Turtle Tracks – Kosi to Mabibi

Trainers or strops are best suited to this trail. Strops allow sand to pass through and are great for the estuary crossings, but can cause chaffe when wet. With lightweight tekkies/trainers - just check that they have a solid liner under the upper mesh otherwise sand comes in from the top. Or wear lycra trail running gaiters to prevent sand from getting into the shoe.

Kosi Bay has a warm to hot and humid subtropical climate. It has an average yearly rainfall of 980 mm with rain occurring primarily during summer from Oct to March, with the most rain from Feb to March. May through to November provides the most pleasant hiking temps, but if seeing the turtles is a high priority, then you should plan your hike for Nov - end of March.

Availability is generally not a problem outside of the peak school holiday periods.

This trail does entail more costly support logistics (more & longer transfers, guide support etc) but it is possible to use some more budget lodging alternatives, and consider the Loggerhead trail which finishes at Gugs.

Kosi Bay is a sanctuary for many special & protected faunal & floral species. From the ancient Cycads to the most southerly grove of the giant Raffia Palm (whose fronds /leaves are the longest of any plant species in the world) on which the rare fruit-eating Palm-nut vulture depends.

The Kosi Lake system is especially important for migratory birds such as the Greater & Lesser Flamingos and Ospreys. The protected lakes provide an important nursery function & supports some of the largest populations of 8 fish species that are listed in the Red Data book for threatened or vulnerable species.

From November the leatherback and loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, and from about December, the young start to hatch and run the gauntlet down to the ocean.

Please remember the turtles only come ashore and lay their eggs or hatch, during a limited season - generally from mid November to the last hatchlings in March. Turtle Viewing Tours are an inclusive activity from Thonga Beach Lodge (if doing Opt A - Leatherback) and are also possible from Bhanga Lakeside camp and Kosi Forest Lodge (at Bhanga Nek), or from Gugs - along the Lala Nek beach stretch. They are approx R900/pp to include transfers/ vehicle, certified guide & concession fee's + permits. Please let us know if doing a turtle tour is a bucket-list wish for your group.

The Kosi Bay area is still classified as an 'intermediate risk' area according to the Health Department but if you ask the lodges they will tell you this is very outdated. I would only take prophylactics if you are a high risk candidate (pregnant, elderly). Almost all of our hikers dont take, and we have never had a case of malaria reported.