Mbotyi River Lodge

The Mbotyi River Lodge is situated at the mouth of the Mbotyi River on a wide tidal estuary. It is located in rolling hills and lush tropical forest, providing a peaceful and tranquil environment for those seeking a relaxing holiday or adventurous outdoor activities along this coastline.

The lodge is located 27 km from Lusikisiki and is easily accessible by normal vehicle. Along the road to Mbotyi, visitors can enjoy the scenic Magwa Tea Plantation, one of the largest in the world, with its green tea-covered hills and valleys reminiscent of a Noel Barbour novel about plantations in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Before descending from the plateau, the landscape changes dramatically with deep gorges filled with lush vegetation, towering waterfalls, and the Mqaba Forest teeming with fauna and flora waiting to be discovered.

The Mbotyi River Lodge offers various room types to cater to different needs. Rooms 201 and 202 are upgraded rooms with sea, river, and beach views, and can be connected for families. These rooms feature amenities such as fans, air-conditioning, TV, and small fridges. Room 201 has a bath and shower over the bath with a king-size bed, while Room 202 has a shower, toilet, and basin with two single beds or one king-size bed.

Rooms 603 and 604 are standard sea-facing rooms with spacious and airy layouts, offering wonderful views of the garden, pool, surrounding hills, and the ocean. Room 604 has a bath with a hand shower, and Room 603 has a shower only. Each room has its own private balcony and fan, with a queen-size bed and the option to add an additional single bed if necessary.

The Mbotyi area offers numerous interesting and spectacular sites to explore by car, mountain bike, horseback, or on foot. Whale and dolphin sightings are frequent, especially during the annual sardine run from June to August. Visitors can experience horse riding along the foothills and beaches, rock, surf, and fly-fishing along the coast and estuary, bird-watching with over 180 species recorded, and immersive cultural experiences with the ancient Pondo culture.