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Thonga Beach Lodge, in Kwazulu Natal, is a stylish and relaxed beach lodge on the shores of the secluded Mabibi bay in northern KwaZulu Natal. It lies within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, with no other lodges within 50 km.
Mabibi Beach is a magical place with a long sandy beach, snorkelling reefs, coastal forest and shimmering lakes behind. Thonga Beach Lodge, nestling in the canopy of the dune forest, offers panoramic ocean views. It has a spacious, relaxed beach feel with a stylish outdoor eating area, a secluded upstairs seating area with a DVD player for children, a chic open air bar and wooden walkways leading to the rooms.
However, Thonga Beach Lodge is in no way a resort – it doesn’t have extensive watersports or a kid’s club for example. Rather the emphasis is on relaxed coastal living with a variety of activities which you can sign up for on the board, if you want to…
The thatched en-suite rooms have been carefully constructed in the coastal dune forest to ensure minimum impact on the environment. Five have sea views and seven have forest views and perhaps greater privacy. Built within an extremely sensitive milkwood forest, no trees were allowed to be cut down. This means that even the sea view rooms do not have completely un-obscured ocean views. Luxuriously decorated, the rooms exude a romantic ambiance. Bleached wood, glass and natural materials have been used to create an open, airy feel. Each has a double vanity unit, bath, indoor/outdoor shower, separate toilet, minibar, ceiling fan, air-conditioning, mosquito net and private balcony.
There are also two Ocean View Suites with a private plunge pool on the deck. These have the best views and are also ideal for families as they have a separate living room which can be used as a second bedroom. Other facilities at Thonga Beach Lodge include a new swimming pool, curio shop, spa & wellness centre with various spa treatments on offer and a dive centre for all water sports activities.
This part of South Africa, in Kwazulu Natal is one of my favourite areas with its lush vegetation, unspoilt setting and friendly people. Activities at Thonga Beach Lodge revolve around the ocean and nearby Lake Sibaya. Complimentary activities include snorkelling direct from the beach, bird-watching and sundowner cruises or guided canoe trips on Lake Sibaya and turtle tracking walks in season (November to mid February). The white sandy beach is about 25 metres away via a board walk with an extended deck with sun loungers overlooking the beach. You can also dine here overlooking the ocean.
Various additional activities are on offer such as scuba diving, dive courses, cultural village visits and boat-based turtle tracking as optional extras.
Scuba diving at Mabibi is phenomenal, with reefs located only a short distance from Thonga Beach Lodge. Shoals of game fish, sharks and schools of bottlenose dolphins are often seen. 1,250 fish species can be found on these reefs (Great Barrier Reef has 1500). The Ocean Experience is great for seeing whales and dolphins with an exciting boat launch in the surf. You can sometimes swim with dolphins or whale sharks or snorkel with manta rays and giant turtles if you are lucky.
Birding is excellent and the variety of habitats attracts a great diversity of species. Typical coastal species include Livingstone’s and purple-crested lourie, green twinspot, grey waxbill and green coucal. Waders are common along the shoreline, and pink throated longclaw and rufous-bellied heron frequent the marshy areas. Lake Sibaya has recorded 279 bird species including the palmnut vulture, the only fruit-eating vulture in the world, Pel’s fishing owl and the pygmy goose.
Children are very welcome at Thonga Beach Lodge. Two small children (or one teenager) can share with parents or you can take the Ocean View suite for more space.
Double or Twin Ocean View Room , double vanity, shower, mini bar and tea and coffee making facilities. Rooms are air-conditioned,overhead fans, mosquito nets, safes and hair dryers.
Double or Twin Forest View Room , double vanity, shower, mini bar and tea and coffee making facilities. Rooms are air-conditioned,overhead fans, mosquito nets, safes and hair dryers.
The rooms are nestled into the Dune Forest.
Double or Twin Ocean View Room , double vanity, bath, indoor and outdoor shower, mini bar and tea and coffee making facilities. Rooms are air-conditioned,overhead fans, mosquito nets, safes and hair dryers. This suite has a private plunge pool on a private deck.
Family forest view comprises two bedrooms both en-suite (main bedroom has bath & shower, double vanity and toilet), second bedroom has shower only, single vanity and toilet. The two bedrooms are linked by a passage way, Both bedrooms have separate entrances.safe.
Both bedrooms are air conditioned, have overhead fans and mosquito nets. The main bedroom has a mini bar, tea & coffee making facilities, hair dryer and safe.
This luxury family room comprises two bedrooms both en-suite (main bedroom has bath & shower, double vanity and toilet and an outside shower). The second bedroom has a shower only, single vanity and toilet. The two bedrooms are separated by a large deck with private plunge pool. Both bedrooms have separate entrances.
Both bedrooms are air conditioned, have overhead fans and mosquito nets. The main bedroom has a mini bar, safe, hair dryer and tea and coffee making facilities.
Property Facilities
24-hour Security, Bar, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Laundry Service (Available), Pool, Restaurant, Secure Parking, Spa
Room Facilities
Air Conditioning, Balcony / Deck, Bath, Electrical Outlets, En-Suite, Fan, Fridge, Hair Dryer, Laundry Facilities, Laundry Service (Available), Mini Bar, Mosquito Nets, Outside Shower, Plunge Pool, Private Pool / Jacuzzi, Safe, Shower, Tea / Coffee, Verandah
Available Services
Airport Shuttle (Available), Babysitting Service, Credit Card Facilities
Activities on Site
Bird Watching, Boating, Canoeing, Catch-and-release Fishing, Fine Dining, High Tea, Kayaking, Massages, Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Turtle Tracking, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Whale Watching
Activities Nearby
Beach, Bird Watching, Boat Cruises, Canoeing, Child Friendly Activities, Cultural Tours, Deep Sea Fishing, Fishing, Game Drives, Kayaking / Paddling, Sea Kayaking, Snorkeling, Surfing, Turtle Tracking, Walks (Guided), Walks (Self Guided), Whale Watching
SCUBA diving at Mabibi is phenomenal. Our professional lodge diving team can accommodate enthusiasts, from the beginner to the veteran. For those who don't dive, we have an Open Ocean Experience. An exciting launch through the surf in front of the lodge takes you beyond the breakers to a world of dolphins, whales and many other creatures. The warm Indian Ocean supports a myriad of fish and marine life.
Guests can sometimes swim with dolphins or whale sharks, or snorkel with Manta rays and giant turtles. Scuba Diving and ocean experience are at an extra cost.
Daily guided snorkeling is done a 5 minute walk away from the Lodge at low tide in our beautiful rock pools. Guided snorkelling is included in the rate.
In summer there are nocturnal walks and drives along the beach in search of pre-historic turtles laying their eggs. Witness the culmination of an incredible journey as giant Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in carefully prepared nests.
Turtle tracking is offered in the evening from November to end of February. The turtles lay their eggs from November to February. Hatchlings arrive from end December to end February.
Every precaution is taken to ensure these magnificent creatures are not disturbed during the laying process and data collected from the turtle drives is submitted to the Ezemvelo Turtle Monitoring program.
Turtle walks take place 3 times a week and are included in the rate.
Nightly turtle tracking in 4x4 vehicle is at an extra cost.
Open Ocean Experience. An exciting launch through the surf in front of the lodge takes you beyond the breakers to a world of dolphins, whales and many other creatures. The warm Indian Ocean supports a myriad of fish and marine life.
Guests can sometimes swim with dolphins or snorkel with Manta rays and giant turtles
Ocean Experience is an extra charge.
A leisurely drive along the lake shore looking for Hippo's , Birds and Crocodiles, then surrounded by the magical sounds of dusk settle with a drink to watch the sunset over the lake. Sundowners are Included in the rate, with either a glass of house wine, cider, local beer or soft drink per person.
Daily tours are on offer to visit the local rural Community of Mabibi. This includes a visit to the clinic and the school, as well as a homestead visit. Optional is to include a visit to the local Sangoma (witch doctor), which may incur a cost.
Standard tours are included in the rate.
Relax with a soothing treatment in the Sea Spa - extra charge.
Daily guided walks through the indigenous dune forest, where the local guides share their knowledge of the flora and fauna. This activity is included in the rate.
Take a fat bike out for a ride along the beach - great excercise and fun.
Thonga Beach Dining
Enjoy al fresco dining weather permitting on the deck under huge milkwood trees.
