Thonga Beach Lodge is located on the pristine coastline of the Maputuland Coast, KwaZulu-Natal. This is an ideal location to discover one of Africa’s last untouched wilderness beaches. It is a magical place with coastal forests, grasslands, bushes, shimmering lakes and exquisite sandy beaches. Its crystal clear, warm waters offer South Africa’s best snorkelling and excellent sea diving as well as bird watching opportunities. Guided bird watching, scorpion and spider walks and turtle tracking are offered in season. Excellent dining is enjoyed outdoors on the dining deck or beach deck overlooking the ocean. This is an ideal choice for honeymooners, families, divers or anyone who just wants to relax. A civilized distance from civilization.
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Ecorating: 3.5
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
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This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Sample Itinerary
The 12 thatched suites have either sea or forest views. The Deluxe Ocean View Room has private plunge pools. The suites are positioned to provide maximum privacy and minimal environmental impact.
Accommodation with a view of the sea.
The lodge has a wonderful atmosphere and fantastic staff.
Miles wide, long sandy beach and the warm Indian Ocean. Time for enjoyment!
Maybe a sundowner with hippos grunting at Lake Sibaya in the afternoon. South Africa’s largest freshwater lake.
Conservation is Thonga beach lodge’s passion and purpose. They make it their mission to offer guests the opportunity to reconnect with nature. The reef just in front of the lodge is world class and reveals a colorful, enchanting world of diverse marine life, including dolphins and turtles.
Thonga Beach Lodge is also privileged and proud of its commitment to the protection of turtles and leatherbacks.
Wake up slowly to the sound of the waves, decide whether to snorkel or swim in a rock pool or perhaps an experience on the open sea.
Or why not a bike ride on the beach?
Trip details
Airport: Durban (King Shaka International Airport DUR)
The price includes: Accommodation, full board and activities
The price of the trip does not include: International flight (we help you book that), insurance, tips, wine and drinks or activities other than those described as part of the program.
Good to know about South Africa:
Travel Ethics: None in particular.
Driver’s license: To drive in South Africa you must have an international driver’s license. You can apply for that at the Motormen’s National Association. Do this well in advance of departure.
Time zone: GMT + 2
Pack: Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes.
Local Currency: South African Rand.
Mobile network: Internet access is available but can be slow.
Water: Buy bottled water, make sure the bottles end up in the trash.
Travel entry requirements: : Your passport must be valid for 6 months after departure from South Africa and have two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. Please read the rules from Cape Town Tourism for more information. Se mer här:
Ecorating: 3.5
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Does my trip make a difference?
Read more
This product meets our requirements for Ecorating, a product that is good for humans and the environment.
Thonga Beach Lodge is located in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, an internationally recognized World Heritage Site that is one of the most biodiverse areas in all of Africa. The 358,534 ha and 220 km long reserve is a tropical paradise with crystal clear water, marshland, swamps and coastal forests. Inside the reserve is Lake Sibaya, which has 100 km of pristine shoreline and is South Africa’s largest freshwater lake. Hippos and crocodiles bask in and around the lakes and the reserve provides a haven for a variety of rare fish, flora and fauna.
The founders and owners of Isibindi Africa Lodges, Brett and Paige Gehren, both come from strong conservation backgrounds and have worked for twenty-seven years pioneering sustainable wilderness lodges, built on the philosophy of including and empowering their neighboring communities. To partner with neighboring communities with supportive rural programs in education, agriculture, child nutrition, health and employment through micro-enterprise support. It aims to uplift communities by investing in resources and skills training, while emphasizing the importance and value of preserving protected areas for future generations.
Some of the projects that they work on at Thonga Beach Lodge and that you contribute to are:
Mabibi Primary School
Mabibi Primary School, located in the heart of Mabibi, this is the only source of education within this community. The Isibindi Foundation has invested heavily in this small school over the years by funding major infrastructure projects, supplementing the nutrition program, providing curriculum support and training to staff, as well as paying the salary of a teaching assistant.
Protection of Turtles
The iSimangaliso Turtle Concession allows the guides to assist with the monitoring of turtles on the protected coastline. The well-trained guides can report poaching or threats to the turtles to the iSimangaliso authorities. They have helped ORI (Oceanographic Research Institute) with turtle release programs. Simangaliso Park is paid a substantial concession fee which supports their conservation initiatives. In addition, the lodge supports an additional concession fee to operate turtle tours for you as a guest. These concession fees go towards maintaining the famous ecosystem of this World Heritage Site. The guides in the Marine Center, who conduct snorkeling, diving, whale and dolphin and turtle excursions, educate guests from all corners of the world about the conservation work being done on this coastline. Their emerging interest in conservation (and the importance of funding it) would be difficult to measure. Dr George Hughes, a world-renowned turtle expert, author and current CEO of the KZN Conservation Trust hosts an annual turtle weekend at Thonga Beach Lodge, which guests are encouraged to attend.
Marine surveillance
The Isibindi Foundation uses a marine monitor to monitor the Mabibi rock basin area. The aim of this initiative is to educate members of the local community on the importance of conserving this highly sensitive environment, advise them on how to conduct sustainable harvesting, and report any illegal activities to the park authority. Marine Monitor will also collect and investigate the amount of plastic washed ashore, which is particularly important for turtle conservation efforts. This is an important role in ensuring a sustainable balance between local communities, the environment and tourism.
Some other projects the lodge is also actively working on are:
Remove all single-use plastics
Investing in large solar parks
Creates micro-economies around their lodges that can sell goods and services
Recycling of food from the lodges to the local community
