Umtamvuna River Lodge stays in your heart

Clinton Moodley

with Pam and

Anna-Marie. The pair joined Mattie,

Quinton, the lodge manager and me for dinner.

The mood was set with lights and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

The in-house restaurant is known for their delicious pizzas and we spent hours at the dinner table, exchanging travel stories and life lessons.

By 10pm, after saying goodbye to the motherdaughter duo, I checked into my room.

The lodge has eight airconditioned en-suite rooms that offer air conditioned/heated en-suite, double, twin or single rooms with flat-screen televisions, satellite channels and tea and coffee making facilities.

I loved the personalised welcome message on the television screen.

The lodge has just been refurbished. White,blue and grey colours fill my room, which reminded me of a nautical theme. The room is also spacious and inviting.

I loved the blue baskets that serve as drawers. They’re creative and quirky. When I turn in after a cold shower, the linen wraps itself around me perfectly. After a long and busy day, I fall asleep surrounded by silence.

The next morning, I explored the grounds and take in the clean air. On my way to the river, I spotted Bubba, the lodge’s Vietnamese pot-bellied pig. He was busy munching away when I pass him.

In a fast-paced world, the lodge allows one to collect their thoughts and spend time with the ones that matter.

Umtamvuna believes that they are the “starting point for beautiful memories that linger long after everyone has departed”.

As I walked back to the lodge, I know that the beautiful setting will never be forgotten!

● Clinton Moodley was a guest of Umtamvuna River

Lodge during a 2-day South Coast tour hosted by Ugu South Coast Tourism.

The lodge is popular as a stunning wedding destination.

The lodge hosts a series of water sport activities.