Big Skies Gugs & Ubunye

Waiting in anticipation for the next masterpiece of a vegan meal. Also the friendly staff and overall peacefulness experienced

Nothing to complain about

Amazing location and very accommodating staff. Well worth the off road trip to get there (we drove ourselves but they can also pick you up).

Lovely relaxing place with excellent staff

You have to drive to the beach

Comfortable tents, extremely friendly and helpful staff, absolutely fantastic food.

Nothing

Gugulesizwe is remote, but in the most stunning location. The beach is at least a 15–20-minute drive from the accommodation, and if you don't have a car with good clearance (you don't need a 4X4) you will need to leave your car at their secure parking lot in Manguzi, and get a transfer to the lodge, which is an extra R1350 there and back. The camp provides one transfer to the beach and back a day for free, otherwise you are charged extra. You will receive 3 meals a day, but all meals are vegetarian. The food is tasty, but after more than 3 days it gets a bit monotonous. However, the beaches are totally unspoilt and super clean, and the snorkeling is amazing, even in hip height water, it's like swimming in an aquarium. The staff are super helpful and very friendly, and I would encourage anyone to book a massage with Melanie, she is great. One of their staff MB is an absolute gem and very knowledgeable, I would totally recommend an excursion with him. My husband and I have been to Mozambique and Mauritius, and they cannot compare with the beaches in this area. The beds in the rooms are also super comfortable and definitely XL King.

The beverages are completely overpriced. A bottle of wine that costs R80 in a supermarket is sold at R245 +/-. SA Beers are also very expensive, and you aren't allowed to bring your own drinks. They are catering to an overseas market and there should be different rules, or different prices for South Africans. Also beware, only instant coffee is free, the coffee from the machine is charged. I do think that they should include some fish/seafood in their menu that is sustainably caught, which is what you expect from an establishment like this. I understand that they want to be eco-friendly, but a vegetarian menu is also way less costly, just saying! There are no cupboards or tea/coffee making facilities in the rooms, which wasn't a huge issue for us, but you do need to go to the main dining area to make yourself a tea and coffee.

Beautifully located, fantastic facilities and staff, one of my favorite lodges in SA

The food was yummy. Did not miss meat at all

Nothing