GweGwe Beach Lodge
Top of Class
Overview
If your idea of paradise involves unspoilt landscapes, pristine coastlines, and a symphony of nature’s wonders, then set your compass to GweGwe Beach Lodge in the Mkambati Nature Reserve. This is a hidden gem lies on the aptly named Wild Coast in South Africa. Here luxury and adventure take centre stage. There are not many places in the world where you can watch wildlife on land and dolphins offshore from the same lodge.
This luxurious beach lodge lies on a stretch of coastline that is as untamed as it is beautiful, between the dramatic cliffs, tumbling waterfalls, pockets of dense forest and crystal-clear waters. Here you can enjoy a day of wildlife watching, beaching and exploring, before being lulled to sleep by the Indian Ocean.
Mkambathi is perfect for families and couples; in fact anyone longing for an unspoilt coastal destination away from the crowds. It is surrounded by a marine reserve. here you can enjoy feet-in-sand dining experiences and fresh from farm-to-table meals
The beach lodge offers a luxurious retreat for up to 22 guests, with 9 suites, each with its own pool. There are 7 luxury suites and 2 family suites (each with two bedrooms sleeping 4)
The main lodge area offers a central lounge with a dining area, deck, and bar. Notable features include a show kitchen for interactive food experiences, a curiosity centre delving into the local Pondo people and their history, an activity centre with outdoor adventure equipment, and a kids' corner with games and childcare facilities. Guests can enjoy an outdoor casual deck with a pizza oven and braai area, a gym, spa, and curio shop and a wine cellar. There are plans for a secluded hot tub as well.
Activities on offer at GweGwe
Though the beach always beckons, there is a huge amount on offer, especially for adventure seekers. Set within the 7,500-hectare Mkambati Nature Reserve, the lodge’s private concession is a protected area known for its diverse ecosystems, including coastal forests, grasslands, and riverine habitats, with many fascinating areas to explore. You’ll find plains game galore including eland, roan, zebra, blesbok, and a plethora of birdlife, so grab your binoculars and prepare for bush adventure mixed with lots of beach action. Activities include swimming in the warm ocean waters, hiking, cycling, snorkeling in rock pools, kayaking, and paddle boarding, to name but a few. Keen mountain bikers will enjoy the range of trails on offer. From easy scenic flat trails overlooking the ocean to some more challenging descents and river crossings.
How to get to Gwe Gwe
There are a variety of ways to get there, depending on your attitude to adventure and the size of your wallet. The most adventurous (and cheapest) is to take a 1½ hour adventure boat transfer from Port Edward (about 1¾ hours drive south of Durban). This can be an amazing way to arrive with an exciting visit to one of the very few waterfalls in the world which falls directly into the ocean,
Other options are a weekly seat in light charter flight from Durban (45 mins) or a 25 min scenic heli flip from Margate (1½ hours south of Durban.)
GweGwe Beach Lodge gallery
GweGwe Beach Lodge on the map
Rooms
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Deluxe Suite
Surrounded by sea, forests and rolling grasslands. Offering the ultimate escape, each suite has its’ own lounge area, pool, deck, courtyard, tea/coffee station and mini bar. The bathrooms have bathtubs and both indoor plus outdoor showers.
Two bedroom Family Suite
Surrounded by sea, forests and rolling grasslands, the two bedroom family suites have one master bedroom, almost identical to the Luxury Suites. The main semi- open plan bathrooms has a bath tub and both indoor & outdoor shower.And one smaller childrens bedroom with its own ensuite shower room (no bath). Offering the ultimate escape, each family suite has its own lounge area, larger plunger pool, deck, sheltered courtyard, tea/coffee station and mini bar.
Review of GweGwe beach lodge by Kate
What an incredibly special place! This luxurious coastal lodge has been a dream for the local people for many years. Its a community-private partnership which means that a considerable portion of the revenue and profit goes directly to a Community Trust. So you can rest assured - that whilst you are enjoying the wonders of GweGwe - your visit is directly contributing to the local community.
I visited just before it opened and in my two action-packed days, I only fitted in some of the activities. As well as the kilometres of unspoit golden sandy beaches, there is a wealth of nature to explore.
The arrival - we did the adventurous boat transfer into the lodge. And we were rewarded with amazing sightings of early arriving humpback whales breeching right by the boat. No guarantee that you will be so lucky. (Whale season is usually mid June to early November). However you probably WILL see the dolphins that love to surf the whales right in front of the lodge.
We enjoyed nature drives with two fantastic guides, Matt and Jade, where we saw a good variety of plains game. We also enjoyed short walks to amazing viewpoints and hidden waterfalls. You can even swim to the waterfall which cascades into the ocean. Bush picnics were also on offer.
We also enjoyed a wonderful early morning kayak up the river, some of us tried the stand-up paddle-boarding and of course swimming in the ocean. Keen mountain bikers will enjoy the range of trails on offer from easy scenic flat trails overlooking the ocean. To some more challenging descents and river crossings.
Soon they are adding the Activity centre with its lovely spa and gym (though there is enough walking and cycling on offer for alfresco workouts). It will also have a curiosity centre for kids and the young at heart as well.
