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WELCOME TO SWELL ECO LODGE! Swell Eco Lodge offers self-catering accommodation, ideal for couples, groups and families. Set within the rolling hills of Mngcibe (North side of the Mdumbi River), we invite you to enjoy pure relaxation and fun while supporting a green way of life. Spectacular sea views, jumping whales, roaming cattle and a view of rural life in this wonderful village is only a part of your holiday experience! We offer many activities for those who want to be a bit more active and explore the pristine beaches, rivers and ocean. Our lodge is made up of traditional Rondavel structures which blend into its beautiful surroundings and our interiors are modern, calming and artistic. Join us now for a South African holiday with a personal touch you will never forget!
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Modern
Family
Languages Spoken
English, Xhosa
Location
Swell Eco Lodge Road Mngcibe, Mdumbi River, Mdumbi 5140 South Africa
Really enjoyed our stay at Swell Eco lodge ,very beautiful area and the sea views are outstanding. Justin is very very helpful and great communicator. The rooms are spacious and beautiful views to look at from the bed . Well equipped kitchen . There’s working internet for those who want to work remotely. The staff is very helpful, Eddy the chef makes really great meals and a delight to the lodge . The area is peaceful and there’s so many so things to do as well in the area . Definitely recommend
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Date of stay: March 2023
Value
Location
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Bring all your food supplies as you’ll be far from stores but can also order food from Eddy....
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.
Lovely secluded getaway within a short walk to the ocean. Staff were very welcoming and the place was very clean with fully equipped kitchens (we stayed in the duplex). Owners very accommodating as well.
Keep in mind there’s no internet access to the rooms but you can access limited WiFi in the office anytime. Not unusual, seems common in the region. Although a bit of a drive from Central Coffee Bay, a memorable experience off the beaten touristy tracks.
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Date of stay: October 2020Trip 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.
Response from Lee-Ann Sanders, Owner at Swell Eco Lodge
Responded 16 Oct 2020
Thank you so much for such a wonderful review. We are so happy you had a lovely stay and thanks for the tips for fellow travelers đź’— thank you for your support and choosing Swell Eco a Lodge đź’—
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Swell Eco Lodge was our first trip to the Wild Coast and what a start!
We stayed in the luxury / family unit with our pup. Growing up in predominantly self-catering units I can say with confidence that we have never stayed anywhere as thoughtfully kitted out as here!
Pretty much everything you could think of wanting was available in terms of platters, pots and miscellaneous kitchen gadgets.
We'd read many of the reviews prior to travelling and were a bit nervous about the road but all fine. It's a rough and ready road, go slow and have your puncture kit handy but completely worth it.
We enjoyed the main beach as well as the secret beach - both fantastic! The staff are friendly and available if you need anything.
Ideal for those looking for something a little different in a beautiful and remote part of South Africa.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip 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.
Response from Swell WildCoast, Owner at Swell Eco Lodge
Responded 23 Dec 2020
Hi Lindsay, Thank you so very much for such a wonderful review. We are so thrilled you had an amazing stay with us and that you enjoyed our kitted out kitchens :) and loved the beaches. We hope to see you back at the lodge soon. Thank you again :) The Swell Team.
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The roads going to and from are literally a death trap! Despite the accommodation saying that a small car can be used I would strongly not recommend it. We travelled in from New Zealand Sept 2022.
The accommodation is well kept and the staff are welcoming.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
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Location
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Service
Sleep Quality
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.
Well run, clean establishment. (Ask Nomsa to bake you a loaf of bread) The dirt road from Coffee Bay to Mdumbi is bad and not well sign posted. The dirt road from the lodge down to the beach is partly washed away and needs attention or you'll need to park up on the hill and walk the last part (4x4 will make it) To get to the main surfing side of the beach you will need to cross the river. This is not very wide nor deep at low tide, but can be hectic at high tide. (No problem if you have a surfboard)
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: July 2021
Value
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Location
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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.
It’s worth to drive one hour on a graveled road to find this very unique place. Feel good and safe, the nature is amazing with all the colored huts around, Swell Eco Lodge is an adventure and is out of ordinary accommodations. The host is lovely including the gardener, the huts are very clean with an amazing view on the sea. Cows are staying and sleeping on the beach. Bring things for the children along the road to go, they are lovely and thankful. The real good place for Ecologists and as well for those who aren’t. An interesting experience.
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Date of stay: January 2020
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Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Wählen eine Doppelhuette mit Küche dazwischen und Terrace
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 have had a wonderful stay at Swell eco lodge. The lodge itself is very comfortable, the community is lovely and welcoming and the view is stunning. A special thanks to our host Machonisa who was so hospitable and made sure we had everything we needed. The gravel road to get there can be a challenge for smaller cars.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: May 2022
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Lee-Ann Sanders, Owner at Swell Eco Lodge
Responded 29 May 2022
Dear Marijn, Thank you very much for your review. We are thrilled you had a wonderful time at Swell Eco Lodge. Thank you for your support. Kind regards, THE SWELL TEAM
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We heard about Swell Eco Lodge from a friend and couldn’t expect it’s gonna be such a great experience. Literally every minute was a pleasure to be in this place. Very authentic and quiet area, excellent conditions in the lodge, ocean is just down the hill.. no words 🙏🏼
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: August 2022
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Lee-Ann Sanders, Owner at Swell Eco Lodge
Responded 11 Sept 2022
Dear Philippe, Thank you so much for taking the time to review our lodge. We are so happy you got to experience our magical area and our special lodge. :) We hope to accommodate you again soon :) The Swell Team
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lovely place to take a complete break from it all. Excellent attentive staff, comfortable, well-furnished units. Close to the river, lagoon and beaches. Everything you need for your perfect wild coast break.
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Review collected in partnership with this hotel
Date of stay: January 2022
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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 Lee-Ann Sanders, Owner at Swell Eco Lodge
Responded 15 Feb 2022
Thank you so much for your review Jonathan, we really appreciate the time taken to let others know how relaxing our lodge is and that we have "everything you need". Fantastic. Thank you so much for supporting us. We hope to see you back soon.
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The accommodation far exceeded our expectations! The rooms were well layout and had a BIG king size bed. Upcycle and recycle in a very classic way. It was also the best equipped kitchen on our holiday. It was not very near to the sea, but we travelled by 4x4, and it did not matter. The friendly owner came to pulled out one of our vehicles that got stuck after the rains.
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Date of stay: April 2018Trip 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 road is hectic but if you are prepared to go slow and carefully it shouldn’t be a problem. We were in a Ford ecosport so had some clearance. A couple who we met there from Cape Town were in a VW polo and got in ok. The destination is well worth the effort!
There are more places to choose from in the Mdumbi area.
FORMERLY KNOWN AS
Swell Tours Guest Lodge
LOCATION
South AfricaEastern CapeMdumbi
NUMBER OF ROOMS
8
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect average nightly room rates, including taxes and fees that are fixed, known to our partners, and due at time of booking. Please see our partners for more details.
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