Top 5 Sustainable Stays in KZN
Written by Zeldi Smulders
KwaZulu-Natal — or KZN — is a magnificent South African province full of varied landscapes and unique experiences that’ll amaze any traveller. You can explore beautiful scenes of beaches, forests, mountains, and wildlife in game reserves, all with a light environmental footprint. Sustainability is prominent in various aspects of KZN’s offerings, including many of the stunning accommodation options. This all year-round visitor-welcoming destination makes for an impactful South African adventure.
Here’s our list of the top 5 sustainable stays in KZN:
Isibindi Africa Lodges
Isibindi Africa boasts 3 stays in South Africa, all set within protected lands in KZN. By empowering its community and conservation projects, The Isibindi Foundation allows guests to make a purposeful impact when choosing these eco-lodges. Its Kosi Forest Lodge, situated within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers rooms hidden within a coastal dune forest alongside the mesmerising Kosi Bay lake system, making it a perfectly unique getaway for families and honeymooners.
Location: Elephant Coast
Budget: Fancy
What to look out for:
Discover the only fruit-eating vulture in the world on a birding expedition or see leatherback and loggerhead turtles lay eggs in the sand on a turtle-tracking expedition.
Explore the pristine environment on a walk through ancient Raphia palm forests. Alternatively, do so by snorkelling the Kosi Mouth or on a guided boat trip along the lake system.
Phinda Private Game Reserve comprises 29.866 ha of protected wilderness encompassing 7 different habitats. Home to the Big 5, &Beyond’s Phinda collection boats 6 luxury lodges, including Phinda Rock Lodge with its private stone suites boasting awe-inspiring views of the Zululand valley. At Phinda, professionally trained &Beyond rangers and Zulu trackers lead interpretive game drives in open 4×4 safari vehicles as well as other specialist walking, tracking, photography or birding safaris.
Location: Zululand
Budget: Fancy
What to look out for:
As part of their exclusive game viewing experience, Phinda is renowned for close-up sightings of the elusive cheetah and the rare black rhino.
A tour to a nearby Zulu village welcomes you to a traditional homestead, where you can learn more about this Bantu tribal group’s rituals and customs.
Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge is at the foot of the Drakensberg’s Sentinel Peak, boasting swanking mind-boggling views of the Drakensberg Mont-Aux-Sources and Amphitheatre. This mountain lodge is ideal for families and hikers with a choice of luxury rooms, a bungalow and a backpackers cabin. Guests are welcomed by the Batlokoa people and can appreciate the local arts and crafts made by the community, including a great deal of artwork and woven items that can be found in the lodge.
Location: Drakensberg
Budget: Basic
What to look out for:
Guests can spot endangered Bearded Vultures soaring up above from the glass-fronted restaurant.
No need to travel far to admire the incredible Tugela Falls, the highest waterfall in Africa, as it is only 8 km away from the lodge.
Babanago Game Reserve is a community-driven, malaria-free area where explorers can discover the bush on 20.000 ha of conservation land. One of its 3 superb stays, all of which have the same ethos, is Zulu Rock Lodge, situated on the edge of the reserve that overlooks the White Umfolozi Valley. A choice of luxury rooms, a romance suite or a family unit, each with a fireplace and deck, ensures a comfortable safari experience for all. Guests can enjoy the thrill of daily morning and evening nature drives in the reserve, take a dip in the lodge’s swimming pool with a view, visit the wine cellar and relax at the African-styled bar.
Location: Zululand
Budget: Mid-level
What to look out for:
The lodge’s stone-clad chalets are decorated with curated Zulu artefacts and are designed to make the most of the amazing views while still allowing guests the privacy of an intimate getaway.
Discover 285 species of birds, including Black Eagles and Crowned Eagles, Lappet Faced and White Backed Vultures, and the Narina Trogon. There are also 32 species of butterflies, including the Dark-webbed Ringlet and Mocker Bronze.
Based at the foothills of the Drakensberg range with various cosy cottages on offer, Three Tree Hill Lodge overlooks the Mfazimnyama valley of the Spioenkop Game Reserve. Hosted by experienced safari and mountain guides, guests can take part in various on-site activities, including horse trails, game walks, hiking, mountain biking and birding. Apart from that, there is also a swimming pool under a canopy of Acacia trees and a lounge decorated with historical memorabilia to relax in. Guests can look forward to excellent culinary experiences with a dining room serving locally grown farm-style country food and a wine cellar stocking South African wines exclusively.
Location: Drakensberg
Budget: Fancy
What to look out for:
The lodge’s Molly Blackburn Library is furnished with comfortable chairs and stocked with numerous Africana, natural history, political and inspirational biographies.
Explore the lush rolling foothills of the Drakensberg on a mountain bike, available to rent, or with guided horse trail riding for different levels of experience.
KwaZulu-Natal’s plethora of unique stays with impactful initiatives invite conscious travellers to experience an overflow of forward-thinking projects, cultural richness and biodiversity. Now that you know where to stay in KZN for an unforgettable eco-friendly holiday, why not book a sustainable stay with Viatu? Our KZN trips are expertly curated and customisable so that you can choose the perfect stay for your sustainable trip to South Africa.