Françoise Malby-Anthony

Françoise Malby Anthony was born in the south of France and moved to South Africa in 1987 after meeting in London her late husband, conservationist and international bestselling author Lawrence Anthony.

In 1998, they transformed a rundown hunting reserve in Zululand into Thula Thula Game Reserve, now renowned for its commitment to wildlife conservation and ethical eco-tourism.

After Lawrence’s passing in 2012, Françoise continued and expanded his legacy. She founded the Thula Thula Rhino Fund and the South African Conservation Fund, established a wildlife rehabilitation centre and volunteer academy, and led the expansion of vital elephant habitat. Today, she manages Thula Thula and its two safari lodges with a dedicated team of 65 staff, with all conservation efforts funded through responsible tourism.

Françoise is the author of three internationally acclaimed books. An Elephant in My Kitchen is her deeply personal memoir, continuing the story of The Elephant Whisperer, and recounting the challenges, heartbreak and humour of life in the African bush after the loss of her husband.

Her second book, The Elephants of Thula Thula shares captivating stories of the reserve’s elephants and wildlife, celebrating resilience, conservation successes and coexistence with the wild.

Her latest book, Dining with Elephants, is a unique blend of memoir and culinary storytelling, combining true bush-life adventures with French-inspired recipes created alongside her Zulu kitchen team — a celebration of coexistence, creativity and life lived close to nature.

Françoise’s work has earned her international recognition, including the Chevalier de l’Ordre national du Mérite from the French government, in honour of her contribution to wildlife conservation.