Top 5 Unique Stays in KZN
Written by Zeldi Smulders
Ready to discover dramatic and varied landscapes with diverse sights and experiences? Whether you are looking for a spot on the beach or within the unspoiled bushveld, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) won’t disappoint with its variety of distinctive stays. This blog explores unique places for you explore on your next enthralling getaway to this sunny South African region. All of the lodges are stunning and eco-conscious, but a few extra special treats to look forward to won’t hurt, right?
Here’s our list of top unique stays in KZN:
Thonga Beach Lodge
Set within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Thonga Beach Lodge by Isibindi is a luxury destination lodge with the best of Mabibi beach bliss, fine cuisine and wilderness tranquillity. Guests will find either ocean or forest views all around them and be enchanted by their sights and sounds. Warm days are best spent exploring the area with forest walks, reef snorkelling and much more.
Sustainability
The 12 thatched rooms are eco-sensitive, designed to have minimal impact on the environment and highlight the beautiful forest surroundings. Thonga is committed to supporting the local community and allows you to take part in cultural tours and local school visits.
What to look out for:
Set above a sandy beach and nestled into a coastal dune forest, this piece of paradise is considered to be a hidden gem offering the perfect wilderness beach experience. The ocean safari experience on offer ventures beyond the breakers and gives travellers a chance to see bottlenose or spinner dolphins, manta rays and giant sea turtles.
Nestled in Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is a secluded and pristine African getaway, ideal for honeymooners and travellers looking for a combination of wide-open spaces and safari luxury. Guests can discover the serenity of the African wilds with private viewing decks and rejuvenating spa treatments.
Sustainability:
Demonstrating prime examples of ecotourism, Rhino Ridge shines out in community development, anti-poaching efforts and the protection of natural landscapes. One of their many initiatives involves offsetting the carbon footprint of the guests travelling to the lodge with a spekboom plantation.
What to look out for:
This lodge is the first privately owned facility within Africa's oldest proclaimed game reserve, Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. It boasts an infinity pool with loungers that overlooks the African bushveld for remarkable views. Guests also have the unique opportunity to be hosted by a traditional Zulu family in a homestay and enjoy authentic activities.
This intimate lodge offers a tranquil family getaway or a honeymoon of romantic bliss. Thatched bedrooms are set on raised wooden decks and hidden in the sand forest alongside the Kosi Lakes System. From a viewing deck shaded by Umdoni trees, guests can watch hippos and flamingos splashing around in the lake.
Sustainability:
Guests can delight in sustainability-focused culinary experiences with ingredients sourced from ethical suppliers. Further echoing their eco-consciousness, Kosi Forest Lodge’s efforts range from investing in large solar energy farms to removing single-use plastics.
What to look out for:
Guided boat trips explore the lake systems of the pristine environment, while guests stand a chance to see the leatherback and the loggerhead turtles laying their eggs in the sand on a turtle-tracking expedition. At the lodge, a clear favourite is the open-air bathrooms in a reed-enclosed boma with their showers and baths sunk into the sand floors.
Found in the Big 5 Manyoni Private Game Reserve, Mavela Game Lodge offers tented accommodation with a safari flair and all-inclusive luxury. Guests can appreciate the African bushveld by taking part in walking safaris, game drives and night drives or visiting the main lodge’s large wooden veranda overlooking a watering hole. Mavela offers full safari relaxation, including a large private deck, yoga mats, and a private outdoor shower with a bushveld view.
Sustainability:
The Manyoni Game Reserve is a sanctuary for endangered species like the cheetah, wild dog, black rhino, and pangolin. The lodge is run by a family of bird lovers with a commitment to wildlife conservation.
What to look out for:
Mavela guides are bird specialists and will help you find the bird you are looking for on a birding safari. The main lodge has a unique feature - a thatched roof depicting a diving raptor in flight - and guests can also look forward to having a birdbath in front of their tent. The entire camp is unfenced for an immersive experience and guests are escorted back to their rooms after dinner.
This 5-star lodge, set in the heart of Zululand, offers 7 private suites and 2 family units that boast expansive views of the pristine wilderness. Nestled on the embankment of the White iMfolozi River, it offers guests the wild comfort of watching wildlife from a luxury suite. Careful consideration is taken, from the stunning décor with African touches and plentiful earthy materials like wood, brass, and leather, to the delectable dishes reflective of the local region’s cuisine and paired with selected South African wines.
Sustainability:
mFulaWozi protects the wildlife of the wilderness and supports local communities by preserving the Zulu history and culture and championing a sustainable model for socioeconomic development.
What to look out for:
The lodge has been hand-built by members of the Mthembu clan and is also named after it. Offering an exclusive Big 5 game drive experience for Mthembu Lodge guests allows for a unique combination of experiences that revolve around the breathtaking wilderness and the Zulu history and culture.
Discover the uniqueness of KZN
At Viatu, we celebrate sustainable and wild uniqueness, including stays that make their mark because of it! It’s time to discover KwaZulu-Natal and make your next holiday unforgettable by booking a unique KZN stay with Viatu.
