Thunzi Bush Lodge

Thunzi Bush Lodge is a tranquil sanctuary of coastal forest located in the malaria-free Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is located at the base of a 44-hectare private valley overlooking the pristine and lush De Stades river wetland. The name "Thunzi" is derived from the local isiXhosa language and means "in the shade," describing a typical lazy afternoon in the forest valley.

The lodge is conveniently situated en route to Cape Town, approximately 25 kilometers from the city of Port Elizabeth and two kilometers from the untouched Maitland Beach. It is perfectly positioned as a charming natural destination to complete a scenic Garden Route adventure. For those who enjoy the outdoors, this unforgettable property reflects the magic of Africa, ensuring supreme relaxation, superior accommodation, and friendly hospitality.

Thunzi Bush Lodge offers a variety of self-catering accommodation options, including two one-bedroom chalets, one superior one-bedroom suite, one superior two-bedroom chalet, one two-bedroom en-suite chalet, and one superior three-bedroom chalet. Guests can enjoy an afternoon out in the country, surrounded by indigenous forest and bird song. The lodge provides gourmet picnics, where guests can bask in the afternoon sun on blankets and soft cushions, with a picnic laid out before them, complete with napkins, cutlery, crockery, glasses, and a gourmet delight in terms of food.

The lodge offers a range of activities, such as bird watching, bass fishing, shady forest and beach walks, sand boarding at the nearby Giant Sand Dunes, and relaxing spa therapies in the privacy of one's own chalet. The swimming pool, known as the "lazy lizard," is a perfect excuse to soak up the sun in true lounging fashion.

While most of the estate is classified as coastal indigenous forest, the close proximity of grassland, acacia thicket, and the De Stades River Wetland creates an ideal eco-diversity for bird watching and indigenous game viewing. The lodge supports abundant wildlife, with over 352 bird species listed in the area, including elusive species such as the narina trogon, African rail, grey sunbird, and the often heard buff-spotted, red-chested, and striped flufftails.

Enchanted forest walks on the reserve provide access to the dense indigenous coastal forest, where visitors can spot natural life, including wild orchids, tagged trees, the rare blue duiker antelope, bushbuck, and vervet monkeys. The lodge is also situated on the doorstep of the Maitland Nature Reserve, a 127-hectare property comprising three nature trails ranging from three to eleven kilometers, with the famous giant Maitland sand dunes and pristine shores of Maitland Beach just two kilometers away.

While guests can immerse themselves entirely in the natural beauty of Thunzi Bush Lodge, they also have access to a variety of game and wildlife attractions, modern shopping malls, and many other attractions within a 15-minute drive.