South Africa - Places To Stay

Maputoland - Kosi Forest Lodge, located in a sand forest overlooking the Kosi Lake, is the only private lodge in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve in northern Maputoland. The lodge's location in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, makes it the ideal base to explore the surrounding estuaries, beaches and wilderness areas. The small and intimate lodge offers rustic, yet comfortable accommodation in thatched bush suites. The rooms are raised on wooden platforms, with romantic outdoor bathrooms in a reed-enclosed boma. Meals are served on the wooden deck at the main lodge or al fresco under large Albizia trees.

Situated in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve which is incorporated into the Isimangaliso Wetland Park in Northern Maputoland. The nearest town is Kwangwanase.

Kosi Forest Lodge can only be reached by 4x4 vehicles and guests must arrange to be collected at the 2-wheel drive parking area. Alternatively scheduled flights from Richards Bay or Durban to the nearby airstrip, followed by a road transfer, can be arranged

6 Thatched Bush Suites, 1 Family Suite, 1 Honeymoon Suite

£148 per person sharing in Low Season (May-Aug)
£170 per person sharing in High Season (Jan-Apr)
£180 per person sharing in High Season (Sep-Dec)

Accommodation, 3 meals per day, teas/coffees and the following activities:
1 Night Stay - Guided canoeing on lakes and a walk in the Raffia Forest.
2 Night Stay - As per one night, plus full day excursion including: boat trip on Kosi Lakes, plus swimming at Bhanga Nek beach & picnic lunch

Children of all ages are welcome

Kosi's activities are very much lake and nature based, including guided canoeing, boat trips, Kosi mouth visit, Raffia Palm forest walks, excursions to Tembe Elephant park, turtle tracking in season (Nov-Mar).

Kosi Forest Lodge buys all its fresh produce from the local community. The sandy soils, high rainfall and moderate temperature in the Kosi Bay area make it ideal for the establishment of the area's first large scale vegetable supplier.

Isibindi Africa Lodges' eco principles:
Tread gently. Respect for the environment and the minimizing of any impact during the establishment and operation of the ecotourism venture.
A strong aesthetic feature of our lodges is their ability to blend strongly into their immediate natural environment.
Shared sustainable utilization of natural resources with neighbouring communities within these protected areas.
The upliftment and training of neighbouring communities to ensure their full involvement in the ecotourist project, so as to maximize the flow of benefits to the communities.
The educating of all visitors to these pristine areas on the role neighbouring communities play in maintaining the protected area.

Cash in South African Rand is accepted. All major credit cards are also accepted.

Climate:

winter months (May to September) - days are usually sunny and dry, however evening and early mornings can be cool (temperatures range from 10-25 degrees Celcius). Sea temperature is between 18-22 degrees Celcius.

Summer months (October to April) - days are usually hot and humid with occasional afternoon and evening thurnderstorms (summer rainfall area) with temperatures ranging from 20-38 degrees Celcius. Sea temperature is between 21-26 degrees Celcius.

The lodge has no electricity, but battery recharge facilities are available at reception.

Please note that Kosi Forest Lodge is located in a low risk malaria area.

Spend 3 nights and get the 4th night free at Kosi Forest Lodge, available only for the months of May and June.
Other long stay specials available on request.