Kosi Forest Lodge

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Highlights

• Range of activities on offer
• One of South Africa’s best ecotourist destinations
• Romantic open-air bathrooms
• Turtle tracking is a highlight for summer visitors from November to February

Kosi Forest Lodge lies in the Coastal Maputaland region but it is not right on the coast. Rather it has an appealing setting amid the mangroves, swamp figs and ferns of the Kosi lake in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. This wilderness lodge offers you the unique opportunity of exploring a pristine wetland environment by guided canoes, by boat and on foot. Eight comfortable thatch and canvas rooms are on raised wooden decks in the sand forest. Each has a romantic bathroom, with a sunken open-air bath for star-gazing and outdoor shower. Sandy paths take you to the swimming pool overlooking the beautiful river or to the central lodge area with its open air sitting/dining area and bar. Nearby there's a campfire and a short distance away is a romantic bush dining area under a magnificent tree hung with lanterns in the evening. A particularly nice touch is that a local choir offer a singing performance after dinner.

This part of South Africa is one of my favourite areas of South Africa with its lush vegetation, unspoilt setting and friendly people. What makes Kosi Forest special for me is the range of activities. Enjoy guided canoeing on the tranquil lakes, nature and birding walks in the ancient raffia forest and perhaps even some lethal iLala palm wine-tasting. A full day excursion by boat takes you through the 18km lake system, examining the ancient Tsonga fish traps to the secluded Bhanga Nek beach for a beach picnic, snorkeling and swimming. 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. Kosi Forest Lodge borders the Kosi Lake system and is a short drive to the nearby town of Manguzi which has an airstrip if you want to fly into Kosi. Other activities offered at an additional cost would be visits to nearby Tembe Elephant Park or to Kosi River mouth.

Kosi Forest Lodge will not suit everyone as the tents do not have power at this stage and so are lit by lanterns at night, and the paths are sandy and not wooden boardwalks. Also its worth remembering that you do need to be able to walk comfortably for 15-20 minutes in order to participate in the activities.

Kosi Forest Lodge is ideal for families with slightly older children who will really appreciate the ativities on offer. There is a family chalet which consists of two chalets adjacent to each other sharing one bathroom at the back. This would be suitable for two adults and two children.

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