Thonga Beach Lodge

South Africa’s most pristine wilderness beach lodge awaits you on the azure shores of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Situated deep in this wilderness of white beaches, blazing corals and freshwater lakes lies South Africa’s premier beach destination. Every now and again something special comes along… We welcome you to our 24-bed luxury lodge, where nature is our sanctuary and our purpose is to preserve it.

The Thonga Beach Lodge is the ideal place to connect with one of Africa’s last pristine wilderness beaches and rediscover your place in it. The 12 thatched eco-sensitive rooms, with ocean or forest views, boast an earthy elegance, and are positioned to afford maximum privacy and minimal environmental impact.

Natural materials of thatch, reeds and wood, sourced from the area create a seamless flow, while providing authentic textures to the minimalist spaces. Each room is on a raised platform nestled among indigenous forest in undulating dunes.

Expansive glass windows and doors let in the ocean breeze and sounds, freeing one’s spirit and senses. Dreamy crisp linen and mosquito nets adorn the beds, while soft down-lighting creates a peaceful, serene ambience, perfect after a day under the African sun.

Your very own wooden deck reaches out into the forest where you can enjoy morning coffee amidst birdsong, or cocktails under starlight. You can also enjoy excellent cuisine, al fresco on the dining deck or beach deck overlooking the sea.

Treading lightly in this paradise will make you feel rejuvenated by nature and give you a special connection with the harmony of this extraordinary place.

JOURNEY WITH PURPOSE
When you travel with Isibindi Africa Lodges you become part of the family that has as it’s purpose saving our planet for our children’s children.

This purpose drives us all at Isibindi Africa Lodges whether it’s removing single-use plastics, creating micro-economies in our neighbouring communities to supply our lodges, replacing plastic water bottles with reusable ones for guests, investing in huge solar energy farms, refusing to serve seafood at our beach lodge that is not ethically harvested, recycling unused lodge food into feeding schemes for our neighbouring creches etc.

ACCOMMODATION
The 12 thatched eco-sensitive rooms, with ocean or forest views, boast an earthy elegance, and are positioned to afford maximum privacy and minimal environmental impact. Thonga Beach Lodge is the ideal place to connect with one of Africa’s last pristine wilderness beaches and rediscover your place in it.

DELUXE OCEAN VIEW HONEYMOON SUITE
This deluxe honeymoon suite comprises a spacious open plan bedroom (king size bed) and bathroom with bath, indoor and outdoor shower with sea views, double vanity and separate toilet.

OCEAN VIEW ROOM
These rooms offer views of the Indian Ocean to be taken in from a large open plan bedroom (king or twin), which opens onto a secluded balcony. All rooms have a bathroom with double vanity, separate shower and toilet, air conditioning, overhead fans, mini bars, tea and coffee making facilities, safe and hair dryers.

This dreamy suite has a private plunge pool set on an elevated deck under the shade of a milkwood tree with spectacular views of the breakers. This one-of-a-kind suite will have you falling in love with the place and includes air conditioning, overhead fan, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities, safe and hair dryer.

THE 5 REASONS
There are so many beautiful reasons to visit this idyllic wonderland, but its higher purpose is what really makes it special. Thonga’s ‘tread gently’ approach, enables you to re-experience a true connection with nature, while playing in paradise. Here are our top 5 good reasons to book a stay at Thonga Beach Lodge.

SEASIDE SPA SPOILS
Our rejuvenating range of spa treatments will make your stay at Thonga Beach Lodge all the more special and relaxing. We offer facials, massages, manicures, pedicures, hot stone therapy and reflexology. Inspired by the energy of the sea, our treatments are designed to help you de-stress and reawaken your senses.

SPA MENU
Your much-needed me-time starts at our onsite spa, which offers a wide selection of rejuvenation and beauty treatments for you to look and – more importantly – feel your best.

Enjoy the ultimate in beachside bliss when you spoil yourself with an invigorating session at our world-class spa. Take a look at the tempting treatments on our spa menu… you deserve it.

Kululeka Emoyeni Signature Treatment
A relaxing retreat which begins with a rejuvenating full body exfoliation 30 min hot stone back, neck massage followed by an express pedicure and a cleansing express facial.

CUISINE
Chef Carl Moller is the Executive Head Chef of Isibindi Africa Lodges. He is a true creative who combines a love of cooking with beautiful plating skills and a passion for photography.

Carl is a KwaZulu-Natal local, born in Durban and schooled in Hillcrest. He has been passionate about food from an early age, which led him to complete his training at the Chantecler Hotel in Bothas Hill.

After graduating, Carl worked at various restaurants in both Durban and Johannesburg, including Durban’s well-known Café 1999. He also ran his own catering company for a while.

As a keen angler, trail runner, swimmer, diver and general outdoorsman, the opportunity to work and live in Thonga Beach Lodge’s pristine marine environment was too good to pass up. Carl joined the team in 2009 and has been wowing our guests with his culinary creations ever since.

With his focus on sustainability, Carl’s food philosophy is closely aligned with the Isibindi brand. In our lodges’ remote and ecologically-significant locations, it is vital for social, economic and environmental factors to work symbiotically and interdependently.

Carl believes that incorporating these principles into his food and choice of suppliers enhances sustainability from the ground up. Carl sources many of his ingredients from ethical suppliers – like stone ground flour, unrefined sea salt, sustainable seafood and fish that is approved by the South African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI).

He also seeks out local suppliers, sourcing community-grown vegetables and fruit as well as locally-farmed products such as cashew nuts and dried pineapple. Carl is a keen supporter of seasonal cooking, and his signature dishes vary according to the produce, fish and game available at that time of year.

Carl’s food is real and nourishing, and he wants his guests to feel immersed in a memorable experience when they eat it.

Along with his modern fusions and traditional favourites, guests can look forward to a few hyper-local dishes of Thonga heritage, such as iZimbaza namakinati (mussels in peanut sauce) served with uJeqe (steamed bread).

Carl’s approach to food is in line with what he believes to be the future of food – going back to ‘how things were’ before the modern era, with real, unadulterated ingredients and by eliminating damaging food production methods.

An example of his philosophy in action is how he takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary by incorporating fresh produce into his cooking – like homegrown microgreens that contain vital micronutrients that are generally lost in food processing. Here is Carl’s microgreens success story:

“A little while ago, I experimented with a few microgreen growing kits and a sprouter because I was unhappy with the tired-looking, well-travelled, single microgreen variety that was available from our suppliers.

After initial success, I decided to increase production to ten trays and a couple of kilograms of seeds. The 15 varieties included radishes, vegetables, herbs and some unusual varieties like lemon basil.

I now have 21 varieties of microgreens, and every dish that leaves the kitchen is garnished with them. At any given time, we have at least 13 trays growing.

Microgreens are not only tasty, trendy and cool; growing them in-house also reduces our carbon footprint since we have less plastic being brought in and the produce doesn’t have far to travel.

Now that I have acrylic lids for the initial germination to replace cling wrap, the process uses no plastic besides the packets in which the seeds are sold.

The used growing medium is repurposed by the local community for growing vegetables, and the growing medium’s packaging sacks are upcycled into beach clean-up bags for our guests to use.

In the cooler months, the herbs grow well, so I am planting what grows best seasonally. It is a constant cycle of germinating, growing, watering, harvesting and forecasting how much will be needed in the near future. It’s not easy, but it is undoubtedly a labour of love.”

The photographs of the food on this page were taken by Chef Moller himself… For now, feast your eyes on these delectable dishes until you can make your way to Thonga Beach Lodge to experience Carl’s culinary magic for yourself.

ESCAPE TO A PLACE OF MIRACLE AND WONDER
Thonga Beach Lodge is uniquely set on the pristine shores of the Maputaland Coast. Part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Thonga is the place to discover one of Africa’s last unspoilt wilderness beaches.

The name “iSimangaliso” means “miracle and wonder” – an apt name for an area that is home to such a diverse and spectacular array of unique ecosystems.

ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park was listed as South Africa’s first World Heritage Site in December 1999 in recognition of its status as a site of biological wealth and natural beauty. No other place in South Africa can compete with the exceptional natural beauty and biodiversity of iSimangaliso.

The 332,000-hectare park contains three major lake systems, eight interlinking ecosystems, 700-year-old fishing traditions, most of South Africa’s remaining swamp forests, Africa’s largest estuarine system and 25,000-year-old vegetated coastal dunes which are among the highest in the world.

The World Heritage Committee granted the Park its status after noting its exceptional biodiversity– over 526 birds, 50 amphibia, 128 reptile species, lake systems, swamps, reed and papyrus wetlands, savannah, vegetated coastal dunes and sandy beaches.

The marine ecosystem has 1 039 fish species, 100 species of coral, 812 marine molluscs and huge dolphin populations. The area also boasts a large migratory pod of humpback whales that congregate en-route between Mozambique and the Cape, usually taking residence for several months between June and November.

A vast numbers of albatross visit in the winter months. The Maputaland coastline has been shaped over millennia by the strong Agulhas current, which flows down the East Coast of Africa.

Seasonal winds blowing across the Mozambique channel from Madagascar rotate this massive body of water, keeping it at a comfortable 26 degrees – the perfect temperature for a fun-filled adventure.

LAKE SIBAYA
The untouched shoreline of Lake Sibaya stretches for 100km; at 70 square kilometres, it is South Africa’s largest freshwater lake. Lake Sibaya falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and the Ramsar Convention assures its international conservation status.

The lake’s diverse flora provides a variety of habitats for birds, mammals and aquatic life. Research reveals that hundreds of years ago, the lake was connected to the sea. When the estuary closed naturally, numerous fish and aquatic creatures were trapped in a freshwater environment, creating a biological treasure chest.

Lake Sibaya contains the second largest population of hippopotamus and crocodile in KwaZulu-Natal and is an important breeding, feeding and roosting area for a host of bird species.

Surface water in the surrounding coastal plain often disappears completely during dry spells, making the lake the only source of permanent water for birds and mammals.

A DAY AT THONGA
At Thonga Beach Lodge there are so many fun activities that paradoxically, you need a strategy to mindfully appreciate each one rather than rushing from one to the next. The days follow the pleasing rhythms of the ocean, and are planned according to the tides.

If there is an early low tide, we recommend the ocean experience which is an adventurous boat launch and ride out to Gogo’s Reef or one of the spectacular snorkeling or diving spots along the pristine coastline.

You may be lucky to pass dolphins on the way, and if they are in a sociable mood, you might be able to swim with these lovely creatures of the sea. Alternatively, sign up for early morning kayaking and glide through the serene Lake Sibaya to the dawn cry of the fish eagle.

By the time you return, you will be ready for a buffet and hot a la carte breakfast, cooked to order, which may be eaten outside on the deck in the dappled sun. Don’t forget to book a treatment at the spa to complement your sensory experience of seaside wellness.

A guided rock pool snorkeling activity is scheduled at low tide for beginners or you may sign up for PADI accredited SCUBA diving training with one of the Thonga qualified guides.

Swimming in the turquoise sea, sunbathing or taking a long beach walk will build up your hunger for a buffet lunch, which you may choose to enjoy any time between 1 and 2:30pm. In the mornings there are cultural tours and in the afternoon there are guided forest walks.

Be sure to plan your activities around the delicious snacks offered with afternoon tea. In the late afternoon or early evening you may enjoy your sundowners while watching cormorants tessellate in to roost as the sun sets over Lake Sibaya.

Bar snacks and a sumptuous three course dinner may be appreciated along with the cool breeze on the deck or you may arrange a romantic candle-lit dinner by the sea. During turtle nesting and hatching season, moonlit outings on the beach are an experience to remember.

However you choose to spend your days, remember to experience each sensory activity fully, so that although your time here in this paradise will always feel too short, at least this way you will have lived fully every moment of your stay.

WEDDINGS
Exchange your vows on the beach deck under a canopy of palm leaves overlooking the pristine beaches of Maputaland.

Thonga is quintessentially the most romantic place along this beautiful KwaZulu-Natal coastline and the staff and management at the lodge will gladly assist in planning and implementing a beautiful wedding.

BAREFOOT HONEYMOON LUXURY AT ITS BEST
The soft sand and sounds of the sea provide the most romantic setting in nature, perfect for your once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon. Thonga Beach Lodge is an idyllic ‘away from it all’ beach honeymoon destination, where you can enjoy each other’s company and relax after the intense and busy wedding time.

With so much on offer at Thonga Beach Lodge, you can be as busy or laid back as you like. Take romantic walks and a picnic on an endless pristine wilderness beach. Go on a SCUBA dive, or snorkel and kayak.

Enjoy a couple’s treatment at our peaceful spa or request your favourite drink for a sundowner session at the edge of Lake Sibaya. Dress up for dinner and let us prepare our favourite romantic treat for you – a candlelit dinner on a deck overlooking the sea.

You can also choose one of our ‘Safari to Sea’ honeymoon packages, combining your blissful beach time with an exciting African adventure in the country’s best game parks.

WE DO ROMANCE RIGHT
Thonga Beach Lodge has been voted the most romantic beach lodge accommodation on the Elephant Coast for a reason. We have a soft spot for romance, and we’ll go to every effort to ensure that the memories you create on your honeymoon will last forever.

Unlike bigger hotels (which can make you feel ‘packaged and processed’) Thonga Beach Lodge is small enough to give our honeymoon couples the ‘royal romantic treatment’.

Our private Deluxe Ocean View Honeymoon Suite is situated in an indigenous forest, surrounded by sounds of the sea. This dreamy suite has a private plunge pool on an elevated deck under the shade of a milkwood tree with spectacular views of the breakers.

A romantic, king-size bed is dressed in crisp linen and dreamy mosquito netting and complemented by soft down-lighting. Enjoy a wide bath with bubble bath and candles.

We also have other rooms available that are just as luxurious and no matter which room you choose to stay in you will be sure to receive first-class treatment!

Our complimentary honeymoon treats include a bottle of sparkling wine, a private dinner and romantic turndown on the night of your arrival as a newly-married couple, a complimentary neck and shoulder massage and a beach picnic lunch.

SCUBA DIVING
SCUBA diving at Thonga Beach is phenomenal, with reefs located a short distance from the lodge. Shoals of game fish, sharks and schools of bottlenose dolphins are often seen.

Our professional lodge diving team accommodates all enthusiasts; from the beginner to the veteran, wanting a tour of the very best our reefs have to offer. 1,250 fish species (the Great Barrier Reef has 1500) occur on the reefs in this area.

Dives are from a semi-rigid dive boat which accommodates a maximum of 8 divers at a time. To get to our reefs, we start with a shore entry boat launch, where the skipper, dive master and divers, with the help of a tractor, push our7 metre boat into the surf, directly in front of the lodge.

This is a normal boat launch procedure for this part of the coastline and for most guests, probably the first time they will have experienced a launch of this nature. It is exciting and adventurous however the launch can be strenuous, so a reasonable level of fitness is required. Diving is weather and tide dependant.

SCUBA training is available at our PADI dive centre. If you are already certified, please bring proof of your diving qualification. We regret no children under 10 years, but kids aged 10 and up can do a Discover SCUBA Diving (DSD) or Open Water Diver Course. Please note that guests must be of a reasonable fitness level to dive.

DIVE INFORMATION AT THONGA
Our resident Instructor is PADI trained and certified and offers a variety of courses to suit your individual requirements to get you breathing underwater and exploring the spectacular coral reefs at Thonga.

Diving at Thonga has been rated as some of the best in the world by seasoned divers. This coastline is typically verged by a continental shelf stretching for about three to five kilometres out to sea, before giving way to deeper, abyssal waters, but the shallow shelf immediately offshore is cut through by several canyon like reefs, relics of riverine erosion from a time when the ocean level was lower than it is today.

Diving is weather and tide dependent, as these affect boat launchings and at times can be cancelled at the last minute. Our PADI trained and certified instructors are passionate about the Indian Ocean and are able to share this infectious love of the sea by taking you to beyond the breakers and below the surface.

THONGA HOME REEF – GOGOS
Gogos is our most exciting and beautiful reef. Situated just beyond the backline, right in front of our lodge, makes the boat trip to this site less than 5 minutes! The name Gogos means ‘Old Woman’ in Zulu and it refers to the old woman Angelfish that swim mid-water above the reef, playing with and biting diver’s bubbles.

Gogo’s depth ranges from 10 metres to a maximum of 18 metres and has a combination of a main, solid reef structure with rock and coral outcrops in impressive shapes and formations. Sand patches between the reefs often offer ray sightings.

As if the reef structure isn’t impressive enough, this reef offers a prolific array of fish, not only in numbers but also variety. Then add other sea-life like turtles, shrimps, lobster, anenomies, tiger cowries and you can see why a good dive on Gogos is hard to beat.

There is also a resident potato bass who has surprised many of our divers by seeming to appear from nowhere to join in the fun!

3 SISTERS
This reef offers spectacular big game and reef fish. It is situated a little further offshore, with an average depth of 16 metres and a maximum of 22 metres. On the northern side of the reef a small ledge starts developing into a wall as we move southwards.

It’s a good idea to bring a dive torch along, as there are several deep caves and crevices where moray eels, different type of shrimp and other interesting sea-life are frequently spotted.

Further south the wall fades to a steep slope and the sandy bottom is replaced by more reefs with plenty of interesting hiding places. A cloud of yellow banded snapper usually hovers at the base of the slope.

Higher up the incline are more caves with anything from Lobster to lionfish present. On the south side the slope gradually fades out again to a flat reef.

WATERWORLD
A world of underwater entertainment… this very exciting reef offers spectacular coral, canyons and swim-throughs. Waterworld is situated only a couple of hundred metres from the shore and starts at a depth of 7 metres with a maximum depth of 14 metres.

From the minute we roll over and descend down to the reef it feels like an amusement park. Swimming down the canyons, there is coral splashed out on the walls, which goes up and over into the next cove and canyon. For the experienced diver, there are two swim-throughs, guarded by Chubs and Baardman.

This reef is absolutely covered in pristine coral. Because of the depth, this underwater playground seems to attract a lot of playful, juvenile fish of all species. Brightly coloured fusiliers often swim over in mid-water.

Turtles are plentiful and can often be seen sleeping in caves or heading up to the surface for some fresh air. The sighting of a regal angel is also possible. However, this dive is more suitable to calm sea conditions.

DIVE COURSES AVAILABLE AT THONGA BEACH LODGE
PRE-ENTRY LEVEL
The Bubble Maker is a great way to let kids engage with nature while you enjoy Thonga’s peace and tranquility.

The course is a great introduction to SCUBA, using SCUBA equipment in the swimming pool, allowing them to play around under close supervision of an instructor. The course is open to anyone between the ages of 8 -10.

ENTRY LEVEL
Keen to try a dive? Then this is the course for you! Your PADI Instructor will teach you how to breathe underwater, covering a few skills and getting you comfortable and confident in the swimming pool training session.

Once you have completed the necessary skills and had some fun in the swimming pool, your instructor will then take you out for a shallow dive on one of our stunning reefs.

This course does not give you a scuba certification, but is the first step of the open water course. Includes: Crew pack with dive tables, pic cards, log book and dive book, dive theory, pool training and 2 x ocean dives

OPEN WATER DIVER & JUNIOR OPEN WATER DIVER
At least four days and five nights is required for this course. It will give you a full open water diving certification and allows you and your buddy to dive independently to a depth of 18m.

This course is recommended to all those that would like to start diving regularly and is recognized internationally. Open to anyone over 12 years of age. Includes: Crew pack with dive tables, pic cards, log book and dive book, dive theory, pool training and 4 x ocean dives

OPEN WATER REFERRALS
For those people who want to do the full open water certification course but who do not want to spend their time at Thonga studying dive theory and in the pool, we recommend you do all your training at home and then just bring along all the relevant documents.

We will then do your 4 x open water dives at Thonga. Remember, you will have to do your training with a PADI instructor. Includes PIC card and 4 x ocean dives

REFRESHER
This course is ideal for those who have not dived in some time – 2 years or more – and would like to brush up on their skills before going for a dive.

Our PADI Instructor will conduct the short (45 mins – 1 hour) refresher course in our swimming pool and cover skills such as buoyancy, mask clearing and regulator recovery.

Familiarising yourself with the dive equipment and feeling comfortable underwater again are what this course is all about. A must for those that want to have peace of mind before a dive – feeling confidant, relaxed and ready to have fun and enjoy your dive to the full!!

CONTINUING EDUCATION
This qualification provides the qualified diver with additional experience through a structured, well-supervised course and will allow you to dive up to depths of 30m. There are two mandatory dives, the Deep Diver and the Navigation Diver and 3 elective dives.

At Thonga Beach Lodge Marine Centre we make every effort to ensure that our guests have an awesome experience, but we will not compromise safety and will not take people diving if we feel they are not capable of diving the current conditions. All courses are weather and tide dependent.

BOAT LAUNCHING
The boat is launched with a tractor in front of the lodge and can only be done around the low tide because of the large shore break waves that come up at high tide. When the tide is low in the morning launches will be done early, when the low tide is in the afternoon, launches will be later.

For this reason, when the boat is launched, it is not possible to launch for another dive later in the day. We can do 2 dives in a day, but then we take 2 cylinders with us as well as food and drinks for a 2 dive excursion.

Please note that the launch site for the boat at Mabibi is particularly difficult due to large surf and a launch site exposed to the full force of the Indian Ocean. It will be at the skipper’s discretion whether to launch the boat and there is a minimum age limit for the boat of 12 years.

This is also at to the skipper’s discretion should he feel the sea is calm enough to take out younger boat riders. We do have to cancel many launches for safety reasons but often the snorkel pool is still safe enough to enjoy when we cannot launch the boat.

It is best to plan your diving around the summer months from December to June for the best chance of good sea conditions. It is also advisable to visit when the low tide is in the morning.

LET NATURE BE YOUR GUIDE
Make your journey all the more memorable when you enjoy close encounters with nature at its best. We offer our guests an authentic array of exciting experiences, with something for every adventurer, nature-lover and max-relaxer.

TURTLE TRACKING
Our guests have the privilege of experiencing the miracle of life. Under the cover of darkness, follow mother turtles as they return to the same beach where they were born to begin the cycle all over again.

Watch mesmerised as the mother turtle digs a hole and goes into a trance-like state while laying her eggs before returning to the depths of the sea.

BIRD WATCHING
Thonga’s abundant coastline and shady forests provide a haven for both birds and birdwatching alike. The diversity of flora attracts a wide variety of species, which include Livingstone’s and purple-crested touraco, green twinspot, grey waxbill and green coucal.

A variety of waders and the palm-nut vulture are also regulars. Guided birding is available at no additional cost.

SNORKELING
Mabibi is regarded as one of the best snorkeling sites in South Africa. The coral reefs along this protected stretch of coastline are home to thousands of species of tropical fish. Our rockpool snorkeling area is home to mostly juvenile fish, but you can see octopus, fire fish, moray eels and electric rays too.

The snorkeling is in the bay, about 400 metres south of the lodge. Snorkeling is tide dependent and is best at low tide. Guests can also experience the thrill of snorkeling in the open ocean on shallow reefs.

Age restrictions do not apply to rock pool snorkeling, however our fin sizes start at 36/37 and you must be a competent swimmer. Children under 8 need to be accompanied by an adult.

FISHING
You’ll get hooked on the amazing fishing at Thonga! The Maputaland coastline is renowned as one of South Africa’s most popular fishing destinations, with a wide variety of game and reef fish. Please note: Permits and tackle are required at own cost. The lodge does not keep any tackle, so don’t forget to bring your lucky rod.

SUNDOWNERS ON LAKE SIBAYA
Say cheers to the sun after another perfect day in Africa. Lake Sibaya is a perfect spot to watch an iconic sunset over southern Africa’s largest freshwater lake, just 6km and a 25 minute drive away. Enjoy your favourite drink and some tasty snacks as dusk welcomes the wild’s nightshift. No additional charge.

The lake’s diverse flora provides a variety of habitats for birds, mammals and aquatic life. Research reveals that hundreds of years ago, the lake was connected to the sea. When the estuary closed naturally, numerous fish and aquatic creatures were trapped in a freshwater environment, creating a biological treasure chest.

Lake Sibaya contains the second largest population of hippopotamus and crocodile in KwaZulu-Natal and is an important breeding, feeding and roosting area for a host of bird species.

Surface water in the surrounding coastal plain often disappears completely during dry spells, making the lake the only source of permanent water for birds and mammals.

KAYAKING ON LAKE SIBAYA
Early morning guided kayaking is offered on Lake Sibaya, southern Africa’s largest freshwater lake. Guests are driven up to the lake (20 minute) drive where they can enjoy an early morning paddle when the waters are calm and the possibility of seeing hippos and crocs is fair.

This is also an excellent birding opportunity. Regret no children under 12 years may partake of this activity. There is no additional charge for this activity.

The untouched shoreline of Lake Sibaya stretches for 100km; at 70 square kilometres, it is South Africa’s largest freshwater lake. Lake Sibaya falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and the Ramsar Convention assures its international conservation status.

OPEN OCEAN EXPERIENCE
We like to think of our Open Ocean Experience as an “ocean safari” or “game drive on the sea”. This adventure activity offers guests a rare opportunity to experience the variety of marine life that lives along the Elephant Coast.

An exciting launch through the surf, in front of the lodge, takes you beyond the breakers where you spend approximately an hour experiencing the beauty of the ocean and enjoying the scenery of our beautiful coastline, where dolphins, whales and whale sharks swim freely.

Depending on sea conditions guests may have the opportunity of snorkeling off one of our shallow reefs. If mother nature decides to give you a special treat you may see bottlenose or spinner dolphins, manta rays and giant sea turtles.

What makes the trip so special, is that we are the only operator launching this far north, so our reefs are in pristine condition and it is just our boat out at sea. No experience is required for this activity, but the launch through the surf can be strenuous.

We regret no children under 12 years or adults over 65 years can take part in the Open Ocean Experience. The trip is limited to a maximum number of 10 guests. This activity is weather and tide dependent and lasts approximately one hour. There is an additional charge for this activity.

TSONGA CULTURAL TOURS
The iSimangaliso area is home to the wonderfully hospitable Tsonga people, who have made this land their home for more than 1000 years.

As part of the Thonga Beach Lodge experience, we believe in creating a human bridge between our wilderness areas and the local communities so that the flow of benefits to these communities motivates them to protect these precious resources.

Our local Tsonga guides will proudly take you to a local homestead, school and clinic so that you can experience how the Tsonga people go about their day-to-day lives. There’s no additional charge for this activity.

GUIDED FOREST WALKS
Take a walk on the wild side and head out on foot to explore this natural wonderland through coastal forests, unspoiled sandy beaches and grasslands. There are over 296 bird species in the area, 2,200 flowering plants, 282 butterfly and 228 spider species.

The forest is home to localised arboreal mammals such as the tonga red squirrel, the thick tailed bush baby, the rare samango monkey and setaros dwarf chameleon. The walks normally take about 1-1,5 hours. Longer walks can be arranged. There is no charge for these walks.

A SANCTUARY FOR SPECIES GREAT AND SMALL
Thonga Beach Lodge is located in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, an internationally recognised World Heritage Site that is one of the most biodiverse regions in all of Africa. The 358 534ha and 220kms long reserve is a tropical paradise of crystal clear water, marshland, swamp and coastal forests.

Inside the reserve is Lake Sibaya, which has 100km of untouched shoreline and is South Africa’s largest freshwater lake. Hippo and crocodile bask in and around the lakes and the reserve provides a haven for a variety of rare fish, flora and fauna.

TURTLES
There are a number of different turtles found off the coast of Maputuland, but only two of these lay their eggs on the Maputuland coast: the leatherback and loggerhead turtles. Their nesting sites can be found right in front of the lodge, and we are proud to protect these magnificent creatures.

Often having swum the length of the African continent, a mother turtle returns to the same beach every year. Amazingly, her eggs are laid within metres of where she herself emerged as a hatchling.

Our Thonga guests can have the privilege of viewing the turtles as they are laying, although we take every precaution to ensure that the turtles are not disturbed.

BIRDS
Thonga Beach Lodge is a twitcher’s paradise, and the area surrounding Thonga Beach Lodge forms one of the most important refuges on the Southern African sub-continent for an array of beautiful birdlife.

Estimates of the number of species of birds in the iSimangaliso park vary, but one thing we know for certain is that the different ecosystems allow for diverse birdlife, from terrestrial birds to sea birds, freshwater birds and forest species. Many species of migratory waterfowl and wetland birds also flock to our shores.

The Maputaland region is home to 77 subspecies of birds that are endemic to the area. It is also one of the principal breeding areas in South Africa – 339 bird species are known to breed in the iSimangaliso Park. Guided birding is available at no additional cost.

HIPPOS + CROCODILES
If you’re thinking of taking a dip in Lake Sibaya, we suggest that you don’t! That “log” on the shore is likely a crocodile, and the “rock” in the water could well be a hippo. Lake Sibaya has the second-highest population of hippos and crocodile in KwaZulu-Natal and is home to around 80 hippos.

Due to their aggressive nature when threatened, hippos are often regarded as one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. They spend most of the hot day in the waters of the lake, coming out at night (often travelling long distances) to graze.

Crocodiles are the largest reptiles on earth. They are amphibious, spending part of their time in water and part on land. The species found in the iSimangaliso area is the Nile Crocodile, which has an average length of 3.5 – 5 metres long.

And beware the bite – a crocodile’s bite exerts a force that is eight times stronger than that of a great white shark!

FISH
The shallow reefs and rock pools along our protected stretch of coastline are home to an array of brilliant sub-tropical fish including moorish idols, parrot fish, electric rays and blue surgeons.

Due to the diversity and abundance of reef fish, Mabibi is regarded as one of the best snorkeling sites in South Africa. Further ashore, out in the open ocean, is where the game fish are found: stumpnose, giant kingfish, giant wave garrick, pompano, bonefish, and many more.

MARINE ANIMALS
The warm Indian Ocean supports a myriad of fish and marine life, and iSimangaliso Wetland Park is home to 32 marine mammal species, including southern right whales, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, humpback dolphins and spinner dolphins.

At Thonga Beach Lodge, guests have the chance to get up-and-close with these amazing marine mammals on an open sea adventure. Swimming with dolphins or whale sharks or snorkelling with manta rays and giant turtles is a highlight on anyone’s bucket list!

Website: www.thongabeachlodge.co.za

Rooms: 24

Price: from 267 EUR per night