South Africa, KwaZulu Natal, Coastal Maputaland
Includes: Fully inclusive of accommodation, all meals, teas & coffees, and non-motorised water sports such as snorkelling from the beach, guided turtle walks in summer, guided forest walks and kayaking and sundowners on Lake Sibaya.
Excludes: St Lucia Wetland Park entry fees, road transfers, motorised watersports such as scuba diving, snorkelling from a boat, the Ocean experience and turtle tracking by vehicle
Cedarberg Rating: Luxury
Malaria Rating: Seasonal intermediate risk - anti-malaria Oct-May
Family Suitability: Child-friendly
Number Of People: 24
• Stunning secluded beach setting on Mabibi beach
• Range of activities on offer
• Soft contemporary styling in spacious lodges
• Chic beach luxury
Thonga Beach Lodge is a stylish and relaxed beach lodge on the shores of the secluded Mabibi bay in Coastal Maputaland. The lodge lies in the heart of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, with no other lodges within 50km. Mabibi Beach is a magical place with a long sandy beach, snorkelling reefs, coastal forest and shimmering lakes behind. The lodge, nestling high 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. The décor in the 12 eco-friendly suites is coastal minimalism. The thatched en-suite rooms have been carefully constructed in the coastal dune forest to ensure minimum impact on the environment. Each has a double vanity, a large stone bath, indoor/outdoor shower, separate toilet, bar fridge, ceiling fan, air-conditioning, mosquito net and private balcony. Five have sea views and seven have forest views. Other facilities at Thonga Beach Lodge include a small swimming pool, curio shop, treatment room with various indulgent treatments on offer and a dive centre where you meet for activities.
This part of South Africa is one of my favourite areas of South Africa with its lush vegetation, unspoilt setting and friendly people. Activities at Thonga Beach Lodge revolve around the ocean and nearby Lake Sibyaba. There is a board at the bar indicating activities on offer and you sign up for whatever takes your fancy. Complimentary activities include snorkelling from the beach, bird-watching and sundowner cruises or guided canoe trips on Lake Sibaya and turtle tracking walks. The white sandy beach is about 25 metres away via a board walk away with an extended deck area with sun loungers overlooking the beach. Turtle tracking is a highlight for summer visitors from November to February.
Various additional activities such as scuba diving, diving courses, cultural village visits and boat-based turtle tracking are offered as optional extras. We recommend the Ocean Experience looking for whales and dolphins which involved at exciting boat launch in the surf followed by a whale-watching cruise to a reef snorkeling site.
Children are welcome and one child can share with parents or children can take a separate chalet close to their parents.
Printed from www.cedarberg-travel.com.