Overview of Thonga Beach Lodge

Set on the untouched and rugged Maputaland coast in kwaZulu-Natal, Thonga Beach Lodge is the ideal place to discover one of the last unspoilt and undeveloped wilderness beaches in southern Africa. Carefully constructed into the coastal dune forest, this eco-friendly lodge blends into the surrounding environment and is just steps from the beach.

Walk through the indigenous milkwood forest to reach the almost deserted beach, where you can walk for hours without seeing anyone else. Guided snorkelling trips allow you to discover the world beneath the breakers and you can head out on the Indian Ocean to track whales (about July to November), dolphins and turtles or go scuba diving. Alternatively, take it easy beside the plunge pool or enjoy a delicious cocktail at the bar. Toast the sunset over Lake Sibaya, teeming with hippos, crocodiles and birdlife, and for those needing a little pampering, the lodge also has a rejuvenation spa.

Highlights & Activities

What's on offer whilst on this itinerary?
  • Remote, eco-friendly lodge in a World Heritage Site
  • Set on the stunning coastline of the Maputaland
  • One of the best dive sites in South Africa
  • Track turtles from November to February
  • Unique seaweed treatments at the Sea Spa
  • Romantic & luxurious forest suites
Animal tracking experience

Animal tracking experience

Bird watching

Bird watching

Boat excursions

Boat excursions

Cultural visits

Cultural visits

Dune walks & drives

Dune walks & drives

Guided walks

Guided walks

Kayaking

Kayaking

Local village visits

Local village visits

Scuba diving

Scuba diving

Snorkelling

Snorkelling

Sundowners

Sundowners

Rooms at Thonga Beach Lodge

Unwind and relax, in your own private luxury
  • Thonga-ocean-view-room-2
  • Thonga-Beach-Lodge-Forest-Room
  • Thonga-Deluxe-family-room-bed
  • Thonga-deluxe-family-room-interior
  • Thonga-deluxe-family-room-frontal
  • Thonga-Deluxe-Ocean-View-pool-deck
  • Thonga-Deluxe-family-room-aerial

    Deluxe Ocean View Room

    At Thonga Beach Lodge, you are spoiled for a choice between a room with views of the Indian Ocean or a room with a view of the indigenous milkwood forest. The 12 thatched eco-sensitive rooms are situated to provide maximum solitude and have very little impact on the environment.

    All rooms have a bathroom with double vanity, separate shower and toilet, air conditioning, overhead fans, mini bars, tea and coffee-making facilities, a safe and hair dryers.

    General Facilities

    Enjoy a delicious sundowner on a comfy couch in the lounge or on the cool deck under the mdoni trees. The upstairs lounge is a great place to relax, with its couches and cosy fireplace.

    There is a Wi-Fi connection here. Cool off from the heat of the day with a dip in the lodge’s plunge pool, or head to the massage rooms for some deep-tissue pampering.

    Bar

    Bar

    Computer facilities

    Computer facilities

    Spa

    Spa

    Swimming pool

    Swimming pool

    Dining

    The large thatched dining area opens onto an expansive wooden deck, where you can enjoy Maputaland’s sultry weather and some wonderful cuisine.

    Most meals are served alfresco on the deck, or perhaps you will be treated to dinner on the beach by candlelight on shore of the Indian Ocean.

    Interested to know more? Click the link to find out all about Go2Africa’s Big 5 Guarantee

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    Traveller Reviews

    • RP

      We loved Thonga. Our room, with the plunge pool, was wonderful! The staff were excellent and we loved the complete wildness of the beach.

      Rachel Palmer
    • JM

      Thonga Beach was the perfect ending to the trip – very peaceful and relaxing, just an overall beautiful place. Service was great and it was a great way to spend our last few days.

      Jeffery Mote
    • C&J

      And as you should know, we went to Thonga Beach Lodge despite the weather , and we don’t regret it at all, even if we couldn’t go snorkelling and even if the hippos and crocodiles hide themselves in Lake Sibaya. But we saw a young leatherback turtle going to the sea, how magical! The staff at Thonga, particularly the Manager Andy are very good.

      Carole & Jean-Marc Fourest
    • FD

      Thonga Beach is … paradise on earth. Not just the lodge. The remoteness of the place, the peace, the ocean, the kindness of the personnel which is attentive but not overbearing. I had read on line that it is not suitable for kids. Rubbish! There were lots of kids and they all loved it. We were simply enchanted. The diving was superb as was the swimming with dolphins. And the food!

      Fotini Danou
    • TP

      A nice ‘break’ from safaris and also a great remote location.

      Tessa Parry-Wingfield
    • TP

      A nice ‘break’ from safaris and also a great remote location.

      Tessa Parry-Wingfield
    • TP

      A nice ‘break’ from safaris and also a great remote location.

      Tessa Parry-Wingfield
    • KB

      Wow. This was a highlight. After the hours transfer down the track in a 4 wheel drive one arrives at the lodge. Mobile phone doesn’t work and one is miles from anywhere, great! We were up every morning for sunrise and Kim would run on the deserted beach whilst I beachcombed and checked what had been washed up the night before. As beach lovers this was perfect. The rooms on stilts were good with panoramic views of the sea. The staff were again superb giving a friendly atmosphere. The food was also acceptable. A perfect place to get away from it all and to just relax. We could have done with more sun but then one can’t have everything!

      Kim Boddy
    • KB

      Wow. This was a highlight. After the hours transfer down the track in a 4 wheel drive one arrives at the lodge. Mobile phone doesn’t work and one is miles from anywhere, great! We were up every morning for sunrise and Kim would run on the deserted beach whilst I beachcombed and checked what had been washed up the night before. As beach lovers this was perfect. The rooms on stilts were good with panoramic views of the sea. The staff were again superb giving a friendly atmosphere. The food was also acceptable. A perfect place to get away from it all and to just relax. We could have done with more sun but then one can’t have everything!

      Kim Boddy
    • KB

      Wow. This was a highlight. After the hours transfer down the track in a 4 wheel drive one arrives at the lodge. Mobile phone doesn’t work and one is miles from anywhere, great! We were up every morning for sunrise and Kim would run on the deserted beach whilst I beachcombed and checked what had been washed up the night before. As beach lovers this was perfect. The rooms on stilts were good with panoramic views of the sea. The staff were again superb giving a friendly atmosphere. The food was also acceptable. A perfect place to get away from it all and to just relax. We could have done with more sun but then one can’t have everything!

      Kim Boddy
    • DRR

      The private charter transfer in small planes I really loved, being that I am a pilot myself. I had a gorgeous hilltop lodge. I went on a dive, but it was entirely too cold for me – but I am glad that I did it. The views from the logde were fabulous, the staff and hosts were so gracious, and the food was good. I met really nice people there. The sundowner at the lake was beautiful. I went by myself with the host and hostess.

      Dr. Rita Rae Fontenot
    • DRR

      The private charter transfer in small planes I really loved, being that I am a pilot myself. I had a gorgeous hilltop lodge. I went on a dive, but it was entirely too cold for me – but I am glad that I did it. The views from the logde were fabulous, the staff and hosts were so gracious, and the food was good. I met really nice people there. The sundowner at the lake was beautiful. I went by myself with the host and hostess.

      Dr. Rita Rae Fontenot
    • DRR

      The private charter transfer in small planes I really loved, being that I am a pilot myself. I had a gorgeous hilltop lodge. I went on a dive, but it was entirely too cold for me – but I am glad that I did it. The views from the logde were fabulous, the staff and hosts were so gracious, and the food was good. I met really nice people there. The sundowner at the lake was beautiful. I went by myself with the host and hostess.

      Dr. Rita Rae Fontenot
    • SF

      ALL of the staff there was AWESOME and we did everything there was to do everyday (so it kind of made up for the lack of diving, kind of). What an awesome resort. Food was incredible! Views awesome! Rooms magnificent! Staff AMAZING! We will definitely go back to Thonga Beach Resort!

      Siobhan Fletcher
    • SF

      ALL of the staff there was AWESOME and we did everything there was to do everyday (so it kind of made up for the lack of diving, kind of). What an awesome resort. Food was incredible! Views awesome! Rooms magnificent! Staff AMAZING! We will definitely go back to Thonga Beach Resort!

      Siobhan Fletcher
    • SF

      ALL of the staff there was AWESOME and we did everything there was to do everyday (so it kind of made up for the lack of diving, kind of). What an awesome resort. Food was incredible! Views awesome! Rooms magnificent! Staff AMAZING! We will definitely go back to Thonga Beach Resort!

      Siobhan Fletcher
    • MB

      It was excellent! Amazing rooms, the food yet again was just too good – especially the lunches! We found out that Thonga had just bought a new boat which was being delivered from Durban and so for the first couple of days we had to do diving from Rocktail bay. We could not get away from our early starts and had to get up at 4:30am (low tide!) and travel for an hour to rocktail which was a little tiring, especially when Mike got a little sea sick on the boat after our first dive! Hee hee! When the boat arrived at Thonga it was great and the dives were fun – highlights were the turtles and swimming with lots of dolphins!!! Only thing we didn’t get to see which we were hoping for was a whale shark… maybe next time!

      Marisha Bakshi
    • MB

      It was excellent! Amazing rooms, the food yet again was just too good – especially the lunches! We found out that Thonga had just bought a new boat which was being delivered from Durban and so for the first couple of days we had to do diving from Rocktail bay. We could not get away from our early starts and had to get up at 4:30am (low tide!) and travel for an hour to rocktail which was a little tiring, especially when Mike got a little sea sick on the boat after our first dive! Hee hee! When the boat arrived at Thonga it was great and the dives were fun – highlights were the turtles and swimming with lots of dolphins!!! Only thing we didn’t get to see which we were hoping for was a whale shark… maybe next time!

      Marisha Bakshi
    • MB

      It was excellent! Amazing rooms, the food yet again was just too good – especially the lunches! We found out that Thonga had just bought a new boat which was being delivered from Durban and so for the first couple of days we had to do diving from Rocktail bay. We could not get away from our early starts and had to get up at 4:30am (low tide!) and travel for an hour to rocktail which was a little tiring, especially when Mike got a little sea sick on the boat after our first dive! Hee hee! When the boat arrived at Thonga it was great and the dives were fun – highlights were the turtles and swimming with lots of dolphins!!! Only thing we didn’t get to see which we were hoping for was a whale shark… maybe next time!

      Marisha Bakshi
    • JW

      WOW I can’t stop thinking about it, it was SIMPLY AMAZING!

      Joseph Williams
    • JW

      WOW I can’t stop thinking about it, it was SIMPLY AMAZING!

      Joseph Williams
    • JW

      WOW I can’t stop thinking about it, it was SIMPLY AMAZING!

      Joseph Williams