To find Mbotyi River Lodge on a map of South Africa, locate the Eastern Cape between Durban and East London: the Wild Coast coastline stretches from East London to the Mtamvuna River which is the border between the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal. Mbotyi River Lodge is on the remote northern section of the Wild Coast, in Pondoland. Lusikisiki is our nearest town approximately 26km away, 7km of which is cement road and 19km of gravel but can be negotiated with a sedan type vehicle.
Durban to Mbotyi River Lodge
- Take the N2 from Durban to Port Shepstone and then the R61 to Port Edward.
- Drive through Port Edward to Bizana (approximately 53kms).
- Drive through Bizanaand continue approximately 29kms until you get to Ku Bha T-junction.
- Turn left to Flagstaff (approximately 32kms).
- Drive through Flagstaff and continue on to Lusikisiki (approximately 36kms).
- When you get to Lusikisiki you come to a circle in the road on the outskirts of Lusikisiki.
- DO NOT TURN LEFT DOWN THE MAIN ROAD.
- There is a Sasol Garage at 11 o’clock.
- Drive around the circle and keep the Sasol Garage on the left.
- Drive up the road past a Police Station on the right to a Total Garage.
- Here the road veers to the right and you travel about 300 metres.
- There will be a Mbotyi River Lodge sign on your left hand side.
- Turn left onto a concrete road – Beware of the speed humps in the road.
- Travel 6kms on the concrete road which has speed humps all the way.
- After 6kms AND BEFORE THE END OF THE CONCRETE ROAD, you will turn right onto a gravel road.
- You are now 19kms from Mbotyi River Lodge.
- Keep going on the gravel road.
- You will come to a tea plantation.
- Drive through the plantation.
- Drive through indigenous forest.
- There is a little piece of concrete road through the forest.
- Continue on over a little causeway bridge.
- Get to another little causeway bridge – keep left.
- Drive up the hill and turn left into the Lodge premises.
East London to Mbotyi River Lodge
Leave East London N2 North – some 70 km further cross the Kei River – now in former Transkei -34 km further pass through Butterworth – 32 km along pass through Dutywa, now +- 100 km to Mthatha. (About 69 km after Dutywa look out for the home of ret, President, Nelson Mandela on you right, ochre coloured tiled roof, large garden, village of Qunu on the left.)
Before entering Mthatha, find shell Ultra City left, note a thatched village on left, look out for Ultra City signs. Clean bathrooms and refreshments. Enter Mthatha on Nelson Mandela Drive, continue until you see the N M museum ( old building large signs ) on left, take next road left, Madeira Road – cross 3 roads turn Rt into Sutherland, signs to Port St Johns – stay on same route 61 for 95 km. Before entering Port St Johns, the Umzimvubu river will be on left, look out for a bridge across Lusiksiki. Take this road, route 61 again, the next 45 km, very twisty but very scenic. Before entering Lusikisiki, you pass a deserted Quarry on the left- see Mbotyi River Lodge sign in Blue, white and black.
- Turn right onto a concrete road – Beware of the speed humps in the road.
- Travel 6kms on the concrete road which has speed humps all the way.
- After 6kms AND BEFORE THE END OF THE CONCRETE ROAD, you will turn right onto a gravel road.
- You are now 19kms from Mbotyi River Lodge.
- Keep going on the gravel road.
- You will come to a tea plantation.
- Drive through the plantation.
- Drive through indigenous forest.
- There is a little piece of concrete road through the forest.
- Continue on over a little causeway bridge.
- Get to another little causeway bridge – keep left.
- Drive up the hill and turn left into the Lodge premises.
Travel Tips
Do not travel without any cash, you may need to refuel at a garage which does not have a facility to process Petro Cards.
Try to avoid travelling after dark, many animals and pedestrians on the roads as well as fog especially on the roads around Lusikisiki, Flagstaff, Bizana.
Make use of bathroom facilities at recognised places such as the Ultra City in Mthatha, Kokstad or Port Edward when coming from Durban.
Give yourself time, travel slower, enjoy the scenic aspect and do not stress about animals and potholes, they are part of Africa.
Flying in
The Magwa Tea Corporation has a 1000 metre runway tucked in the neatly trimmed fields – contact us for co-ordinates. Nearest commercial airports: Durban, East London and Mthatha. Please contact us prior to planned arrival that we can liaise with Magwa to have the airstrip Prepared.
Heli-pad
Helicopters can land at the Lodge.