South Africa Holiday Specials - Enjoy a free night at Thonga Beach Lodge in the heart of St Lucia Wetlands and near Lake Sibaya in Kwa-Zulu Natal when you stay 4 nights (a romantic hideaway near Lake Sibaya).
Book 4 nights and only pay for 3 from 1st May - 30th June 2022 & 2023 plus September 2022 & 2023.
Combine with Kosi Forest Lodge (Isimangaliso Wetland Park - Lake Sibaya), Rhino Ridge (Hluhluwe) and get discounts according to the total number of nights spent at these properties.
Thonga Beach Lodge Turtle Package - 3 nights accommodation in Forest View Room plus 1 Turtle drive (see below information) - Available 1st August 2022 - 30th April 2023: R18 420
Honeymooners: All honeymooners receive a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine on arrival, a private dinner, and a romantic turn down at no extra charge.
Set above a secluded bay, Thonga Beach Lodge is nestled into a beautiful coastal dune forest with sweeping views of the stunning beach below. The thatched bush suites provide guest privacy and were carefully constructed to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The lodge offers luxurious accommodation, mouth-watering meals, and one of the best dive sites in South Africa.
An ideal romantic getaway!
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Set above a secluded bay, Thonga Beach Lodge is nestled into a beautiful coastal dune forest with sweeping views of the stunning beach below. The thatched bush suites provide guest privacy and were carefully constructed to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The lodge offers luxurious accommodation, mouth-watering meals, and one of the best dive sites in South Africa.
An ideal romantic getaway!
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Thonga Beach Lodge is only meters from the beach and a 25-minute drive from Lake Sibaya (Southern Africa’s largest freshwater lake), which is part of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, now internationally recognized as a World Heritage Site.
The 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 (see rates), whilst others are set within the dune forest. All have private balconies. Luxuriously decorated, the rooms exude a romantic ambiance. Bleached wood, glass, and natural materials have been used to create an open, airy feel. The en-suite rooms have a bathroom with a bath, shower, and twin vanity. Every suite has air conditioning.
This 24-bed luxury lodge is the ideal place to discover one of the most unspoiled wilderness beaches left on the African continent. Mabibi is a magical place of coastal forests, grasslands, bush, shimmering lakes, and exquisite sandy beaches. Its crystal clear, warm waters offer South Africa’s best snorkeling and fantastic off-shore scuba diving.
The 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 (see rates), whilst others are set within the dune forest. All have private balconies. Luxuriously decorated, the rooms exude a romantic ambiance. Bleached wood, glass, and natural materials have been used to create an open, airy feel. The en-suite rooms have a bathroom with a bath, shower, and twin vanity. Every suite has air conditioning.
This 24-bed luxury lodge is the ideal place to discover one of the most unspoiled wilderness beaches left on the African continent. Mabibi is a magical place of coastal forests, grasslands, bush, shimmering lakes, and exquisite sandy beaches. Its crystal clear, warm waters offer South Africa’s best snorkeling and fantastic off-shore scuba diving.
| Thonga Beach Lodge Rates | Room type | 1st May 2022 - 31st July 2022 | 1st August 2022 - 30 April 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deluxe Ocean View suites | 2 x doubles | R 6 790 | R 7 880 |
| Ocean View rooms | 3 x doubles/twins | R 5 880 | R 7 100 |
| Forest rooms | 7 x twin | R 4 890 | R 6 140 |
Rates are per person per night sharing.
Thonga Rates are inclusive of accommodation, meals, teas & coffees, use of snorkeling equipment, guided walks, kayaking and sundowners at Lake Sibaya, and cultural tours to Mabibi Community. Each guest is entitled to 1 of the following on a sundowner excursion at Lake Sibaya, a glass of wine, local beer, cider, or soft drink.
Activities on offer at Thonga Beach Lodge:
Snorkeling
Mabibi offers superb snorkeling opportunities with a great diversity of underwater seascapes and marine flora and fauna. The shallow reefs along this protected stretch of coastline are home to an array of brilliant sub-tropical fish including Moorish idols, parrot fish, and blue surgeons. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean make this the ideal spot to snorkel or guests can simply soak up the sun and savor the tranquility of this pristine, sandy beach.
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving at Mabibi 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, wanting a tour of the very best our reefs to have to offer. 1,250 fish species (Great Barrier Reef has 1500) occur on the reefs in this area. Dives are from a semi-rigid dive boat which accommodates a maximum of 8 divers at a time. The boat launches straight in front of the lodge directly through the surf. This can be exciting and strenuous so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Conditions are good throughout the year and on a brilliant day visibility can reach up to 40m. Diving is limited by weather and the tides and cannot be guaranteed. Guests must have proof of their diving qualifications. We regret no children under 12 years.
Thonga Rates are inclusive of accommodation, meals, teas & coffees, use of snorkeling equipment, guided walks, kayaking and sundowners at Lake Sibaya, and cultural tours to Mabibi Community. Each guest is entitled to 1 of the following on a sundowner excursion at Lake Sibaya, a glass of wine, local beer, cider, or soft drink.
Activities on offer at Thonga Beach Lodge:
Snorkeling
Mabibi offers superb snorkeling opportunities with a great diversity of underwater seascapes and marine flora and fauna. The shallow reefs along this protected stretch of coastline are home to an array of brilliant sub-tropical fish including Moorish idols, parrot fish, and blue surgeons. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean make this the ideal spot to snorkel or guests can simply soak up the sun and savor the tranquility of this pristine, sandy beach.Scuba Diving
Scuba diving at Mabibi 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, wanting a tour of the very best our reefs to have to offer. 1,250 fish species (Great Barrier Reef has 1500) occur on the reefs in this area. Dives are from a semi-rigid dive boat which accommodates a maximum of 8 divers at a time. The boat launches straight in front of the lodge directly through the surf. This can be exciting and strenuous so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Conditions are good throughout the year and on a brilliant day visibility can reach up to 40m. Diving is limited by weather and the tides and cannot be guaranteed. Guests must have proof of their diving qualifications. We regret no children under 12 years.
Open Ocean Experience
This adventure activity offers guests a rare opportunity to experience the variety of marine life that lives 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 snorkeling. 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. No experience is required for this activity, but the launch through the surf can be strenuous. We regret no children under 12 years or adults over 65 years. The maximum number of guests is 10. Weather and tide dependent.
Lake Sibaya
The lake is 6km from the lodge, a 25-minute drive.Sundowners are offered on the shores of Southern Africa’s largest freshwater lake – Lake Sibaya (70 square km). The Ramsar Convention assures its international conservation status. 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 hippos and crocodiles en route. A reasonable level of fitness is required.
Bird Watching
Birding at Mabibi and its surrounds is excellent and the variety of habitats attracts a great diversity of species. Typical coastal species include Livingstone’s and Purplecrested Lourie, Green Twinspot, Grey Waxbill, and Green Coucal. Waders are common along the shoreline, and Pinkthroated Longclaw and Rufous-bellied Heron frequent the marshy areas. Lake Sibaya has recorded 279 bird species including the Palm-nut Vulture, the only fruit-eating vulture in the world. Pel’s fishing owl and pygmy goose.
Guided Wilderness Walks
Guests can head out on foot and explore this natural wonderland through coastal dune forests, unspoiled sandy beaches, and grasslands. The wild beauty of Maputuland will enthrall naturalists and photographers alike.
Turtle Tracking
At Thonga Beach Lodge, during Turtle Season (Nov-Feb) we arrange one turtle drive each evening/night at low tide. Due to the concession legislation, we have access to the beach at the low tide mark for 4 hours. We are permitted to drive the length of the beach looking for the females and the hatchlings. There is a charge for the turtle drives but no charge for turtle walks.
The time of the drive may be just after dinner, or maybe in the early hours of the morning as it all depends on the low tide. The drives can last up to as long as three hours.
Although the Turtle Tracking Tours are available from November to February only there is a good chance of seeing hatchlings in March. Guests taking a walk in the early morning or late afternoon are often rewarded for their romantic strolls with the last of the season’s nests scrambling for the sea.
Fishing
The Maputuland coastline is renowned as one of South Africa’s most popular fishing destinations. Guests can try their hand at surf fishing or fly fishing. Hully Point at Mabibi, is a well-known fly-fishing spot. The enthusiastic angler can experience the thrill of bagging the catch of a lifetime from these brilliant waters. Thonga Beach Lodge encourages guests to “catch & release”.
Tsonga Cultural Experience
Visit a traditional Tsonga homestead and learn about their unique heritage and culture.
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