Kosi Bay Hiking Trail - Maputaland, iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Northern KZN
Kosi Bay is a region of pristine natural diversity, consisting of four interconnected lakes and an estuary that opens out into the warm Indian Ocean. Kosi Bay is the northern most section of the 250km stretch of protected coastline that forms iSimangaliso Wetland Park. It is a region with Unesco World Heritage status, so the area remains protected and wonderfully undeveloped. No one is allowed to overnight in the reserve without special permission. Permits to visit the beaches are issued to selected tour operators and only a limited number of public permits are allowed.
Kosi Bay estuary is only 2 km from the Mozambique border. It is possible to walk from the estuary to Ponto do Oura in an hour. The Kosi River Mouth is known as "the aquarium" because of the clarity of the water and the abundance of sub-tropical fish species which use the estuary as a breeding and nursery ground. It is a snorkeller's paradise.
In Kosi Bay you have a chance of spotting the biggest mammal (whales), the largest land mammal (elephants), the largest sea turtle (leatherback turtle), and the largest fish (a whaleshark). You may also get to see the smallest antelope (a suni), whilst special and endemic bird species such as the Pels fishing owl, Palmnut vultures and White-backed heron's will keep birders a-twitch.
The Kosi Palm boasts the largest leaf in the plant kingdom whilst endemic plant species include the Kosi cycad, Kosi Fern and cycads. It is one of very few places on Earth where five different species of Mangrove trees are found in one area.
THE HIKING TRAIL 
This hiking trail takes you through these diverse natural biospheres. You will not walk more than 15km a day, as you stroll from isolated beaches to cool dune forest, open savannah & wetlands. Each day brings a new natural or cultural fascination. From watching the local fisherman spear a prize mullet in their traditional fish kraals to watching the loggerhead turtles waddle ashore to lay their eggs, snorkelling in a natural aquarium or tasting locally brewed lala palm wine.
You will overnight in Lodges, Community Camps and Bush huts – each overnight camp providing a welcoming and unique experience. We aim to finish hiking by midday, so the afternoons can be spent on activities such as canoe & boat tours on the lakes, snorkelling, beach swimming, body boarding, birding or just chilling.
The Kosi hike is an initiative of Siyazenzela, which means “we help ourselves”. It is an initiative of local community members and tourism operators in the region to provide tourism services and products jointly.
Being a ‘slackpacking’ trail, your luggage will be transferred from camp to camp so you need not worry about
slogging a heavy pack. Tasty meals are also provided, which beats carrying bully beef and smash!
The hike days are guided so you'll learn more about the local history, culture and natural ecosystems along the way.
THE HIKING ROUTE .jpg)
Routes are flexible & will be tailored to the fitness and requests of the group, but the standard 5 Day / 4 Night Kosi Bay Slackpacker is as follows, with about 3-4 hours
walking per day.
Click Here to check out the route on Google Earth
View the Photo Gallery from the First Trail
KOSI BAY SLACKPACKING - 4 NIGHT TRAIL ITINERARY
Day 1: Self-drive to Utshwayelo (Kosi Bay Mouth) - leave vehicles in secure parking. 4x4 Transfer to Maputaland Bush Camp. Time Permitting: Afternoon Swim & sundowners at Black Rock Beach
Overnight: Maputaland Bush Camp
Day 2: Hike through savannah and coastal forest to the protected 4th lake. Afternoon Activity: Visit the Raffia Palms with an opprtunity to see the Rare Palmnut Vulture on a canoe trip around 4th lake
Overnight: Amanzamyama Camp
Day 3: Short hike through open savannah, sand & dune forest to the famous Bhanga Nek beach. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the ocean. Groups can spend more time on the beach or hike up to 3rd lake where you will be taken by boat on a fishing / snorkelling & birding experience around the fascintaing Kosi Bay Lake Sytem (3rd to 1st lake along the water channels). Seasonal Activity: Turtle Viewing (Nov - Feb)
Overnight: Kosi Bay Lodge
Day 4: Hike through fern & milkwood forests along the lakes and fish kraals to the last camp near Kosi Bay Mouth. Afternoon activity: Swimming & Snorkelling
Overnight: Utshwayelo/Amagwane Camp
Day 5: After breakfast - leave in own vehicles (left at end camp)
Recommended Extra Day: We highly recommend an extra day/night to be spent at Utshwayelo / Amangwane Camp (Kosi Bay Mouth). From here you can do another days guided hike through pristine coastal forest & dunes, ending back at Kosi Mouth - where you can enjoy lunch on the beach and an afternoon of snorkelling at the mouth - a natural aquarium.
Optional Extra Days & Activities:
Optional extra days can be added for an Oceanic experience (snorkel or SCUBA from boat in open seas) or visiting Tembe Elephant Park or Ndumo Gamne Reserve (excellent birding). This option is available for smaller groups who can be transported in a 4x4 game drive vehicle.
Flexibility: The route can be customised to suite to suit your time constraints and special interests.
Seasonality: Turtle Season is from November to February, but the trail is closed in December and January because of heat. Winter months (April through to August) are also great months as the day time temps are more pleasant for hiking.
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PRICE:
Based on a group size of 4 persons, the price is:
R3300/pp – Price includes:
• 4 Nights Accommodation
• All meals
• Luggage Support/Transfer between Camps
• 4x4 Transfer to/from vehicles
• Boat Transfer (across 3rd lake)
EXTRAS:
• A guide fee of R600/per group is payable to the hiking guide
• Price will be adjusted if changes made to the above itinerary to suit guests.
Other optional extra activities not included in the hike price area:
Canoe Safari – R150/pp, Turtle Tours –R250/pp, Sunset Boat Cruises–R180/pp
Contact Us here if you interested in finding out more about this Kosi Bay Adventure.
© Copyright Active Escapes CC | Design by S.Colvin
Kosi Bay Hiking Trail - Maputaland, iSimangaliso Wetland Park - Northern KZN
Kosi Bay is a region of pristine natural diversity, consisting of four interconnected lakes and an estuary that opens out into the warm Indian Ocean. Kosi Bay is the northern most section of the 250km stretch of protected coastline that forms iSimangaliso Wetland Park. It is a region with Unesco World Heritage status, so the area remains protected and wonderfully undeveloped. No one is allowed to overnight in the reserve without special permission. Permits to visit the beaches are issued to selected tour operators and only a limited number of public permits are allowed.
Kosi Bay estuary is only 2 km from the Mozambique border. It is possible to walk from the estuary to Ponto do Oura in an hour. The Kosi River Mouth is known as "the aquarium" because of the clarity of the water and the abundance of sub-tropical fish species which use the estuary as a breeding and nursery ground. It is a snorkeller's paradise.
In Kosi Bay you have a chance of spotting the biggest mammal (whales), the largest land mammal (elephants), the largest sea turtle (leatherback turtle), and the largest fish (a whaleshark). You may also get to see the smallest antelope (a suni), whilst special and endemic bird species such as the Pels fishing owl, Palmnut vultures and White-backed heron's will keep birders a-twitch.
The Kosi Palm boasts the largest leaf in the plant kingdom whilst endemic plant species include the Kosi cycad, Kosi Fern and cycads. It is one of very few places on Earth where five different species of Mangrove trees are found in one area.
THE HIKING TRAIL
This hiking trail takes you through these diverse natural biospheres. You will not walk more than 15km a day, as you stroll from isolated beaches to cool dune forest, open savannah & wetlands. Each day brings a new natural or cultural fascination. From watching the local fisherman spear a prize mullet in their traditional fish kraals to watching the loggerhead turtles waddle ashore to lay their eggs, snorkelling in a natural aquarium or tasting locally brewed lala palm wine.
You will overnight in Lodges, Community Camps and Bush huts – each overnight camp providing a welcoming and unique experience. We aim to finish hiking by midday, so the afternoons can be spent on activities such as canoe & boat tours on the lakes, snorkelling, beach swimming, body boarding, birding or just chilling.
The Kosi hike is an initiative of Siyazenzela, which means “we help ourselves”. It is an initiative of local community members and tourism operators in the region to provide tourism services and products jointly.
Being a ‘slackpacking’ trail, your luggage will be transferred from camp to camp so you need not worry about
slogging a heavy pack. Tasty meals are also provided, which beats carrying bully beef and smash!
The hike days are guided so you'll learn more about the local history, culture and natural ecosystems along the way.
THE HIKING ROUTE
Routes are flexible & will be tailored to the fitness and requests of the group, but the standard 5 Day / 4 Night Kosi Bay Slackpacker is as follows, with about 3-4 hours walking per day.
Click Here to check out the route on Google Earth
View the Photo Gallery from the First Trail
KOSI BAY SLACKPACKING - 4 NIGHT TRAIL ITINERARY
Day 1: Self-drive to Utshwayelo (Kosi Bay Mouth) - leave vehicles in secure parking. 4x4 Transfer to Maputaland Bush Camp. Time Permitting: Afternoon Swim & sundowners at Black Rock Beach
Overnight: Maputaland Bush Camp
Day 2: Hike through savannah and coastal forest to the protected 4th lake. Afternoon Activity: Visit the Raffia Palms with an opprtunity to see the Rare Palmnut Vulture on a canoe trip around 4th lake
Overnight: Amanzamyama Camp
Day 3: Short hike through open savannah, sand & dune forest to the famous Bhanga Nek beach. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the ocean. Groups can spend more time on the beach or hike up to 3rd lake where you will be taken by boat on a fishing / snorkelling & birding experience around the fascintaing Kosi Bay Lake Sytem (3rd to 1st lake along the water channels). Seasonal Activity: Turtle Viewing (Nov - Feb)
Overnight: Kosi Bay Lodge
Day 4: Hike through fern & milkwood forests along the lakes and fish kraals to the last camp near Kosi Bay Mouth. Afternoon activity: Swimming & Snorkelling
Overnight: Utshwayelo/Amagwane Camp
Day 5: After breakfast - leave in own vehicles (left at end camp)
Recommended Extra Day: We highly recommend an extra day/night to be spent at Utshwayelo / Amangwane Camp (Kosi Bay Mouth). From here you can do another days guided hike through pristine coastal forest & dunes, ending back at Kosi Mouth - where you can enjoy lunch on the beach and an afternoon of snorkelling at the mouth - a natural aquarium.
Optional Extra Days & Activities:
Optional extra days can be added for an Oceanic experience (snorkel or SCUBA from boat in open seas) or visiting Tembe Elephant Park or Ndumo Gamne Reserve (excellent birding). This option is available for smaller groups who can be transported in a 4x4 game drive vehicle.
Flexibility: The route can be customised to suite to suit your time constraints and special interests.
Seasonality: Turtle Season is from November to February, but the trail is closed in December and January because of heat. Winter months (April through to August) are also great months as the day time temps are more pleasant for hiking.
PRICE:
Based on a group size of 4 persons, the price is:
R3300/pp – Price includes:
• 4 Nights Accommodation
• All meals
• Luggage Support/Transfer between Camps
• 4x4 Transfer to/from vehicles
• Boat Transfer (across 3rd lake)
EXTRAS:
• A guide fee of R600/per group is payable to the hiking guide
• Price will be adjusted if changes made to the above itinerary to suit guests.
Other optional extra activities not included in the hike price area:
Canoe Safari – R150/pp, Turtle Tours –R250/pp, Sunset Boat Cruises–R180/pp
Contact Us here if you interested in finding out more about this Kosi Bay Adventure.
© Copyright Active Escapes CC | Design by S.Colvin