South African Lodges

Thonga Beach Lodge Reviews & Information

Use the drop down below to find out more information about Thonga Beach Lodge.

Below detailed information about the Thonga Beach Lodge is available.
For any queries regarding this hotel, you are welcome to contact us.

Restaurants

Dining at the Thonga Beach Lodge

The dining area at the Thonga Beach Lodge is a large thatched rondavel which leads onto an expansive wooden deck.  It is here where guests enjoy the lodge’s delicious meals.  Most meals are served al fresco, and as an alternative, guests may choose the beach and dine by candlelight on the shores of the warm Indian Ocean.

Activities, Sports & Leisure

Swimming

The Thonga Beach Lodge features an inviting outdoor swimming pool which guests can enjoy during their stay.

Snorkeling

Bird watching at the Thonga Beach Lodge is excellent as the diversity of the flora found here is home to a wide variety of bird species. Coastal bird species found here include Green Twinspot, Livingstone’s and Purple Crested Touraco, Grey Waxbill and Green Coucal. 

Waders can be observed along the shoreline while the Pink-Throated Longclaw, as well as the Rufousbellied Heron, live in the marshy regions of the wetland area. The Palmnut Vulture can also regularly seen here.

Bird watching

Bird watching at the Thonga Beach Lodge is excellent as the diversity of the flora found here is home to a wide variety of bird species.   Coastal bird species found here include Green Twinspot, Livingstone’s and Purple Crested Touraco, Grey Waxbill and Green Coucal.  

Waders can be observed along the shoreline while the Pink-Throated Longclaw as well as the Rufousbellied Heron live in the marshy regions of the wetland area. The Palmnut Vulture can also regularly seen here.

Scuba diving

Guests have the great opportunity to scuba dive at Mabibi which is a great experience.  Its magnificent reefs are situated in close proximity to the Thonga Beach Lodge.  Great shoals of game fish, schools of bottlenose dolphins as well as sharks are often seen here. Beginners and experienced scuba divers are accommodated.

An incredible 1,250 fish species are home on the reefs in this coastal region of South Africa.  Scuba dives are available from a dive boat which can hold a maximum of 8 divers. The scuba diving boat launches straight from the lodge where the adventure of the underwater world begins.

Open Ocean Experience

This thrilling adventure provides visitors with the rare chance to experience the great variety of marine life which lives along the Elephant Coast of South Africa.

After the exciting launch through the surf at the lodge, the Open Ocean Experience takes guests beyond the breakers to admire whales, dolphins, whale sharks and snorkeling can be enjoyed. The warm Indian Ocean off the Africa coast is home to colorful fish and marine life. With some luck, visitors swim with whale sharks and dolphins or snorkel with manta rays and giant turtles. 

Guided Kayak Tour on Lake Sibaya

The Sibaya Lodge is located about 6km away from the Thonga Beach Lodge, a 25-minute drive. During the guided kayak tour, visitors have the chance of encountering hippos and crocodiles. With its 70 square kilometres being Southern Africa's largest freshwater lake, Sibaya Lake offers beautiful spots for sundowners. The Ramsar Convention has international conservation status, and the Sibaya Lodge features 125 kilometres of magnificent coastline which is ideal for bird watching.

Guided walks

Beautiful guided walks await the visitor through the unique coastal dune forests, the spectacular sandy beaches and the grasslands. Maputuland's wild beauty is especially liked by photographers and naturalists alike.

Turtle tracking

During the summer, guests can arrange for walks and drives during the night along the beach in order to look for egg-laying turtles.  One can observe the culmination of a wonderful journey as Giant Loggerhead and Leatherback turtles come to the shore to lay their eggs in the carefully prepared nests.  This exciting activity is offered from November to February.  It is assured that the turtles are not disturbed by this activity during the laying process.

Fishing

Known as one of the country's best fishing destinations, the Maputuland coastline provides a perfect place for surf fishing and fly-fishing which guests can try out.  The Hully Point at Mabibi is famous as a fly-fishing spot.

Tsonga Cultural Experience

Guests staying at the Thonga Beach Lodge may visit a Tsonga homestead to get to know their culture and heritage. Participants of this tour spend time with the community talking about their rural lifestyle. Local schools can also be visited during the Tsonga Cultural Experience.

Conferences & Events

Conferences at the Thonga Beach Lodge

The Thonga Beach Lodge is an ideal destination for conferencing and team building. There are many exciting activities available complemented by team building challenges. The maximum number of guests that the lodge can accommodate is 24 delegates.  Twelve guests can be seated comfortably in the lodge's Mezzanine Lounge.

The dining area at the Thonga Beach Lodge in South Africa is suitable for small conferences, with tables available which can either be connected up or separated into breakaway groups.  Conferences can take place on the decks under the trees, or in the lodge's dining room. A flip chart and whiteboard is available for meetings, and additional conference equipment are available upon prior bookings.  Several areas are available within the Thonga Beach Lodge itself for small breakaway groups as well as the swimming pool deck, lounge, reception and the beach.  

Services

Check in and Check Out Times
  • Check in: 14:00
  • Check out: 10:00
General Services
  • Airport transfers
  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping service
  • Individual climate controlled room
  • Safety deposit box
  • Secure parking
Malaria Status and Animals
  • Thonga Beach Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, is located in a low-risk malaria region, and we, therefore, recommend that visitors consult their doctor in regards to anti-malaria prophylactic.  

    The use of mosquito repellant is highly recommended.

Children Policy
  • Thonga Beach Lodge welcomes children of all ages.  At any one time, the lodge allows no more than six children under eight years old.  Babysitting services can be booked upon prior arrangement.  

    Exciting children activities are available during the day for kids between the ages 3 and 8.

    Children payment policy:

    • 12 years and under they pay 50% of the full tariff when sharing with two adults
    • Between 12 yrs and 18 years pay 75% of the full fare if sharing with adults
    • Children 3 and under are free of charge when sharing with two adults.

    Dining for children

    A special dinner seating is available for children of 8 years and younger between 6 - 8 pm.  Parents are welcome to join their children for dinner at the earlier time, the staff at Thonga will liaise with the parents in regards to these arrangements.

Available Rooms

Family Forest Room

# Rooms:
7

Twin Forest Room

# Rooms:
7

The Thonga Beach Lodge in KwaZulu-Natal features a total of twelve suites in chic Robinson Crusoe style.  The thatched suites, which feature en-suite bathrooms, were built in the natural coastal dune forest to ensure only minimum impact on the environment while, at the same time, providing comfort in the rooms.

Located in the dune forest the seven twin rooms with Forest Views measuring 50 square meters offer a double vanity, indoor shower, stone bath, separate toilet, while a bar fridge, a ceiling fan, a mosquito net, a private balcony and air conditioning is also available.

Ocean View Room

# Rooms:
5

The Thonga Beach Lodge also features rooms from where magnificent views over the ocean can be enjoyed.  There are 2 x double rooms and 3 x twin rooms available in this room category.

The Ocean View Rooms at Thonga feature an indoor shower and stone bath, a double vanity, a separate toilet while a bar fridge, ceiling fan, mosquito net and a private balcony is also available.  Air conditioning is available in all room types at the Thonga Beach Lodge.

It is to be noted that the Thonga Beach Lodge is an eco-friendly lodge situated in a World Heritage site in South Africa and was constructed in a very sensitive Milkwood Forest.  The lodge is not allowed to cut down any trees to preserve the natural vegetation in this environment.  Therefore, over the years, the forest has expanded and some sea view suites at Thonga do not provide a full 180-degree ocean view.

Deluxe Ocean View Family Room

Deluxe Ocean View Room

The Deluxe Ocean View Suite are more spacious then the other suites and offer spectacular views over the sea.  Features in this suite include a stone bath, an indoor shower, a double vanity and a separate toilet.  Air conditioning, a bar fridge, ceiling fan, mosquito net and a private balcony are also provided.

 

GPS Co-Ordinates

Latitude: -27.330093

Longitude: 32.749865

Directions

Directions from Johannesburg to the Thonga Beach Lodge:

Head to Piet Retief and Pongola then proceed to the N2 south towards Mkuze.
Approximately 45km from Pongola and 10km before Mkuze turn left towards Jozini.
On leaving Jozini to 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.
Continue 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.

Directions from Durban to Thonga Beach Lodge (5 hours drive):

Proceed to the N2 North to Hluhluwe.
Turn off the N2 4kms towards Hluhluwe, continuing through the town until you reach the last traffic circle (there will be 4 in total).
Turn left towards Mbazwana/Sodwana Bay and proceeded for 0.7 km and turn right again towards Sodwana Bay/Mbazwana.
Shortly after turning right you will cross over a railway line.
Continue for 87 km bypassing Mbazwana on your right. Proceed straight through the circles following the signs to Coastal Forest Reserve.
Continue 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 significant 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.

At the Coastal Cashew Factory:

When reaching the Coastal Cashew Factory, two-wheel drive vehicles park here and guests will be transferred to the lodge to the Thonga Beach Lodge which takes about 1 hour. The parking here is secure, and the entrance is guarded.
There are two transfers from the parking to the lodge daily: 12h00 and 15h00.
These transfers have to be pre-booked when making the reservation.
Four-wheel drive vehicles can proceed straight to the Thonga Beach Lodge following the Coastal Forest Reserve and the Thonga Beach Lodge signs.

Parking

Upon arrival at the Coastal Cashew Factory, two-wheel drive cars of guests are parked here.  Guests are transferred to the lodge to the Thonga Beach Lodge which takes about 1 hour.  The parking here is secure, and the entrance is guarded.

There are two transfers from the parking to the lodge daily: 12h00 and 15h00. These transfers have to be pre-booked when making the reservation. 

Four-wheel drive vehicles can proceed straight to the Thonga Beach Lodge following the Coastal Forest Reserve and the Thonga Beach Lodge signs.

Star Rating

5 Star

Memberships

  • Bird Life South Africa - Birder Friendly Establishment
  • Portfolio Collection - Trusted Places to stay
  • SATSA (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association)

Hotel Group(s)

  • isibindi Africa Lodges