Thonga Beach Lodge, Mabibi, KwaZulu Natal
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Telephone: +27 (0)35 474-1473, Facsimile: +27 (0)35 474-1490, Mobile: +27 (0)82 322-1642
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CATEGORIES: Accommodation in South Africa » Search by Map » South Africa Conferences » South Africa Guest Houses » South Africa Health Spas » South Africa Honeymoons » South Africa Hotels » South Africa Wedding Venues » DESCRIPTION: This intimate, luxury 24 bed lodge is nestled on the pristine coast of Maputaland, Northern KwaZulu Natal, within the Isimangaliso World Heritage Park (formerly Greater St Lucia Wetland Park) an internationally recognized World Heritage Site. It’s the ideal place to explore unspoilt, wilderness beaches. Thonga Beach Lodge is a magical place of coastal forests, grasslands, shimmering lakes and exquisite sandy beaches. Its crystal clear, warm waters offer superb snorkelling and unspoilt off-shore scuba diving, arguably the best in South Africa. Set above a private, sandy beach and nestled into magnificent coastal dune forest, Thonga Beach Lodge captures the essence of a luxury Robinson Crusoe hideaway. Traditional Thonga fishing villages provided the inspiration for this unique retreat that celebrates the true spirit of Mother Nature. AccommodationThe spacious, thatched suites are hidden in the coastal dune forest and raised on wooden stilts to ensure no harm comes to the sensitive dune soils. Inspired by Thonga architecture, the rooms have been carefully positioned to guarantee guest privacy. Some rooms offer sea views whilst others are set within the dune forest. All rooms at Thonga Beach Lodge have private balconies. Luxuriously decorated, the rooms exude a romantic ambiance. Bleached wood, glass and natural materials have been wisely used to create an open, airy feel. The en-suite rooms have a bathroom with bath, shower and twin vanity. Every suite has air conditioning. Main Lodge FacilitiesLarge coastal Milkwood trees set the scene for the ultimate beach experience. Carefully constructed into the coastal dune forest, Thonga Beach Lodge takes full advantage of its incredible position while being in complete harmony with the environment. The lounge, with its comfortable couches and a cosy fireplace, is the perfect place to unwind after a day at the beach. Located upstairs from the diningroom, it offers spectacular views of the beach as well as the incredible forest surrounding the lodge. It’s the ideal spot to relax with a sundowner or catch a breathtaking sunrise over a steaming mug of coffee. To beat the midday heat, guests can take it easy beside the lodge’s swimming pool or enjoy a delicious cocktail at the bar with its unique “ocean” bar counter. For those needing a little pampering, the lodge also has a rejuvenation centre where guests can revitalise body, mind and soul. The dining area - a large thatched ‘rondavel’ - opens on to an expansive wooden deck, where guests can enjoy Maputuland’s sultry weather and the lodge’s sumptuous meals. Most meals will be served al fresco, or, guests can head for the beach and dine by candlelight on the shores of the Indian Ocean. Sea Spa at Thonga Beach LodgeThe Sea Spa at Thonga Beach Lodge offers seaweed rejuvenation treatments, facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, hot stone therapy and reflexology. Attractions & ActivitiesLake Sibaya, Southern Africa’s largest fresh water lake, is only 6kms from the lodge and provides an interesting 25min drive through the local Tsonga community. From here you can either go on a guided kayaking trip or in the evening experience glorious sundowners with hippos and crocodiles nearby. Snorkelling Mabibi offers superb snorkelling opportunities. 1,250 fish species (Great Barrier Reef has 1500) occur on the reefs in this area. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean make this the ideal spot to snorkel or guests can simply soak up the sun and savour the tranquility of this pristine, sandy beach. Scuba Diving Scuba diving is phenomenal, with reefs located a short distance from the lodge. Shoals of game fish, sharks and schools of bottlenose dolphins are often seen. Our professional lodge diving team accommodates all enthusiasts; from the beginner to the veteran. Open Ocean Experience This adventure activity offers guests rare opportunities to experience the variety of marine life that live along the Elephant Coast. An exciting launch through the surf in front of the lodge takes you beyond the breakers to a world of dolphins, whales, whale sharks and snorkelling. The warm Indian Ocean supports a myriad of fish and marine life. Guests may encounter dolphins, whale sharks, manta rays and giant turtles. (Maximum 10 guests). Lake Sibaya (Sundowners and Kayaking) Lake Sibaya is 6km from the lodge, a 25-minute drive. Sundowners are offered on the shores of Southern Africa’s largest fresh water lake - Lake Sibaya (70 square km). The lake has 125km of untouched shoreline, good bird watching and a great diversity of fauna and flora. Guests can also explore parts of the lake by guided kayak with the chance of seeing hippo and crocodile en route. (A reasonable level of fitness is required as well as competent swimming and no children under 12 yrs old will be allowed). Bird Watching Birding at Thonga is excellent and the diversity of flora attracts a wide variety of species. Tsonga Cultural Experience Visit a local homestead, school and clinic and experience how the peaceful Tsonga people go about their rural lifestyles. Zulu Dancing / Singing Our local Mabibi school has put together a small team of singers and dancers and they will come to Thonga Beach Lodge by arrangement to perform for us. Donations are usually appreciated. |
| CURRENT RATES / BOOKING FORM: Available at: http://www.sa-venues.com/visit/thongabeachlodge/rates.php |
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DIRECTIONS: From Johannesburg Drive to Pongola then proceed on the N2 South towards Mkuze. Approximately 45km from Pongola and 10km before Mkuze turn left towards Jozini. On leaving Jozini take a left turn towards the “Coastal Forest Reserve and Kwangwanase” (signposted), ensuring that you are proceeding over the Pongola dam wall. After 45km at a T-junction turn right towards “Kwangwanase”. Proceed for another 47 km and at the circle turn right towards “Coastal Forest Reserve”. After 15km turn left onto a dirt road marked as “Coastal Forest Reserve”. You will see a large government sign indicating directions to Mabibi, Rocktail Bay etc.It is 4.7km along this road to the Coastal Cashew Factory on your right hand side, where you will be collected. There is a brown and white sign indicating Thonga Beach Lodge – non 4 x 4 car parking. The travelling time is approximately 7.5 hours. Upon reaching the Coastal Cashew Factory, two-wheel drive vehicles will park and guests will be transferred to the lodge in Thonga Beach Lodge vehicles (approximately 1 hour). The parking is secured and the entrance guarded. Please note that we have two transfers per day: 12h00 and 15h00. These transfers have to be pre-booked when confirming your stay. Four-wheel drive vehicles can proceed straight to the lodge following the “Coastal Forest Reserve” and “Thonga Beach Lodge” signs. Please note The road from Jozini often has cattle wandering across it and so caution and slower driving speeds are encouraged. Also particularly around the area of Tembe Elephant Park, the road has quite a few potholes. We have been advised that currently there are also some roadworks along this route, which may cause delays. If you would prefer an alternate route, do not turn off at Jozini, but rather continue on further south on the N2 taking the Hluhluwe turn off instead and proceed as per below directions. From Durban Proceed on the N2 North to Hluhluwe. Turn off the N2 towards Hluhluwe, proceeding through the town until you reach the last traffic circle (there will be 4 in total). Turn left towards Mbazwana/Sodwana Bay and proceed for 0.7 km and turn right again towards Sodwana Bay/Mbazwana. Shortly after turning right you will cross over a railway line. Proceed for 87 km bypassing Mbazwana on your right. Proceed straight through the circles following the signs to “Coastal Forest Reserve”. Proceed for 33 km after Mbazwana (passing the Mseleni turn-off) turning right onto a dirt road marked as “Coastal Forest Reserve”. You will see a large government sign indicating directions to Mabibi, Rocktail Bay etc. It is 4.7km along this road to the Coastal Cashew Factory on your right hand side, where you will be collected. This is sign marked with a brown and white sign. The travelling time is approximately 4.5 hours. Upon reaching the Coastal Cashew Factory, two-wheel drive vehicles will park and guests will be transferred to the lodge in Thonga Beach Lodge vehicles (approximately 1 hour). The parking is secured and the entrance guarded. Please note that we have two transfers per day: 12h00 and 15h00. These transfers have to be pre-booked when confirming your stay. Four-wheel drive vehicles can proceed straight to the lodge following the “Coastal Forest Reserve” and “Thonga Beach Lodge” signs. • Please note that Thonga Beach Lodge is not accessible by 2-wheel drive, so please specify if you require a transfer from the parking area. Pick up times 12h00 and 15h00 • The charge for the transfer is R150.00 per person return. Please note that there will be an extra charge of R100.00 per person per transfer for all late/early arrivals and departures. If guests are running late / early it is of the utmost importance to contact the lodge and notify them of the change • Once you turn off the tar road it is a poor condition sand road so guests must ensure they do not travel this road after 16h00 and exercise caution. Please phone the lodge as you leave Jozini (from the north) or Hluhluwe (from the south) so that we are aware of your whereabouts in time to make any necessary changes to our collection times if you are running late. • Check in time is after 12h00 and check out time is 10h00 • Please also exercise caution along this road and do not stop for strangers. Under no circumstances should guests use the Sibaya Lake road, as there have been security issues along this road in the past. MAP: Available at: http://www.sa-venues.com/visit/thongabeachlodge/map.php |
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