contactand location

The ins and outs of how to get hold of us and where to find us. Please follow instructions carefully and do not use a GPS location pin, rather follow the instructions detailed below or those sent to you by reservations.

Contact Details

  • + 27 (0) 35 475 6000/3

  • S27° 19’ 47.00”
E32° 45’00.00”

RESERVATIONS

CONTACT US

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IAL MAPS - iSimangaliso_TBL WEB_Hluhluwe

Our Location

Please note that our pickup point for guests has changed to LIBRODI LODGE in Sodwana Bay

A 4x4 vehicle is required to get to Thonga Beach Lodge. We offer twice daily 4x4 transfers from LIBRODI LODGE in Sodwana Bay where guests can leave their vehicles in a secure parking area. The 4x4 transfer is approximately one hour. Pickup times are 12h00 or 15h00 and must be pre-booked with our reservations office.

Guests travelling in their own 4x4 vehicles can drive all the way through to the lodge.

Due to the condition of the road, we advise that guests plan their journey to arrive no later than 16h00. There is little to no cell phone reception for the last hour and there are often cattle on the road which are very difficult to see after sunset.

There is no fuel available at the lodge so please ensure you fill your tank either in Hluhluwe or Jozini. 

Please scroll down for detailed directions.

Recommended RouteFOR GUESTS DRIVING IN THEIR OWN 4x4 VEHICLE

FROM JOHANNESBURG

Estimated Travel time (8-9 HRS)

Head to Piet Retief and Pongola then proceed on the N2 South to Hluhluwe for approximately 110 km. Take the P453/R22 (Hluhluwe/Sodwana Bay) offramp and at the stop street turn left towards the town of Hluhluwe. Proceed through the town until you reach the last traffic circle. Turn left at R22/Sodwana Bay signpost and proceed for 0.7 km and turn right over the railway line towards Sodwana Bay/Mbazwana. Proceed for 78 km bypassing Mbazwana on the R22 road. Proceed straight through the circles following the signs to “Coastal Forest Reserve”. Proceed on the R22 for another 33 km after Mbazwana (passing the Mseleni turn-off) turning right onto a dirt road (D1849) marked as “Coastal Forest Reserve” by a brown road sign. You will see a large government sign indicating directions to Mabibi, Rocktail Bay etc. After 4.7km you will pass Coastal Cashews on your right-hand side. Continue on this gravel road and follow the signs to "Coastal Forest Reserve" and "Thonga Beach Lodge". It takes approximately 1 hour from Coastal Cashews to the lodge. There is very little cell phone signal on this road.

*Please note that there are many speed bumps through and after Hluhluwe, so take extra care when driving this road. Suggest you fill up your fuel tank in Hluhluwe as there is no fuel available at the lodge.

FROM DURBAN

Estimated Travel time (5 HRS)

Proceed on the N2 North to Hluhluwe. Take the P453/R22 (Hluhluwe) offramp and turn right over the highway towards Hluhluwe town. Proceed through the town until you reach the last traffic circle. Turn left at R22/Sodwana Bay signpost and proceed for 0.7 km and turn right over the railway line towards Sodwana Bay/Mbazwana. Proceed for 78 km bypassing Mbazwana on the R22 road. Proceed straight through the circles following the signs to “Coastal Forest Reserve”. Proceed on the R22 for 33 km after Mbazwana (passing the Mseleni turn-off) turning right onto a dirt road (D1849) marked as “Coastal Forest Reserve” by a brown road sign. You will see a large government sign indicating directions to Mabibi, Rocktail Bay etc. After 4.7km you will pass Coastal Cashews on your right-hand side. Continue on this gravel road and follow the signs to "Coastal Forest Reserve" and "Thonga Beach Lodge". It takes approximately 1 hour from Coastal Cashews to the lodge. There is very little cell phone signal on this road.


*Please note that there are many speed bumps through and after Hluhluwe, so take extra care when driving this road. Suggest you fill up your fuel tank in Hluhluwe as there is no fuel available at the lodge.

FROM KOSI FOREST LODGE

Estimated Travel time (2 HRS)

From Kosi Forest Lodge, make your way back to the P522. Turn left onto the P522 and continue straight until you reach the traffic circle. Take the first exit onto the R22. Continue for approximately 15km then turn left onto a dirt road (D1849) marked as “Coastal Forest Reserve” by a brown road sign. You will see a large government sign indicating directions to Mabibi, Rocktail Bay etc. After 4.7km you will pass Coastal Cashews on your right-hand side. Continue on this gravel road and follow the signs to “Coastal Forest Reserve” and “Thonga Beach Lodge”. It takes approximately 1 hour from Coastal Cashews to the lodge. There is very little cell phone signal on this road.

Recommended RouteFOR GUESTS REQUIRING A 4X4 TRANSFER TO THE LODGE

FROM JOHANNESBURG

Estimated Travel time (8 HRS)

Travel to Ermelo and follow signs to Piet Retief, the N17 now becomes the N2. Follow the N2 to Piet Retief and Pongola and then continue on the N2 South towards Hluhluwe for approximately 110 km. Take the P453/R22 (Hluhluwe/Sodwana Bay) offramp and at the stop street turn left towards the town of Hluhluwe. Proceed straight through the town until you reach the last (i.e. fourth) traffic circle. At the circle turn left (first exit) following the R22 / Sodwana Bay signpost. Continue for 1.3 km and turn right over the railway line on the R22 towards Sodwana Bay / Mbazwana.Continue on the R22 for 76 km to Mbazwana town. You will then reach two traffic circles at Mbazwana town, continue straight until you see the signboard ‘Sodwana Bay’ to your right, you will also see a petrol station on the right-hand side, turn right and continue down the road until you reach the stop street. Turn right, go straight at the traffic circle and continue straight for approximately another 11km. This is a tarred road and takes about 15 minutes. Continue to LIBRODI LODGE on your left where there is secure parking for your vehicle. Please wait here for your transfer. There is a bistro that is open from 07h30 to 17h00 daily and there are toilet facilities available. You will transfer to a 4x4 vehicle and be driven through to Thonga Beach Lodge which takes approximately 1 hour.

*Please note 4x4 transfers must be booked 48 hours before arrival to ensure that there is a vehicle available.
There are many speed bumps through and after Hluhluwe, so take extra care when driving this road. Suggest you fill up your fuel tank in Hluhluwe as there is no fuel available at the lodge.

FROM DURBAN

Estimated Travel time (4 HRS)

FROM KING SHAKA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT: Follow the exit signs out of the airport and head north on the N2 toll road in the direction of Emdloti/KwaDakuza (formerly Stanger) towards Empangeni/ Eshowe/ Richards Bay/ Hluhluwe. Follow the N2 North to Hluhluwe. Take the P453/R22 (Hluhluwe) offramp and turn right over the highway towards Hluhluwe town. Proceed straight through the town until you reach the last (i.e. fourth) traffic circle. At the circle turn left (first exit) following the R22 / Sodwana Bay signpost. Continue for 1.3 km and turn right over the railway line on the R22 towards Sodwana Bay / Mbazwana. Continue on the R22 for 76 km to Mbazwana town. You will then reach two traffic circles at Mbazwana town, continue straight until you see the signboard ‘Sodwana Bay’ to your right, you will also see a petrol station on the right-hand side, turn right and continue down the road until you reach the stop street. Turn right, go straight at the traffic circle and continue straight for approximately another 11km. This is a tarred road and takes about 15 minutes. Continue to LIBRODI LODGE on your left where there is secure parking for your vehicle. Please wait here for your transfer. There is a bistro that is open from 07h30 to 17h00 daily and there are toilet facilities available. You will transfer to a 4x4 vehicle and be driven through to Thonga Beach Lodge which takes approximately 1 hour.

*Please note 4x4 transfers must be booked 48 hours before arrival to ensure that there is a vehicle available.
There are many speed bumps through and after Hluhluwe, so take extra care when driving this road. Suggest you fill up your fuel tank in Hluhluwe as there is no fuel available at the lodge.

PLEASE NOTE

  • 4x4 transfers must be pre-booked with our reservations office
  • There are 2 pickups per day: 12h00 and 15h00
  • If you are running late or early please ensure that you advise the lodge or our reservations office
  • There is a restaurant and ablution facilities at the pickup point

Important Contact Numbers:

Distance Table

Johannesburg to Thonga Beach Lodge via road8 hrs
Johannesburg to Thonga Beach Lodge via air ex Richards Bay4 hr 30
Johannesburg to Thonga Beach Lodge via air ex KSIA6 hr 30s
Cape Town to Thonga Beach Lodge via air ex KSIA7 hrs 30
Durban to Thonga Beach Lodge6 hrs
King Shaka International Airport to Thonga Beach Lodge5 hrs 30
Kosi Forest Lodge to Thonga Beach Lodge2 hrs 15
Richards Bay to Thonga Beach Lodge3 hrs 30
St Lucia to Thonga Beach Lodge3 hrs
Rhino Safari Lodge to Thonga Beach Lodge3 hrs 30

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