Getting Here

Our recommended way in, from every direction, is Nhlozi Gate (Gate 11), off the P380. Dukuduku Gate, about 3 km before St Lucia, is the other way in; allow about 35 minutes to the lodge.

Google Maps directions are not always correct here. Navigate to our GPS coordinates, and follow the directions below from the N2. Our GPS coordinates are 28.238455°S, 32.419261°E.

• From Durban or King Shaka International: N2 north past Richards Bay and Empangeni, then about 25 km past Mtubatuba — turn right at the P380 iSimangaliso Nhlozi Gate 11 turn-off.
• From Pongola, eSwatini or Hluhluwe: N2 south, then about 35 km past Hluhluwe — turn left at the same P380 turn-off.

From the turn-off to the lodge, about 17.5 km:

1. Continue for about 14 km on the P380 to the iSimangaliso Nhlozi Gate entrance.
2. Drive straight on the tar road for about 3.5 km.
3. Stop at the gate to pay the park entry fees, in cash.
4. Turn right at the concrete Makakatana direction marker on the ground.
5. Continue straight for about 1 km.
6. At the small circle, keep straight onto the dirt road; do not follow the tar curving to the right.
7. Continue straight for another 2 km.
8. At the end of the road, veer right for 400 m, then follow the road as it veers left.
9. At the silver Makakatana gate, press the buzzer.
10. Follow the sand road under a canopy of trees for about 1 km to the lodge, where our team will be waiting to welcome you.

We recommend contacting the lodge before arrival to advise your ETA.

• Summer, 1 Nov – 31 Mar: 05h00–19h00
• Winter, 1 Apr – 31 Oct: 06h00–18h00

Check-in is at 13h00. Lunch on the day of arrival must be pre-booked. Reach the gate before it closes, or book an after-hours arrival with us in advance.

The park’s entry fees and levies, which are not in our rates. Park fees are paid in cash: power cuts can stop card payments. Please note: Park entry fees are set and charged for by the iSimangaliso park authority and levies are subject to change without prior notice. The 2026 fees are on Rates.

A speed limit of 40 km/h. No trailers or motorbikes. Entry permits must be handed back at the gate on departure, or the park authority charges a penalty fee of R600.

• After-hours access must be pre-booked
• Only arranged at Nhlozi Gate, and escorts from the gate to be pre-booked at a fee of R375
• No entry after 21h00, except by the park’s exception, with a late-entry park fee of R1,000
• Entry permits must be handed back at the gate on departure, or the park authority charges a penalty fee of R600
• Please let us know in advance, so that we can make arrangements to meet you at Nhlozi Gate and avoid arrival delays.
• Dukuduku Gate, near St Lucia: no after-hours access

Yes, from the airports, nearby reserves and St Lucia, priced per vehicle, maximum 6 passengers, one way.

Guests pay park entry at the gate, in cash. All prices in ZAR, VAT inclusive; valid 1 November 2026 – 31 December 2027; E&OE.

• Transfer companies doing drop-offs or collections pay park entry fees at the gate.
• Drivers are charged entrance fees.
• A branded transfer vehicle (one with a logo) is charged the park’s operator rate of R1,000 per vehicle.
• Tell us in advance when guests arrive by transfer, so that we can ask iSimangaliso to waive the applicable fee for operators.
• Makakatana transfers are priced per vehicle, one way, on the Transfers sheet.
• Guests are to pay iSimangaliso park entry fees in cash on arrival.

Richards Bay Airport is about 1h30 away by road, and King Shaka International (Durban) about 2h40. We can collect you from either: see our transfers.