Updated: April 2011

KOSI FOREST LODGE, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Maputaland

GENERAL INFORMATION

Situated in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, 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.

LOCATION

Incorporated into the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, an internationally recognized World Heritage Site, this lodge borders the Kosi Lake system and is a short drive to the nearby town of Manguzi (KwaNgwanase). The Kosi Bay area is south of the southern border of Mozambique.

GPS CO-ORDINATES

Lodge: S 27º 01.726’ E 32º 47.210’ Car Park (Total Service Station): S 26º 59.423’ E 32º 45.201’

Manguzi Airstrip: S27º 01.06’ E32º 45.01’

ACCOMMODATION

8 en-suite comfortable thatch and canvas rooms set on wooden decks. All beds have mosquito nets. Our unique open-air, reed enclosed bathrooms with the bath and shower sunk into white forest sand has been noted by our guests as one of the highlights of their visit.

TYPE OF ROOMS

2 x double rooms

5 x twin rooms

1x family suite - 2 rooms sharing a bathroom –joined by an outside walkway

SWIMMING POOL

Overlooking Lake Shengeza

ELECTRICITY

The lodge’s services are run off a generator. There are limited lights in the rooms and bathroom areas.

OTHER FACILITIES

Battery re-charging, safe at Reception, no Internet,phone at Reception & limited cell phone coverage

MALARIA

Kosi Forest Lodge is located in a low risk malaria area and we recommend that you consult your medical practitioner for anti-malaria prophylactic. The best insurance is the preventative kind: avoid being bitten by using mosquito repellent liberally.

TRIPLE POLICY

No more than one extra person per room. Must be 12years or under and will be sleeping on a mattress only. Rooms are open plan. A third adult can only be accommodated in the family suite.

CHILD POLICY
  • All children welcome;
  • 12 years and under pay 50% of the full tariff, sharing with parents in the family suite only In some of the other rooms, only small children are allowed on a mattress on the floor.
  • Children 12 yrs and 18 years pay 75% of the full tariff, sharing with adults in the family suite
  • Earlier meal times are arranged for children under 8 years. It would be appreciated if young children were not allowed in the dining area after 7pm.

CHECK IN12h00

CHECK OUT10h00

WEATHER

Winter months: May to September. Temperatures range from 10c to 25c. Although the days are usually sunny, the evenings and early mornings can be cool.

Summer months: October to April. Temperatures range from 20c to 38C. This is a Summer rainfall area. The days are usually hot and humid with occasional afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

CLOTHING

Casual wear should be comfortable and cool. Remember to bring swimwear, sun hats and sandals for the day trip to the beach. An all weather outdoor anorak/windbreaker should be taken along as well as sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or track shoes are recommended. Please bring sun block and mosquito repellent.

Other suggested items: Camera, binoculars, video camera and spare batteries, lip cream, contact lens solution and spare glasses, personal medications, torch, snorkelling gear and reference books.

HOSPITAL

The nearest clinic is at Manguzi (KwaNgwanase), approximately 9kms from the lodge.

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Please inform us of any special dietary requirements and we will do our utmost to oblige.

ACCESS

BY ROAD

The lodge can be reached by 2-wheel drive vehicle until the last 30 minutes, where we have a collection point at the Total Service Station in Manguzi (KwaNgwanase). Guests are then transferred in an open 4x4 vehicle to the lodge (no charge).

There are two collection times from here: 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.

Travelling times by vehicle:

Johannesburg to Kosi Forest Lodge:8 hrs(680km)

RichardsBay to KosiForest Lodge: 4 hrs(251km)

KSIAto KosiForest Lodge:5 hrs(368km)

BY AIR

Isibindi Africa Lodges can organise regular flights from Kruger National Park (and surrounds), Johannesburg and RichardsBay. Please enquire about our special rates.

For private charters there is a 900 m-long grass landing strip situated 9km from the lodge, known as Manguzi (GPS co-ordinates: S27º 01.06’ E32º 45.01’). Please contact us to arrange air charters from your previous destination to this strip. The vehicle transfer to the lodge from the airstrip is free of charge and takes approximately 30 minutes. The nearest scheduled flights are to and from Richards Bay (approximately 4 hrs by vehicle to the lodge. One hour by air charter to the landing strip), or Durban

(approximately 5 hrs by vehicle and 1hr 45 minutes by air charter).

In addition to the above, Isibindi Africa Lodges can organise interlodge transfers between our various properties.

INDEMNITY

Guests will be required to complete an Indemnity Form upon arrival.

ACTIVITIES

Guests at Kosi Forest Lodge are encouraged to explore the diversity of Maputaland by taking part in any of the following activities: Please note that all activities are weather dependant and may change according to the needs of other guests staying at the lodge.

Guided canoeing

The highlight of many guests stay at Kosi Forest Lodge is the canoe trip on the Kosi Lakes. Guests get the opportunity to canoe along the Sihadla channel and admire the magnificent Raffia Palms. The bird life while canoeing is very rewarding. Canoeing is always accompanied by a guide and is included in the full board rate. Look out for the rare Pel’s Fishing Owl. Unfortunately no children under 12.

Raffia Palm Forest Walk

Enjoy early morning or late afternoon guided walks through the magnificent Raffia Palm Forest. Listen out for the abundant birdcalls and perhaps catch a glimpse of the rare Palm-nut Vulture, whom is seen regularly in the canopy. The raffia palm is the largest palm in the world. This activity is included in the full board rate.

Full Day Boat Trip

The Kosi Lake system is a series of interconnected lakes which stretch over some 18km. The best way to see the system is by boat. The Boat trip takes a meander through various sized lakes and channels, and includes a walk through the famous Kosi Bay fish traps – a must whilst staying at Kosi Forest Lodge. This excursion is followed by a picnic lunch and a swim in the sea at Bhanga Nek.

Full Day Kosi Mouth Visit

It takes just over an hour to drive to the beautiful Kosi Bay Mouth. Here you will see how the sea and lakes interconnect in a wonderful swirl of colour, sand and water. There’s great snorkelling with plenty of fish to view all year round. The water is warm and almost always crystal clear. The rock pools along this protected stretch of coastline are a virtual aquarium of brilliant sub-tropical fish. Enjoy swimming in the warm Indian Ocean waters, soaking up the sun along this beautiful stretch of beach, followed by a scrumptious picnic lunch.

Turtle tracking

Turtle tracking is offered every night from 15 November to 15 January. These excursions (including transfers to and from the beach) can last up to 3-4hrs and may return very late. Giant Leatherback and Loggerhead turtles make their way home having swum the length of the continent in a return journey to the beach where they were born. Research has shown that eggs are often laid within meters of where the mother emerged as a hatchling years previously. Guests are able to view these magnificent creatures’ meters from where she is laying. Utmost precaution is taken to ensure that she is not disturbed. We support a local community that have been awarded the concession for turtle tracking so the trip will be attended by other guests to the area. A packed dinner is provided.

  • Illala Palm Wine Tasting/Cultural Experience

Our guide will take you into a local village for some wine tasting (be careful as it can be strong!) as well as an explanation and tour of their homes, followed by Sundowners around Lake Shengeza. This activity is dependent on the season and the availability of the wine – no charge.

Tembe Elephant Park

Tembe Elephant Park is only an hour’s drive from Kosi Forest Lodge. Guests can enjoy a day game viewing in this 30,000ha wilderness. There is fantastic elephant viewing from the game hides.

CONFERENCING AT KOSI FOREST LODGE

Kosi Forest Lodge can accommodate casual conferencing requirements; however the whole lodge must be booked for exclusive use, i.e. up to 16 guests. Please note that Kosi has limited conferencing facilities and equipment.

RESERVATION CONTACT DETAILS

(This is our head office number and we are open Monday-Friday, 8am to 5pm)

Tel: +27 (0) 35 474 1473 After Hours: 082 322 1642 Gerard or 082 466 8538 Brett

LODGE CONTACT DETAILS

(This is to contact the lodge should you be running late or need to speak to guests directly)

Lodge Management: Chris Rabie & Illana de Lange 035 592 9239 or 082 873 8874

Isibindi Africa Reservations: Tel: +27 (0) 35 474 1473 Fax: +27 (0) 35 474 1490 email:

Rhino Walking Safaris Reservations: Tel: +27 (0) 11 467 1886 Fax: +27 (0) 11 467 4758 email: