Kosi Forest Lodge

This wilderness lodge is located in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve – a stunning region of geographical diversity with lakes, rivers, pristine beaches, bush and coastal forests. Kosi Forest Lodge is the only private lodge in the reserve, an unspoilt wilderness that is part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, now internationally recognised as a World Heritage Site. Found at the tip of South Africa’s north-eastern coastline, nearing the border of Mozambique. Kosi Forest Lodge is nestled in a sand forest on the shores of the Kosi Lakes System in the north-eastern section of the fascinating iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The lodge is a 3 hour drive from the nearest airport at Richard’s Bay and from Richards Bay, you can take a 30-minute charter flight to Manguzi airstrip (min 2 pax / luggage allowance 12kg).

This forest hideaway consists of six Forest rooms and two Family rooms, the two rooms can be linked together making a family unit. They are all raised on a wooden deck with a beautifully appointed bedroom, balcony, and dressing room. All rooms have a romantic en-suite open-air bathroom in a reed-enclosed boma, as well as indoor en-suite showers. Set in white beach sand and positioned under one of the huge forest trees, guests are guaranteed a truly unique experience. The lodge has a small swimming pool and overlooking the lake with resident hippos and turtles.

Explore Kosi Forest Lodge’s unique ecosystem by guided canoe on the Mzinene River, boat trip on the lakes, Raffia Forest walks or day excursion to Kosi Bay mouth. Kosi Bay is a water wonderland of lakes ranging from seawater to fresh water. It is the cultural capital of the Tsonga Tembe Kingdom, and that the Tsonga Tribe have been fishing here for over 1000 years. Enjoy early morning or late afternoon guided walks through the magnificent raffia palm forest. Listen out for the abundant bird calls and perhaps catch a glimpse of the rare palm-nut vulture, whom you may have regular sightings of in the canopy. The Kosi River Mouth (one hour 4x4 drive from the lodge) is known as “the aquarium” because of the clarity of the water and abundance of fish species. Guests of Kosi Forest Lodge have free use of snorkelling equipment.