens onto an expansive viewing deck set at 7 m—the “highest frequency number” —overlooking uninterrupted bushland, where giraffes often bob their heads above the trees. Here, people can gather around the boma (a dedicated space for a social gathering around a fire), unwind in the yoga pavilion, and settle by the fire pit for “African Netflix”—storytelling by firelight.
Meanwhile inside, guests can spread out across multiple lounges and dining areas, sink into an infinity pool and sunken hot tub, or unwind in a sauna with a Himalayan salt wall—plus there’s a pop-up spa and gym. Bedrooms are individually styled to echo the landscape—olive green, sand yellow, red rock. Each features a luxurious Hästens bed (the master suite’s is valued at more than €300,000), plus comforts such as freestanding tubs set against floor-to-ceiling windows over the bush, private terraces and complimentary minibars. And there isn’t a screen in sight: “You want to be in the bush and hear the lion roar at night”, Delvaux says. We feel it on our final day, coming within a few metres of a male lion as he roared—the sound reverberating through the vehicle and our bones.
Every detail has been considered, from innovative lighting controlled via a smart panel to art that blends traditional Zulu pieces and sculptures with bold, contemporary paintings. And yet, for all its high design, the villa feels personal—like visiting the home of an old family friend. Viv’s Bar honours Delvaux’s father, and the owner’s collected artworks and books appear throughout. A wine cellar doubling as a cigar humidor holds an international selection of rare bottles— including one gifted to Delvaux at Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday, expressly not for drinking—and even a box of cigars from Monaco’s Alexander Kraft. “Everything here has meaning—this isn’t a hotel; people want to belong,” explains Delvaux.
To begin and end the journey in style, guests of the villa can fly directly to the property’s private helipad aboard an Airbus H130 B4—aptly named Skydance—which whisks you from Durban’s international airport to the villa in an hour and 15 minutes. This is a scenic hop over bush and coast, where it’s not uncommon to spot marine life, including dolphins and manta rays.
Fit for Royalty
Another highlight of the reserve is Villa iZulu—Thanda founder Olofsson’s first homestead here. This lavish five-bed sanctuary is widely reported as the safe haven where Charlene, Princess of Monaco, resided away from the public eye for six months in 2021. It’s easy to see why the Princess stayed so long. It overlooks a watering hole that attracts wildlife including elephants and buffalo, while the villa offers expansive indoor and outdoor living spaces, a gourmet kitchen, library, swimming pool, boma and private helipad.
Wherever you choose to stay, every moment at the reserve is crafted to amplify your connection to nature—even when you’re not on a game drive. From your bedroom, watch impalas grazing at first light; spot giraffes and elephants on the horizon as you float in your infinity pool; gaze up at a canopy of African stars after dusk and fall asleep to the lullaby of birdsong. Each experience becomes a core memory—one that stirs the soul and forges a rare bond with the wild.
Arabia Meets Africa
In 2024, Jumeirah assumed management of Thanda Safari, bringing its distinctive Arabian hospitality to the bush. The Dubai-based luxury brand, renowned for world-class hotels, is applying its signature service to Thanda—its first venture into Africa. Over the past year, Jumeirah has set about elevating the reserve’s offerings and fine-tuning its service—blending the best of Africa with five-star refinement—while honouring the Zulu culture that’s ingrained in the estate and central to its magic.
As at all Jumeirah’s leading five-star hotels, dining at Jumeirah Thanda Safari feels effortlessly choreographed. Each villa has a team of chefs and butlers who tailor menus to your preferences, showcasing modern takes on African flavours paired with thoughtfully chosen wines. After a 5am game drive with expert guides and trackers, guests return to al fresco breakfasts with a view—from fresh fruit and your choice of eggs to pancakes and French toast. Evenings unfold in elegant dining rooms or outdoors illuminated by candlelight and firelight. A personal highlight—shared, perhaps, by our lion neighbours—is the smoky, tender bite of barbecued kudu.
Sundowners are artfully staged—golden hour on a ridge with sweeping views over the reserve, or a pause by a watering hole with premium spirits and snacks served from the back of your Land Cruiser.
The most memorable moments are the surprises in the bush—of which, on my trip, there are many. One evening we drive deep into the reserve to find a dinner laid by firelight. As we take our seats, song and drums rise from the darkness and Zulu dancers step into the glow, performing traditional dances before we feast on a barbecue of game meat and local delicacies. The following night, as the sun slips behind the hills, singing floats over the crest and Zulu “mamas” in colourful skirts dance into view, inviting female guests to join them.
Jumeirah’s hospitality shines in the thoughtful touches threaded through your visit—from scented hand towels awaiting your return from game drives to notes left on your pillow wishing you goodnight in Zulu.
Giving Back
Beyond the activities, wildlife preservation remains paramount at Jumeirah Thanda Safari. Conservation is hands-on—something Charlene, Princess of Monaco, experienced during her stay, when she joined several initiatives. Guests can follow in the Princess’s footsteps by partnering with specialists to monitor cheetahs—learning about their behaviour and the pressures they face as one of South Africa’s most threatened predators. Or take part in rhino tracking and darting operations that support anti-poaching efforts, including dehorning, a common deterrent across the continent.
Cultural immersion runs just as deep. Reserve staff regularly engage neighbouring communities to advance conservation education through the Star for Life foundation, launched in 2005 by Thanda founders Christin and Dan Olofsson, among Scandinavia’s most prominent philanthropists and private investors in South Africa. “We’ve supported more than 560,000 children to pursue their dreams and live healthy lives,” Delvaux notes. Visits to local communities and sites of historical significance can be arranged for guest keen to explore Zulu heritage.
Join the Club
If a holiday at Jumeirah Thanda Safari isn’t quite long enough for you, select enthusiasts may purchase exclusive land within The Royal Thanda Club Estate—an access-controlled enclave in the heart of the reserve—on which to create their own private villa and join an elite owners’ community.
The Royal Thanda Club is on track to become one of Africa’s most exclusive private residence clubs, and one of the most unique real-estate investment opportunities in the world. Each home—of which Villa Thandawena is the flagship—is a bespoke Royal Residence owned by influential international families and positioned for complete seclusion, neither overlooking nor overlooked by any neighbour. Of 44 plots, five are complete and two more are under way. Every villa is tailored to its owner’s taste, from contemporary to traditional.
“Nobody else is doing anything like this,” Delvaux explains of the project’s scale and ambition. “It’s invitation-only—like-minded people who want to have fun and do good. This isn’t a cold, corporate hotel—the Club is about family and belonging.”
If you thought the safari reserve’s vision was grand, the Club’s ambitions are even more wide reaching. Plans include a central clubhouse with fine dining restaurants and lounges, a first-of-its-kind golf course discreetly woven into the reserve and a private runway for jets. The estate also forms part of the wider Royal Thanda Club network, which includes Thanda Island—an exceptional private-island retreat off the coast of Tanzania—available for exclusive hire and also managed by Jumeirah.
If you’re looking simply for a holiday, you’re in luck: many owners make their residences available through Jumeirah Thanda Safari for discerning guests to book on an exclusive-use basis—the ultimate in hospitality during a Big Five safari.
Core Beliefs
Whichever villa you stay in, one emotion surfaces again and again: passion. You can have the finest accommodation and the most astonishing sightings, but at its heart it’s the people who make this place special. From guides who grew up in the bush, to expert trackers who risk their lives to bring joy, the villa teams who greet you with constant smiles—and the occasional burst of song and dance— their commitment is unmistakable. It’s impossible not to be swept up in their commitment and optimism. Delvaux puts it simply: “Africa is about people—it’s relationships, a journey; it’s nature and it’s love. That’s what ‘Thanda’ means”.
As Delvaux concludes—holding the 2006 Robb Report piece to the skyline—the dream didn’t merely come true; it grew roots. “The impossible becomes achievable when you believe,” he says. “Twenty years later, we’ve achieved everything we set out to do—now the proof of concept is real.” At Jumeirah Thanda Safari, vision became place and place became purpose. You come for safari and leave a little more in love with the wild.
