Kosi Forest Lodge

Overview

Kosi Forest Lodge a private lodge situated in the unspoilt wilderness that is part of the Isimangaliso Wetland Park, now internationally recognised as a World Heritage Site. The 16-bed lodge offers comfortable accommodation, fine cuisine and caters for a host of estuarine, beach and wilderness activities. Explore this unique ecosystem by guided canoe, boat trip on the lakes, raffia forest walks or day excursion to nearby coastal beaches. Discover one of South Africa’s best ecotourist destinations.

Accommodation

Kosi Forest Lodge is set in a beautiful sand forest on the banks of the Kosi Lake. The thatched bush suites are carefully positioned to provide guests with privacy and an intimacy with the peaceful surroundings. The romantic en-suite bathrooms are open-air, giving guests a truly unique experience. Guests can relax at the pool with its unsurpassed views of Lake Shengeza.

The thatched bush suites are hidden in the sand forest of the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve providing privacy under the forest’s peaceful canopy of shady trees. The rooms are raised on a wooden deck with a beautifully appointed bedroom, balcony, dressing room and separate bath and shower. The romantic en-suite bathroom is open-air in a reed-enclosed boma. Set in white beach sand and positioned under one of the huge forest trees, guests are guaranteed a truly unique experience.

The bedrooms have low wooden walls with mosquito netting and roll-up canvas blinds allowing for full views of the surrounding forest. Kosi Forest Lodge has become increasingly popular as a honeymoon destination. The honeymoon suite is completely private and allows couples to enjoy the serenity of the surrounding sand forest undisturbed.

More Info

Children
• Kosi Forest Lodge cannot accommodate additional bed in any rooms. Two family suites are available to accommodate those with children.

Directions

From Johannesburg – Approximately 8hrs

Recommended Route from Johannesburg:
Head to Piet Retief and  Pongola on the N2 and proceed south towards Mkuze.  Approximately 45km from Pongola and 10km before Mkuze turn left towards Jozini.  On leaving Jozini take a left turn towards the “Coastal Forest Reserve and KwaNgwanase” (signposted), ensuring that you are proceeding over the Pongola dam wall.  After 45km at a T-junction turn right towards “KwaNgwanase”.  Proceed for another 57 km past Tembe Elephant Park to the town of Manguzi (KwaNgwanase).

Please note that this route often has cattle wandering across it, some of the signs have fallen down and so caution and slower driving speeds are necessary.

Alternate Route from Johannesburg:
Head to Piet Retief and  Pongola on the N2 and proceed south towards Mkuze.  Approximately 45km from Pongola and 10km before Mkuze turn left towards Jozini.  On leaving Jozini take a left turn towards the “Coastal Forest Reserve and KwaNgwanase” (signposted), ensuring that you are proceeding over the Pongola dam wall.  After 45km at a T-junction turn right towards “KwaNgwanase”.  Proceed for another 47 km past Tembe Elephant Park towards the town of Manguzi (KwaNgwanase).

Please note that this route often has cattle wandering across it, some of the signs have fallen down and so caution and slower driving speeds are necessary.  Also particularly around the area of Tembe Elephant Park, the road has quite a few large potholes which have caused damage to some cars.  Although this route may appear shorter in distance, it takes almost as much time as the Hluhluwe Recommended Route above, but without all the hazards!

From Durban – Approximately 5 hours

From Durban, proceed on the N2 North out of Durban bypassing Richards Bay, Empangeni and Mtubatuba and head towards the town of Hluhluwe.  Turn off the N2 towards Hluhluwe, proceeding through the town until you reach the last traffic circle.  Turn left towards Mbazwane/Sodwana Bay and proceed for 0.7 km and turn right again towards Sodwana Bay/Mbazwane.  Shortly after turning right you will cross over a railway line.  Proceed for 87 km bypassing Mbazwane on your right.  Proceed straight through the circles following the signs to “Coastal Forest Reserve” and pass.   Proceed for 46km km after Mbazwane (passing the Mseleni turn-off) and turn right at the circle Kosi Bay / KwaNgwanase sign.

For non 4 x 4 guests :  Drive into KwaNgwanase (Manguzi or Kosi Bay), through the town and near the end, look out for the Total Garage –  on your left handside. Once you arrive at this service station, a Kosi representative will meet you there and drive you to a secure car parking area not far away.  The trip to the lodge from here will be approximately 25mins in an open 4 x 4 vehicle.  PLEASE PRE-BOOK WHICH PICK UP TIME YOU REQUIRE 12h00 OR 16h00.

4 x 4 guests:  Can proceed directly to the lodge.  Nearing KwaNgwanase, turn right onto the D1843  (look out for the police station emblem and the big telecommucations tower further up from the corner) – then follow the signs straight through to the lodge(9km’s).