False Bay Nature Reserve

Perfect self-drive or guided option and a great birding hotspot. False Bay is the top end of Lake St. Lucia in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – South Africa’s first World heritage Site. Enjoy the great views over the expanses of the lake. Explore along the shoreline where there is an abundance of waders and water birds, Reedbuck, Bushbuck and even the Ammonite fossils that lie exposed when the water levels are low.

Times: Year-round

Costs: If you are self-driving just pay the park entry fees. Approximately R75 pp. For a guided trip, please enquire.

Distance: Approximately 10km (10 minutes) from Hluhluwe or Umkhumbi Lodge to the entrance of False Bay Park – iSimangaliso Wetland Park

Ilala Weavers

Ilala Weavers in Hluhluwe is one of the best places to purchase your souvenirs and local crafts for those back home. It is best known for its hand woven Zulu baskets where top quality is always guaranteed. The adjoining Ngweni Railroad Brewery and Cafe can provide breakfast, lunch or dinner daily.

Times: Year-round

Distance: Approximately 16km (20 minutes) from Umkhumbi Lodge to the craft shop at Ilala Weavers.

Snorkeling | Diving

Sodwana Bay is about an hour’s drive from Umkhumbi Lodge. It’s a beautiful beach to visit for a day trip. You can relax on the beach, swim in the surf, do some fishing or enjoy some of the more adventurous activities. Snorkelling: Hire a set of snorkels and swim around the rocky point. Plenty of fish, urchins, eels, sea cucumbers and occasionally turtles. In the winter you might spot from the beach migrating whales further out at sea. Or you can pay to go on a boat trip out to half-mile reef and snorkel off-shore. Scuba Diving: Bring your dive certificate and do a couple of dives at Sodwana. This is one of the best diving spots in the world.

Times: Year-round (weather dependent)

Costs: On request

Distance: Approximately 70km (60 minutes)

Boat Cruise

A 2-hour boat cruise on the St. Lucia estuary getting you close to all the wildlife on the waterways of South Africa’s first World Heritage Site – iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The skipper can get the boat quite close to crocodiles and hippos, allowing you to get a good view of these creatures and safely take great photographs. Bird watching is often great here too.

Times (approximate): Winter – 10:00am/1:00pm/3:00pm and Summer – 8:00am/10:00am/12:00 noon/2:00pm/4:00pm

Costs: R280 per person

Distance: Approximately 1 hour from Umkhumbi Lodge to St. Lucia

Zulu Croc

Zulu Croc is a reptile centre with several crocodilian species as well as other reptiles. There is also a snake house with an attractive display of snakes. You can do a self-guided walk through or arrange for a guided tour. Rafikis is a cafe adjoining the centre. You do not need to pay the Zulu Croc entry fee to enjoy the facilities. There is a shop selling gifts and deli items. There is a children’s play area as well as putt-putt.

Times: Year-round
Walk through: R50 pp (adults), R25 (children)
Guided tour: R100 pp (adults), R50 pp (children)
Putt-putt: R25 pp
Distance: Approximately 5km (5 minutes) from Umkhumbi Lodge to Zulu Croc.

Pineapple Tours

Hluhluwe is a town about 2 things: Safari and pineapples! Umkhumbi Lodge is on a small private game reserve with several pineapple farms nearby. Our neighbouring farmer offers interesting tours of the pineapple farm. You can also taste and purchase some of the produce. Dried pineapple chunks with white chocolate is our favourite! Guests will be welcomed at the farm with fresh pineapple juice and fresh cut pineapple. They then depart from there to the fields to see how the pineapples are grown.

Times: Year-round, Monday to Friday only as the farm is closed on weekends. Tours can be arranged the day before arrival. Flexible times by arrangement.

Cost: R200 per person

Distance: Approximately 5 minutes from Umkhumbi Lodge