Accommodation / KwaZulu Natal / Ten (10) to Inspire

Best Places to Stay on the Elephant Coast, South Africa’s True Wilderness Revealed

Updated Saturday, 9 March 2024

The Elephant Coast of South Africa is some of the country’s wildest sea frontage north of the Dolphin Coast.

It’s typical of what one thinks when one imagines Africa – big game country – with the added bonus of a tropical coastline protected all the way to Mozambique by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (including Lake St Lucia, Charter’s Creek, False Bay Park, Cape Vidal, Sodwana Bay, Mkhuze Game Reserve, Lake Sibaya and Kosi Bay).

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Once known simply as Maputaland the Elephant Coast South Africa remains a Zulu stronghold.

It’s a mystically imbued, legendary wash of ancestral African land where traditional life continues, and Jacob Zuma built his infamous house.

Closer to the border with Mozambique is a different people, the local Thembe community, with their ancient fish-traps and slower pace of life.

Leatherback turtles come here every year to lay their eggs.

Combine the attraction of the country’s oldest game reserve, a birdlife second to none, kilometres of pristine beach, and some of the best snorkelling in the country and you’ve an untamed wilderness at your fingertips that leaves you spoilt for choice.

Best Places To Stay on the Elephant Coast

Best places to stay on the Elephant Coast South Africa …

Zululand Lodge, Hluhluwe

This modern, funky rendition of a tented camp in the uKuwela Wildlife Conservancy, just outside Hluhluwe, will leave you surrounded by bushveld with a main lodge view to drool over and access to a waterhole, game drives, game walks and camp fires under the stars.

Best Places To Stay on the Elephant Coast - Zululand Lodge

Kosi Forest Lodge, iSimangaliso Heritage Park

This 16-bed lodge lies in the wilderness of the World Heritage Park on the edge of a river estuary and beach. The thatched bush suites are hidden in amongst the sand forest under a canopy of shade trees. It’s romantic wooden walls, mosquito nets and surrounding forest gives it a romance all its own.

Kosi Forest Lodge Best Places To stay on Elephant Coast

Thonga Beach Lodge, Lake Sibaya

Another World Heritage Site gem, it doesn’t come better than this coastal dune forest hideaway set above a private beach.

This is Robinson Crusoe meets traditional Thonga fishing village and you won’t have to look far for inspiration and romance. When it comes to tropical beach holidays, the kind you only dream about, this is it!

Best Places to Stay on the Elephant Coast - Thinga Beach Lodge

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge, Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park

We’re not going to have to do much of a sales job on this newly constructed contemporary lodge, its 18 rooms perched on a ridge with incredible views out over the 96 000 indigenous game reserve – just go and take a look at the pics!

nd you’re perfectly placed for game viewing, visits to iSimangaliso, bird watching, or simply drinking in the views.

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge - Best Places to Stay in The Elephant Coast

Kosi Moon Bed & Breakfast, Manguzi

For those on a budget, this remote self-catering option, overlooking the sand forest and lake of the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, is a find and a perfect base from which to explore Kosi Bay mouth. There’s a communal kitchen and a splash pool.

Kosi Moon Bed & Breakfast, Manguzi

Hluhluwe River Lodge, Hluhluwe

A breath of fresh air is this lodge on the western boundary of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, with sweeping views over the Hluhluwe River floodplain and False Bay.

Twelve thatched chalets nestle around the lodge in the shade of an indigenous forest, in amongst which you may spot the odd red duiker or nyala.

A highlight is the mountain bike trails and guided sand forest hikes.

Best Places to Stay in Elephant Coast - Hluhluwe River Lodge

Kingfisher Bush Lodge, Manguzi

Kingfisher Bush Lodge in Manguzi offers reasonably priced safari tents and luxury tented chalets close to Kosi Bay and its 700 year-old Tsonga fish traps, pristine beaches, fishing opportunities and access to Tembie Elephant Park.

Kingfisher Bush Lodge Best Places To Stay on The Elephant Coast

Thornwood, Kuleni Game Park

Perfect. A self-catering lodge awaits you on the edge of Phinda Game Reserve and iSimangaliso Wetland Park for up to eight people.

Spend your nights on the fire pit deck beneath the skies, your days on self-guided walking trails spotting birds and game, or visiting the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Park.

Thornwood, Kuleni Game Park

Leopard Mountain Game Lodge, Mkuze

Set up in the wild secluded hills of the Zululand Rhino Reserve, overlooking unspoilt bushveld and riverine forests, the Umsunduze River and Lebombo Mountains below and in the near distance, it is the views that win hands down, with the luxury stone and thatch chalets not far behind.

Leopard Mountain Game Lodge, Mkuze

Sandpiper Guesthouse, St Lucia

This tasteful guesthouse borders the indigenous forest in the village of St Lucia, surrounded by the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – hippos wander the streets at night.

Sandpiper is within walking distance of town and offers five comfortable, en-suite and air-conditioned double rooms and a family room.

Sandpiper Guest House

Rhino River Lodge, Hluhluwe

A lodge in the shadow of the Lebombo Mountains on a privately-owned game reserve with direct access to black and white rhino, elephant, leopard and herds of antelope and zebra.

Choose from two-bed log cabins with iron-stone flooring, or luxury double or twin rooms each with its own entrance and verandah.

Rhino River Lodge Best Places to Stay on the Elephant Coast

Ghost Mountain Inn, Mkuze

It’s difficult not to fall in-love with this intimate hotel and its garden patio rooms, or superior rooms overlooking the water and the Lebombo Mountains.

You’re perfectly placed to explore several game and coastal reserves (self-drive or onsite safari tours) or make use of the hotel’s spa.

Best Places to Stay on the Elephant Coast - Ghost Mountain Inn

Which is Your Favourite of our Best Places to Stay on the Elephant Coast?