Rickshaw Family
South Africa
Whale in sea

Whale watching in Sodwana

Bite-sized trip

    • Itinerary:
      Sodwana Bay
    • Duration:
      4 days / 3 nights (flexible)
    • Price:
      From £ 369.- per adult (excluding flights)
    • From £329.- per child (up to 11 years)
    • Prices vary during high season
    • Highlights:
      Experience a wild, off-the-beaten-track stretch of coastline
    • Spot breaching whales up close
    • Unwind at a relaxed lodge with a pool and space for kids to roam
    Whale breaching
    Sodwana Bay hotel exterior and gardens

    Day 1 – Arrival in Sodwana

    As you’ll likely be heading down to the coast after Eswatini, Sodwana is the ideal next stop on your route, with a scenic drive of around four or five hours. Leave time for a few stops along the way, and watch as the landscapes shift from bush and hills to wide beaches and ocean breezes.

    On arrival in Sodwana Bay, you’ll check into your family-friendly lodge, tucked just behind the dunes and surrounded by coastal forest. Your family cottage will have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy views over the golden dunes and lush treetops from your balcony.  Spend the rest of the day unwinding by the pool as the kids splash around and make the most of the play area. As there are only a few restaurants in the area, we will arrange breakfast and three-course dinners for your stay, so you can settle in and enjoy the slower pace.

    Day 2 – Whale watching

    The day starts early today, as no visit to Sodwana Bay is complete without heading out on a whale-watching trip. Between June and November, whales migrate from Antarctica, along the coast towards Mozambique, and spotting them here is an incredible experience. After breakfast, you’ll hop into a 4×4 for a short drive to the beach, where your captain will be waiting to take you out onto the open ocean. Keep your eyes peeled for a sudden blow in the distance, or a tail breaking the surface, and with any luck, you might spot several whales and maybe even a mother with her calf.

    Whale breaching
    Sodwana Bay lodge bedroom

    Day 3 – Free time in Sodwana

    Today, we have nothing arranged so you can spend the day as you wish. Start with a relaxed breakfast at the lodge, before heading to the beach, where you’ll find wide open sands that feel wild and untouched, ideal for paddling, building sandcastles and just letting the kids run free.

    If you’re looking for something more active, there is plenty to choose from. Snorkelling just offshore, diving, or exploring the coast on a boat trip – all of which can be arranged from your lodge. Or, keep things simple and read a book in the shade, watching the kids play and listening to the sounds of the forest around you. However you choose to spend today, its all about slowing down and enjoying this laid-back stretch of coast together.

    Day 4 – Departure from Sodwana

    This morning, after a relaxing few days on the coast, it’s time to say goodbye to Sodwana Bay. Most families continue their journey to St. Lucia, where the pace picks up slightly, with a lively mix of restaurants, small shops and a range of different wildlife experiences.

    Sodwana Bay lodge exterior

    Accommodation

    Sodwana Bay lodge aerial view and pool
    Sodwana Bay lodge bedroom
    Sodwana Bay lodge restaurant

    This bite-sized trip combines well with