Big Skies Ubunye
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
KwaZulu Natal
Features
- Exclusive leatherback and loggerhead turtle tours – the turtles start arriving on the SA coastline from the 15th of November to lay their eggs, and can be seen up until the 15th of March each year. The best time to see the hatchlings is mid January to mid February.
- Pristine coastline with world-class snorkelling
- Experience the ancient, Kosi Bay fish traps
- Relaxing beach holiday or discover Maputaland
- Unique pescatarian menu with local flavours
- Child PolicyAll ages welcome
- PoolPlunge Pool
- SPAYes
- AirconFans In Room
- Cellphone SignalIntermittent
- WI-FINo
- Wheelchair FriendlyNo
- Back-up PowerYes
Location
Borders iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Getting There
4,5 hour drive from King Shaka International Airport
5 hour drive from Durban
8 hour drive from Johannesburg
Accommodation
4 x rooms (two of these rooms can accommodate two children 14-years-old or younger)
Rates & Special Offers
Deals By Date
- All rates are subject to availability
- Proof of SADC residency may be required at the time of booking or upon check-in at the accommodation
- Surcharges may apply on rates over peak holiday periods and long weekends.
- 4×4 vehicles are required to access the camp.
- Guests without 4×4 vehicles are required to park at the secure meeting point in Manguzi at 11am on the day of check-in.
- Return transfers between Manguzi and the Camp must be pre-booked at an additional cost of R600.00 per person return.
- It is approximately 1 hour of 4×4 driving time between Manguzi and the Camp.
- Check in is at 12h00 and check out is at 10h00.
- Unless otherwise stated, all rates listed are based on a minimum 2 night stay. Surcharges may apply for a 1 night booking.
- Rates quoted above are only valid for SADC Residents. International Residents are available on request.
- Single accommodation rates are available on request. Please contact your Weekend Breaks consultant for a quote.
- Two Medium Rooms can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children, aged 2 to 14 years sharing in the room.
About Big Skies Ubunye
Big Skies Ubunye is an intimate camp situated just 10 minutes from the beach, perched on the rolling green hills of Northern KwaZulu-Natal. The site boasts a breathtaking view of the coastal forest and ocean and lies on the border of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, one of South Africa’s World Heritage Sites.
Although the camp is located alongside a coastal forest reserve, this is not a traditional terrestrial game viewing area or experience. Rather, the experience offered is one of immersion in environment, with emphasis placed on the quiet, slow and small delights of the natural world.
A guided stroll through the dunes sees guests reconnecting with the landscape beyond just sight, as guests are encouraged to taste the delicious fruits from the Indigenous date palm or to learn more about the naming practices of the abundant herds of Nguni cattle roaming the fields.
The area teems with smaller wildlife, from singing frogs, unique skinks to rare palm-nut vultures. In particular, the snorkelling opportunities are outstanding. Mid-October to mid-March sees loggerhead and leatherback turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs with turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests, later in the season. June to October can produce breathtaking sightings of humpback whales during their annual migration.
ROOM TYPES
Ubunye – Comfort Rooms
ROOM FEATURES
- Veranda overlooking the ocean
- En Suite bathroom with spacious shower
- Electrical Outlets
- Fan
- Laundry Service (Available)
- Mosquito Nets
- Outside Shower
- Pure Cotton Linen
HOTEL FEATURES AND ACTIVITIES
- Beach Drop-off and setup
- Bird Watching
- Massages
- Walks (Guided)
- Walks (Self-Guided)
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS OR ACTIVITIES
- Beach
- Lake Boat Cruises
- Canoeing
- Catch-and-release Fishing
- Child Friendly Activities
- Cultural Tours
- General Sightseeing
- Hiking
- Kayaking / Paddling
- Snorkelling
- Turtle Tracking
- Walks (Guided)
- Walks (Self-Guided)
- Whale Watching from the shore
Features
Lodge Pool
Getting There
Recommend using Google maps to the parking lot of Big Skies Ubunye, but not to the camp – It will get you lost. From the parking lot follow the road signs instead, they’ll guide you straight to the camp.
Directions from DURBAN to Big Skies Manguzi Parking Area
- Departing from Durban or King Shaka Airport, head north on the N2 highway.
- Pass by Ballito, Mtunzini, Empangeni, Richard’s Bay, and Mtubatuba.
- Take the Hluhluwe/Sodwana offramp to get onto the R22.
- Hluhluwe town is 3km from the N2.
- Traverse the town and continue on the R22 for 80km to Mbazwane (Mbazwana).
- Proceed straight through two traffic circles.
- About 30km after Mbazwane on R22, you will encounter signposts for the D1849 Coastal Forest Reserve road on your right.
- Keep going straight for another 15km on the R22 until you reach the Phelandaba traffic circle (also known as KwaNgwanase on maps).
At the Phelandaba traffic circle, turn right and travel 22km to the town of Manguzi/Farazella Border Post. - Upon reaching Manguzi town, you will pass an Engen garage followed by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) on the right.
- Shortly after, turn right at the Fa Da Shop/Happy Supermarket.
- This turn is opposite the SuperSpar supermarket on the left.
- If you reach the Total Garage on the main road, you have gone too far and need to turn back.
- After turning right at the Fa Da Shop, continue on this side road past Themba Nkosi Pharmacy on the right.
- Cross a small stream shortly after.
- Immediately after crossing the stream, the road splits; take the right fork.
- The tar road ends just past the small stream crossing, and around 200-300m ahead, you will see a large white wall on the right.
- Look for the 4228 Gele Gele Street Big Skies Car Park sign painted on the wall.
- Our security guard and your guide will be waiting here to greet you.
- Toilet facilities are available on-site.
Directions from GAUTENG to Big Skies Manguzi Parking Area
Travel time approximately 8.5 – 9 hours
- Leaving Johannesburg, follow the N17 east past Springs toward Bethal.
- Leaving Pretoria, you can take either:
the N4 east, turning off onto the R545 to Ogies and then Bethal, OR the R50 through Delmas to join the N17 at Leandra, continuing to Bethal. - From Bethal, continue along the N17 to Ermelo, where you will join the N2 and then proceed to Piet Retief and Pongola.
- From Pongola, continue on the N2 for approximately 50 km.
- At just over 50km from Pongola, take the Jozini turnoff to the left. Follow the road 20km up onto the Lebombo Escarpment.
- From Jozini, head north over the dam wall for about 40km until you reach a T-junction of the village of Bhambanana.
- Turn right at the Bhambanana T-junction. At the 45km mark, you will reach the Phelandaba traffic circle.
- Continue straight through the traffic circle and follow the sign to Manguzi/Farazella Border Post – approximately 22km.
Continue along the main road, passing the Engen Garage and KFC. - Shortly after, you will see the Spar on your left.
- Across from Spar, is Fa Da Shop. Turn right down this street.
- If you reach the Total Garage on the main road, you have gone too far and need to turn around.
After turning right at the Fa Da Shop, continue down this side road. - Cross over a small bridge.
- After crossing the stream, the road forks; take the right fork.
- The tar road ends here, and you will continue for about 200-300m until you see a large white wall with Big Skies marked.
- Toilet facilities are available on-site.