Mtakatyi River Lodge
WELCOME TO
MTAKATYI RIVER LODGE
Set on a serene hillside overlooking the beautiful Mtakatyi River, with panoramic ocean, river and forest views, Mtakatyi River Lodge provides comfortable, secure and affordable holiday accommodation in a hidden gem on the Wild Coast. The Lodge is situated a pleasant 1km walk, or drive, from the river banks, where we have our own private launch site for boats and kayaks. And from our launch site it is only 4km's down to the azure Mtakatyi River Mouth, where you can try your hand at the great fishing or relax on the beach. (Which you often have all to yourself!) Mtakatyi itself is very remote and is located in the Transkei Homelands of the Xhosa People and bordering Pondoland in South Africa. Our friendly staff at the lodge can translate the local language and will be able to assist you in finding out more about the area and the adventure it offers!
Our Lodge
​There are 3 houses on the property:
Sea View House, which has the best views, is a
3 bedroom - 6 sleeper.
Forest View House is a 2 bedroom with en-suite bathrooms - 4 sleeper.
Mountain View House has 2 double bedrooms and a
8 sleeper bunk room - 14 sleeper.
All of the houses have an Open Plan Lounge and Dining area as well as a Kitchen with all amenities.
Each House also has a covered wooden deck area which is great for entertainment or relaxation! Sea View House has a Braai facility on the Deck and Outside we have a large Boma area, perfect for a Bonfire with its own separate braai area!
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Mtakatyi River Lodge is 75km from the nearest
city of Umtata (28km of Tar Road, 46km of Gravel Road.
At our Lodge we take pride in being self
sufficient, meaning we manage our own refuse, and we have recently installed solar power and generator backup to keep the lights on (if Eskom fails us). We also have a borehole and collect rainwater in tanks for bathing and drinking!
We have strict access control at the gate and there are 24 hour guards who patrol the property. There are also Staff members that come in daily to clean the houses, as well as additional staff available should you need assistance with baby-sitting, boat launching, fishing gillies, etc.​​
Activities and Surroundings
The Main Attraction of our lodge is, of course, the Mtakatyi River. One of the most pristine rivers in the country, the Mtakatyi River has gorgeous views of cliffside jungle and mangrove forests. Perfect for a slow cruise or a unique kayaking experience, you can take in the serene nature and array of birdlife. If you'd like to you can hire one of our boats and a guide to explore this magnificent river or go fishing!
The River is also Well known for its variety of fish species and so we encourage you to bring a fishing rod to try your luck! Well known species in the Mtakatyi River include King Fish (GT, big eye and yellow tail), Spotted Grunter, Kabeljou/Kob, Springer, Bull Shark, Skip Jack, Mullet, River Prawns, Mussels and Oysters. The Mtakatyi River Mouth is deep and the water is often crystal clear. The mouth also hosts a beautiful beach which you often have to yourself!
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Aside from the rive, there are wonderful nature trails all around our lodge which you can use for hiking or even a thrilling mountain biking experience! If you're in the mood for something more unique and educational, you can also visit our seafood processing plant with one of our staff members for a tour. There is more info on the processing plant further down this page.
If you feel like exploring this incredible piece of the Wild Coast, then you're in Luck! There are many great spots all within more or less an hour drive, some nearby attractions include:
Hluleka Nature Reserve - just over the river from our lodge is a protected nature reserve where you can go see some of the wildlife and nature indigenous to the wild coast!
Mdumbi and Lwandile Bay Beach - a scenic drive through rolling hills leads you to your choice of secluded and picturesque beaches which also happen to be secret surfer's paradises!
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Coffee Bay - take a drive to a tourist favourite, with stunning beaches and great restaurants.
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Hole in the Wall - at Coffee bay, you can visit one of the Great Wonders of the Wild Coast!
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Presley's Bay - a small holiday village with nearby rock-pools teeming with tropical fish.
Seafood Processing Plant
Phumalali
Seafoods
At Mtakatyi River Lodge, we have our own on-site Licensed Commercial Crayfish Processing Plant. The Plant was reopened in 2024 and now operates under Phumalali Seafoods. The main focus is on processing crayfish but it is also being expanded to sea urchins, commercial line-fish, and mud crabs.
​We are committed to sustainability and SASSI legislation and community development and our plant helps by providing employment opportunities for the local community.
Join us for an unforgettable stay at the lodge and on request one of our staff can give you a tour of our unique seafood processing plant.
COMING SOON
​Our Online Booking Services are Currently Under Maintenance.
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For All Bookings Please Email or WhatsApp Us using the Contact Details at the bottom of the page
​In the meantime feel free to explore our website and discover what Mtakatyi River Lodge and it's surroundings has to offer!