Kosi Forest Lodge
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
KwaZulu Natal
Features
- A private lodge situated in the unspoilt wilderness that is part of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, now internationally recognised as a World Heritage Site.
- Located in a tranquil sand forest, the lodge offers comfortable accommodation, excellent cuisine and is the perfect base from which to explore this rare ecosystem.
- With no electricity at the camp Candles light the area at night giving it a warm, romantic ambience reminiscent of wild African adventures of long ago.
- Big FiveNo
- Off RoadYes
- Camp FencedNo
- Child PolicyAll ages welcome
- PoolYes - At The Main Area Only
- SPANo
- AirconNo
- Cellphone SignalNo
- Malaria AreaYes
- Back-up PowerGenerator
Location
iSimangaliso Wetland Park, St Lucia, Northern Kwazulu-Natal
Getting There
ACCESS BY ROAD
4×4 access required
Transfers IN @ 12h00 and 16h00 | Transfers OUT @ 10h00 | No late transfers OUT available
4×4 transfers must be booked 48 hours before arrival to ensure that there is a vehicle available
ACCESS BY AIR
Mazengwenya airstrip, S 27° 15’23.00” | E 32° 45’11.00”
NEAREST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
King Shaka International Airport (KSIA) – Durban | Travelling time 6 hrs
NEAREST DOMESTIC AIRPORT
Richards Bay Airport (RCB) | Travelling time 4 hrs
Accommodation
6 x Forest rooms
2 x Family Suites
Rates & Special Offers
Deals By Date
Please note:
- All rates are subject to availability.
- Proof of SADC residency may be required at the time of booking or upon check-in at the lodge.
- Surcharges may apply on rates over peak holiday periods and long weekends.
- Special discounted rates for International guests are available on request.
- Unless otherwise stated, all rates listed are based on a minimum 2 night stay. Surcharges may apply for a 1 night booking.
- Rates quoted are only applicable to SADC Residents. Discounted special rates for International Residents are available on request.
- Transfers from the Total Garage in Manguzi to the lodge at either 12h00 or 16h00 for non 4 x 4 transfers, need to be pre-booked in advance. Rates are available on request.
- Late / Early Transfer rates are available on request – (minimum charge for 2 pax).
- Park Fees apply, which will be added to the invoice for the accommodation at the time of booking. Rates are subject to change without prior notice:
- Valid until 30 April 2024: R 72 per adult per stay / R 35 per child (3 – 12 years) per stay and R 72 per 4×4 vehicle – SADC Residents.
- Isibindi Foundation Levy per person per night applies from 13 years and older: R 100 per person per night to 30 April 2024, which will be added to the invoice for the accommodation at the time of booking. (Subject to change without prior notice)
- There will be a supplement of 30% on the per person sharing rate for single accommodation.
- Children 3 years and under stay free of charge.
- Children from 4 – 18 years only are charged child rates at Kosi Forest. Additional children can only be accommodated in Family rooms and are accommodated on a stretcher type bed or cot depending on age & requirements of the child.
- Additional persons over 18 years cannot be accommodated in any rooms to share with 2 adults.
- Children of 19 years & over travelling with parents are charged adult rates.
- Kosi Forest Lodge cannot accommodate additional beds in any rooms. 2 Family Suites are available.
- Please contact your BushBreaks & More consultant for applicable child rates.
- Child Policy for Kosi Forest Lodge Activities: (additional costs may apply for certain activities)
- Minimum age of 4 years for boat trips on lakes
- Minimum age of 8 years for guided canoeing & turtle drives
- All ages for Raphia forest walk & 4×4 excursion to Kosi Mouth
About Kosi Forest Lodge
Situated in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, an internationally recognized World Heritage Site, this 16-bed wilderness lodge offers guests the unique opportunity of exploring a pristine wetland environment in guided canoes and vehicles. Activities include boat cruises through the 18km lake system and estuarine waterways, swimming at the nearby, isolated Bhanga Nek beach, birding walks through the ancient Raffia Forest, cultural visits to Tsonga communities and taking a short trip to the Kosi Mouth for an excellent snorkelling experience. Home to the Palm Nut Vulture and Pel’s Fishing Owl, the area can be explored by keen birders at their leisure. Guests are accommodated in thatched bedrooms, on raised wooden decks, hidden in the sand forest with romantic outside bathrooms set under the lush leafy canopy. The lodge’s services are run off a generator. There are limited lights in the rooms and bathroom areas. There is no internet connection. There is a phone at reception and limited cell phone coverage.
The Kosi Bay Nature Reserve comprises of four lakes linked by a network of channels. The Kosi estuary offers extraordinary snorkelling opportunities and is one of the world’s top fly-fishing destinations. Traditional fishing practices dating back 700 years are still passed down from one generation to the next by the locals. This is the only place where all South Africa’s mangrove species and the only stand of naturally occurring Raffia palms occur.
Room Features
- Open air – reed enclosed bathroom
- Bath & Shower sunk into white forest sand (enjoy candlelight bathing by lantern)
- Mosquito Nets
- Safes in all rooms
Lodge Features
Conference
Halaal
Lodge Pool
Additional Activities
- Activities not included in the rate:
- Full day boat trip
- Full day kosi mouth visit
- Turtle Tracking (from 15 Nov – 15 Jan of every year)
Getting There
Please check on local websites (the AA website is particularly recommended) for advice on road works particularly between Johannesburg and Kosi).
FROM JOHANNESBURG – APPROXIMATELY 8HRS
Recommended route from Johannesburg: Head to Piet Retief on the N2, pass through Pongola and proceed south towards Hluhluwe (approximately 113km from Pongola). Turn left into the town of Hluhluwe (approx. 4kms) and follow the instructions below “Recommended route from Durban”.
Alternate Route from Johannesburg
Head to Piet Retief and Pongola on the N2 and proceed south towards Mkuze. Approximately 45km from Pongola and 10km before Mkuze turn left towards Jozini. On leaving Jozini take a left turn towards the “Coastal Forest Reserve and KwaNgwanase” (signposted), ensuring that you are proceeding over the Pongola dam wall. After 45km at a T-junction turn right towards “KwaNgwanase”. Proceed for another 47 km past Tembe Elephant Park towards the town of Manguzi (KwaNgwanase).
Please note that this route often has cattle wandering across it, some of the signs have fallen down and so caution and slower driving speeds are necessary. Also particularly around the area of Tembe Elephant Park, the road has quite a few large potholes which have caused damage to some cars. Although this route may appear shorter in distance, it takes almost as much time as the Hluhluwe Recommended Route above, but without all the hazards!
FROM DURBAN – APPROXIMATELY 5 HRS
From Durban, proceed on the N2 North out of Durban bypassing Richards Bay, Empangeni and Mtubatuba and head towards the town of Hluhluwe. Turn off the N2 towards Hluhluwe, proceeding through the town until you reach the last traffic circle. Turn left towards Mbazwane/Sodwana Bay and proceed for 0.7 km and turn right again towards Sodwana Bay/Mbazwane. Shortly after turning right you will cross over a railway line. Proceed for 87 km bypassing Mbazwane on your right. Proceed straight through the circles following the signs to “Coastal Forest Reserve” and pass. Proceed for 46km km after Mbazwane (passing the Mseleni turn-off) and turn right at the circle Kosi Bay / KwaNgwanase sign.
For non 4 x 4 guests : Drive into KwaNgwanase (Manguzi or Kosi Bay), through the town and near the end, look out for the Total Garage – on your left handside. Once you arrive at this service station, a Kosi representative will meet you there and drive you to a secure car parking area not far away. The trip to the lodge from here will be approximately 25mins in an open 4 x 4 vehicle. PLEASE PRE-BOOK WHICH PICK UP TIME YOU REQUIRE 12h00 OR 16h00.
Please endeavour to phone the lodge one hour prior to pick up times, so they can ascertain if you will be running late. If driving, this can be done from Hluhluwe in the South or Jozini in the North.
Self drive please note – the last 9km the road is in poor condition, sand road so guests must ensure they do not travel after 16h00.
4 x 4 guests: Can proceed directly to the lodge. Nearing KwaNgwanase, turn right onto the D1843 (look out for the police station emblem and the big telecommucations tower further up from the corner) – then follow the signs straight through to the lodge(9km’s).
Rooms Found, Nights, 2 Adults
We Accept:
