This 24-bed luxury lodge is the ideal place to discover one of the most unspoilt wilderness beaches left on the African continent. Mabibi is a magical place of coastal forests, grasslands, bush, shimmering lakes and exquisite sandy beaches. Its crystal clear, warm waters offer South Africa’s best snorkeling and fantastic off-shore scuba diving.

Set above a secluded bay, Thonga Beach Lodge is nestled into beautiful coastal dune forest with sweeping views of the stunning beach below. The thatched bush suites provide guests with complete privacy and were carefully constructed to ensure minimal impact on the environment. The lodge offers luxurious accommodation, mouth-watering meals and one of the best dive sites in the South Africa.

Thonga Beach Lodge is situated only metres from the beach and a 10 minute drive from Lake Sibaya (Southern Africa’s largest freshwater lake), which is part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, now internationally recognised as a World Heritage Site.

Activities at Thonga Beach Lodge:

Off-shore scuba diving

Scuba diving courses

Guided Kayak trips on Lake Sibaya

Sundowners on Lake Sibaya

Turtle tracking (November to February)

Snorkeling and swimming

Excellent bird watching

Guided wilderness walks

Thonga cultural experiences

Fishing: surf, deep-sea (at Sodwana Bay) and fly-fishing (guests must bring own equipment AND a permit)

Thonga Beach Lodge – Accommodation

Set above a private, sandy beach and nestled into magnificent coastal dune forest, Thonga Beach Lodge captures the essence of a luxury Robinson Crusoe hideaway. Traditional Thonga fishing villages provided the inspiration for this unique retreat that celebrates the true spirit of Mother Nature.

Main Lodge

Large coastal Milkwood trees set the scene for the ultimate beach experience. Carefully constructed into the coastal dune forest, Thonga Beach Lodge takes full advantage of its incredible position while being in complete harmony with the environment.

The dining area – a large thatched ‘rondavel’ - opens on to an expansive wooden deck, where guests can enjoy Maputuland’s sultry weather and the lodge’s sumptuous meals. Most meals will be served al fresco, or, guests can head for the beach and dine by candlelight on the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The lounge, with its comfortable couches and a cosy fireplace, is the perfect place to unwind after a day at the beach. Located upstairs from the diningroom, it offers spectacular views of the beach as well as the incredible forest surrounding the lodge. It’s the ideal spot to relax with a sundowner or catch a breathtaking sunrise over a steaming mug of coffee.

To beat the midday heat, guests can take it easy beside the lodge’s swimming pool or enjoy a delicious cocktail at the bar with its unique “ocean” bar counter. For those needing a little pampering, the lodge also has a rejuvenation centre where guests can revitalise body, mind and soul.

Bedrooms

The spacious, thatched suites are hidden in the coastal dune forest and raised on wooden stilts to ensure no harm comes to the sensitive dune soils. Inspired by Thonga architecture, the rooms have been carefully positioned to guarantee guests complete privacy and most rooms offer extensive views of the ocean and surrounding bush from private balconies. Luxuriously decorated, the rooms exude a romantic ambiance. Bleached wood, glass and natural materials have been wisely used to create an open, airy feel. The en-suite rooms have a bathroom with bath, shower and twin vanity.

Lake Sibaya – Mabibi

Lake Sibaya has 100km of untouched shoreline and at 70km² is South Africa’s largest freshwater lake. The lake falls within the Greater St Lucia 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.

The wetland also supports many of the rural people of this region, who in many cases are totally dependent on the water resource and its associated flora and fauna. Good management, careful conservation and controlled use of resources make Lake Sibaya an example of the concept ‘wise use in action’.

Fish

Lake Sibaya and its feeder streams support 18 species of fish. The fauna reflects a marine origin and has close affinities with tropical forms. A freshwater goby (Silhouetta sibayi) is almost endemic to this water system, as very few records of it have been received from other localities.

Vegetation

Plants and trees growing around the lake are typical of coastal dune forest vegetation. Of particular importance is the growth of an orchid Vanilla roscheri, which only occurs at Lake Sibaya. Another orchid, Oecevelades decaryanum, was collected at the Lake for the first time in South Africa and an unknown Oecevelades sp. occurs near Sibaya.

Mammals

There are 6 mammal species associated regularly with the Lake. These are white-tailed mongoose, water mongoose, hippopotamus, reedbuck, vlei otomys and African marsh rat. Other mammals associated with the area include Tona red squirrel; Suni; four-toed elephant shrew; samango monkey; red duiker and blue duiker.

Amphibia and Reptiles

There are 22 species of frog recorded at Lake Sibaya, 20 of which are tropical forms. Common species are reed frogs, grass frogs and toads. Larger reptiles include water monitor, African python, forest cobra and Nile crocodile.

Birds

Lake Sibaya is a birdwatcher's dream come true with 279 species recorded at the Lake alone. The water system is environmentally important for breeding, roosting and feeding habits. The most numerous are red and white breasted cormorants; pied, giant and malachite kingfishers; fish eagles and a variety of herons, darters and egrets. Waders include white-fronted sand plover, black-winged stilt, avocent, greenshank and spoonbills. The sheltered bays are home to jacana, crakes, gallinules and bitterns. Also recorded at the lake are the much sought-after Pel’s fishing owl, pygmy goose, palmnut vulture, flamingoes, Woodward’s batis and rufousbellied heron.