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Kosi Forest Lodge | South Africa
[South Africa Hotels and Accommodation] |
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Kosi Forest Lodge has an appealing setting amid the mangroves, swamp figs and ferns of the Kosi lake system in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve in northern Maputaland. This 16-bed wilderness lodge offers guests the unique opportunity of exploring a pristine wetland environment by guided canoes, by boat and on foot. Its activities are split between enjoying guided canoeing on the tranquil lakes, nature and birding walks in the ancient raffia forest with iLala palm wine-tasting, boat cruises through the 18km lake system, examining the ancient Tsonga fish traps, and nearby beach activities such as snorkelling, swimming at the secluded Bhanga Nek beach. Turtle tracking is a highlight for summer visitors from November to February. Home to the Palm Nut Vulture and Pel’s Fishing Owl, the area can also be explored by keen birders at their leisure.
This bush lodge offers eight comfortable thatch and canvas rooms on raised wooden decks, hidden in the sand forest. Each has a romantic bathroom, with a sunken open-air bath for star-gazing and outdoor shower. Children welcome, ideally 8 upwards, with a family chalet sleeping 2 or 3 extra children. |
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Family
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Romantic
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Spa
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Walking
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Country: South Africa
Region: KwaZulu Natal
Area: Kosi Coastal Reserve, Maputaland
Accommodation Rating: Premier |
Rooms: 8
Meals: Full Board plus Activities
Location: Wilderness
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1 May 2008
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31 Aug 2008
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1 Sep 2008
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30 Apr 2009
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| Per person sharing |
ZAR R 1,250 |
ZAR R 1,530 |
| Prices may be based
on current exchange rates and are subject to change prior to booking. |
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| Contact us for more information or book your trip by clicking on the appropriate button below. One of our consultants will gladly help you with any questions you may have. |
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Feedback from the K Family:
"The places we stayed at were all quite different. The childrens' favourite was Kosi Forest Lodge. Once we arrived [at the lodge], we loved the informal, relaxed atmosphere, which gave us all the chance to get to know both the staff and the other guests. The children also made friends with some of the local children who came to sing and dance in the evening. The river and lake trips there were superb. "
Kate stayed there in July 2007:
"Kosi was a complete, but very pleasant, contrast to the Kruger bush. Northern Maputaland is one of my favourite places in South Africa, (after the Cedarberg of course). It is lush, green, unspoilt and authentic with friendly people.
Kosi Forest Lodge lies in the Lakeland system and offers completely different activities to Thonga Beach Lodge so that people could opt to combine the two lodges if they wanted. Overall the experience is wetlands/forest orientated rather than beach. Kosi is the more modest of the two lodges and so probably should be first on an itinerary, if combined. Given the lack of electricity in the rooms (at the moment), it will not suit all guests but again, I found this lodge full of charm and the food was excellent.
The camp has been upgraded since I last visited. The deck has been extended and a second deck created a little away from the main camp area with a central fireplace, ideal for pre- or post dinner drinks. They’ve also created a lapa area under the forest canopy where dinners are usually served - a romantic intimate setting. They continue with their tradition of bringing in local singers from the nearby village to entertain the guests (usually every other night) and they were very good indeed.
The tents are slightly smaller than those at Plains camp but nicely furnished with wood and cane furniture. There is electricity in the main lodge area and a new generator means that they are about to install some electric lighting in the rooms as well. (At the moment, there’s only paraffin lights.) They will light the bathroom area which is a little dark at the moment, and hopefully provide reading lights. The bathrooms have an indoor toilet and basin and an outdoor shower and sunken bath, lit with lanterns so very atmospheric at night.
We enjoyed the canoeing excursion on the first afternoon which incorporates a walk in the forest. Guests can leave the canoeing up to the guides, or opt to get active themselves.
Activities for a two night stay are
1) Canoeing OR raffia palm forest walk on first afternoon (or last morning if they arrive too late on the first day)
2) Full day lakes exploration by boat to see the Tonga fish traps and beach excursion with snorkeling, picnic lunch on beach and swimming
If you stay 3 nights, you can do the canoing AND the forest walk.
Ideally try stay three nights if possible. If you are only staying two nights, we strongly encourage the 12 noon pick-up. With the tarred road from Hluhluwe, it only takes 1½ hours from Hluhluwe so you could leave after a leisurely breakfast."
This lodge will not suit all clients as the tents do not have power and are lit by lanterns at night and the paths are sand ie not wooden boardwalks. Also you do need to be able to walk comfortably for 15-20 minutes in order to participate in the activities. " |
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