Hakuna Matata! - A Spa Indulgence with a Difference

The escape began with a rush through early morning traffic to Johannesburg International and a short flight on South African Express Airways to Richards Bay. The welcoming and friendly smile of Musa, our driver from Thanda, awaited us as we stepped off the plane into KwaZulu-Natal’s warm climate. Situated 23km north of Hluhluwe in northern Zululand, Thanda Private Game Reserve is a celebration of romance, nature, and the Zulu people with their rich culture.

Bernelee, a former Miss South Africa and now the busy mother of two young boys, could hardly contain her excitement about having a few days to herself. “Hakuna Matata!” she shouted, while pointing at a warthog crossing our path as we entered the gates to Thanda Private Game Reserve.

The word Thanda means love in Zulu, and this love and care is expressed in the attention to detail in everything you may experience at Thanda – from the warm-hearted reception to the bedtime story awaiting you on your pillow each evening, and every indulgence in between.

We were hosted in the fabulous private villas. Each spacious bush villa has a private splash pool and viewing deck, sala, lounge, fireplace and a full bathroom with an inside as well as an outside shower. The public area at the main lodge has a lounge, library, dining room, boma, dining deck, wine cellar, cigar bar, fully equipped business centre and viewing decks overlooking tranquil water features.

On our first morning, the cry of a nyala in the distance served as a wake-up call, signalling the dawn of our first full day of spa treatments and bush safaris. The spa is within walking distance of the villas and offers a magnificent view from the massage bed, where the magic hands of Daniella, one of the Spa’s beauty therapists, ease away every worry in the world.

The products of the world-class Thalgo Spa are rated as some of the best in the industry, with their various minerals and active ingredients designed to both preserve and rejuvenate the skin. Every treatment on offer is carefully discussed and planned with you beforehand, ensuring that you choose the treatment best suited to you. A spa bath and steam room await you before or after each treatment, or you can simply splash into the outdoor rock pool and heated Jacuzzi while admiring the magnificent vistas.

With over fourteen body treatments, five massage treatments and four specially designed signature treatments, it comes as little surprise that Thanda was voted as one of the top five Spas in South Africa by Les Nouvelles Esthétique during the 2005 Sanitas Per Aquas Spa Awards.

After a sumptuous breakfast, it was time to explore what the spa had to offer. Bernelee opted for the Marine Prelude – Dead Sea Mud used to purify and soften the skin with its mineral richness. Combined with marine salts, this treatment offers the ultimate in exfoliation and remineralisation of the skin.

Bernelee completed her treatments with the acclaimed Essentially African Hot Stone Massage. Edith and Michelle both opted for an array of treatments, including a Swedish massage, hydrating facial, and holistic reflexology – all under the expanse of the blue African sky.

After their spa treatments, our three guests were in a trance-like state of relaxation, and in anticipation of the night safari, we all spent the afternoon relaxing on our outdoor Bedouin beds.

With the enclosed reserve teeming with wildlife, Thanda offers two daily game drives, one before sunrise, and one to coincide with the sunset – ideal for a romantic sundowner. Guided by qualified game rangers, spotting the Big Five is the order of the day.

Upon your return from your evening game drive, dinner is served either in the privacy of your villa, or in the quiet and stylish restaurant where the resident chef serves an exquisite variation of Western and traditional Zulu cuisine. A master at preparing mouth-watering dishes, the chef will have you wanting to lick your plate and beg for more, which is more or less what Edith did! But don’t quote me on this…

Our party of five was the perfect fusion of nature lovers, spa enthusiasts and good all round company. With Michelle’s extensive knowledge of wildlife, all we had to do was ask, “Michelle, what was that?” and she would identify an animal according to its call and add an interesting folk tale about the particular species. Clearly there is more to this girl than just ballroom dancing!

When the time came to retire to our villas, an even greater surprise awaited each of us. The bathroom was littered with hundreds of rose petals, a spa bath was filled with aromatic bath products and an ice-cold bottle of bubbly was placed next to the bath. The only thing lacking was Antonio Banderas.

After a day of being spoiled and treated, it was with a sense of serenity that we all retired to our Bedouin beds, the reassuring lullaby of distant thunder and the far away roar of a lion offering a goodnight kiss on behalf of Thanda Private Game Reserve.

For reservations and further information, contact:
Tel: +27 (0)11 704 3115
Fax: +27 (0)11 462 5607
E-mail: reservations@thanda.co.za
www.thanda.co.za