General Information

Office & WiFi:

The office opens at 7.30 am and closes at 7.30 pm

You are welcome to use the WiFi at no cost.

Name : Swell Eco Lodge

Password : Ecolodge1234

Shop:

Our shop works on an honesty system where you write your name and all purchases on the provided cards. All purchases will be settled at the end of your stay.

Check-Out Time:

Check out time is at 10.00 am unless prior arrangements have been made.

Contact Numbers:

Guest Lodge Owners

Mark : 072 924 1009

Cheryl : 079 884 3680

Management Staff

Nomsa : 079 667 7212

Emergency Numbers

Discovery Medical Aid Emergency Line : 0860 999 911

St Mary's Life Hospital (Private) Mthatha:

30 Durham Road

Mthatha, 5100

Tel : 047 505 5600

Ngqeleni Police Station:

Tel : 047 568 0329

047 568 003

047 568 4936

What makes us eco-friendly?

Water conservation:

What's better than having your own sustainable water supply directly from your own land? We have a borehole situated at the bottom of our land as well as rain water collection tanks.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products:

We use eco-friendly cleaning products from EcoSmart. EcoSmart products are manufactured in South Africa and are so eco-friendly & effective that they are fully endorsed by the credible Wildlife & Environmental Society of SA (WESSA) and are used by the South African National Parks.

Eco Friendly Guest Amenities:

All amenities are supplied by Guest Soapies. All products are environmentally friendly and 100% biodegradable, phosphorus free and have not been tested on animals.

Recycling:

We can recycle the following materials:

Cardboard~Plastic~Cans~Tins~Glass~Paper

PLEASE NOTE: WE UNFORTUNATELY CANNOT RECYCLE THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL:

Chip/Crisp packets~Polystyrene~Clingwrap

PLEASE RINSE PLASTICS BEFORE PUTTING INTO THE BIN

Compost:

We have a compost heap so please use a Tupperware to put all organic waste (excluding meat and dairy) into. Leave it next to the sink and our staff will add it to the compost heap.

Up-cycling:

Upcycling is the process of converting old or discarded materials into something useful and beautiful. We try up-cycle as much as we can by using tins, glass jars, wood etc. you will see these in different area of our lodge, from toothbrush holders to cutlery holders and plant containers - all hand made with love!

Did you know:

Production of recycled paper uses 80% less water and 65% less energy and 5% less air pollution than virgin paper production.

For every 1m stack of paper you recycle, you save a tree.

Our Lodge's structure and garden:

We have built traditional Rondavel structures with a modern twist, so they blend into the community and its surroundings. During the building process, local materials, and many local workers were employed over 12 months. Our gardens are never-ending project, but we plant indigenous plants only.

Community involvement:

All our staff members of the community.
We supply clean drinking water to our community.
We have been able to help our local JSS Mngcibe School by raising funds for new school desks and chairs
We have created African Swell Creations Craft project where we sell local / South African crafts in our Shop.
We help local community daily with hospital runs and any emergencies that may arise.
We meet with a community committee on a quarterly basis to see what te needs are of the community and how we can help further.

Please feel free to ask us how you can get involved and help too!

Services:

Nomsa's famous Xhosa bread:

Please ask your Housekeeper or Nomsa if you would like to order bread

Bread orders need to be placed before 9:30 am.

Big Loaf: R55 ~ Small Loaf: R35

Housekeeping:

A housekeeping service is provided every day and is included in your accommodation rate. Our staff start work at 7:30 am in summer and at 8:00 am in Winter.

Security:

We have a watchman, Vuyani, who patrols the lodge at night. His working hours are from 7:30 pm - 4.30 am.

Laundry:

Laundry is done on request at an extra fee. Clothes are washed with eco-friendly hand wash. Please advise house keeper when you would like your laundry done and if you would like it to be ironed.

Full Washing Basket: R150

Half Washing Basket: R75

Full Washing Basket with Ironing: R180

Half Washing Basket with Ironing: R90

Babysitting service:

This service will be done by one of our Housekeepers on duty. Please ask Nick or Nomsa to make the arrangements. Cost for this service is R80 per hour.

Basic English to Xhosa translations:

English

Xhosa

Hello

How are you?

Fine, thank you.

And how are you?

What is your name?

My name is _____.

Please

Thank you.

Yes.

No.

I can't speak Xhosa.

Molo (sg) / Molweni (pl)

Unjani? (sg) Kunjani? (pl)

Ndiyaphila

Wena unjani?

Ngubani igama lakho?

Igama lam ngu _____.

Ndicela ('Ndiyacela')

Enkosi.

Ewe,

Hayi.

Andisithethi isiXhosa.

Sg = Single

Pl = Plural - more than one

Rules & Regulations:

Environmental Affairs Rules & Regulations:

We are situated in a coastal conservation area and therefore need to abide by Environmental Affairs rules and regulations.

Driving off road without a permit:

Please do not drive off-road without a permit; this includes driving on a grass pathway or on the beach. If caught by Environmental Officials; you will be fined.

You may either drive to the end of the road and park here or speak to Nomsa or Nick for help setting up for the day on the beach. We can assist with carrying your equipment.

Crayfish Season (Lobster):

Please note as we are an Eco Lodge and strive to keep our area beautiful and our sea life abundant. We do not in any circumstances allow crayfish to be bought or kept on our property in closed season. This is an illegal act and will result in large fines and jail time for the lodge owners / staff members.

Open season: 1 March - 31 October

Closed season: 1 November - end February

Legal size: 6.5cm (size of a matchbox) - measured in a straight line from the point where the tail meets the body to the tip of the spine between the rock lobster's eyes.

Quantity limit: 8 crayfish per person with a license.

Swell Eco Lodge Rules & Regulations:

Before purchasing any seafood on the property, please consult with Nomsa or Nick.
Please do not feed any animals that may make their way into our property, including the chickens. BE PREPARED TO TAKE THEM HOME IF YOU FEED THEM!

No children are to swim in the pool without adult supervision and please read all signs around the pool area regarding the use of the pool.

Breakages: Please report any breakages to Nomsa and she will add the breakage charge onto your shop bill.

Thank you for staying at Swell Eco Lodge

We hope you have a wonderful holiday!