Are you looking for a holiday away from the crowds? Zongoene is a mere 3 and a half hour drive from Maputo and 50 kilometers from Xai-Xai. After a 35 kilometer dirt road you will find our little paradise that can offer you the down time you were looking for. Take a long stroll over the beach that meets the river, were the only people you will find are the local fishermen trying to catch their meal of the day. Don't forget to bring your binoculars, because Zongoene Lodge is resident to many different bird species. The lodge facilities include, 3 different types of accommodation, as well as two swimming pools, an a-la-carte restaurant, boma and beach bar, are all set in beautiful green surroundings. You'll feel like you've landed in paradise. Our friendly staff will try to do their up most to give you your well deserved time to sit back and relax.
I was expecting more from this place. Janine was nice, but we felt a bit abandoned when we arrived, and the lodge was strangely empty. The indications for the river trip weren't enough convincing for a 5000MZN trip...the food was also below expectations. One sandwich for lunch made of old toasted bread. Dinner with frozen fish. The accommodation was good, as for the pub and restaurant. Has a nice 80-90s soundtrack. The pool is biological, so no blue water expectations. The beach has to be reached by boat, provided for free. The staff tried to be nice in every situations. Unfortunately I had to get to the hospital in Maputo during the night, and couldn't take a serious advantage of the whole place. I think it's a bit expensive comparing to other lodges with better conditions. There is a friendly black pig wandering in the lodge :).
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Date of stay: February 2015Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The manager Gus and his wife Ristette were always on hand to ensure that guests were well taken care of. They were fully booked except for a 4 bedroom villa, which they let us have for the same price as a 2-bed. The location in the mouth of the Limpopo is fantastic. The sundowner boat trip up the Limpopo was relaxing and informative. The quad bike ride to the lighthouse and village is a must
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Date of stay: May 2016Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Zongoene L, Manager at Zongoene Lodge
Responded 27 Jul 2016
Thank you Rajan, It was a real pleasure having you at Zongoene! Kind regards, Gus & Risette
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
A bit difficult to reach, the zongoene lodge is really a lost paradise. There you can spend some days enjoying the ocean or the untouched countryside, but what makes this lodge special is the very nice staff, the delicious food and the affordable prices.
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Date of stay: September 2013
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We visited Zongoene with family and friends, we were the only people staying at the lodge.We arrived early morning and we were welcomed with breakfast. We had informed the Lodge that we would be early and our rooms were cleaned and ready. The storms had caused a lot of damage and the beachbar was gone. The service was generally good, the waiting staff attentive but there were communication problems, a rare steak arrived well done, but it was soon replaced. No salad was available at lunch time and the toast was very crunchy. The grounds were well cared for and the beach was clean and beautiful. The stars were stunning! There were problems with the outside lighting and it was a hazardous journey back to our rooms in the evening. We had hoped for a boat trip up the Limpopo but the boat was out of action. It's a beautiful spot at the end of a long sandy road, but sorry to say it just failed to meet our expectations.
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Date of stay: April 2012
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had previously camped here in October 2009, had a great time although food in restaurant was not good but we were able to self cater. In October we returned with our two adult children to stay in the rooms. It was a very over priced, expensive and disappointing experience. The management staff did not seem to care at all, the waiting staff tried their best but it was still not good. The food choice and cooking was bad. We later learned that the lodge manager had been shot four months previously and that they are having problems with local authorities with regards paperwork - one to avoid I think.
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Date of stay: October 2011
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Just returned from a week's holiday in Mozambique - stayed in Maputo, Bilene & unfortunately a night in Zongoene Lodge. We had a great time at the Southern Sun Maputo & at the Laguna Camp in Bilene. We decided to visit Zongoene as we had been told the lodge was on a stunning spot . So we headed to Xai-Xai and spotted the sign for the turn-off for the Zongoene Lodge along the EN1 highway. The drive from the main road to the lodge took us about 75 minutes along some 36 kms of very bumpy dirt road which was riddled with puddles after the previous day's rain. The scenery along the route was stunning and we were in high spirits when we arrived. WE entered the Lodge through the bar & dining room. In keeping with similar lodges we have visited this area boasted a high thatched ceiling & several interesting artefacts. However the similarities with other lodges stopped there. We ordered lunch but were told that we could only have sandwiches/ pasta or chicken (and all meals could only be served with boiled potatoes and not chips). We were told this was because the generator was not switched back on until 4pm so only gas was available for cooking ( this was 1pm and we were hungry!) . So we all ordered pasta - the carbonara was good but the Spaghetti Bolognaise was laced with salt - the children left it and my husband had belly ache after eating some of it. There were also no cold drinks - the beers and water were pretty warm as there was no power for the fridges. THe children took a swim in the pool by the dining room - it looked ok but as it was built around rocks it was difficult to be sure how clean the water was. THe one highlight of the lodge were the pool towels which were brought for the children - bright, fresh, thick towels! We were told that there was only one other party (4 adults) staying that night. Yet we still had to wait until 4 pm until the room had been cleaned and was ready. In the meantime we decided to explore the grounds - what a disappointment!!! The grounds were overgrown and the stepping stone paths were all broken and most of the lights around the grounds had bulbs missing from them. The lodge is advertised as being at the spot where the Limpopo river joins the Indian Ocean - this is the main selling point for the lodge but neither the river nor the ocean can be seen from within the grounds. The path led out to a rough parking area with the sea view fenced off with bamboo fencing. A gap in this fence led us to a point above the river at the estuary mouth. This area was covered in litter & the only way down was to jump down the embankment but as the tide was in there was NO sand to walk on. WE walked back through the grounds & further down in search of the beach bar as advertised on many tour operators websites and in the photo advert in the reception. This was an empty almost derelict building with subsidence cracks down the side of the building. The steps that once stood leading down onto the beach had obviously been washed away or been dismantled a long time ago. The embankment here was very steep and there was no access to the beach. On the walk back to our room we passed the second pool - this was filthy & would have posed a health risk to swim in. WE were allocated a family unit no 6. The chalet was dark (even with the generator back on). Many slats were missing at the windows but all seemed to have mozzie nets in tact. The upstairs area had 2 single beds but these were literally touching the eaves and because of this the mozzie nets did not fit over the beds. THere were a lot of mozzies in the room so the children had to sleep with us in the downstairs bedroom which had 2 single beds pushed together under a double mozzie net. THe generator was switched off at 10:30 pm until 6:30 am - so for those 8 hours there was no fan and the room especially with 4 of us in the bed was unbearably hot. WE also had to have the children sleep with us - once the lights are out it is pitch black & the steep steps down would have been dangerous had the children tried to come down to the toilet in the dark. This was advertised as a family chalet but was unsafe for the children to be upstairs alone & the beds too near the eaves to fit adults. THe room also had other occupants - rats/mice or bats - didn't see any but heard squeeks all night & plenty of droppings around the bed! WE thought that dinner would be more promising once the generator had been switched on. However we were told there was no fish (in a land with fish in abundance & being situated adjacent to one of the great rivers in Africa - unbelievable!). THe kids second choice after fish was pizza - but didn't have these either. So they requested toasted sandwiches with chips. We were told they could only have them with boiled potatoes. After I complained that surely they could make chips the waiter asked the owner & then came back to say the owner had agreed that the chef could make chips - bizarre! I skipped dinner as I couldn't face anything on offer & my husband was still suffering from bellyache after the bolognaise. THe lodge owners (I presume - made no attempt to make you welcome & sat with the TV on Supersports). The waiters were polite enough and the service they provided in the circumstances was pretty good. I had to ask several times if I could have a torch to get back to the room. I was told I could but couldn't keep it & would have to bring it back! When I said I would be keeping it for the night the barman said he would have to go & ask the boss if that was ok! After persevering I was given a lantern - there are no lanterns provided in the rooms which are essential once the lights go off. There were 3 very stray looking dogs who begged at the table & followed you around. One dog had a very bad case of mainge. Another dog kept following my husband & nearly bit his leg when a waiter came & kicked him. In the morning there was dog dirt outside our door & I saw another dog dirt in the middle of the lawn near where the children were playing.Although it is not the dogs' fault the hotel should be deterring these especially when they pose a health hazard in the restaurant area. For the priviledge of a very hot & sleepless night with little food available we were charged about £180! This place is definitely very overpriced - for the same price in Maputo we had an airconditioned room 100m away from the ocean with a stunning view & delicious breakfast! In the guestbook in February someone had written that the lodge was dirty - someone else had written that you should remember you are in Africa! This is a poor excuse. I have lived in Africa for 5 years & travelled to several different African countries- African hotels can offer excellent service / facilities & food. THis lodge has been allowed to become delapidated & it was evident that the owners were not interested in providing good customer service. I have previously stayed in another lodge in Mozambique where the generator was switched off at night - but you were provided with a lantern and greeted with a flask of coffee on your doorstep at first light. At Zongoene the food, facilities and hospitality are poor and the main attraction - its location is wasted on this lodge.
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Date of stay: March 2010
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I think everyone will agree this is not a place to stop off at in passing. It's unique location at the mouth of the Limpopo, exotic enough, is stunningly improbable as it is beautiful. It's not an easy trip to get there on land - for us lesser mortals, but what a sight for sore eyes when you arrive. A pool ! A restaurant! A BAR! - it brought me to tears to think such a great place was here, but we were very, very grateful. Janine and Jock have done an incredible job to carve this oasis out of what seems like wilderness, and they do have an on-going battle with nature loosing grounds and facilities as the Limpopo gobbles up parts of the land. What remains are extremely comfortable and cosy villas and a terrific main house with excellent bar and restaurant. There are great walks along the river bank to the beach and they provide for swimmers and fishers. It's so out of the way, but so worth it when you arrive.
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Date of stay: December 2014
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Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Â Villas nearer the water have amazing views of the estuary, but are a further walk from the main...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good place to go with a partner right on the Limpopo s mouth. The restaurant is not the best but you can always braai on ur own! The Road to get there is plenty of small villages and a bit Rough Need a 4x4 to get there. Quite nice the quad trip!
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Date of stay: August 2013Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The lodge is located in an amazing area of Southern Mozambique, right where the Limpopo river meets the sea. The lodge is well kept, the chalets are nice and clean (the swimming pool needs a good cleaning though), food was very good (we stayed just for one night and had fresh fish). Friendly and attentive staff - it was a very good one night stay, but the place is definitely worth a proper holiday or long weekend.
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Date of stay: June 2013
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Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We had the most wonderfull holiday in the dunes camp. 5 Chalets built round a swimming pool.. we spend many lazy days cooling down. It has a great self catering area and a nice braai area. if you do not feel like cooking, there is allways the restaurant, which serves the best pizzas and yummy steaks. We especially liked the quad bike trip, driving on endless beaches and watching the breathtaking sunset
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Date of stay: May 2012
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â choose a room near the pool
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There are more places to choose from in the Polokwane area.
LOCATION
South AfricaLimpopo ProvincePolokwane
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
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