Thonga Beach Lodge

Listen to the sound of the waves breaking on the beach and walk forever on white soft sand – this is paradise. Thonga Beach Lodge has a wonderful beach and bush feel as the lodge is built in the forest right on the edge of the beach. From the beach you can hardly see the lodge, only a glimpse of thatch roof from the rooms set higher up in the dunes.

The main lodge area has a lovely open deck, bar and lounge. Most meals are served on the deck which is shaded by large beautiful trees. There is a boma where after dinner drinks can be enjoyed sitting around the fire. The pool area is set apart from the main lodge and is also protected from the wind by the trees and bush. There is a lovely lookout spot with sun lounges right on the beach, it is shaded with a reed roof to cool off from the hot summer sun. The beach is beautiful and stretches further than the eye can see. Completely unspoilt with big dunes and forest, this is a special place. Ideal for honeymooners who want privacy and a very romantic experience and the perfect place for nature enthusiast and definitely a top choice for divers as there are 8 different reefs close to Thonga Beach Lodge, the deepest being about 20m deep.

Thonga Beach Lodge is located in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park (a world heritage site) on a private concession, it is very private and remote. To reach Thonga Beach Lodge you either need to have a 4x4, fly in to the airfield or get a 1 hour transfer, but it is well worth it to reach this bit of paradise. Most of the staff at the lodge all come from the community nearby, and their warmth and friendliness adds to this perfect place where relaxing is inevitable. 

The lodge is wonderful and there are so many activities to keep you busy but even just lying on the beach or by the pool listening to the sounds of nature around you is a luxury we often do not have time to enjoy. Guests can snorkel, go scuba diving, take forest walks and sundowner trips to Sibaya Lake where often the hippo and crocodiles can be seen in the water.

“When we finally arrived at Thonga after 5 hours drive from Durban and 1 hour with the transfer from the parking lot we were awed by the beauty and remoteness of Thonga. Spectacular! We went diving the following morning but the sea  was very choppy and we had to leave after 15m underwater as the swells where enough to sway us several meters even tough we where 19m under water, but we got an exciting boat ride over the rather huge waves.” - Alexandra


Rooms at Thonga Beach Lodge
There are 12 spacious thatched huts with en-suite bathrooms and private balcony quite apart from each other. Five of the rooms have ocean views and the others are deep in the forest and more private. The rooms have a beach feel with light wooden floors, not too much furniture and part of the walls are made with reeds, giving a lovely tropical and romantic look. Big comfortable beds with mosquito net facing the windows so you can wake up to views of the ocean or lush bush. The bathrooms are very nice with a big bath and double basins and a large shower. The rooms have all the usual amenities like tea and coffee, mini bar, safe and hair dryer.

General Information
Thonga Beach Lodge is a low malaria risk area and precaution is advised.
Thonga Beach is not recommended to mobility hindered people.
The lodge takes children of all ages.
There is a Spa, curio shop and small Marine Centre at Thonga Beach Lodge.
To access the lodge you need a 4x4 as it is very sandy so most guests drive to the Costal Cashew Factory parking lot and take the lodge’s transfer to Thonga at an extra cost of R150 per person return.
Thonga Beach Lodge is not for the business person that can not stay with out their portable office. There is no reception at the lodge and only when guests go to the lake a short drive from the lodge can you get reception. There is a computer with internet in the Library room for guests to use at an extra cost.
The lodge does not have DSTV but there is a TV and DVDs.