SAND FOREST LODGE
Bed & Breakfast Game Lodge
Accommodation in Hluhluwe
KwaZulu Natal South Africa
Sand Forest Lodge is situated on a nature reserve on the edge of an ancient
sand forest and lies 1.5km west of St Lucia
Wetlands Park. The Lodge is a 20 minutes from the Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Game
Reserve. Sand Forest Lodge is an ideal base in close proximity to many local
attractions including St Lucia, Sodwana Bay.
Facilities include the Marula Tree Bar and restaurant, swimming pool, boma and
sand forest bird and tree trail.
Accommodation:
Kingfisher/Cuokoo (Sleeps 4)
Family units with 2 bedrooms - 1 x Double bed and 2 single beds, shower room ,
kitchen, lounge, private patio and barbeque facility.
Woodpecker / Weaver (Sleeps 4+)
These chalets comprise of 2 family units, each with 2 bedrooms - 1 x Double bed
and 2 single beds, an en-suite shower room, second bathroom, full kitchen, open
plan lounge, private patio and barbeque facility.
Quail / Sunbird / Guineafowl / Hoopoe / Hornbill / Fisheagle / Falcon
There are 7 double chalets, which have either 2 single beds or 1 double bed with
shower room's en-suite, mini kitchen, private patio and barbeque facility.
Chalets are fully equipped and serviced daily; all you need to bring is your
food, drinks, drinking water, swimming towels and toiletries.
We have mosquito nets, overhead fans and air-conditioning in all rooms, we
suggest that you bring peaceful sleep or tabard (insect repellent) for comfort.
We have 2 rustic, wooden bungalows that have double beds, overhead fans,
mosquito nets, mini kitchens, private deck and barbeque facility. The bungalows
DO NOT have air-con or en-suite shower/toilet facilities and share ablutions
with the campsite.
There are camp/caravan sites situated on the edge of the forest, each have
electrical points and private barbeques. Ablutions are shared with the
bungalows.
Location:
Sand Forest Lodge is a comfortable 2 1/2 hour drive from Durban on the N2 toll
road-travelling north. From Johannesburg the drive is approximately 6 hours.
Activities:
Meander through our sand forest, walk amongst the Wildebeest, Zebra, Impala,
Steenbok and Duiker - sit a while and experience the ethereal atmosphere.
Observe the many varieties of birds in the trees and the Mongooses running
through the forest.
At the end of the day relax on your veranda and experience the evening sounds,
the bashful Bush babies will be watching you from above, the cautious Genet Cats
will be peeping at you from behind the trees - the Giant Eagle Owl sits above
and watches you all with a superior attitude and grunts his approval at the
tranquil setting.
The region has a vast diversity of natural and cultural resources that are all
within easy access to the lodge. Visualize an open vehicle game drive among the
Big Five in the oldest park in Africa, walk the fossil lined shores, canoe or
horse ride through the open water system and coastal sand forest of a World
Heritage Site. These and other activities can be arranged from the lodge.
Hluhluwe/iMfolozi Park is the province's premier "Big 5" reserve, and one
of the biggest in South Africa, covering 96,000 hectares of beautiful landscape,
forests, hills, rivers and waterholes. It has the distinction of being the
oldest formally protected area in Africa. The park is a 15-minute drive from us.
False Bay Nature Reserve is 2km down the road, meander through the park
or picnic on the shore of False Bay, view fossils and observe the prolific bird
life.
Mkuzi Game Reserve is a 1/2 hour drive north from our lodge, you may self
drive through the reserve and perhaps take a picnic lunch which you could eat at
the Nsumo pan - this pan covers a large area and is home to families of hippo
and crocodile as well as terrestrial forest birds and a variety of aquatic
birds, both fresh water and marine.
St Lucia is the gateway to the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, a World
Heritage Site, unquestionably one of the world's greatest destinations, the
largest estuary in southern Africa. Indulge yourself and walk along the many
hiking trails where a variety of game and birds can be viewed or take a guided
boat tour to view hippos, go deep sea fishing and whale or turtle watching, walk
along the beaches and snorkel in clear warm water at Cape Vidal.
Diving and snorkelling can be arranged at Sodwana Bay & Kosi Bay - approximately
40 minutes from the lodge, Sodwana has a coral reef with 95 identified species
of coral + over 1,250 species of fish have been identified here.
There is a Zulu Cultural Village 12 km down the road where you are able to watch
Zulu dancing and view the village.
So yes - plenty to keep you occupied, if you don't feel like doing anything then
you can just bask by the pool and enjoy the birds.
There are supermarkets in the village of Hluhluwe so all supplies are available
locally.
Climate:
The hot summer months are from October to the end of February, temperatures
reach between 35 degrees C to 40 degrees C during the day with high humidity levels. The days
are long with sunrise at approximately 05h00 and sunset at 19h00, evening
temperatures level at +/- 20 degrees C.
Winter temperatures are mild at approximately 25 degrees C during the day and
dropping to +/- 12 degrees C at night. Sunrise is around 06h30 and sunset 17h30.
Malaria:
Malaria is endemic to the area, although low risk, it is advisable to consult
your doctor before visiting the area during the summer months. Tick bites can
occur and visitors are advised to take precautionary measures.
The Elephant Coast is one of South Africa's most beautiful and unspoilt areas.
Few areas in Africa have the incredible diversity of fresh water eco-systems
found on the coast. There are major rivers, broad plains, large coastal lagoons,
deep clear coastal lakes, extensive swamps and semi-permanent pans. Abundant
game and bird species and a wild variety of flora.
Visitors are encouraged to realize that this amazing area is a destination and
not simply a stop-over!
We are active members of Elephant Coast Tourism association and feel highly
privileged to live in the Kingdom of the Zulu - we invite you to experience our
piece of heaven and become one with nature.
Please Note:
- Day visitors are to advise the office of their presence and will be
charged at R50 per person
- Check in is strictly between 14h00 & 18h00. Gate closes at 18h00
- Departure is strictly by 10h00
- All outstanding accounts must be settled in full on arrival
- Children MUST be supervised at all times
- Any breakages should be reported to the office and will be charged for
- Noise levels are to be kept to a minimum at ALL times
- No television allowed
- No loud music permitted
- No pets allowed
- Air-conditioners should only be used when you are in your cottage -
please ensure that the windows and doors are closed. When exiting your
cottage the appliance must be turned off.
- ALL meals are by arrangement - please speak to staff at reception
- No washing of cars permitted
- Vehicles are to ride on delegated roads only
- If for any reason you need to book out earlier than your reserved dates
- there will be no refund
- Should you have a problem whilst staying at the lodge please contact
Management immediately so that your dilemma can be rectified
E&OE
Contact Us
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