CRAFTERS LODGE
Self Catering Cottage/ House/ Chalet Accommodation
in Sodwana Bay, Zululand & Maputuland,
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Fully serviced and staffed, air-conditioned and pet friendly, Crafters Lodge
is designed for privacy and comfort. This small secure complex offers simple
living ideally suited to the climate, with a large deck, expansive windows and
charming rural surroundings.
Where we are
Crafters Lodge lies in Sodwana BayVillage within 40 km of four of KwaZulu
Natal's major Game Reserves, 80 km from Hluhluwe and 1700 metres from World
Heritage Site Sodwana Bay by line of sight, 7 minutes by road. The world's
highest forested dune and a dense mangrove water system separate the village
from the sea.
What we offer
Offering individual chalets each nestling in the natural bush, Crafters' Lodge
is securely fenced and safe for pets. Our well- trained staff will take care of
you while you and your family enjoy an exciting and adventurous holiday. Chalets
offer 2 bedrooms, 1 bath/shower room, and an additional out- door rustic shower,
hanging and washing facilities for dive gear, controlled speed fans throughout,
open plan lounge/dining room/kitchen, wooden balustraded deck with Weber braai,
comfortable outdoor hardwood furniture and charming local craft contributions in
the form of curtains, place mats, floor mats, waste-paper baskets, bedside
tables, kiddies chairs and occasional tables. The architectural language at
Crafters Lodge is ideally suited to the climate, with screed floors, and rush
mats. Furnishing is simple, incorporating items made locally and sold in the
rural market at the beach. A exterior colour palette of rich earth tones unites
the chalets with the African soil.
Beach Access
Beach access is through the main Parks Board Gates, controlled by Simangaliso
Wetland Parks. A fee of R 20 per adult is levied to access the beach. A Golden
Rhino Card can be bought for R 495 per year which gives unlimited access to all
of the Natal Game Reserves and Parks. There is a secure parking area behind the
world's highest forested dune, and there is unique 4 x 4 access onto the
inter-tidal zone, so people wanting privacy can travel for 4 km up the beach to
deserted private areas to swim or fish.
Things to do
Sodwana Bay diving is unique in the world. Abundant corals, well-balanced
fish-life and breathtaking natural beauty make Sodwana Bay reefs some of the
most spectacular and fascinating in the world. Diving is on reefs where the reef
population balance is complete with huge shoals of barracuda, eagle rays and an
abundance of reef fish. In summer the pregnant female ragged tooth sharks lie in
the warm waters, fasting while they gestate. Laze on the extensive swimming
beaches, or drift into the warm tropical waters to snorkel off Jesser Point and
enjoy a beach breakfast at the Beach Cafe, then dine at night at Mi Casa on
their mouth-watering fillet steak. Try a quad bike trail through the pine
plantations, try surf fishing, book a kite surfing lesson. You can dive the
reefs in the morning, book a Game Viewing Safari to Tembe Elephant Park in the
afternoon and take a Turtle Tour to watch turtles laying their eggs at night
Big Game and Deep Sea fishing made Sodwana Bay famous, and many Prestigious
International competitions are held there. Fisherman can book day trips or bring
their own boats.
View the bay from a microlite aircraft, or try body surfing or boogie boarding.
Buy a sarong or hand-woven beach- bag from the local market, or take a set of
hand-woven table mats home as a memento. Sodwana Bay has it all. You just have
to be there.
Shopping and Dining
There are 3 restaurants in Sodwana Bay Village, a Sports Bar and large Screen TV
at Maak 'n Jol. Inside the Controlled access area and on the beach is a Beach
Cafe . There is also a Beach Shop on the beach, and a SPAR general dealer inside
the park. The small town of Mbazwana 9km from the Lodge sells everything, from
petrol to cheap clothing to groceries.
The area
Northern Kwa Zulu Natal has a warm tropical climate with summer rains from
October to April and dry warm winters from May to September. Temperatures range
from 21 degrees to 34 degrees in mid-summer. Sunscreen is a must here
year-round. Northern KZN is listed as a malarial area, and visitors are advised
to use insect repellent after dusk. Game reserves abound, are easily accessible
and offer 4 hour safaris, day trips or over-night accommodation. The closest
game reserve to Sodwana Bay is Mkuzi, 30km from Sodwana and Phinda Private Game
Reserve, 40km from Sodwana, both offering the Big Five, but the most unique is
Tembe Elephant Park, 40 km from Sodwana, where the giant black elephants breed.
A Safari through this Park is a must.
The Rural People
Northern KZN is underdeveloped and has a large rural population. The rural
families living here build their homes and invest their incomes earned in the
major towns in family-owned plots. Each plot is generally 50m by 50m, and all
the spare family cash goes into construction and upgrading of houses in the
area. Half-built houses are the norm in Northern rural KZN. Life here is simple,
and many families rely on DStv for entertainment, and cellular phones for
communication. Crime is low, and tourists are welcomed.
Bookings
Bookings are only confirmed after receipt of the deposit, and only electronic
payments can be processed. Your maid will hand you your keys, and your security
guard will be on hand to help with any problems or queries.Please sign in with
security, and complete the visitors book on your departure.
Contact Us
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See next to main photo for alternative contact details.
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