Dreams are made of this

Here’s what renowned writer David Bristow and award-winning photographers Roger and Pat de la Harpe have to say about Thonga Beach Lodge in their much-awaited African Icons book. Isimangaliso was selected as one of these pristine natural areas of Africa and the talented trio stayed at Thonga Beach Lodge while filming there.

This is an excerpt and photographs from the African Icons Book chapter: Biodiversity – iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa.

Turtle at Thonga Beach, Mabibi – photograph by Roger de la Harpe

Dreams Are Made of This

The good news for turtles and Thonga Beach Lodge is that Dr George Hughes has never really retired and continues to give talks and accompany turtle tours from the lodge in January each year. Turtle tracking is something you do not want to miss if you are planning a summer holiday between November and the beginning of February, when first the turtles and then their hatchlings make an appearance on the Maputaland coast.

The lodge is one of the most attractive, charming and well appointed beach lodges in South Africa. It has 12 thatched chalets set amongst the coastal dune forest and joined by timber walkways. The food too is among, if not the best. A woman from the Argentine asked me what cut of beef we were eating: “It is the best I’ve tasted,” she enthused, from a country that knows an asado from a curanto.

The lodge offers scuba dives as well as snorkeling in the bay, and the sea is wonderfully warm and good for swimming, just about any time. You can also visit the local Tsonga community and learn a lot about living in, off and around nature from your guide.

Thonga Beach Lodge is a great place for just chilling out. You can soak up the sun on the seashore, lie in a recliner at one of two pools, take long walks on the beach or just do nothing but enjoy the privilege of being there.

Heavenly food at Thonga Beach Lodge – photograph by Roger de la Harpe

To book a stay at Thonga Beach Lodge, please visit: www.isibindi.co.za/.

To read another guest’s review of a stay at Thonga Beach Lodge, see: https://www.isibindi.co.za//blog/cleansing-space/