Big Skies
Two lodges,
one wild coastline.
Both lodges sit within UNESCO-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Maputaland.
Select a lodge below to explore rates, inclusions, and booking terms.
A place of togetherness for families and friends — the wild coast at a slow pace for shared adventures, quiet moments, and deeper connections. Fully inclusive and family-friendly.
A modern coastal lodge designed for intimacy and connection — where close friends, couples or small groups gather, and the tide is the only clock that matters. Bespoke and boutique.
Rates & Packages
All rates per person per night sharing, in ZAR. Commissionable at 10% for registered SATSA / ATTA partners.
- All accommodation
- All meals daily
- Most beverages
- All scheduled excursions
- All accommodation
- All meals daily
- Most beverages
- All scheduled excursions
- Fish trap boat trip
- All accommodation
- All meals daily
- Most beverages
- All scheduled excursions
- Sole use, up to 18 guests
- Custom program & menu
- Dedicated guide & host
- Pets allowed
Single supplement +40% · Child rates on request · Turtle experience priced separately (seasonal, Nov–Mar)
Included & Excluded
Both lodges operate on a fully inclusive basis. Here's exactly what your clients get — and what to quote as additional.
✓Always Included
- All accommodation on a shared basis
- Services of camp guides and all staff
- All meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Most alcoholic beverages (excl. selected wines, champagnes & cocktails)
- All scheduled camp excursions (excl. turtle, seasonal)
- Fish trap boat trip to Kosi Bay
- Beach setup — shelters, picnic basket, snorkelling gear & towels
- Guided or unguided walks & hikes
- Guided snorkel trip to rock pools at Lala Nek
- Community visit to KwaMpukane locals
- All tourism levies and VAT
- Park fees & vehicle entrance fees
✕Not Included
- Travel & medical insurance (comprehensive cover required)
- Staff gratuities
- Turtle tracking excursion (seasonal Nov–Mar, priced separately)
- Selected wines, champagnes & cocktails
- Spa treatments (resident therapist available on request)
- Any non-scheduled or private activities
- Transfers to/from Big Skies (community transfer available at additional cost)
- Government taxes, levies or fuel increases beyond our control
- Early check-in / late check-out (additional night charged if guaranteed)
Experiences in Maputaland
Wild coast. Ancient fish traps. Nesting turtles. Community life. What no other destination can replicate.
Guided walks to find nesting leatherback & loggerhead turtles. Led by one of SA's most experienced turtle guides. Nov 15 – Mar 15.
Guided boat trip to Southern Africa's oldest continuously-used fish traps — an ancient Thonga tradition still thriving at Kosi Bay.
We set up shelters, a picnic basket, snorkelling gear, chairs and towels on the unspoilt private beach.
Guided snorkel trip to the rock pools at Lala Nek — warm Indian Ocean reefs teeming with tropical marine life.
Guided or self-guided walks through coastal forest, fynbos, and dune ecosystems within the iSimangaliso park.
A guided trip to meet the KwaMpukane community — share injemane and shisanyama and experience genuine local culture.
Resident professional therapist. Full body, back, neck & head massages. In-room treatments available on request.
Ubunye's signature lounge looks all the way to the Lebombo mountains — evening cocktails with an uninterrupted view.
Photography Downloads
Trade partners may request the full hi-res pack or browse the Wetu catalogue below.
Download Everything
All documents you need to confidently sell Big Skies.
Full seasonal rates, child rates, single supplements, and exclusive use pricing for both lodges.
Full beverage list for both lodges — wines, cocktails, and all in-camp drinks.
Download PDFTransfer pricing, 4x4 requirements, secure parking at Manguzi, and airstrip info.
Download PDFRecommended rest stops along the drive to camp — share with clients to enhance the journey.
Download PDFLanding fees, terms, and airstrip information for clients arriving via private charter.
Download PDFFull terms, cancellation policy, POPIA notice, and trade commission agreement.
Terms & Conditions
Standard booking conditions for both lodges. Please share with clients before confirming any reservation.
A deposit of 50% is required to secure any reservation. Balance due 60 days prior to arrival. Payments accepted via EFT or credit card (3% surcharge applies).
Reservations are not confirmed until the deposit has been received. Big Skies reserves the right to release held reservations if the deposit is not received within 48 hours of invoice.
60+ days: Deposit forfeited, balance refunded in full.
30–59 days: 50% of total booking value forfeited.
Under 30 days / No-shows: 100% forfeited.
Peak and festive season (Dec 15 – Jan 10) subject to stricter terms. Policy applies regardless of reason including flight delays or illness. Comprehensive travel insurance strongly recommended.
Check-in: 12h00 · Check-out: 10h00. Early/late checkout charged as an additional night.
Access requires a 4x4 vehicle. Non-4x4 guests may park securely in Manguzi with community-run transfers at additional cost.
Maputaland is a low-risk malaria area. Clients should consult a medical practitioner before travel. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance required for all guests.
10% commission on net rates for all registered SATSA / ATTA partners. Paid within 30 days of guest departure once full payment is received.
Register at trade@bigskies.travel with your membership number.
Big Skies operates within a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Single-use plastics prohibited — guests receive reusable water bottles on arrival. Primarily plant-based food sourced from our gardens and local community producers.
We participate in dune restoration and alien vegetation removal programs. No shells, rocks, or living organisms may be removed from the beach or ocean.
Guest data collected for reservation purposes only, processed in accordance with POPIA (South Africa). Not shared with third parties except where required to complete the booking. Retained maximum 5 years and deleted on request.