ROYAL THONGA

True bush experience We stayed at Royal Thonga with our 3 year old twins for one night. Venue gives one a true bush experience with the chalets isolated from each other so you... read moreWe stayed at Royal Thonga with our 3 year old twins for one night. Venue gives one a true bush experience with the chalets isolated from each other so you truly feel like you are in the bush. Girls loved the wooden walkways through the indigenous bush which connect the chalets, dining area, pool etc. Staff were friendly and accommodating, meals tasty and wholesome, well stocked bar and the game drive was a highlight. The lodge shares a boundary with Tembe Elephant Park and has its own gate so once you get on the game drive vehicle you are basically in Tembe. Great sightings of elephant up close as well as a number of other species. We will most certainly visit again. More read less

Beautiful place to stay very near to the elephant park entrance We were here for two nights in the x-mas vacation with our teenager kids. We had a wonderful stay enjoying the big pool and the beautiful lounge dinner area... read moreWe were here for two nights in the x-mas vacation with our teenager kids. We had a wonderful stay enjoying the big pool and the beautiful lounge dinner area with comfortable sofa's and chairs and a bar. books to read, water tea and coffee, very friendly helpful owners . The entrance to the elephant park is around the corner and we did a nice organised gamedrive early one morning and saw a jaguar walking! The guide took a breakfast along which we enjoyed on a stop during the gamedrive ( in a look- out with a beautiful view- safe from wild animals). Two of us had a great massage at the Lodge.No wifi but I heard some guests used 3G on their cellphones for internet. The cabins are comfortable, luxurious and big. Tell them in advance if you want to jo read less

Overnight stay at Royal Thonga We had a pleasant overnight stay at Royal Thonga on our way to Southern Mozambique. The food was ok (dinner), reminded me of good old 'home cooked' meals like your... read moreWe had a pleasant overnight stay at Royal Thonga on our way to Southern Mozambique. The food was ok (dinner), reminded me of good old 'home cooked' meals like your mother used to make for you, provided she is a good cook :) They have a lovely pool area to have drinks at and take a dip (was a bit cold for us) and a boma area to sit and have a drink or two at before and/or after dinner. The lodge staff were friendly, didn't see any managers. As it was our anniversary, we stayed in the 'honeymoon' room which is just the furthermost room from the main lodge otherwise, I think all the rooms are the same. The room was great, quiet, clean, spacious and nestled in the bushes with a lovely outside shower (also was too cold to try out by the time we arrived) and bathroom. We had to shower before the morning game drive and it was freezing but we survived! Would have been nice to have the option to shower after the game drive rather, before we left, but the generator is only on at set times. Also, the showers use gas to heat the water, which turned off every few minutes, so showering was an interesting experience as you had to turn the tap on and off to get hot water. Only having power twice a day is a bit limiting but it does add to the truly African experience. All in all, a lovely stay and a nice long game drive, seeing all the beautiful elephants was a treat! Will visit again, in Summer, and hopefully the big cats come out to play :) Thank-you Royal Thonga and staff for the lovely stay! read less

Umthayi Festival Visit Royal Thonga is a lovely establishment. The rooms are simple, comfortable and stylish. The food tastes really good and the dinning area is beautiful. It is best for a quiet... read moreRoyal Thonga is a lovely establishment. The rooms are simple, comfortable and stylish. The food tastes really good and the dinning area is beautiful. It is best for a quiet family or romantic holiday, not so much for business. Getting a phone signal was a problem. read less

Peaceful and beautiful We had a wonderfull stay at Royal Thonga.

The rooms are spacious and special. Although no airco or fan, the temperature at night was good to handle.
Staff is friendly and helpful... read moreWe had a wonderfull stay at Royal Thonga.

The rooms are spacious and special. Although no airco or fan, the temperature at night was good to handle.
Staff is friendly and helpful and do take interest in you.

There is no WIFI but we did not mind. Actually it was quite nice and enhanced our quality time. There are plenty books to read and games to play. read less

A Hidden Gem This is a hidden five star lodge which was recommended by our tour company, Outdoor Africa. The lodging and food over exceeded our expectations. I simply cannot say... read moreThis is a hidden five star lodge which was recommended by our tour company, Outdoor Africa. The lodging and food over exceeded our expectations. I simply cannot say enough good things about the people, the food, the accommodations and the private game drives through Tembe where we were treated to close encounters with some of the largest tuskers on the planet. Tembe is referred to as an elephant park but you'll be treated to the sights of much more. Lion prides, Cape buffalo, Dierkers, impalas, nyalas, giraffes and plenty of birds for you birders. The lodge has its own gate into Tembe and a first class 4x4 to take you throughout the Park. The lodge has no WiFi but simply bring your cell phone and create a hotspot for your iPad. BTW, did I mention the meals? I had the most incredible steak dinner. Hayden, our guide was good enough to send me back to America with some of the seasonings for the steak.

In summary, if you want to see some of the largest land critters on earth, go to Tembe and treat yourself to a three night stay at the Royal Thonga Safari Lodge!

Safe Travels!! read less