Thonga Beach Lodge

The 12 thatched suites are raised on wooden stilts ensuring minimal impact to the environment. All the suites are air-conditioned and the sitting areas have ceiling fans and mini-bars. The king or twin beds are draped with mosquito netting and the en-suite bathrooms have separate baths as well as indoor and outdoor showers with views. These spacious suites have private balconies with breath-taking views of the ocean and the natural surroundings.

Lake Sibaya has 100km of untouched shoreline and, at 70 square kilometres, is South Africa’s largest freshwater lake. The lake falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, now a World Heritage Site, 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 once connected to the sea and with the natural closure of the estuary, numerous fish and aquatic creatures were trapped in a fresh water environment. 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.

There are many exciting activities on offer at Thonga – indulge in a rejuvenating sea-weed based treatment at the Sea Spa, or relax at the secluded swimming pool. Get active with scuba diving, snorkelling and kayaking, or relax on the ocean on a sunset cruise or dolphin and whale watching excursion. Be sure to go on an incredible turtle-tracking excursion, when the females come ashore to lay their eggs between November and January.