TALA Private Game Reserve is a wildlife conservancy hidden in the hills of a quiet farming community not far from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We are ever aware that as guardians of this precious piece of Africa we have a responsibility to pass this sanctuary on to future generations.

TALA’s mix of acacia thornveld, open grassland and sensitive wetland provides exceptional game watching and birding, setting the stage for that perfect photograph.

We have a number of superb venues and a service team committed to providing you with a unique experience. TALA is ideally located for conferences, weddings, celebrations or simply a short retreat to rejuvenate and relax. 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 Durban's finest game reserve and is located between the city and Pietermaritizburg.

TALA Private Game Reserve offers both luxury and more rustic accommodation.

LUXURY

Leadwood Lodge: 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 six spacious luxury cottages are appointed with the finest hardwood furniture and fine linen, romantically tucked away in the bush in complete privacy.

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.

Figtree Lodge: Figtree is a fully serviced and catered lodge for groups of up to ten. Complete with a dedicated attendant, the lodge has an old-world farmstead atmosphere that is carried through to the individual service and wholesome food.

With verandas around three sides of the house overlooking a waterhole, the lodge has instant appeal and is completely relaxing. All five rooms have an en-suite bathroom, congregating around a central open plan lounge with a stocked bar and dining area. Figtree provides the perfect setting for small conferences and tranquil getaways with family and friends.

Paperbark Lodge: Paperbark Lodge centres on a former farmhouse on the TALA Private Game Reserve. Its large fireplace, mahogany floors and polished verandas have been beautifully restored.

The lodge combines a number of ideas and influences, reflected in the décor, merging dramatic wildlife paintings and highback chairs with shale walls and ethnic statuettes. The lodge extends around an attractive garden lined with gravel pathways and a cascading water-feature.

There are a total of 17 rooms, and a romantic rondavel overlooking the rock-pool for honeymooners. The sumptuous premier suite features a sitting room, spacious bathroom with ball-and-claw tub and four-poster bed.

Mahogany Lodge: Mahogany Lodge is situated within walking distance from Paperbark Lodge.

Originally an old farmhouse Mahogany has recently been renovated into a beautiful lodge with 5 en-suite bathrooms all leading off the central communal lounge area. Adjacent to Mahogany Lodge is Mahogany Rondavel. This free standing room with its wooden floors and quaint balcony that overlooks the nearby pool is perfect for honeymooners or for couples looking to relax and spend some quality time together.

Aloe Lodge: Situated adjacent to the La TALA Restaurant, Aloe Lodge enjoys an elevated view of the reserve that spans out over the grasslands, a favourite grazing area of the reserve’s antelope and rhino.

Eleven comfortably furnished rooms with en-suite bathrooms are positioned around the lodge’s natural gardens, which are kept trim by the resident family of warthogs.

RUSTIC

Rondavels: Our 2 self-catering rondavels situated in front of a private watering hole are perfectly placed in a remote area of the reserve. Each has an en-suite bathroom and separate braai facilities with a central boma.

Both rondavels have recently been refurbished and, even though they are listed as one of our Rustic Lodges, their stylish décor and soft furnishings add a touch of home comfort to your bush holiday.

A-frames: Each one of the 5 stand alone rooms is fitted with twin beds and has its own braai area. They all share a communal kitchen, ablution facilities and boma area and are situated a stones throw away from TALA’s beautiful rock pools – the perfect place to relax with your family, around a braai on a lazy summer afternoon.

Fisherman's Cottage: This self-catering, stand-alone house surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens is easily visible as you drive onto the reserve. The two units can comfortably each sleep up to 4 people sharing.

Fully catered and self-catering accommodation is available, as well a TALA's award winning a la carte restaurant.

La TALA Restaurant: This spectacular thatched restaurant features a beautifully aged tree as a central element to the décor. Elegantly weathered and bare, it has been tastefully draped in fairy lights to create a starry night fantasy that completes your magical romantic evening.

To add warmth to the room we have a magnificently crafted rock fireplace which is complimented by the grand marble and thatch bar. The views from the two verandas on either side of the restaurant overlook the bush and resident game, which often saunter up to graze right on your doorstep.

The menu has been specially designed by our executive chef to create a delicately balanced fusion of flavours. Our wine list has recently been awarded a Platinum Award by Diners Club International and perfectly compliments the food selection.

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.

Quad biking, picnic facilities and an Education Centre for children and schools are also available.

Let the splendour of the African bush inspire you and your colleagues. Enjoy great facilities and settings at TALA Game Reserve.

A day out the office requires a setting that inspires. TALA is only minutes away from Pietermaritzburg and forty-five minutes from Durban. Whether it’s a day-trip for executive members or an overnight stay for the whole team, TALA takes you away from the distractions of the city, and puts your delegates in the midst of a natural sanctuary complete with rhino, giraffe, hippo and a wealth of smaller game.

As TALA we match faultless service and luxury accommodation with modern technology and incredible attention to detail. Whether formal and intensive or relaxed and undemanding, we work hand-in-hand with your conference coordinator to create a conference that is set to your specifications.

Conclude the day with a game drive at dusk, followed by cocktails and a delicious meal at the lodge. At TALA we go out of our way to make your conference productive and memorable.

Conference Venues:

• Paperbark Conference Room
• Paperbark Restaurant
• Leadwood Lodge
• La Tala Restaurant
• Aloe Lodge Conference Room
• Boma (at Aloe Lodge)
• Acacia
• Figtree Auditorium
• Figtree Barn
• Tamboti Eco Conference Centre.

Between 12 and 250 delegates can be accommodated at the various, fully equipped venues.

Beach and Bush Adventures, one of South Africa's top corporate teambuilding and event organising operators, offers a variety of teambuilding and activity options which can take place onsite at TALA.

To learn more about what we can do for you and your organisation, please contact us at: bookings@beachandbush.co.za or phone Sean on +27 82 902 5672.

Rates available on enquiry.