Latest News

Tue
22
Oct
Umngazi Hotel & Spa: Booking Changes in 2025

From the 1 Jan 2025, we will be updating our Booking and Cancellation Policies to bring them in line with industry norms. We’re confident these changes will help Umngazi continue to thrive and remain sustainable for many years to come. Renewal Bookings To secure your booking for the following year, a 50% deposit will now…

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Thu
19
Sep
Why Choose Umngazi as Your Honeymoon Destination?

Nestled on the breathtaking Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape, Umngazi Hotel & Spa offers the perfect setting for couples to begin their lifelong journey together. Imagine waking up to the sound of the ocean, enjoying private moments in your suite, and indulging in spa treatments designed just for two. Whether you’re looking for adventure,…

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Fri
19
Jul
Celebrating 100 Years of Umngazi

A Journey Through Time It has been 100 years since the pioneers of Umngazi embarked on a journey to gently adapt a unique stretch of the Wild Coast to accommodate enthusiastic holidaymakers. Accommodation has evolved from simple rondavels to the more spacious, comfortable bungalows of today. In 1924, Owen Leach and his wife Dorothy, farmers…

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Tue
18
Jun
Embrace Wellness

Join us for our Winter Wellness Retreat from 28 th July – 2 nd August, 2024 After the tremendous success of our inaugural wellness retreat in February 2024, Umngazi is thrilled to invite you to our Winter Wellness Retreat. Our first retreat, held from 4th – 9th February, 2024, received enthusiastic feedback from the participants….

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Wed
22
May
We are delighted to announce that Lucy Kewley

will be joining us again to host our Winter Wellness Retreat, along with the amazing team at Umngazi Hotel & Spa. The words that come to mind to describe Lucy are active, adventurous, energetic, passionate, fun and engaging.  Anyone who has met her will agree wholeheartedly.   Lucy is a Pilates Instructor who brings her…

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Mon
1
Jan
Road Tripping From Durban To Umngazi Hotel & Spa: What To Expect And Where To Stop Along The Way

Road Tripping From Durban To Umngazi Hotel & Spa: What To Expect And Where To Stop Along The Way   Umngazi Hotel & Spa is a mere six to seven hour drive from King Shaka Airport in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal. You can opt to drive it in one go or take it slow and stop along…

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Wed
1
Nov
Wellness & Wellbeing: Nurturing The Mind, Body And Soul At Umngazi Hotel & Spa

Wellness & Wellbeing: Nurturing The Mind, Body And Soul At Umngazi Hotel & Spa   Welcome to Umngazi Hotel and Spa, a place where time stands still. Where there is so much to do but nothing you need to do. A place to step away from the hustle and bustle, to escape the busyness of…

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Thu
19
Oct
Summer Key Lime Tart

Ingredients: 300g tennis biscuits 150g butter, melted 1x 397g nestle condensed milk 3x medium egg yolks 4x zest and juice of 4 limes 300ml double cream 1x tbsp icing sugar Extra lime zest to decorate   Method: Preheat oven to 160 C/ fan 140 C/ gas, Whizz biscuits to crumbs in a food processor. Mix…

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Thu
19
Oct
Note from Keith & Nicole

Hello from a beautiful Umngazi. The humidity has not yet arrived so we are all enjoying the glorious Spring weather while it lasts. It did feel good to say goodbye to Winter and while we have had the odd cold day we can’t complain. The storm that hit the country and unleashed high tides and…

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Sun
1
Oct
From Sunrise To Sunset: Capturing The Magic Of Umngazi In Photos 

From Sunrise To Sunset: Capturing The Magic Of Umngazi In Photos    As the sun rises above the untamed Indian Ocean, magic at Umngazi Hotel & Spa ensues. Pristine beaches are revealed, littered with nothing other than a dazzling array of seashells, and every now and then, a few grazing cows. The morning rays dance…

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Fri
1
Sep
Umngazi: A Haven For Birdwatchers And Nature Enthusiasts

From the elusive Spotted Ground Thrush and seldom-seen Bushveld Rain Frog, to a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins and playful seasonal whales; Umngazi Hotel and Spa’s rich ocean, estuarine and mangrove environments provide a playground for some of the country’s most exquisite birds and wildlife.  For nature enthusiasts, avid birders and holidaymakers wanting to experience…

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Tue
1
Aug
Family Friendly Adventures At Umngazi: Making Memories On The Wild Coast

Going on holiday with a diverse family can be quite a rewarding experience, although it comes with its unique set of considerations. Each family member has their own interests and requirements to ensure a memorable and enjoyable trip. For instance, your 3-year-old may delight in playful and engaging activities, while your 9-year-old seeks thrilling outdoor…

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Wed
5
Jul
Note from Keith & Nicole

Life seems to move pretty fast these days and if one does not stop and look around once in a while we could miss it – we all need to stop and look around. We are already in July and our days have been chilly but so beautiful. It is a prefect time to slow…

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Wed
5
Jul
Umngazi Thai Meatballs

Ingredients: 1kg beef mince 1cup oats (uncooked) 1/2cup desiccated coconut 2tbsp fish sauce 350ml coconut cream 2tbsp red curry paste 1 bunch fresh coriander (chopped) Sauce: 400ml coconut cream 400ml coconut milk 2tbsp red curry paste 1 bunch coriander (chopped) Method: Preheat oven to 200C. In a mixing bowl, place beef mince, oats, desiccated coconut,…

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Sat
1
Jul
Umngazi Hotel: A Bucket-List South African Destination

Uniquely situated alongside the tranquil Mngazi River and overlooking the wild Indian Ocean, Umngazi Hotel and Spa provides guests with a rejuvenating space to retreat to after exploring the Wild Coast’s rolling hills, untouched beaches, and river teeming with birds and wildlife endemic to the area. It’s a resort quite unlike any other in the…

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Thu
1
Jun
Embrace The Bliss Of Winter At Umngazi Hotel & Spa

The call of the African Fish Eagle, the spectacular orange aloe blossoms, a light morning mist on the lagoon, and the crackle of a roaring log fire in the evenings: winter at Umngazi Hotel & Spa is nothing short of magical.  With peak temperatures averaging 26 degrees Celsius, little to no rain forecast, and more…

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Mon
1
May
What To Pack When Visiting Umngazi Hotel & Spa

Come rain or shine, Umngazi Hotel & Spa has a variety of activities for you and your family. For the adventurous type, there are hikes, mountain bike routes (own bicycles needed), a gym, boat cruises, SUP and kayak rentals, and more. For those looking to unwind, there is a spa, a swimming pool, unspoiled beaches,…

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Wed
26
Apr
Pear, Rosemary & Thyme Tart

Ingredients: Pastry: • 500g sweet-crust pastry • plain flour for dusting • 4 small ripe pears • 1 tbsp lemon juice • honey to drizzle Rosemary & Thyme Frangipane: • 200g butter (softened) • 200g castor sugar • 140g ground almonds • 100g self-raising flour • 1 tsp thyme (fresh, chopped) • 1tsp rosemary (fresh,…

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Tue
25
Apr
Note from Keith & Nicole

It feels like only yesterday we were sweltering in the Wild Coast heat, and now we’re reaching for our sweaters on chilly mornings. The days may still be warm and sunny, but there’s a refreshing crispness in the air. This time of year, is truly magical at Umngazi, and we invite you to come and…

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Sat
1
Apr
Beach Bliss: Visit The award-winning Umngazi Spa

Treat your salty hair, sandy feet, and sunkissed skin to a once-in-a-lifetime pampering experience at our award-winning spa. Set high on the Umngazi hillside with stunning sea and river views, each treatment room is designed with ultimate relaxation in mind.  The Umngazi Spa offers a full range of treatments and therapies including face and body…

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Tue
21
Feb
Soy Marinated Watermelon Salad & Citrus Dressing

Soy Marinated Watermelon Salad Ingredients 250g watermelon (cubed) 250g buffalo mozzarella cucumber (sliced into ribbons) 250g mini-plum tomatoes (halved) 100g rocket (washed) 500ml soy sauce (dark) avocados (sliced) 250g chickpeas (rinsed and drained) 2tsp black pepper (ground) ½ cup corn starch 2tsp paprika 1tsp salt citrus dressing (to serve) Method: In a bowl, season watermelon…

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Tue
21
Feb
Note from Keith & Nicole

Happy, Happy New Year to you all and we hope that it will be a healthy and peaceful one. Christmas and New Year came and went so quickly but what an incredible time we all had at Umngazi. The hotel was busy and it was as always so wonderful to welcome back the regulars and…

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Thu
26
Jan
Chasing The Sun Promotion 2023

As the rest of the country starts to stock up on hot chocolate and down duvets for the winter, we at Umngazi Hotel & Spa invite you to experience two of the Wild Coast’s most beautiful and sunniest months: May and June. With mild temperatures and bright blue skies, it’s the perfect time to escape…

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Wed
2
Nov
Come And Celebrate At Umngazi Hotel

Visit untouched beaches, walk along rolling hills, kayak on the majestic Mngazi River, and observe unique flora and fauna. Sip coffee at sunrise and cocktails at sunset. Make new friends. Celebrate old ones. Bask in the sun, and forget to wash the salt out of your hair and the sand off your feet. Eat good…

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Tue
25
Oct
Biggarsberg Thatchers

Husband and wife team, John and June Smith, founded Biggarsberg Thatchers in 1996. Since a very young age, John Smith admired thatch roofs and in later years took his love for these unique types of roofs and built his company based in this sector. Biggarsberg Thatchers consists of a vibrant and well-equipped team, which includes…

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Tue
25
Oct
Note from Keith & Nicole

How wonderful it is to once again be heading towards Summer. Those lovely lazy, long days here at Umngazi are our best. The late afternoon sun just bathes everything in a warm, deep, comforting glow and the best is to sit at the pool and listen to the late afternoon peacefulness – preferably with an…

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Tue
25
Oct
Chocolate & Hazelnut Tart

Ingredients: Pastry 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons hazelnuts (toasted and skinned) 1/4 cup sugar 1 cup all-purpose flour Pinch of salt 250g cold unsalted butter, cut into 2cm cubes 1 large egg 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Filling 340g dark chocolate (70 percent), chopped 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 1 cup hazelnuts toasted, skinned and…

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Wed
28
Sep
Umngazi Aerial View
An Umngazi Family Holiday

Paradise awaits the adventure-seeking family. Umngazi Hotel & Spa is the perfect destination for a family holiday – it offers families a breathtaking beach escape with warm sunny days and balmy nights. Parents can relax and relish the beauty of nature while their children are free to run barefoot in the mud, slip & slide,…

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Wed
31
Aug
Umngazi hotel river view
A Blissful Umngazi Babymoon

Beach, breathtaking views, remarkable nature and extraordinary food make for the perfect babymoon. Umngazi is a destination that offers a relaxing experience for you to unwind and spend quality time together before your bundle of joy arrives. Whether you prefer to enjoy a romantic time together, explore our trails, beaches and rock pools or lounge…

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Mon
8
Aug
Umngazi Beach
Top 10 Experiences at Umngazi Hotel & Spa

When it comes to deciding on your next holiday, you will find no shortage of unique experiences to be enjoyed at Umngazi. Most of our experiences are aimed at allowing guests to relish the beauty of the nature and culture that surrounds them while helping them to truly relax and unwind. If you are wondering…

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