Which bird species do you think is the biggest attraction to visitors of your lodge (please only name one species)?
The Palm Nut Vulture
What is the name of your lodge, and since when has your lodge been operating?
Ngoye Lodge and Nguni Cottage – Bought in 2006, started running as a B&B in 2007, registered in 2017
Southern Banded Snake-eagle
How best to travel to your lodge?
Self-Drive (Fly into King Shaka Airport and hire a car and drive from there). We don’t have any public transport in Mtunzini
Red-capped Robin-chat
What kind of services – except for accommodation and food – does your lodge offer to visiting birders?
We facilitate guided tours with our local bird guides. We facilitate barge trips for birding. We have kayaks that guests may use to go out on the lagoon to do birding from. We also provide maps for guests to use for self-guided birding.
Trumpeter Hornbill
What makes your lodge special?
Our bird-attracting indigenous gardens, close proximity to the Umlalazi Nature reserve, and other local birding hot spots. Our Friendly and personalized hospitality. Our warm climate all year round. And our very special little village.
Crested Guineafowl
What are the 10 – 20 most interesting birds that your lodge offers good chances to see?
- White-eared Barbet
- Black-collared Barbet
- Grey Sunbird
- Cape White-eye
- Black-backed Puffback
- Black-throated Wattle-eye
- Golden-tailed Woodpecker
- Yellow Weaver
- Spectacled Weaver
- Black-bellied Starling
- Violet-backed Starling
- Bronze Mannikin
- Scarlet-chested Sunbird
- Brown-hooded Kingfisher
- Green Twinspot
- Yellow-rumped Tinkerbird
- Green-backed Camaroptera
- Hadada Ibis
- Purple-crested Turaco
- Dark-capped Bulbul
- Palm-nut Vulture
- Olive Sunbird
- Tawny-flanked Prinia
- Red-eyed Dove
- Cape Turtle Dove
- Trumpeter Hornbill
- African Palm Swift
- Greater Striped Swallow
- Lesser Striped Swallow
What is the best time to visit your lodge, and why?
All year round as different species are here at different times of the year. Winter is also warm and we have the Mangrove Kingfisher, African Green Pigeon, and other specials visiting us during this time.
Mangrove Kingfisher
Is your lodge involved in conservation efforts? If yes, please describe them.
Mulching, making our own compost, coffee and compost educational sessions. Members of Fair Trade
What other suggestions can you give to birders interested in visiting your lodge?
Bring binoculars, comfortable walking shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty, swimming costume. Book your birding guides before you arrive. Take advantage of the barge trips and use the kayaks. Give yourself more time in Mtunzini than you think you need. EVERYONE always wishes they had booked more time with us. If you are visiting on a Sunday, please come prepared with food as all restaurants and the SPAR close between 3 pm and 5 pm on a Sunday.
White-eared Barbet
Do you have activities for non-birders? If so, please describe.
Hiking, cycling, tennis, golf, squash, pickleball, barge trips, kayaking, crafting, spending time on the beach, sunbathing, and swimming in our swimming pool, Spa treatments, seeing the bushbabies being fed, or exploring the areas around Mtunizini.
If any reader of 10,000 Birds is interested in staying at your lodge, how can they best contact you?
071 874 5299 | karin@lovemorelodges.co.za
Yellow-fronted Canary
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