Zimbali Lodge by Dream Resorts
Colonial-style rooms in indigenous forest above an infinity pool
About this stay
Zimbali Lodge occupies a gated pocket of the Zimbali Coastal Resort eco-estate on South Africa's malaria-free Dolphin Coast, with no reserve fence or game-drive schedule to work around, just indigenous forest wrapping the golf course down to the coast. Rooms and suites carry a colonial-style fit-out, with sliding doors leading onto balconies that face either the forest canopy or the fairways. Free-standing Victorian bathtubs sit alongside a separate shower and private toilet in every bathroom. Outside, an infinity pool ringed by palm trees anchors the grounds, backed by a spa and a restaurant for evenings that don't require a drive. Ballito's shops and beaches are five minutes away, Durban and Umhlanga sit within reach, and King Shaka International Airport is roughly twenty minutes from the gate.
- Zimbali Coastal Resort eco-estate
- Infinity pool
- Colonial-style forest rooms
- Victorian bathtubs
Our take
Zimbali Lodge suits guests who want a forest-and-golf setting inside a gated eco-estate, only a five-minute drive from Ballito and 50 km from Durban. Colonial-style rooms open onto private balconies over the forest or the golf course, and the palm-ringed infinity pool is the natural place to spend the day. An 8.2 rating from 1,155 reviews is good. Guests wanting to walk to shops and restaurants should note that Ballito is a short drive away.
- Request a forest-facing balcony over a golf-course view if indigenous bird calls and greenery matter more to you than fairways.
- Drive the five minutes into Ballito for beach time, since the lodge itself sits inland within the forested estate.
- Book the spa alongside a pool afternoon, then let the on-site restaurant cover dinner without a drive back out.
Why we love it
- Free-standing Victorian bathtubs in every private bathroom
- Rooms built into indigenous coastal forest
- Infinity pool ringed by palm trees
- Gated eco-estate five minutes from Ballito
Why guests love itZimbali Lodge sits inside the gated Zimbali Coastal Resort eco-estate, 50 km north of Durban and a five-minute drive from Ballito. Rooms and suites are built into indigenous coastal forest, with colonial-style interiors and sliding doors onto private balconies over the forest or golf course. An infinity pool ringed by palm trees is the centrepiece. An 8.2 rating from 1,155 reviews is good. I would recommend it for couples and golfers.
Guest reviews
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