Chinderera Eco Lodge

We had delicious vegan meals for both breakfast and dinner, and arranging that was no trouble at all. Pam and Bill were happy to cater for us. The evening conversations with them were fascinating and made our stay feel special. It’s a lovely place run by lovely people, and we’d absolutely come back.

The hardest part of staying at Chindera is having to leave. Make time for a walk to Kosi Mouth or a boat trip with Lucky, and try Pam and Sibongile’s tasty African cooking. Sibongile also introduced us to local fruit over breakfast, and Pam and Bill made us feel at home with their warm hospitality and all their life experience. We loved waking in the spacious tented cabin among the trees to birdsong, though it was just as nice to sit and read with the birds and monkeys around. Manguzi is a lively, growing town, and the people we met were friendly and helpful. It’s a bit of a drive from Durban or Johannesburg, so I’d plan at least three nights to make the journey worthwhile.

Bill built the whole camp himself, which is impressive, especially for a man in his late 70s. The surrounding area is very rural, with Kosi river mouth about a 15-minute drive away and Lake 2 Jetty around five minutes away. Our rooms had lovely design and atmospheric bathrooms, and I’d recommend the setting for a romantic couple’s stay in the bush. Pam was so kind and caring, and she prepared wonderful breakfasts and dinners with Sibo and Doris. We had a wonderful stay with such friendly, interesting hosts.

Being surrounded by forest and seeing the lovely finish in the rooms made the lodge feel special from the start. Everything flowed so easily, and Pam and Bill made me feel very comfortable and welcome. I loved every minute of my time with them. It was a real boost for my spirit.