Hluhluwe River Lodge

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Highlights

• Pretty setting overlooking the St Lucia Wetlands
• Range of activities on offer from game drives and boat cruises  to quad bikes
• Good food served on the deck with glorious views
• Very family-friendly with family suites and lots of activities on  offer

Hluhluwe River Lodge, near Hluhluwe Game Reserve, overlooks the north-western stretch of the St Lucia Wetlands and the False Bay Game Reserve. Tucked away in an indigenous forest setting, it is at once peaceful and yet well situated for visiting Hluhluwe, the wetlands and the nearby craft villages. From Hluhluwe River Lodge, it is a easy drive north to the beaches of coastal Maputaland.

The twelve chalets, including 2 family suites and 2 luxurious honeymoon suites with ball and claw baths, are supremely comfortable. All have air-conditioning, mosquito net, minibar and wooden sun decks. The main lodge has an expansive terrace, for alfresco dining, and commands a spectacular view of the Hluhluwe river floodplain which borders the St Lucia Wetlands. There's a charming open air fire - perfect for pre or post dinner drinks, as well as a convivial bar, sitting area and small library. In the garden, there's a secluded swimming pool with sun loungers.

One of the attractive aspects of Hluhluwe River Lodge is the range of activities on offer. Popular activities include open 4x4 morning and afternoon game drives with their own in-house ranger to Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve (30 minutes drive away) which offers Big Five game-viewing. Equally enticing are their evening boat trips on the river which are perfect for sundowner drinks. Birders particularly enjoy these boat cruises with the range of wetlands species on offer. For adventure seekers there is quad biking, canoing, horse-riding and mountain bike trails in the forest and along the pristine lake shore. Between activities you can take a self-guided walk or relax and soak up the sun at the secluded pool. Frogging is on offer after dinner, and cultural tours by quad bike offer you an insight into the vibrant rural culture of the Zulu community. Guided day trips to Mkuze Game Reserve and the marine reserves of St Lucia, Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay are also on offer.

The Hluhluwe area offers an introduction to the rich cultural heritage of the Zulu nation. Exprience Dumazulu, historical and traditional Zulu kraal or visit the Ilala Weavers and Thembaletha Craft Village where you can experience at first hand the basket weaving, bead working and other crafts used in the daily lives of the Zulu people.

Families are well catered for at Hluhluwe River Lodge with two family suites which have two extra beds in a little alcove off the main bedroom. Older children particularly love the soft adventure activities on offer.

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