Thula Thula Private Game Reserve, located at D312 Buchanana Main Rd, in Empangeni, in South Africa, was founded in 1911, opened for public in 1911.
At Thula Thula Private Game Reserve lives 4 elephants with records in this database: (detail list)
Thula Thula was once the private hunting grounds of the mighty Zulu Warrior, King Shaka. The first historic meeting between Shaka and his father, Senzangakhona, which set the stage for the creation of the Zulu Nation, took place at the Nseleni River at Thula Thula. 1911: The land became a game reserve in 1911 and is believed to be the oldest private game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. 1999: In 1999 Lawrence Anthony was asked to accept a herd of 'rogue' wild elephants from Mpumalanga onto Thula Thula which were destined to be shot unless alternative arrangements could be made. The herd was housed in a boma on Thula Thula but managed to break free and escape. The elephants were successfully tracked, recovered and transported back to Thula Thula. The story of their rehabilitation and Lawrence's subsequent relationship with the herd is told in his book The Elephant Whisperer. 2018: The elephant herd, including Nana, Frankie and Mabula are still at Thula Thula as of 2018. The herd has grown to 29 elephants as of 2018. 2021: The matriarch Frankie died of a liver failure in January 2021, 28 elephants remain at Thula Thula.
