Leadwood Lodge

Luxury cottages • Wildlife conservancy • Prolific birdlife • Big Game viewing • Guided horseback rides

There are times when we get so caught up in our lives that we forget to appreciate the finer details. At Tala - Durban’s finest Game Reserve attention is paid to to every detail, ensuring that you have an experience like no other...

Tala Private Game Reserve is a wildlife conservancy hidden in the hills of a quiet farming community not far from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. It is a mix of acacia thornveld, open grassland and sensitive wetland and provides exceptional game watching and birding, setting the stage for that perfect photograph. Tala allows you to get closer to nature, to really interact with the environment and animals, and to experience the sights, sounds and smells of the African bush.

Tala is a wildlife sanctuary. Spanning over 3000 hectares and incorporating many diverse natural environments, the reserve features well over 380 bird species, with big game that includes rhino, kudu, hippo, giraffe and the rare sable antelope.  Several distinctive and remarkable plant species are also to be found on Tala. The fiery aloe in full bloom, the imposing euphorbia and the smell of the fragrant wild sage on a dewy morning make every stay at the reserve unique and memorable.

There are a number of ways to experience the outdoors at Tala. Game drives are held throughout the day with experienced guides.  Guided horseback rides for the more experienced riders along the water’s edge gives a close proximity to the animals, and bush walks along the many trails are an exciting way to explore the reserve. There are also picnic facilities around Tala’s tranquil rock pools. If adrenaline induced activities is more your style then there is just the thing for you!  Tala now offers quad biking as a more exciting alternative to explore the reserve.

Built by a team of artisans with locally sourced shale, Leadwood Lodge combines exceptional architecture, towering thatch and resplendent finishes against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty.

Leadwood is the residence and dream home of the reserve’s owner. The décor is an eclectic merging of antique and organic Africa with one-of-a-kind artistic elements. The lodge was designed on an ethic of ‘nothing straight, nothing painted’ and the final result is a masterpiece of earth, water, glass and hardwoods.

Leadwood Lodge is a place to be indulged, pampered by perceptive service and saturated by the magnificent view. The executive chef brings a wealth of boutique hotel experience to Leadwood, and has a rare talent for fusing simple flavours with the sublime. The cellar boasts a wonderful selection of fine wines that will accompany any meal. The six spacious luxury cottages are appointed with the finest hardwood furniture and fine linen, romantically tucked away in the bush in complete privacy.

[ Contact us to plan your safari ]