Jumeirah Thanda Safari unveils its most exclusive experience, the Five Bedroom Grand Royal Residence – known as Villa Thandawena, meaning “love you” in Zulu – which is now available for bookings.
The new Five Bedroom Grand Royal Residence is set within the exclusive Royal Thanda Club Estate by Jumeirah Thanda Safari, a 386‐hectare access-controlled enclave, inside the wider game reserve, comprising of privately owned Royal Residences that are all individually designed and furnished.
As the flagship of the Royal Residences collection, the Five Bedroom Grand Royal Residence brings together contemporary architecture and the spirit of Zululand to create a retreat offering rare experiences that celebrate both modern design and the untamed beauty of the African wilderness. Among the plethora of experiences and amenities that make this Residence truly unique, guests can enjoy exclusive use of a private helicopter providing seamless transfers to their personal helipad and an aerial orientation of the reserve.
Every space in the Residence has been designed with intent. Luxurious Hästens beds, Gessi sanware, brass accents, assiduously selected marble, and solid oak doors, set a new standard for comfort, while pre-historic volcanic rock sourced directly from the site, forms a dramatic part of the architecture. Each of the five bedrooms is elevated and carefully orientated at slightly different angles to ensure privacy and uninterrupted views, while reflecting the natural vegetation and geology of the landscape. The use of butterfly-shaped roofs, framing charcoal coloured steel apertures, enhances the aesthetic allure, inviting natural light to flood the interiors.
The Residence seamlessly blurs the lines between indoor and outdoor living. Floating above the natural slope of the hillside, it features distinct dining spaces, including a sweeping deck overlooking the reserve, a fire-lit barbeque Boma, and an expansive bar area. Guests can enjoy a Himalayan salt sauna, yoga pavilion, and a spectacular infinity pool suspended seven metres above ground – complete with a deep inset jacuzzi and children’s pool area. Paying homage to its sister property, Jumeirah Thanda Island, the pool is clad in Porcelanosa tiles from Spain, colour-matched to the island’s vibrant coral reef. A striking fire pit, inspired by the Olympic torch, symbolises excellence, while a wooden balcony design reminiscent of the Buffalo Thorn tree – whose two-pointed thorns reflect the Zulu belief in remembering where we are going and where we have been – further underscores a connection to the land. Guests can also take advantage of exceptional amenities such as stargazing through an on-site telescope, with the region’s night skies entirely free from light pollution.
Experiences are at the heart of a stay at Jumeirah Thanda Safari. Each day, guests can look forward to daily game drives in an open-top safari vehicle and bush walks across the 16,500-hectare private game reserve, spanning rolling hills of untouched wilderness. Set within the historic King Shaka’s region of Zululand and the Mduna Royal Reserve held in trust by the Zulu King, Jumeirah Thanda Safari is home to the Big Five, as well as giraffe, zebra, hyena, plains game, and over 300 species of bird, offering guests abundant wildlife spotting opportunities. Guests can also actively engage in the reserve’s ongoing conservation programmes for critically endangered species such as the black rhino and cheetah, under the guidance of the reserve’s expert team.
For younger guests, there is the option to take part in a Junior Rangers Course, while village visits and tours of historical sites allow guests to form a deeper connection with the Zulu heritage of the region. Guests can also experience wildlife photography lessons, spa treatments, yoga sessions, and movie nights, as well as charter a private helicopter for bespoke adventures beyond the reserve.
When it comes to dining, exquisite meals are prepared by the reserve’s Executive Chef, who works closely with the hospitality team to craft bespoke gourmet menus that celebrate African flavours, beautifully pairing each dish with fine South African wines. Guests can look forward to everything from al-fresco breakfasts, bush dining experiences, and fire-lit dinners, as well as memorable sundowner moments surrounded by the wildlife of the reserve.
For more information on the Five Bedroom Grand Royal Residence and to book, please visit https://www.jumeirah.com/en/stay/south-africa/jumeirah-thanda-safari/accommodation/five-bedroom-grand-royal-residence