Crafters Lodge, Sodwana Bay Accommodation

Crafters lodge

Fully serviced and staffed, air-conditioned and pet friendly, Crafters Lodge is designed for privacy and comfort. This small secure complex offers simple living ideally suited to the climate, with a large deck, expansive windows and charming rural surroundings.

Where we are

Crafters Lodge lies in Sodwana BayVillage within 40 km of four of KwaZulu Natal's major Game Reserves, 80 km from Hluhluwe and 1700 metres from World Heritage Site Sodwana Bay by line of sight, 7 minutes by road. The world’s highest forested dune and a dense mangrove water system separate the village from the sea.

What we offer

Offering individual chalets each nestling in the natural bush, Crafters’ Lodge is securely fenced and safe for pets. Our well- trained staff will take care of you while you and your family enjoy an exciting and adventurous holiday. Chalets offer 2 bedrooms, 1 bath/shower room, and an additional out- door rustic shower, hanging and washing facilities for dive gear, controlled speed fans throughout, open plan lounge/dining room/kitchen, wooden balustraded deck with Weber braai, comfortable outdoor hardwood furniture and charming local craft contributions in the form of curtains, place mats, floor mats, waste-paper baskets, bedside tables, kiddies chairs and occasional tables.
The architectural language at Crafters Lodge is ideally suited to the climate, with screed floors, and rush mats. Furnishing is simple, incorporating items made locally and sold in the rural market at the beach. A exterior colour palette of rich earth tones unites the chalets with the African soil.

Beach Access

Beach access is through the main Parks Board Gates, controlled by Simangaliso Wetland Parks. A fee of R 20 per adult is levied to access the beach. A Golden Rhino Card can be bought for R 495 per year which gives unlimited access to all of the Natal Game Reserves and Parks.
There is a secure parking area behind the world's highest forested dune, and there is unique 4 x 4 access onto the inter-tidal zone, so people wanting privacy can travel for 4 km up the beach to deserted private areas to swim or fish.

Things to do

Sodwana Bay diving is unique in the world. Abundant corals, well-balanced fish-life and breathtaking natural beauty make Sodwana Bay reefs some of the most spectacular and fascinating in the world. Diving is on reefs where the reef population balance is complete with huge shoals of barracuda, eagle rays and an abundance of reef fish. In summer the pregnant female ragged tooth sharks lie in the warm waters, fasting while they gestate.
Laze on the extensive swimming beaches, or drift into the warm tropical waters to snorkel off Jesser Point and enjoy a beach breakfast at the Beach Cafe, then dine at night at The Lighthouse on their mouth-watering fillet steak
Try a quad bike trail through the pine plantations, try surf fishing, book a kite surfing lesson. You can dive the reefs in the morning, book a Game Viewing Safari to Tembe Elephant Park in the afternoon and take a Turtle Tour to watch turtles laying their eggs at night

Big Game and Deep Sea fishing made Sodwana Bay famous, and many Prestigious International competitions are held there. Fisherman can book day trips or bring their own boats.
View the bay from a microlite aircraft, or try body surfing or boogie boarding.
Buy a sarong or handwoven beach- bag from the local market, or take a set of handwoven table mats home as a memento. Sodwana Bay has it all. You just have to be there.

Shopping and Dining

There are 3 restaurants in Sodwana Bay Village, a Sports Bar and large Screen TV at The Drunken Tree Bar. Inside the Controlled access area and on the beach is a Beach Cafe . There is also a Beach Shop on the beach, and Silver Sands SPAR general dealer inside the park. The small town of Mbazwana 9km from the Lodge sells everything, from petrol to cheap clothing to groceries.

The area

Northern Kwa Zulu Natal has a warm tropical climate with summer rains from October to April and dry warm winters from May to September. Temperaturs range from 21 degrees to 34 degrees in mid-summer. Sunscreen is a must here year-round. Northern KZN is listed as a malarial area, and visitors are advised to use insect repellent after dusk.
Game reserves abound, are easily accessible and offer 4 hour safaris, day trips or over-night accommodation. The closest game reserve to Sodwana Bay is Mkuzi, 30km from Sodwana and Phinda Private Game Reserve, 40km from Sodwana, both offering the Big Five, but the most unique is Tembe Elephant Park, 40 km from Spdwana, where the giant black elephants breed. A Safari through this Park is a must.

The Rural People

Northern KZN is underdeveloped and has a large rural population. The rural families living here build their homes and invest their incomes earned in the major towns in family-owned plots. Each plot is generally 50m by 50m, and all the spare family cash goes into construction and upgrading of houses in the area. Half-built houses are the norm in Northern rural KZN. Life here is simple, and many families rely on DSTV for entertainment, and celullar phones for communication. Crime is low, and tourists are welcomed.

Bookings

Bookings are only confirmed after receipt of the deposit, and only electronic payments can be processed. Your maid will hand you your keys, and your security guard will be on hand to help with any problems or queries.
Please sign in with security, and complete the visitors book on your departure.

Getting there

Fly in to Durban International Airport. Make sure you have your International Driving License with you, and be careful to obey the speeding laws. KZN has a Zero Tolerance policy towards speedsters.
Europecar will offer you a budget car, but book before you travel.
AVIS can provide a 4 x 4, but book before you travel.
From the airport follow signs to North Coast N2, by-passing Durban.
With a full petrol tank travel North for 4 hours. Then take the off-ramp to HLUHLUWE. Follow sign boards to SODWANA BAY.
Fill up with petrol at the small town of Mbazwana. Take signs towards Sodwana Bay. After 9 km you will have reached the Sodwana Bay Village. Follow the yellow and black signs to Crafters Lodge.

Rates
Rates per house including 4 people (additional adults/children max 2)
Peak Season:
March – April school holidays
December – January school holidays
All long weekends R 1600.00 per night
R 350.00 per night additional adults
R 200.00 per night additional child U12

Standard Season: R 1250.00 per night
R 350.00 per night additional adults
R 200.00 per night additional child U12
R 350.00 per person per night (Mid-week 2 people)

• Children under 2 years old stay for free (cribs and bedding not provided)
• Pets stay for free
• A booking form needs to be filled in prior to arrival
• A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking