Thonga Trails offers a captivating 45-kilometer multi-day hiking experience that immerses participants in the diverse landscapes of South Africa's North Eastern coastline. The trail begins near the Kosi Lake system, close to the Mozambican border & traverses pristine beaches & indigenous coastal forests.

Day 1 - 3 km

We meet in Sodwana Bay around lunchtime, where you’ll leave your car safely parked on private property. From there, we transfer 100km north along the R22, just shy of the Mozambican border, where your trail begins.​

​​​Your first stop is our hidden forest gem, a stunning new addition to the trail. This spacious tented camp, set in a secluded clearing overlooking Lake Kuhlange, offers a peaceful escape into nature. It’s the perfect spot to explore the Kosi forest and lakes or simply unwind as you settle into the wild surroundings.

​In the afternoon, Agrippa leads a guided bird walk through the Kosi forest to the towering Raffia palms—a 3km round trip to get your legs moving for the days ahead.

​A three-course meal inspired by our northern neighbors awaits, and for those hiking in summer, we recommend heading to the beach for a turtle walk in search of nesting Loggerhead and Leatherbacks—while your legs are still fresh! If luck isn’t on your side, you’ll have another chance tomorrow.

Day 2 - 15 km

We start the day bright and early with a light breakfast of tea, coffee, fruit, yogurt, and cereal, then pack some snacks and set off along the 3rd lake edge, winding through indigenous forest. This hidden trail—so secret even we got lost at first—follows the lake for 5km, offering sightings of Banded Mongoose, Samango Monkeys, Red Duiker, and an incredible variety of birdlife.​​

​The trail then climbs to the top of Nkovokeni, the towering dune that separates the Indian Ocean from Nhlange (3rd lake). Here, we pause to soak in the breathtaking views, before descending to explore the famous fish traps, mangroves, and thriving birdlife, where hippos and flamingos often make an appearance.​​

​​A boat ride through the Kosi Lake system awaits! Swim or snorkel among the mangroves, teeming with nursery fish, and get up close with the resident hippos and flamingos as we drift through the picturesque channels back to 3rd lake.​

​At camp, a delicious two-course meal is served. The evening is yours to relax by the campfire with a drink, but if you missed the turtles the night before, you have the option for a second turtle walk. Let us know, and we’ll arrange it!

Day 3 - 19 km

We start early to beat the heat, just like the turtle eggs incubating beneath the sand. Today’s trail follows one of South Africa’s most untouched coastlines, passing Rabbit Rock, Castle Rock, and Dog Point, before reaching Black Rock, 15km down the beach.​

​At Black Rock, a laid-back beachside lunch awaits, and the afternoon is yours to explore. Swim, snorkel, or hike up to Black Rock viewpoint, where you might spot Humpback Whales, Green and Hawksbill Turtles, or Bottlenose Dolphins surfing the backline. Keep an eye out for Palm Nut Vultures, often seen soaring along this stretch of coast.​​

​We’ll also take time to search for the Bouton’s Snake-eyed Skink, a rare lizard found only at Black Rock in South Africa, and the unique Beach Medlar shrub, another species exclusive to this area.

​Once you’ve had your fill of beach time, we transfer inland to Hlabasimhlope Monument and Heritage Site, your home for the night. This community-run stay, created by Eugene Tembe of the Royal Tembe clan, offers warm Zulu hospitality. Twin-share rooms, open-air showers with rolling hill views, and a cash bar set the scene for a relaxed evening. Enjoy wood-fired pizzas and shisa-nyama, then settle in for a well-earned rest.

Day 4 - 9km

We start early with a light breakfast before setting off from Hlabasimhlope, winding through the coastal forest of Manzengwenya (Island Rock). The 6km coastal twee-spoor track takes us south through dense bush, home to endemic birds, Vervet Monkeys, and Red Duiker.​

​The trail weaves between forest and beach, leading to Lala Nek, where a gourmet picknick lunch and a final ocean swim await. From here, we trade salt water for fresh, heading to Lake Sibaya, South Africa’s largest freshwater lake, for unforgettable sundowners in one of the country’s most underrated natural gems.​​

​As the journey winds down, we return to Sodwana Bay, where a private lodge awaits for a final dinner of elegant surprises, paired with wine and champagne—the perfect ending to an epic trail.​​

Day 5

No trip to Thongaland is complete without a sea safari! Sodwana Bay boasts 30% more fish biodiversity than the entire Caribbean Sea, thanks to deep offshore canyons that shelter the legendary Coelacanth and create nutrient-rich upwellings that sustain the world’s southernmost coral reefs. If you're a diver and want to extend your trip, we can arrange additional dives after the trail.​

​After a light breakfast, we launch from Sodwana Bay, powering through the surf for a breathtaking ride along the coast. With towering vegetated dunes standing guard over the ancient shoreline, this ocean-side perspective offers a stunning way to reflect on the journey you’ve just completed. Thanks to the lack of river runoff, water visibility here can reach 30 meters for days on end.​​

​​Expect encounters with Bottlenose Dolphins year-round, Humpback Whales on their migration (northward in June, returning with calves in September), and possibly even Whale Sharks and gestating Ragged-Tooth Sharks in summer. The boat stops at 9 Mile Reef, where you'll snorkel at Breaking Waters, a shallow coral paradise home to Hawksbill Turtles, Potato Bass, Moorish Idols, and Giant Trevally—just a handful of the 1,300 fish species found along this coastline.

​​By 11 AM, we return to Sodwana Beach, where you’ll collect your vehicle. After final goodbyes, we part ways—each of us carrying the unforgettable memories of a journey that few get to experience.