Thonga Beach Lodge

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
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4.9 /5
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Based on over 1000 Verified Reviews.

Overview

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

  • 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

Activities

  • Scuba diving
  • Snorkelling
  • Animal tracking experience
  • Bird watching
  • Boat excursions
  • Guided walks
  • Kayaking
  • Dune walks & drives
  • Local village visits
  • Sundowners

Rooms

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.

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.

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.

General facilities

  • Computer facilities
  • Spa
  • Swimming Pool
  • Bar
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Traveller Reviews

Thonga Beach Lodge
RP

Rachel Palmer

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

Jeffery Mote

"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."
C&JF

Carole & Jean-Marc Fourest

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.
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FD

Fotini Danou

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 we re 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!
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TP

Tessa Parry-Wingfield

"A nice 'break' from safaris and also a great remote location."
KB

Kim Boddy

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 be ach 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!
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DRRF

Dr. Rita Rae Fontenot

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.
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SF

Siobhan Fletcher

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 definitel y go back to Thonga Beach Resort!
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MB

Marisha Bakshi

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 Roc ktail 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!
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JW

Joseph Williams

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

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