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In the far northern corner of Kwa-Zulu Natal lies the Kosi Lake system and her adjacent endless beaches. This world heritage site has remained pristine and remote due to very limited and controlled development and world leading conservation efforts.
Miles of desolate beaches, virgin dune forests, bountiful coral reefs, mangrove swamps and rare Raffia Palm forests set the scene for exploration and adventure. This diverse ecosystem exists in harmony with the local communities who have been in the area, harvesting with their unique utshwayelo (fish traps), for over 700 years. Kosi’s pristine beaches also offer, in season, the opportunity to witness nesting and subsequent hatching of the turtles.
As with our Pondo Trail™, this delicate balance between wild Africa and authentic culture is the perfect canvas for us to create a series of truly memorable moments. Welcome to Kosi Bay, Wild Child Africa style!
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The Kosi Experience is a high-end, once-in-a lifetime trail experience which fully encapsulates the essence of Kosi Bay.
Many of our guests prefer to enjoy it with friends and thus book an exclusive departure, while others are very happy to join up with other like-minded adventurers on a non-exclusive departure.
Non–exclusive departure:
4-night Kosi Experience with a mixed group of like-minded individuals, couples or families. (16 – 20 pax). Please note that non-exclusive trips are for min 2 pax sharing (twin or double). We are unfortunately unable to accommodate single person bookings. For odd numbered groups over 3 or families, please email info@wildchildafrica.com before booking as there are family units available.
Exclusive departure:
4-night Kosi Experience with your own hand-picked group of guests. (16 – 20 pax)
Quoted Rates Include:
All accommodation and meals. Local beers, ciders, soft drinks, selected wines and G&T. Private Wild Child Africa guide, all activities, professional turtle guide (in season), conservation levy, kayaks, and snorkelling equipment.
Quoted Rates Exclude:
Transfers to and from Kosi Forest Lodge and non-specified drinks.
*3 Day trips also available, rates on request.
Payment terms:
Quoted Rates Include:
Guided 4 night adventure, accommodation, all meals, vehicle support, luggage handling, snacks, refreshments, G&T, local beer and wine, professional turtle guide (in season), conservation levy, kayaks and snorkelling equipment.
Quoted Rates Exclude:
Payment terms:
Quoted Rates Include:
All accommodation and meals, beers, ciders, soft drinks, selected wines and G&T. Private Wild Child Africa guide, all activities, professional turtle guide (in season), conservation levy, kayaks, and snorkelling equipment.
Quoted Rates Exclude:
Transfers to and from the lodge and non-specified drinks.
Payment terms:
Our daily itineraries are planned and adapted to offer our guests the best possible experience of the area. Natural elements like tides, wind and rainfall all play a role in determining which activities we do on which days.
During turtle season, our itineraries are also adjusted to give us the best chance of seeing this natural phenomenon. Bhanga Nek is one of the most densely populated turtle breeding grounds in Africa and our professional turtle guide will join us here to lead our moonlit beach walk in search of the Leatherbacks and Loggerheads.
Guests are to arrive at Kosi Forest Lodge (5hrs from Durban) by 13h00 for a signature Wild Child welcome and introduction to Maputaland.
After a delicious lunch, we head out to explore the Raffia Palm forests and unique ecosystems surrounding the 4th Lake, while keeping our eyes peeled for the endangered Palm-nut Vulture or Pels Fishing Owl.
Season dependent, our journey then hugs the banks of the beautiful 3rd lake before arriving at Bhanga Nek for an early dinner on the beach and turtle walk; or our afternoon takes us on an adventure through pristine and ancient sand forests where your guide will point out many endemic plants and birds and share insights on the colourful history of this unique area.
After an early brekkie, we pack for the day and head out by boat to explore and enjoy the lakes and the remarkable channels that link them. Our journey continues on foot along the estuary for an enlightening tour of authentic Thonga fish traps and stories of how the local people have harvested from these waters for centuries. Snorkelling at Sanctuary Reef is a bucket list experience, and the palm-lined beaches give the area a real Robinson Crusoe feel. We complete the loop back to the lakes for a secret picnic lunch before heading back to our lodge for a sunset G&T.
This is the day to clear the mind and stretch the legs. We wander the endless and magical Maputaland beaches; catch ghost crabs, snorkel pristine reefs, and enjoy the salt and sun of the warm, tropical waters. Our ground crew will meet us for a late picnic lunch before transferring home for sundowners and dinner at the lodge.
Taking into account the weather and ocean conditions, your guide will plan a day to indulge - this is your opportunity to soak up more of this incredible landscape. You may take a scenic paddle up the Manzinyama river, go birdwatching, enjoy a few rare moments of pure forest silence, fish, snorkel, swim or just relax at a hidden cove. The afternoon will be spent with a G&T in hand, celebrating the Zululand sunset the Wild Child way.
Taking into account the weather and ocean conditions, your guide will plan a day to indulge - this is your opportunity to soak up more of this incredible landscape. You may take a scenic paddle up the Manzinyama river, go birdwatching, enjoy a few rare moments of pure forest silence, fish, snorkel, swim or just relax at a hidden cove. The afternoon will be spent with a G&T in hand, celebrating the Zululand sunset the Wild Child way.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge before making your way back to civilisation. Exhausted, exhilarated, and with a new appreciation of this exquisite wilderness. Please ensure return flights from King Shaka are booked no earlier than 15h00.
Totally exhilarated, inspired and with hearts full of appreciation of this exquisite wilderness, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge before making your way back to civilisation.
This is your opportunity to soak up this incredible landscape in the manner of your choosing. Indulge in a scenic paddle up the Manzinyama river, birdwatching and enjoying a few rare moments of pure silence. Spend the day fishing, snorkelling, swimming and relaxing at Black Rock or Kosi Mouth, or spend the afternoon enjoying the lodge swimming pool with G&T in hand and celebrate the Zululand sunset the Wild Child way. This evening presents another opportunity for a turtle walk.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge before making your way back to civilisation. Exhausted, exhilarated, and with a new appreciation of this exquisite wilderness. Please ensure return flights from King Shaka are booked no earlier than 15h00.
Each night, you will return to our carefully selected lodge, nestled deep within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. Tucked beneath the ancient sand forest canopies, and ideally positioned to offer you the best access to the variety of adventures on offer, your accommodation has been specifically chosen as the perfect base from which to explore.
Comfortable en-suite units sit lightly within their surroundings, with open-air dining, a well-stocked bar and a swimming pool from which to take in many natural splendours. Our resident chef ensures that all meals are fresh and generous, and each setting is planned around the perfect use of seasonal conditions. True barefoot luxury in one of the most remote and pristine corners of southern Africa.
(Season and availability dependent, we will make use of either Kosi Forest Lodge and/or Utshwayelo Kosi Mouth Lodge & Camp.)
We have booked all our departures around the best tides to ensure beach walks on hard sand, exploring the mangrove swamps through ebb and flow, picnic lunches, snorkelling the incoming tide, and the perfect drift through the Kosi Lake channels.
If your trip is turtle focused, and you want to give yourself the best possible chance of sightings, the following seasons may be helpful for your planning:
Jan – late March – hatching – witness the tiny hatchlings bundle out of their nests at night to run the gauntlet for the ‘safety’ of the ocean.
Oct – late Jan – laying – experience the big leatherback and loggerheads mamas leaving the water to come ashore, dig their nests and lay their eggs on the same beaches that they were born on many decades before.
Advised packing list: –
Important note –
Summer in Maputaland is HOT and HUMID and the sun can be very vicious! Make sure you prepare for this. Cool, long-sleeve shirts and wide brimmed hats are a good idea to avoid getting sunburned. Pack good quality sunscreen. Have enough water carrying capacity (2 litres) and make sure you drink it! The Kosi Experience offers an action-packed itinerary with long hours in the heat and sun, so self-management of these factors are of utmost importance.
Kosi Bay is classified as a low-risk Malaria zone. The current recommended precautions are bug spray, long sleeves and pants, but you should consult your doctor about anti-malarial medication before visiting.
We will all meet at Kosi Forest Lodge at 13h00 on the day of your arrival. For those self-driving from Durban, you would need to leave around 06h30. If you are flying into Durban, it would be a good idea to fly in the night before and overnight in Durban. If you are flying in on the morning that the experience starts, you would need to book a very early flight and connecting shuttle so that you have left the airport by 7h30 at the very latest. We recommend Escape Through Africa Travel (0626399009) for this transfer. There is also the option to fly into Richard’s Bay and shuttle from there (Richard’s Bay to Kosi Forest lodge is +- 3hrs drive). Contact Raj Sprinter Transfers (0784037279) or Escape Through Africa (0626399009) for this transfer.
Please remember to book your own return shuttle for after your Kosi Adventure. You will depart the lodge after breakfast between 08h30 and 09h00 on your final morning. This will put you back at King Shaka at around 15h00 and so outbound flights should be booked no earlier than 16h00. Self-drive guests with a 4×4 can drive straight to the lodge. Guests driving a 2×4 vehicle will need to leave your car in Manguzi (26°59’26.4″S 32°44’44.7″E) at Maputaland Lodge where there is safe-parking available at a cost of R50pd. For those who have left their cars in Manguzi, a shuttle service is available to transport guests to Kosi Forest Lodge (R300 per shuttle, seats 10pax).
The water at the lodge is safe for showering, brushing teeth etc, but we will provide specific drinking water at the lodge, and for the daily activities.
Please advise the team of any allergies or specific dietary requirements when completing the indemnity form that will be mailed to you, so that we can accommodate accordingly.
Daily walks range between 10 and 15km, however, please note that when looking for the turtles, distances cannot be predicted, and that walk may be longer. The pace is leisurely, and each day presents different challenges and new opportunities.
The key is to travel light and to be as mobile as possible as spontaneity is often the key to a hidden secret. We will always walk as a group and there will be numerous stops along the way to swim, take photos, catch fiddler crabs, search for turtles, spot birds, and lie in the sun or have a lunchtime siesta. River/lake crossings are influenced by tides and may require getting wet or a short swim. The physical and fitness requirements of the activities are not hugely demanding. However, there is no doubt that the fitter you are the more enjoyable it will be. A few nice long walks before-hand will put you on the front foot! The terrain is not at all technical but deep sand can be a bit of a strain on weary legs.
The summer heat is perhaps the most challenging factor and being well prepared for this (sun-cream, hat, water etc.) is essential.
We take pride in a mostly forced, yet highly encouraged digital detox. There is very limited cell phone reception during the daily activities but there is reception at the lodge. We will provide you with an emergency number for your loved ones to be able get hold of you while on the trip.
If you have an older pair of trail shoes, we’d recommend packing those! If you are planning on getting new shoes, make sure you do a few good walks to wear them in beforehand. Prevention is always better than cure so please notify your guide if you are feeling any discomfort whatsoever so he can sort it out before it’s a real problem. Pack a roll of Elastoplast. Elastoplast + Zambuk = no blisters!
If you suffer from chafe then pack a pair of tights, they are always handy. Also, always carry a tin of Zambuk. Always the 1st item in our backpack!
4-night Kosi Experience with your own hand-picked group of guests.
Please note that our Kosi Experience is unfortunately sold out for 2026. Please find 2027 and 2028 availability below.
Our Kosi Experience is now available year-round and, due to popular demand, we have introduced non-exclusive trips in 2028!
*All non-exclusive trips are pp sharing only, no single supplements.
*All non-exclusive trips are pp sharing only, no single supplements.
An old, wise chief once offered his advice to a young man working tirelessly” In order to chop your wood better son, you should stop, rest and lola imbazo (sharpen your axe)”. To which he replied, “I don’t have the time Tata”.
Now more than ever before, businesses need to Lola Imbazo. To re-think strategy and identify and implement change. To move away from thinking ‘survival’ and move towards thinking ‘opportunity’.
How better to do this than to strip away the clutter of the urban, digital world and immerse yourselves in an environment where wide open spaces and the luxury of silence can provide clarity.
Allow us to tailor-make a Kosi Experience specifically for your team.
“After having taken two groups on corporate team building events with Wild Child Africa at Kosi Bay, the benefits in relationship building through this shared, unique experience is visible still months later” – Martin Wiest CEO Tourvest Destination Management
Our adventure starts at around 8am in Port Edward where, should you choose the ocean safari, you will embark on a phenomenal boat transfer to view dolphins, whales and the sardine migration in season – this option comes highly recommended and cuts out a long and bumpy dirt road to the official start of your adventure near Mtentu. Should you prefer to travel by road, you’ll arrive at Mtentu at around 10.30am. After disembarking, the day then offers incredible diversity in a mostly forgotten wilderness of the Mkambathi Nature Reserve; grassy plains boasting scattered herds of antelope, a picnic lunch beneath an exquisite waterfall, and finishing off with signature Wild Child sundowners overlooking the Msikaba estuary are a few of the highlights. The Msikaba Beach Camp will be your home for the evening. Distance +- 12-15km.
An early wakeup will coax you out of bed for a sunrise kayak up the Msikaba estuary. Resident Cape Vultures circling overhead and rapturous greetings from on-looking baboons punctuate our paddle, before returning for a delicious breakfast back at camp. Setting off for the day’s walk, we continue South from Msikaba with numerous opportunities for a refreshing swim in one of the many streams or a break in a shady spot for a mid-morning snack. Our journey takes us past the site of the famous Grosvenor shipwreck and then on to Lambazi Beach, the perfect place for lunch and siesta under the milkwoods. Champagne Mile and the celebrated ‘Pondo Shower’ marks the end of another spectacular day’s walk and bring us to the Luphatana Beach Camp for the night. Distance +- 19km.
Today is the day Pondoland shows off! Majestic landmarks, breath-taking viewpoints, hidden caves and secret valleys are revealed around each new section. Waterfall Bluff, Cutwini Valley and Cathedral Rock are only a few of the highlights that can be enjoyed as you discover the majesty and mystery of the Pondoland coast. When the ocean allows, freshly harvested seafood can be included in our menu for the day. The journey ends with a final beach crossing before reaching our home for the evening, Mbotyi River Lodge. Overnight at Mbotyi River Lodge. Distance +- 20km.
As in every good story, we save the best for last. The essence of this beautiful coastline is captured in the short stretch from Mbotyi to Manteku, and our walk takes us past five secluded, remote and pristine beaches linked only by secret cattle paths. A cheeky last climb presents the perfect viewpoint over a fairy-tale finish line; Manteku’s private beach and estuary.
Spend the afternoon sipping gin, paddling in the Manteku estuary or enjoying a well-earned foot massage, before the final Pondo Trail feast and celebrations later that evening.Distance +- 10km.
DAY 5
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before returning home sporting the glorious “Pondo Glow”
As in every good story, we save the best for last. The essence of this beautiful coastline is captured in the short stretch from Mbotyi to Manteku, and our walk takes us past five secluded, remote and pristine beaches linked only by secret cattle paths. A cheeky last climb presents the perfect viewpoint over a fairy-tale finish line; Manteku’s private beach and estuary.
Spend the afternoon sipping gin, paddling in the Manteku estuary or enjoying a well-earned foot massage, before the final Pondo Trail feast and celebrations later that evening.Distance +- 10km.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before returning home sporting the glorious “Pondo Glow”
It was seminal, elemental and profoundly healing. We all felt held by you, enough to shed our layers, our grief, our fears and we experience unbridled joy, having returned quite open, raw and changed by it – you have a real gift
Justine Gevisser