Rocktail Bay Lodge

Rocktail Bay Lodge Review

The lodge lies in a swale formed by enormous dunes fronting the ocean. Walkways tunnel through the dune forest to a golden beach that sweeps in a gentle arc several miles to the north. There are no lifeguards or shark nets, but the swimming and snorkeling are fabulous. The lodge consists of simple A-frame chalets raised on wooden platforms above the forest floor. Wood and thatch create a rustic ambience, complemented by solar lighting and basic furnishings. A large veranda and adjoining thatch bar provide the backdrop for alfresco meals under a giant Natal mahogany tree. Activities include great surf fishing (tackle provided), snorkeling, and walking through the forest or along the beach. Rangers lead excursions to see hippo pools, the rich bird-life of Lake Sibaya, and Kosi Bay, where the local Tembe people catch fish using the age-old method of basket netting, and Tsonga descendants also use ancient woven fish traps. For many people, though, a trip to Rocktail Bay is a chance to kick back and just soak in the atmosphere of an unspoiled coastal wilderness.