Isibindi Bush & Beach fly-in

• Prices from $3396.00
• 8 nights

Thonga Beach Lodge 5*

By Mr R & Mrs A Cowan, Blisworth Added: 21 December 2009

Again fab. Food excellent. Diamond in the rough.

 5*

By Kate Bergh Added: 12 October 2009

My family and I really enjoyed Thonga Beach Lodge and especially the snorkelling right at the beach at a shallow reef off the beach.
We were in Chalets 10 and 11 which are ideal for larger families as they are close to the pool and slightly separate from the other chalets (also not too far to walk).

Thonga Beach Lodge is great for families especially if you have older children (6+) as a lot of the activities really only suitable for older children eg. snorkelling, kayaking and Ocean Experience. They offer a kids evening meal for younger children at about 6.30pm but no kid friendly options at lunch. Th

Thonga Beach Lodge is NOT a resort lodge but they do have activities which you can sign up for:
- Guided snorkelling (though you can snorkel at any time)
- Scuba diving
- Sunrise kayaking
- Sunset drinks at Lake Sibaya
- Guided forest walk (but also easy to do under own steam, takes 40 mins)
- Spa treatments
TIP: It can get windy in the afternoon (especially July and August) so try to maximize your mornings at Thonga and I recommend the 2pm departure (to get to your car by 3pm). This would allow you to comfortably get to Kosi for the 4pm collection or to the Hluhluwe area for an overnight stop.

 5*

By Bergh Family Added: 12 October 2009

We headed to Kosi Forest Lodge after a stay at Thonga Beach Lodge. Though not as 'smart', we all loved Kosi Forest Lodge - more rustic but has a completely different charm. 

t! The tents now have lighting for bedside tables and bathrooms which is a great help and also plugs for battery recharging. (However this is run off the generator and so not available at night so they recommend that you leave the lantern on in the bathroom area).
My family all loved the activities. Two night stays have a guided canoe trip and a full excursion either on the lakes/with a swimming excursion to the beach with a picnic lunch OR a guided snorkelling excursion to Kosi Bay. We did the boat /beach trip and loved it. The beach is glorious, just as nice as Mabibi. The canoeing excursion the following morning was also stunning.

If you stay 4 nights, you can do both full day excursions which would mean that you would have a reasonable amount of beach time.
TIP
If going to both Thonga and Kosi, I recommend taking the 2pm transfer from Thonga so that you have the morning on the beach, and can still get to the collection point by 4pm.

B Family report on Kosi Forest Lodge 4*

By Jennifer Byrne Added: 09 September 2009

Kosi Forest Lodge was brilliant with a friendly relaxed atmosphere and loads of rustic charm. The kids really enjoyed bathing in the sunken outdoor bath and the wonderful lake and beach excursions. The guides were all really good with our 9 and 6 year old boys who didn't want to leave. One point to note though - don't expect 5 star luxury - electricity is limited and can't support a hair-drier. No problem for us but one honeymoon couple who arrived during our stay were very disgruntled and left early - they were obviously ill advised by their travel agent - their loss!

K Family report on Kosi Forest Lodge 5*

By K Family Added: 17 June 2008

"The places we stayed at were all quite different. The childrens' favourite was Kosi Forest Lodge. Once we arrived [at the lodge], we loved the informal, relaxed atmosphere, which gave us all the chance to get to know both the staff and the other guests. The children also made friends with some of the local children who came to sing and dance in the evening. The river and lake trips there were superb."

Kate's report on Rhino Post Safari Lodge 5*

By Kate Added: 21 July 2007

The lodge itself is quite luxurious, but in an understated way. It is a very eco-friendly lodge, with minimum impact on the vegetation and no off-road driving allowed, given the sensitive nature of the terrain. (This is the only Kruger concession which does not allow off road driving). Having said that, the concession is in a good area of the Kruger, backing onto Mala Mala on one side and north of Skukuza on the other side. We saw a wide variety of game on our two drives, which took place mainly on the public roads including a leopard in a tree, two separate prides of lion, buffalo, elephant and a rhino."

ates report on Rhino Post Plains Camp 4*

By Kate Added: 17 July 2007

"I really liked Plains Camp and would recommend this camp highly. It can be combined easily with Rhino Post, but it could also be offered in conjunction with any other game lodge, either another concession lodge such as Singita Lebombo, or one of the Sabi Sands lodges
We also visited the Sleep-Out camp. Four platforms (with additional guide’s platform) are raised 4 metres above the ground (safe from leopard).
The tents are very comfortable and to the usual South African accommodation standard.

Kate's report on Kosi Forest Lodge 4*

By Kate Added: 17 July 2007

"Kosi Forest Lodge was a complete, but very pleasant, contrast to the Kruger bush. Northern Maputaland is one of my favourite places in South Africa, (after the Cedarberg of course). It is lush, green, unspoilt and authentic with friendly people.

The lodge lies in the lakeland system and offers completely different activities to the beach lodges so you could opt to combine Kosi Forest with Thonga Beach or Rocktail Bay very easily. Overall the experience is wetlands/forest orientated rather than beach. I found this lodge full of charm and the food was excellent. Since my last visit, the deck has been extended and a second deck created a little away from the main camp area with a central fireplace, ideal for pre- or post dinner drinks. They continue with their tradition of bringing in local singers from the nearby village to entertain the guests (usually every other night) and they were very good.

Kate's report on Thonga Beach Lodge 5*

By Kate Added: 17 July 2007

"Again one of my favourite lodges in South Africa. I would strongly recommend it as an alternative to the Mozambique lodges if you are short of time or disinclined to fly. It is quite staggering that on this pristine stretch of 200km of beach, there are only two lodges; Rocktail Bay and Thonga Beach Lodge."