MTUNZINI’S FOREST HIDEAWAY

This has got to be one of the KZN North Coast’s best kept secrets! Situated in the tiny (residents might argue with this, but is does seems tiny) town of Mtunzini, and very cleverly hidden in beautiful, thick, verdant coastal forest are 22 quaint, but well constructed rustic log cabins that make up the Mtunzini Forest Lodge.
We arrived on a Friday evening after a hectic week, ready to totally unwind and relax and simply – kick back, and that is exactly what we did – Sipping a good red wine on the deck, watching the sky light up with myriads of twinkling stars, and with night jars and owls gently calling in the trees – reminding us that we were in a little slice of African paradise. Sleep came easily and we woke up bright and early to the sound of a friendly family of Vervet monkeys playing in the bush – and ready to explore forest that surrounds the Lodge on all sides, and the long stretch of beach, famous for its fishing competitions (there was one taking place during our stay).
The cabins all sleep six and are fitted with absolutely everything required for a long stay. Each cabin has DSTV and a braai area, but If you don’t feel like cooking there’s a great little restaurant on the property – that also has free wifi.
The trails are well sign posted, so there’s no way, unless you’re determined to do so, that you can get lost! There is an abundance of bird life in the forest, with over 300 recorded species, so the Lodge is a popular spot for bird lovers. We understand that famous bird photographer, Hugh Chittenden, lives in the area – so that’s a good indication that the bird life must be pretty spectacular!
Most evident to us were all time favourites – the Fish Eagle, whose call echoed hauntingly throughout the forest during the day – it has nesting sites close to the beach, we were told – and the Purple Crested Turaco (Loerie) who gave us a wonderful show, darting from branch to branch flashing it’s magnificent crimson flight feathers as it swished over our heads. Our hike took us over a sand dune to the beach, dotted with serious looking fishermen competing to see who would haul in the biggest catch, sea gulls on the lookout for a fishy feast, and to our joy, late in the afternoon, a pair of Palm Nut Vultures that the area has become famous for.
Back at the lodge we cooled off in the pool and then spent a good few hours playing table tennis and snooker before a lovely fishy dinner, while watching the Sharks making a valiant effort against the Blues – and then heading off back to our little wooden haven in the forest.
We only had two days at the Lodge, but if we’d stayed longer, we would have booked a round of golf at the Mtunzini Country Club – which looked pretty inviting from the roadside. There’s also a little morning market that takes place every Saturday Morning at the Lodge Restaurant, and we popped in for a pancake and bottle of chilly. This was a great way to get chatting to the locals who are so proud of their Best-Kept-Secret in the bush!