Thonga Beach Lodge - Directions

Thonga Beach Lodge can only be reached by 4x4 vehicles and guests must arrange to be collected at the 2-wheel drive parking area at one of the pick-up times: 12h00 or 15h00.

There is an 800m-long landing strip situated 9km from Thonga Beach Lodge. The nearest scheduled flights are to and from Richards Bay or Durban. Transfer arrangements can be made for guests arriving by air.

Road access

From Johannesburg, drive to 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 Kwangwanase” (signposted), ensuring that you are proceeding over the Pongola dam wall. After 45km at T-junction turn right towards “Kwangwanase”. 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”. ”. It is 4.7km along this road to the Coastal Cashews Factory on your right handside, where you will be collected. The travelling time is approximately 7.5 hours. Upon reaching the Coastal Cashews Factory, two-wheel drive vehicles will park and guests will be transferred to the lodge in Thonga Beach Lodge vehicles (approximately 1 hour). The parking is secured and the entrance guarded. Please note that we have two transfers per day: 12h00 and 15h00. These transfers have to be pre-booked when confirming your stay. Four-wheel drive vehicles can proceed straight to the lodge following the “Coastal Forest Reserve” and “Thonga Beach Lodge” signs

From Durban, proceed on the N2 North to Hluhluwe. Turn off the N2 towards Hluhluwe, proceeding through the town till reaching a traffic circle. Turn left towards Mbazwane/Sodwana Bay and proceed for 0.7 km and turn right again towards Sodwana Bay/Mbazwane. Shortly after turning right you will cross over a railway line. Proceed for 82 km bypassing Mbazwane on your right. Proceed straight through the circles following the signs to “Coastal Forest Reserve”. Proceed for

33 km after Mbazwane (passing the Mseleni turn-off) turning right onto a dirt road marked as “Coastal Forest Reserve”. It is 4.7km along this road to the Coastal Cashews Factory on your right handside, where you will be collected. The travelling time is approximately 4.5 hours. Upon reaching the Coastal Cashews Factory, two-wheel drive vehicles will park and guests will be transferred to the lodge in Thonga Beach Lodge vehicles (approximately 1 hour). The parking is secured and the entrance guarded. Please note that we have two transfers per day: 12h00 and 15h00. These transfers have to be pre-booked when confirming your stay. Four-wheel drive vehicles can proceed straight to the lodge following the “Coastal Forest Reserve” and “Thonga Beach Lodge” signs.

• Please note that Thonga Beach Lodge is not accessible by 2-wheel drive so please specify if you require a transfer from the parking area? Pick up times 12h00 and 15h00
• The charge for the 4x4 transfer is R 75.00 per person return. There is an extra charge of R75.00 per person per transfer for late/early arrivals & departures.
• The last 4.7km is a poor condition sand road so guests must ensure they do not travel this road after 16h00. Please phone the lodge as you leave Jozini (from the north) or Hluhluwe (from the south) so that we are aware of you whereabouts in time to make the necessary changes to our collection times.
• Please note that check in time is 12h00 and the check out time is 10h00 if travelling in your own 4x4
• Please also exercise caution along this road and do not stop for strangers.
• PLEASE NOTE UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES USE THE SIBIYA LAKE ROAD TO ACCESS THE AREA, THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNING SECURITY ISSUES ON THIS ROAD