Hluhluwe River Lodge

Welcome to Hluhluwe River Lodge

Description

 Situated on the western shore of Lake St Lucia and adjoining False Bay Game Reserve and the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park lies Hluhluwe River Lodge. The lodge commands a spectacular view of the Hluhluwe River floodplain and False Bay. It offers the most comprehensive experience of South Africa's first natural World Heritage site including the famous Hluhluwe Umfolozi Park a mere thirty minutes from the lodge.

The Main Lodge and Restaurant

Meals are usually served on the lodge terrace with its wonderful view of the lake and surrounding bush. Our chefs prepare a variety of delicious Kudu and Nyala venison fillet along with the best local organic beef and Lamb. Fresh fish are regulars on the dinner menu as well as a variety of spicy Indian curries and chicken dishes all prepared with African influenced flavours and fresh vegetables from our local organic grower. The explorers bar is always a hive of activity in the evenings with guests enjoying a pre dinner drink on the sundowner deck before settling down to a candlelit dinner. After dinner liquors and Irish coffee around the terrace log fire is the ideal end to a day of exploring the area.

Accommodation

There are 8 two sleeper standard chalets ideal for couples and two four sleeper family chalets. There are two spacious luxury suites tucked away in a quiet forest ravine and romantically appointed. All the chalets have a wooden deck and African eclectic décor to compliment the use of wood, thatch and natural materials used in the buildings. All rooms come with comfortable cane chairs, a writing desk, a large suitcase rack, clothes cupboard, telephone, digital safe and are fully airconditioned. The chalet is equipped with a mini bar and tea and coffee facility. A full menu of wine, beer and malt is available for service to therooms.

Standard Chalet

Thatched A frame style chalet with deck. The bathroom is made up of an en suite shower and separate toilet, a vanity unit with one basin, a large mirror and shaver plug.

Family chalet

Thatched A frame style chalet with deck. The bathroom is made up of an en suite shower and separate toilet, a vanity unit with two basins, a large mirror and shaver plug. The chalet is open plan with two three quarter beds allowing for a double or twin arrangement and then two single beds which can be screened off with curtains if required.

Luxury Chalet

Thatched A frame style chalet with an expansive deck area, chairs and coffee table. The bathroom is made up of an en suite shower and separate toilet, a vanity unit with two basins, a large mirror and shaver plug. A Victorian bath is just off the main room area and looks out into the forest. The King size bed is draped with a romantic mosquito net.

Attractions

• Game Drive
  Morning and afternoon drives (in open vehicle game viewer) to the world famous Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park. The transit to and from the park takes 25 minutes. Tour duration is 4 hours. Morning drive includes tea, coffee, rusks & bottled water. Afternoon drive includes a drink and snacks.
• Bird Watching River Cruise
  A short walk from the lodge is the Hluhluwe River where you will go on a leisurely bird watching trip, lasting 2 hours. Enjoy sundowners and snacks as the sunsets in the company of a variety of riverine and water birds. This is a birding tour, NO HIPPOS but small crocs can be seen occasionally.
• Mountain Bikes
  Guided and self-guided mountain bike trails for the active type looking for some adventure and beautiful scenery. We provide well-maintained and lightweight bikes with balloon tyres for added comfort. Helmets and gloves as well as water bottles and puncture kits are provided.
• Eco Quad Trail
  Our beginner orientated rides are led by adventure guides who not only ensure your safety but also carry refreshments for breaks at viewpoints and provide clients with interesting information about the area be it ecology, birds, trees or culture. We run one, two or three-hour trips depending on what you want and rides are suitable for all ages from 10 years and older. Our Suzuki LTF 160 four-stroke bikes are comfortable, silent and easy to ride and trips are run in a safe and controlled manner. Eco Quad Trails are dedicated to being environment friendly and only conducted on existing jeep tracks and rural roads.
• Horse Trails
  We have a string of ten horses trained for trail riding. Equipped with the best trail saddles for ultimate comfort our trails range from 2 to 4 hour trails in the beautiful surrounds of False Bays forests and beautiful lake shore.

Guided Tours In The Area

• Full day Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park
  A full day excursion in the T5 luxury tour bus covering the best of Hluhluwe and Imfolozi Park. Includes a visit to Hilltop Camp and the Centenary Game Capture centre and craft market. Enjoy a delicious picnic with a view and ice cold refreshments.
• Full day Mkuze Game Reserve
  Guided Full Day Trips in the T5 luxury tour bus. Picnic lunch at Nsumo Pan with snorting hippos and crocodiles. Fig forest walk and excellent bird watching. Mkuze is a fantastic park for birdwatchers with a variety of habitats ranging from fig forests, dry thornveld, sandforest and wetlands. Although this is also home to Buffalo, Leopard and Rhino and a variety of antelope it is not the reserve of choice for visitors looking for big game.
• Full day Cape Vidal Day Trip
  This is essentially a full day beach trip. Cape Vidal is situated within the eastern shores game reserve and therefore is exclusively for day visitors and guests staying at the resort. The bay is safe for swimming and snorkelling with its warm water and endless miles of deserted white sand beaches. Minimum of 2 pax per tour includes all gate fees, picnic lunch and refreshments.
• Estuary Boat Tour St Lucia
  There are daily scheduled boat tours on the narrows section of Lake St Lucia Estuary. We do however recommend these tours specifically for crocodile and hippopotamus viewing only! It is rather 'touristy' due to the large number of people on board and lack of intimacy however this is one of the best areas to be almost guaranteed to see both hippo and Nile crocodile.
• Vula zulu Cultural Experience
  A Zulu cultural experience and traditional dancing. Undertake a tour of a traditional Zulu homestead and get an insight into the vibrant Zulu culture both past and present.
• Sodwana Bay
  For scuba divers this world class dive spot needs no introduction as it is regarded as one of the top ten reef dives in the world. For scuba enthusiasts Hluhluwe River Lodge can arrange diving with a dive operator. There is a safe snorkelling spot on the reef at Jesser Point. Minimum 2 pax includes transfer, all gate fees, picnic lunch, refreshments and snorkelling gear (Scuba diving and Horse beach ride by arrangement)
• Other Activity Options Available In The Area
  The activities listed below are essentially self drive activities though we would gladly arrange a transfer to the chosen activity. Prices are available on request.

Other activity options

• St Lucia Boat Cruise
• Hiking Trails at False Bay
• Tunga Studio – local art/embroidery upliftment programme
• Ilala Weavers Craft Village and Museum
• Cheetah and Serval project
• St Lucia Kayak Safaris
• Coastal Flying Safari

Directions