Umlilo Lodge 

Umlilo Lodge is a unique, enchanting, family-managed, owned guest house perfectly located in St Lucia, KwaZulu Natal province. Come on inside through the gates and experience its magic. 

Owners Elphia and Lourens have spent 16 years lovingly designing and building a beautifully laid out and wonderful escape for their guests to enjoy. Step inside and be greeted by an almost life-sized hippo. Pass by a massive majestic fig tree that wraps itself around the reception area into your slice of paradise. Guests liken the garden to arriving in Bali or a tropical forest, and the sense of calm that it offers you is inescapable. Wander past Koi Ponds and streams,  trickling water features, taking in all the delightful locally sourced animal carvings scattered throughout the property on the wooden walkways leading to your rooms.

Our Accommodation 

Boasting 13 en-suite rooms, four of which are wheelchair-friendly, there is something for everyone's needs.

Our family unit with its separate bedrooms is a firm favourite. As is our "Pool" room, where you can step out the door into the sparkling pool.

Our spacious rooms (our smallest room is the same size as most of the other guesthouses’ luxury rooms), featured luggage racks big enough for all your suitcases, family-sized bathrooms with plenty of shelf space for all your necessities, bar fridges, and of course extremely comfortable beds. All the photography in the rooms has been done by the owners and they have supported the local artists with the rest of the decorations. Everything fits together and works to ensure you can just sit back and relax. 

Our Amenities & Services 

Start your day off with a delicious Continental or hot English breakfast in one of our atrium-like dining rooms (glass-surrounded areas making you feel like you are eating outdoors in a lush forest).

End off an adventure-filled day with a tasty homemade traditional dinner dish. Spend some time relaxing by the pool or in the cool spacious lounge, curled up with one of the good books on offer, or simply sit back and enjoy a drink from the honesty bar. 

With Wi-Fi, DSTV in the lounge area, and Netflix in the rooms, solar energy and a generator to ensure that load shedding does not make any impact on your stay, an on-site gift shop to spoil yourself and find that ideal gift to take home, quiet nooks and crannies surrounded by trees and wonderful hosts that are there to assist you with planning your days and making sure your stay is perfect, Umlilo is a little gem that must be experienced.

Lourens has been known to go and relocate a tree frog for you in the middle of the night if it is proving to be too noisy. Even the local mongoose family chooses Umlilo as their destination of choice. For many years they have burrowed under the welcome deck and raised countless babies in this safe tranquil and welcoming environment.  You simply have to come and experience it for yourself.