NOT JUST A DESTINATION… A MAGICAL WORLD OF ITS OWN IN THE HEART OF ZULULAND FOR ANIMAL AND NATURE LOVERS!

Thula Thula was also home of the late bestselling author and conservationist Lawrence Anthony, who passed away on March 2012. His second book, the international best seller THE ELEPHANT WHISPERER (2009) relates the story of the rescue of a herd of seven elephants, and the special relationship he created with the herd. His widow, Francoise Malby Anthony, carries on his conservation projects and the running of the two lodges. Her two books, AN ELEPHANT IN MY KITCHEN (2018) and THE ELEPHANTS OF THULA THULA (2022) both inspirational and compelling reads, tell the story of Thula Thula since its humble beginnings in 1998. A roller coaster of emotions with the joys and challenges of a life dedicated to conservation which place the readers in the middle of the action.

Thula Thula offers exclusive accommodation with the stylish ELEPHANT SAFARI LODGE, renowned gourmet destination, and the LUXURY TENTED CAMP, for an authentic African bush experience in a relaxed atmosphere where children are welcome.

Francoise and Lawrence met in London in January 1987 and she moved from Paris to South Africa in December 1987.

They were based in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal until 1998, when they bought a rundown hunting game reserve in the heart of Zululand, and named it Thula Thula, Zulu word for “peace and tranquility”

After Lawrence wrote the best seller “The Elephant Whisperer” in 2009, the emotional story of how he saved a herd of wild elephants from death by rescuing them and bringing trust into humans for the first time, he became recognised as an international best-selling author and conservationist. Lawrence passed away on the 2nd of March 2012 from a heart attack.

Francoise carries on his conservation work at Thula Thula game reserve as well as the running of both lodges. In August 2012 she created the Thula Thula Rhino Fund, after one of her orphan rhinos were shot at by poachers just 2 weeks after Lawrence passed. The Rhino Fund initiated several projects aimed at the protection of the rhinos and the creation of a rehabilitation centre for rhinos who have been orphaned from poaching. The rhino orphanage closed down after a poaching tragedy in February 2017.

In 2016, Francoise founded the South African Conservation Fund, Thula Thula non-profit organisation, which incorporated the Rhino fund and wildlife protection actions, as well other conservation projects as the expansion of Thula Thula for the elephant habitat, as the herd from seven elephants on their arrival in 1999 is now twenty eight and they are in great need of additional space.

Part of the conservation projects and the SACF (South African Conservation Fund) The Thula Thula Wildlife rehabilitation centre opened in 2017 where orphans or wounded wildlife is being taken care of before being rehabilitated into the wild where they belong, and the Thula Thula Volunteers Academy, where people from all over the world come to work and be educated into the world of conservation in an African game reserve. The volunteers Camp academy opened on the 1st of July 2018.

Francoise runs Thula Thula with her team of 50 loyal employees. As hunting is not permitted, all funds for conservation are generated by the two lodges at Thula Thula, the Elephant Safari Lodge and the luxury tented camp that Francoise created in 2000 and 2006. These lodges welcome local and international guests for eco and photo safaris. Thula Thula also relies on the generosity of donors to the South African Conservation Fund to support all her wildlife conservation efforts.