IMPORTANT INFO
Lodge Fact Sheet
| NUMBER OF ROOMS | 12 |
| MAXIMUM GUESTS | 30 |
| CHILDREN | Max 8 children under 8 years. Dinners served separately |
| CHILDMINDING | Available by pre-arrangement |
| TRIPLES | Up to 1 child under 18 years per room |
| WiFi | Yes, in main lodge only. Slow and intermittent |
| CELL PHONE COVERAGE | No |
| AIR CONDITIONING | Yes |
| OVERHEAD FANS | Yes |
| SWIMMING POOL | Yes |
| ELECTRICITY | Yes |
| BATH | Deluxe Ocean View and Family Rooms only have baths |
| SHOWER INDOOR/OUTDOOR | Indoor. Deluxe Ocean View Rooms have Outdoor & Indoor Showers |
| MOSQUITO NETS | Yes |
| SAFE | Yes |
| TELEPHONES | No |
| LAUNDRY SERVICE | Yes additional charge |
| NO SMOKING POLICY | No smoking permitted indoors |
| WHEELCHAIR ACCESS | Room 10 only (Forest View) is wheelchair friendly |
| DISTANCE BETWEEN ROOMS | Ten metres |
| CHECK IN/CHECK OUT | 12h00 and 10h00 |
| CREDIT CARDS | All accepted. No debit cards |
| MALARIA | Yes |
CHECK IN/ CHECK OUT INFO
Check in at 12h00 and check out at 10h00
CANCELLATION POLICY
We require written confirmation for all cancellations (e-mail or facsimile)
Cancelled more than 60 days prior to arrival: 10% of the full accommodation charge
Cancelled more than 30 days prior to arrival: 25% of the full accommodation charge
Cancelled less than 30 days prior to arrival: 50% of the full accommodation charge
Cancelled less than 7 days prior to arrival: 90% of the full accommodation charge
All guests shall settle their extras account in full prior to departure
What to pack
- Comfortable, casual & cool, swimwear, hats & sandals for the beach
- All weather windbreaker & comfortable sturdy walking shoes
- Smart casual wear for dinner
- Sunscreen, binoculars, cameras, spare batteries
- Lip cream, contact lens solution, spare glasses
- Reference books
HEALTH & Travel
Before you embark on your exciting adventure, please make sure that all your health and travel requirements are taken care of.
Malaria and Medication
Malaria is endemic on the Maputaland coast, so ask your doctor for anti-malaria medication before you travel. Remember, some medications require you to start taking the medication before arrival.
If you take any special medication, be sure to bring enough with you to last the entire visit.
Passport and Visa Requirements
To enter South Africa, all foreign nationals need a passport valid for at least 30 days after the intended date of departure. Ensure that your passport has at least two blank visa pages for entry stamps. Check your country’s visa requirements with the South African embassy.
Travelling with children
- Children under 10 years are required to eat dinner 30 minutes before adults
- Baby Sitters are available. 24 hours notice required
PLEASE NOTE WITH EFFECT FROM 12 NOVEMBER 2019 CHILDREN TRAVELLING TO SOUTH AFRICA DO NOT NEED AN UNABRIDGED BIRTH CERTIFICATE. THE ONLY DOCUMENT THEY REQUIRE IS A VALID PASSPORT.
| ADULTS | 0-3 YEARS | 4-12 YEARS | 13-18 YEARS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 adults sharing with 1 child | Adult rate x 2 | No charge | Pays 50% of adult rate | Pays 75% of adult rate |
| 1 adult sharing with 1 child | Adult rate | No charge | Pays 50% of adult rate | Pays 75% of adult rate |
| 1 adult sharing with 1 child under 3 years | Adult rate PLUS 30% | No charge | Pays 50% of adult rate | Pays 75% of adult rate |
WEATHER
- May-Sept: Temperature ranges from 10c-25c
- Sunny days with very cool evenings and early mornings
- Sea temperatures between 18c-22c
- Oct-April: Temperature ranges from 20c-36c
- Days are hot & humid with occasional afternoon and evening thunderstorms
- Sea temperatures between 21c-26c
Season Highlights
- Nov – Feb: Turtle breeding season
- Apr – Jun: Best weather
- Diving: Best in summer
Dec – May: Average visibility is 15-20 metres
Jun – Sep: Average visibility is 10-15 metres
How To Get There
| GPS CO-ORDINATES | S27° 19’ 47.00” E32° 45’00.00” |
| ACCESS BY ROAD | 4×4 is required. Twice daily 4×4 transfers are available from Coastal Cashews at 12h00 & 15h00. 4×4 Transfers are chargeable. Transfers out of the lodge at 10h30 daily. Secure parking is available at Coastal Cashews for guest vehicles. |
| NEAREST AIRPORTS | Richards Bay & KSIA Durban Airports. |
| ACCESS BY AIR | Daily flights to Richards Bay ex Johannesburg . 3hr 30 min road transfer to lodge. Daily regional & international flights to King Shaka International Airport 5hr 30 min road transfer to lodge. |
Map & Directions
RECOMMENDED ROUTE FROM JOHANNESBURG (8-9 HRS)
Head to Piet Retief and Pongola then proceed on the N2 south towards Mkuze. Approximately 45km from Pongola and 10km before Mkuze turn left towards Jozini. On leaving Jozini take a left turn towards the “Coastal Forest Reserve and KwaNgwanasi” (signposted), ensuring that you are proceeding over the Pongola dam wall. After 45km at a T-junction turn right towards “KwaNgwanasi”. Proceed for another 47 km and at the circle turn right towards “Coastal Forest Reserve”. After 15km turn left onto a dirt road marked as “Coastal Forest Reserve”. You will see a large government sign indicating directions to Mabibi, Rocktail Bay etc. It is 4.7km along this road to the Coastal Cashew Factory on your right hand side, where you will be collected.
*Please note that the Jozini route often has cattle wandering across it, some of the signs have fallen down and so caution and slower driving speeds are necessary. Suggest you fill up your fuel tank in Jozini as there is no fuel available at the Lodge.
RECOMMENDED ROUTE FROM DURBAN (5HRS)
Proceed on the N2 North to Hluhluwe. Turn off the N2 at the Hluhluwe offramp. Turn right over the highway towards Hluhluwe, proceeding 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 again towards Sodwana Bay/Mbazwana. Cross over a railway line. Proceed for 87 km bypassing Mbazwana on the R22 road. Proceed straight through the circles following the signs to “Coastal Forest Reserve”. Proceed for 33 km after Mbazwana (passing the Mseleni turn-off) turning right onto a dirt road marked as “Coastal Forest Reserve”. You will see a large government sign indicating directions to Mabibi, Rocktail Bay etc. It is 4.7km along this road to the Coastal Cashew Factory on your right hand side, where you will be collected.
*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.
Distances Table
| Johannesburg to Thonga Beach Lodge via road | 8 hrs |
| Johannesburg to Thonga Beach Lodge via air ex Richards Bay | 4 hr 30 |
| Johannesburg to Thonga Beach Lodge via air ex KSIA | 6 hr 30s |
| Cape Town to Thonga Beach Lodge via air ex KSIA | 7 hrs 30 |
| Durban to Thonga Beach Lodge | 6 hrs |
| King Shaka International Airport to Thonga Beach Lodge | 5 hrs 30 |
| Kosi Forest Lodge to Thonga Beach Lodge | 2 hrs 15 |
| Richards Bay to Thonga Beach Lodge | 3 hrs 30 |
| St Lucia to Thonga Beach Lodge | 3 hrs |
| Rhino Safari Lodge to Thonga Beach Lodge | 3 hrs 30 |
| Rhino Post Safari Lodge by road to Thonga Beach Lodge | 10 hrs |
| Rhino Post Safari Lodge by charter flight to Thonga Beach Lodge | 2 hrs 45 |
