Rocktail Bay
Situated in northern KwaZulu-Natal within the Maputaland Coastal Forest Reserve and adjoining the Maputaland Marine Reserve is the secluded Rocktail Bay Lodge. Few parts of the South African coastline are as unspoilt and secluded as the area in the vicinity of Rocktail Bay.This is not Big Game country, although the area possesses its own Big Five: Leatherback Turtle, Palmnut Vulture, Butanes Skink, Lion Fish and Zululand Cycad. Two interesting antelope occur - common Reedbuck in marshes and grasslands and Red Duiker in forest patches. Hippo are found in fresh-water lakes. Whales and Dolphins are sometimes seen offshore. Birding is good and a number of typical coastal species occur - Green Twinspot, Green Coucal, Grey Waxbill, Purplecrested and Livingstone's Louries, Natal Robin and jewel-like emerald Cuckoo in forests, Pinkthroated Longclaw and Rufonsbellied Heron in marshy areas. Various waders frequent the shoreline. Access to Rocktail Bay is via the tar road which passes Ndumo. From this road there is 34km of gravel road to the entrance of the Coastal Forest Reserve at Manzengwenya. This road is passable in normal saloon cars. You park your car at the Warden's office inside the reserve and we drive you to the lodge in 4x4's - another 11km away. Guests who own a 4x4 can drive directly to the lodge. Guests who wish to fly in will be met at the airfield just outside of the reserve.Rocktail Bay Lodge was a winner of the 1999 BA "Tourism for Tomorrow" Awards. These awards recognize organizations in the tourism industry which have made a positive contribution towards their local natural and cultural environment. Rocktail Bay Lodge also lies within an area which was recognised by unesco's World Heritage Committee in 1999 to be of outstanding universal value and was thus awarded World Heritage Site status.
Lying just meters from the Indian Ocean in the coastal forest just behind the first row of forested dunes is Rocktail Bay Lodge.
Rates on request
Accommodation
All meals .
Standard lodge activities .
Park fees .
VAT and Tourism levy
All local drinks(except premium imports)
Transfer to and from the lodge
Drinks
Specialist activities
There is a lounge/pub and dining area where meals are served under thatch or under the giant Natal Mahogany trees. A boardwalk winds from the lodge through the dune forest and down to the beach. There is a swimming pool and sun deck for those who want to relax around the lodge. Snorkelling equipment is available at the lodge.
Scheduled flights: - Nelspruit, Durban and JohannesburgCharter flights: - To/from Nelspruit 1 hour - To/from Durban 1 hr 26 minutes - To/from Johannesburg 1hr 50 minutes - To/from Skukuza 1hr 10 minutes - To/from Sabi Sands 1hr 10 minutes - To/from Richards Bay 55 minutes - To/from Ndumo 40 minutes <br>Airstrip details: - Mazengwenya (preferred airstrip - Co-ordinates: S 27.16.00, E 32.45.00 - 30 mins drive from the lodge, 800m long Sappi Strip co-ordinates: S 27.11.18, E 32.39.57 - It is 1300m long and compacted earth - 50-60 minutes drive from the lodge and can be used by twin piston and turbine aircraft. - Altitude: 200 ft - - Direction: North/South
10 wood and thatch "treehouse" chalets & a family room The chalets are raised up on stilts into the forest canopy. Each have en suite shower and toilet facilities and an outdoor shower.