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The most series of interconnected Lakes on the South African coastline which stretches some 18km. Consisting of four Lakes Makhawulani (1st Lake), Ku Mpungwini (2nd Lake), Ku Nhlange (3rd Lake), Amanzimnyama (4th Lake) connected by meandering channels that drain via a sandy estuary into the Indian ocean. The water of these four Lakes changes from crystal clear saltwater in the estuary through to black hippo waters in the Raffia forest. Gorgeous Lakes The Gorgeous Lakes of Kosi Bay Consisting of four interlinked lakes which creates a complex estuary system Makhawulani (1st Lake), Ku Mpungwini (2nd Lake) Ku Nhlange (3rd Lake), Amanzimnyama (4th Lake) connected by meandering channels which drain via a sandy estuary into the Indian Ocean. The water of these four Lakes changes from crystal clear saltwater in the estuary through to black hippo waters in the Raffia Forest. There is abundant wildlife in the wetlands including hippos, crocodile, tropical fish and bird watchers’ paradise with a variety of grassland, freshwater as well as sea bird found within the confined area. You can find the rare fish eagle, Palm-nut Vulture, pelicans to name just a few. The shallow sandbanks also attract large flocks of pink Flamingos that gather to feed. A 3 Lake Boat cruise through the channels connecting the four lakes is a great way to explore the Kosi Bay Lake system. Going through reed channels offering an opportunity to snorkel along the Mangrove banks and to also do some fishing. Kosi Bay is the only place in South Africa where the five major species of Mangrove occur. The Isimangaliso Wetland Park provides an ideal habitat for the Mangrove ecosystem in Kosi Bay. There are 5 species of Mangrove that naturally occurs. *White Mangrove, *Black Mangrove, *Red Mangrove, *Mozambican Mangrove, *Tonga Mangrove. A single specimen of a sixth Mangrove was also found here in Kosi Bay *Cannonball Mangrove. A guided kayaking adventure in the Kosi Bay Estuary is certainly an experience that should not be missed. The guide will take you on an educational tour through the fish kraals and the magical Mangrove Forest up the Kalo River. He will then also explain the difference between the different Mangroves. 🌿Mangroves are normally found in tropical climates. They are salt-resistant plants with special adaptive mechanisms for coping with conditions of high salinity. Mangrove forests provide shelter to many animals, birds and marine life. Tours - Book Now

Considered the largest Palms in the world, growing as high as 16 meters with the largest compound pinnate leaves - some are 25 meters in length. ​ The Palm-nut Vultures feed of the fruit of the Raffia palm, supplementing their diets with crabs, fish & molluscs. Currently, there are 7 known nesting sites in South Africa and a total of 40 individual birds. This walk is a bird watcher's dream with a wide variety of birds that can be spotted. Raffia Palms Raffia Forest, home of the Palm-nut Vulture The Raffia Forest Walk has to be on the top of your list when visiting Kosi Bay! The forest is a nature’s lovers delight with fascinating flora and fauna. Described by some as a mini-Amazon. Situated on the banks of 4th Lake, you will find these giants. Considered the largest palms in the world, growing as high as 16 meters. The Raffia palms also have the largest leaves of any tree in the world - some of these leaves are 25 meters in length. Since the fronds are spongy, they float with ease and are used by the local people for building canoes. The Raphia forests are home to the Palm nut vulture, a red data species, and the only fruit-eating vulture in the world. These phenomenal birds feed from the palm nut fruit. They hang upside down below the fruit, pull the palm nut off the tree with their beaks, and then hold it in their feet to eat it. The Palm-nut Vulture supplements their diet with crabs, fish, and locusts. The tour guide has fascinating information about the forest and will help you look out for this iconic bird. Tours - Book Now Previous

Kosi Bay turtle tour starts at Banga Neck Beach. This tour is unique as the community guides do everything they can to protect and sustain turtle growth. Each year from November to January female turtles return to the same beach where they were born. The most recent science shows that Leatherbacks return after 15 years while Loggerheads take up to 36 years before laying. At the base of the dunes, they dig deep nests that they fill with scores of eggs. Turtles Endangered Leatherback Turtles Another Tourist attraction of Kosi Bay! Leatherback sea turtles are listed as endangered. It is estimated that the global population has declined by 40% over the past 3 generations. They are the largest sea turtle species Can grow up to 650kg. Fastest moving reptile 35km/h. Deepest diving turtle, reaching up to 1.5km. Can live up to 100 years. Only turtle without a hard carapace, leatherback turtles shell is leather like and not hard like other turtles. They can also not withdraw their heads. These turtles consume large numbers of jellyfish, which helps to keep the population of these marine organisms in check. Sunlight shines through the skull onto its brain, helping it to navigate and know when to migrate. The Giant Leatherback returns to the beach where they were born to lay eggs. Research has shown that the eggs are often laid within meters of where they emerged as a hatchling year previously. Female turtles’ nest at high tide on moonless nights and lay 6 - 9 clutches of eggs. Each clutch contains approximately 100 - 120 eggs. Turtle Tour in Kosi Bay The turtle tour promises an awesome opportunity to witness these rare and endangered creatures coming ashore to lay eggs. Once in a lifetime experience that will never be forgotten, rated as one of the top wildlife experiences The Turtle tour is unique as the community guides do everything they can to protect and sustain the turtle growth. Each year from November to January female turtles returns to the same beach where they were born. The most recent science shows that Leatherbacks return after 15 years while Loggerheads take up to 36 years before laying. At the base of the dunes, they dig deep nests that they fill with scores of eggs. Loggerhead & Leatherback Turtle Hatchlings From January through to April the tiny, almost invisible trails of baby turtles scatter from holes below the dunes. Sadly, not all of them reach the sea. Turtles are incredibly sensitive to light. Hatchlings find their way to the sea by orienting themselves to its reflective glimmer. Any artificial light at a sea turtle nesting site dramatically lowers their chances of success. That's why no torches are allowed during turtle tours! Although leatherback and loggerhead turtles usually lay around 100 eggs in a nest, and dig on average five nests in a season, it’s estimated that scarcely one in a thousand hatchlings make it to maturity, shocking! From the moment a sea turtle egg hits the damp sand of a nest, it’s under threat. Once the female turtle has dragged herself laboriously back to the ocean, the eggs are left entirely unprotected. Dogs and jackals, ants and ghost crabs, snakes, gulls, rats, cats and mongooses all adore a tasty turtle egg. Then, once the turtle hatches, it has to push its way up through the sand and hope for a clear passage to the sea. This, however, is highly unlikely. While adult leatherbacks and loggerheads weigh hundreds of pounds and are virtually immune to natural predators, their hatchlings are just a couple of inches long and weigh less than two ounces. When the sun sets, legions of stalk-eyed ghost crabs scuttle up and down the beach, ready to grab turtle hatchlings as they try to reach the sea. Thousands of stalk-eyed ghost crabs patrol the dunes, waiting to drag the tiny turtles away. To humans, stalk-eyed ghost crabs seem harmless, but it’s estimated that they make off with more than 10 per cent of newly hatched turtles. If a hatchling doesn’t reach water before daylight, it will die of dehydration or be scooped up by gulls and raptors. Even if a baby turtle successfully reaches the ocean, there’s no respite. Beyond the beach, endless dangers await: marlin, barracuda, tiger sharks – predators too numerous to name. Then there are the human perils of plastic, pollution, poaching, fishing lines, nets and boats. By the time a hatchling reaches the ocean it has one in a thousand chance of reaching adulthood. What a privilege to be able to witness this phenomenal fight for survival. The Leatherback turtles of iSimangaliso are the most southern breeding population in the world, and with fewer than 100 laying females coming ashore each year, they are rarer than black rhino. Turtle Tour - Book Now

Kosi Bay turtle tour starts at Banga Neck Beach. This tour is unique as the community guides do everything they can to protect and sustain turtle growth. Each year from November to January female turtles return to the same beach where they were born. The most recent science shows that Leatherbacks return after 15 years while Loggerheads take up to 36 years before laying. At the base of the dunes, they dig deep nests that they fill with scores of eggs. Birders Paradise Birders Paradise The Kosi Bay nature reserve forms part of Isimangaliso Wetland Park and offers bird lovers a paradise. Among crystal blue water, marshland, Raffia, wild date Palms, coastal dune forests, grasslands, wetlands, Mangrove forests and Sycamore fig forests provides habitat for approximately 250 species of birds. The following species can be found: Rosy-throated Longclaw Swamp Night Jar Palm Nut Vulture Pels Fishing Owl African Finfoot and African Pygmy Goose African Fish Eagle Flamingos Goliath and white backed Heron Giant, Pied, and Purple Kingfisher Narina Trogon Blue manted Crested Fly Catcher Purple banded Sunbird Just to name a few. It is advisable to book for a guided tour to spot birdlife in the area. The Kosi Bay area has myriads of criss cross sandy tracks to local settlements which makes it difficult to do a self-guided tour. Book Now

Adventure awaits you! Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life! Kosi Bay is a nature lovers' paradise! This website will give you holiday accommodation options of the beautiful lodges in the Kosi Bay area that will suit every budget. As well as a wide variety of activities and excursions. Holiday Accommodation Sodwana Sodwana Bay National Park is a nature reserve located on the Elephant coast in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, within iSimangaliso Wetland Park. It is renowned for its sport fishing, scuba diving and snorkelling. The park lies adjacent to Africa’s southern-most coral reefs. The St. Lucia and Maputoland Marine Reserves are linked to each other to form a continuous protected area stretching 150km (93 miles) from the Mozambique border south to Cape Vidal and 3 nautical miles out to sea. In the summer, guests can partake in Turtle Tours which allow views of Loggerhead and Leatherback Turtles that nest on the Sodwana bay beaches. Guests can enjoy a wealth of activities which include diving, snorkelling, boating, angling and hiking on a self-guided trail. Sodwana Bay National Park offers Africa’s southernmost coral reefs and outstanding climate. It is one of the world’s premier sport diving destinations featuring various popular dive sites with a great diversity of underwater seascapes, marine flora and fauna, corals, beautiful overhangs, drop-offs and mushroom rocks. Spectacular night dives have made this a not-to-be-missed destination for the scuba diving enthusiast. Please note that you will not pay more by either booking Holiday Accommodation or any of the Activities and Excursions from Escape to Kosi. I earn a small commission from the lodge owners and tour operators for marketing their lodges and activities on my website. Please book your holiday accommodation, activity or excursions via the booking page or contact me directly at 0780523142 * Please note: Not all photos are taken by Escape to Kosi Nt' Shonalanga Sodwana - Northern KwaZulu-Natal Come and explore Africa ... A family driven operation with exploration, conservation, and ethical standards at its core. We operate in some of the most diverse and naturally awe inspiring places in Africa. Join us for your next adventure and let's make it an unforgettable experience. Taylor made just for you. Explore our beaches From Sodwana to Kosi Bay, 10 beautiful untouched and protected beaches, waiting to be explored, exceptional snorkeling and fishing experience for the entire family. Deep sea fishing Launching at Sodwana Bay South Africa's fishing destination. Various types of Pelagics the Indian Ocean can offer from Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, Billfish, Cuda, Giant Trevellay, and Marlin. Bait and Tackle are included in the packages. Tiger Fishing at Jozini Dam The thrill of fighting a Tiger Fish a rare ferocious game fish is simply invigorating. Various packages are offered, including a party boat on Jozini Dam for 30 people. Game Safaris Safari, a choice of 4 National Parks. Experience Africa's Big 5 in all its glory. Hunting Hluhluwe, Pongola / Jozini areas Planes game to Buffalo, King Buffalo, Black Impala, and Crocodile we have it all. Various packages are available. Caping fee and meat processing fee can be included. Whale and Dolphin Safaris Spearfishing Accommodation Nt'Shonalanga Lodge, Sodwana offers the following: Self-catering, full board with private chef option. Fully stocked Bar Swimming pool Can cater for Corporate Functions, Team building, Weddings, and end of year Functions Marlin House (8 sleeper) Queen Mackarel (2 sleeper) Wahoo (2 sleeper) Tuna (2 sleeper) Trevally (2 sleeper) Drado (4 sleeper) Mackerel (2 sleeper) Shonalanga Lodge Price List 2023 Book Now Book Now! Choose an option Submit We will get back to you as soon as possible!