Restaurants and shops
Beach Forest Lodge is ideally located close to the “Old Ballito Village” which boasts several excellent seafront restaurants, shops, bars and clubs. We are three minutes away from the Junction Shopping Mall with movie houses and 22 Jump Street for the kids, and the Ballito Lifestyle Food Market Centre with its outstanding array of cross cultural restaurants.
Game Viewing
King Shaka International Airport is just a 20 minute drive – making Ballito the ideal base for further destinations. Just two hours further North up the coast is St Lucia where you can cruise on the estuary and see hippos and crocodiles or see the Big 5 at our magnificent Imfolozi/Hluhluwe Game Reserve.
Beaches
Ballito is known for its Beguiling beaches, many of which have fascinating rock and tidal pools ideal for snorkelling and bathing. Thompsons Bay has an Olympic sized tidal pool and a narrow pathway leading to the Hole in the Wall natural rock formation. Ballito is also home to the annual Ballito Pro Surfing Festival which is held at Willards Beach towards the end of June each year – with music festivals held at Salt Rock Beach.
Golf and Outdoor Activities
The North Coast is home to some world renowned Golf Clubs, Zimbali, Simbithi, Prince’s Grant and Umhlali to name but a few. There are many other outdoor activities – Holla Trails for Cycle and walking/running trails, microlighting, snorkelling, surfing, horse riding and more. For the kids there is Flag Animal Farm, Burndale Estate and Crocodile Creek.. Sugar Rush Park also offers a playground, jump park and petting zoo.
Durban
Durban is only 50 minutes away and a visit to Ushaka Marine World and Water Park is a must – especially for the family. The Moses Mabida Stadium offers a King Swing and you can rent bicycles and segways on the North Beach front in Durban to cycle up and down the wide beach promenade.
REVIEWS
Sarah has created a home away from home that is elegant and peaceful. You will feel really special staying here – we should know – we stayed here for 12 days. Beautiful décor, a warm, friendly host with high standards, a sparkling blue pool kept immaculately clean, a lush, tropical garden, a forest across the road, and wonderful beaches within 5 minutes walk all make this a premier self-catering destination on the gorgeous Dolphin Coast. Two modern shopping malls are a mere 5 minute drive away so you don’t have to go far for supplies anda bit of retail therapy. The close proximity to Umhlanga and Durban mean that you have escaped the hustle and bustle but can access it if you need to. We will definitely be back. Thank you for everything Sarah. We miss our home away from home.
My husband and I were looking for a place to spend our first anniversary, it had to be near the sea, something affordable and stylish, most importantly though a place that was pet friendly. We searched the internet and came across Beach Forest Lodge. Upon arrival we were met by Sarah, the very hands on and absolutely warm and wonderful owner. We were shown around our gorgeous apartment (Pigeonwood) and even our little furry child received her own packet with doggy biscuits and pet friendly places to visit during our stay. This establishment is given a 3 star rating, however I believe this should be 5 star!!! The rooms are absolutely gorgeous with crisp white linen, good quality fittings and the most beautiful furniture and decor. The room was kitted out with everything that you need for days you might be indoors, such as WiFi, braai place, DSTV, self catering facilities and beautiful open sliding doors and veranda for those lazy afternoons after a day at the beach. The gardens are lush, healthy and very well looked after, it felt like a jungle each time we stepped out of our room. The crystal blue pool and entertainment area is private and beautiful, the perfect place to relax and braai, or even meet up with ur neighbours and their pets … and in our case, sit chatting for hours. Sarah was very informative with regards to places we could go to with our pup, and boy oh boy ….. she recommended some gems. If you taking ur dogs, here are some our favourite places: dog walks on the promenade; the beaches closeby allow dogs; the Galley Beach Bar & Grill (with their own canine menu); Al Pescatorie; Zinkwazi Lagoon (30min away). We had such a great time with this exquisite accommodation venue as the base we so comfortably called our home away from home. I think feeling comfortable is such an important thing, at no point were we fearful that we wld be scrutinised if we broke or messed something, with housekeeping like little fairies, never seen or heard, no matter what time we left our room, we would return to a sparkling clean and wonderful smelling apartment, everything put in its place as if we were never there. Knowing also that the owner is so hands on, one feels quite comfortable leaving your posessions in the room. Sarah, I cannot begin to express our sincerest gratitude to you for your hospitality and friendliness, we left today feeling relaxed and treated like VIP’s, which I can see is part of your standard. Thank you for taking the time to keep in touch with us during our stay, ensuring that our every need is met. You should be extremely proud of your wonderful achievement, we will most definitely be back and highly HIGHLY recommend your place to everyone we know looking for a magical breakaway.