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KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Rocktail Bay

Totally fun and different, this is a 'game' lodge located at the beach. Yes, you can relax in the sunshine and sand, but you can also go on boat excursions to explore the ocean life and drives with researchers during certain times of the year to monitor the turtle breeding grounds. If you are really active and/or environmentally focused, then this could be an interesting stop.  — Mango's view

Situated in northern Natal, within the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve and adjoining the Maputaland Marine Reserve, is Rocktail Bay Lodge. This lodge lies within a proclaimed World Heritage Site. The secluded lodge is meters from the Indian Ocean in the coastal forest, just behind the first row of forested dunes. It offers perhaps the most private beach experience in South Africa on 30 km of unspoiled, undeveloped and pristine coastline. Outside Magazine voted Rocktail Bay's beach as one of the best in the world! Here the waves meet endless and diverse beaches where it is possible to walk for hours without meeting another soul or seeing a building.

The lodge is built away from the coastal breeze, just inland from the beach and within the forest canopy of vegetated dunes that occur along Maputaland's coastline. Rocktail Bay itself was named after a trawler that sank off the bay many years ago. Eleven wood and thatch tree house chalets are raised up on stilts into the forest canopy. The chalets have ensuite shower, hot and cold running water, toilet facilities and an outdoor shower. There is a lounge/pub and dining area where meals are served under thatch or under the giant natal mahogany trees. A boardwalk winds from the lodge through the dune forest and down to the beach. There is a swimming pool and sun deck for those who want to relax around the lodge.

In addition to simply sunning yourself on the clean golden beaches, a variety of guided activities are available. The Indian Ocean is ideal for snorkeling in search of tropical fish (flippers and snorkels may be borrowed at the lodge), while surf and fly fishing is among the best on the east coast. Nature walks through the coastal forest and grasslands, or drives in open 4x4 vehicles to Black Rock and other localities will enthrall naturalists and photographers. In summer, nocturnal walks and drives along the beach in search of egg laying sea turtles are a highlight. Scuba diving is available offshore.

This is not "Big Game" country, although they do have their own "Big Five": leatherback turtle, loggerhead turtle, palmnut vulture, Buiton's Skink and Zululand Cycad. Whales and dolphins are commonly seen offshore.

At Manzengwenya, 11 km south of the camp, the lodge has its own fully accredited dive center with a diving operation that is unrivalled anywhere in South Africa. They offer boating excursions out to sea around low tide to enjoy scuba and snorkeling on the pristine coral reefs offshore. Other activities include, snorkeling, fly fishing, swimming, horseback riding and drives to Black Rock, the nearby hippo pools and to the surrounding community in open 4x4 Land Rovers.

In 1999, Rocktail Bay Lodge was a winner in the prestigious international British Airways "Tourism for Tomorrow" Awards. These awards recognize organizations in the tourism industry which have made a positive contribution towards their local natural and cultural environment.

Includes: All meals