Thonga Beach Lodge is set on the secluded Mabibi Bay, in the heart of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, an internationally recognized World Heritage Site. With direct access
onto the pristine shores of the Maputaland coast, this lodge is the
ideal place to discover one of the last unspoilt and undeveloped
wilderness beaches left on the African continent.

Mabibi is a magical place of tranquil swimming bays and snorkelling reefs, coastal forests, grasslands, bush, shimmering lakes and exquisite sandy beaches. It’s clear, warm waters offer superb snorkelling and
fantastic offshore SCUBA diving.

Activities at Thonga Beach Lodge include SCUBA diving, Open Ocean experiences, kayaking and sundowners at Lake Sibaya, guided snorkelling, seasonal turtle drives/walks, Cultural tours and forest walks. Whether you are a walker or a diver, take advantage of the wealth of activities that await you in this beautiful hideaway, or simply relax with a Spa treatment or on the beach deck.

SCUBA diving at Mabibi is phenomenal. Our professional lodge diving team can accommodate enthusiasts, from the beginner to the veteran. For those who don’t dive, we have an Open Ocean Experience. An exciting launch through the surf in front of the lodge takes you beyond the breakers to a world of dolphins, whales and snorkelling. The warm Indian Ocean supports a myriad of fish and marine life. Guests can
sometimes swim with dolphins or snorkel with Manta
rays and giant turtles.

Access to Thonga Beach Lodge is reserved for 4 x 4 vehicles only.

Transfers from Librodi Lodge in Sodwana to the lodge can be arranged with non 4 x 4 vehicles being left in a secure shaded parking.

Turtle season is from November - February. The turtle tracking tours are conducted at Low Tide in the evenings. These times vary according to the low tide times.

Thonga Beach Lodge offers a Marine Safari Experience.

Turtle Tracking drives and walks are conducted in turtle season (Nov - Feb)

SCUBA diving at Mabibi is phenomenal. Our professional lodge diving team can accommodate enthusiasts, from the beginner to the veteran.

For those who don’t dive, we have an Open Ocean Experience. An exciting launch through the surf in front of the lodge takes you beyond the breakers to a world of dolphins, whales and snorkelling.

A sanctuary for species

The 358 534ha and 220kms long reserve is a tropical paradise of crystal clear water, marshland, swamp and coastal forests. Inside the reserve is Lake Sibaya, which has 100km of untouched shoreline and is South Africa’s largest freshwater lake. Hippo and crocodile bask in and around the lakes and the reserve provides a haven for a variety of rare fish, flora and fauna.

Marine life

The shallow reefs and rock pools along our protected stretch of coastline are home to an array of brilliant sub-tropical fish including moorish idols, parrot fish, electric rays and blue surgeons. Due to the diversity and abundance of reef fish, Mabibi is regarded as one of the best snorkeling sites in South Africa.

The warm Indian Ocean also supports a myriad of marine mammal species, including southern right whales, humpback whales, bottlenose dolphins, humpback dolphins and spinner dolphins.

At Thonga Beach Lodge, guests have the chance to get up-and-close with these amazing marine mammals on an open sea adventure.

Birdlife in the area

Thonga Beach Lodge is a twitcher’s paradise, and the area surrounding Thonga Beach Lodge forms one of the most important refuges on the Southern African sub-continent for an array of beautiful birdlife. Estimates of the number of species of birds in the iSimangaliso park vary, but one thing we know for certain is that the different ecosystems allow for diverse birdlife, from terrestrial birds to sea birds, freshwater birds and forest species. Many species of migratory waterfowl and wetland birds also flock to our shores.The Maputaland region is home to 77 subspecies of birds that are endemic to the area. It is also one of the principal breeding areas in South Africa - 339 bird species are known to breed in the iSimangaliso Park.
Guided birding is available at no additional cost.