Raffia Pont Crossing
On the Siyadla river leading into fourth lake
If you wish to combine the best of the Kosi lakes and Maputaland's finest beaches, then consider the Kosi to Mabibi 'Turtle Tracks' Trails. All options start out at Kosi Beach Camp, and thereafter, hikers can chose from a combination of accommodation options to best suite their pockets and distance aspirations.
At the high-end, we have connected the exclusive lodgings of Kosi Forest Lodge and Thonga to one another. Guests hike from lodge-to-lodge with a community guide, and enjoy experiences such as ocean safaris, snorkelling and kayaking.
For those wanting to walk this route on a tighter budget, one can change down on accom and remove the Thonga night to finish off with two nights spent at Gugs camp.
Starting out close to the Mozambican border, the route meanders along the top of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising 3280km2 of natural ecosystems. After snorkelling between colourful sealife in the crystalline aquarium of Kosi Mouth, hikers leave Kosi Bay to walk through coastal savannah with a view of the giant fish traps curling far below like an ancient tribal tattoo. The hills are a mixture of water berry trees, monkey apples with their bright green cricket ball sized fruits, and giant flat crown acacias.
After a boat trip across Third Lake, hikers are dropped at Bhanga Nek and from here it’s an adventurous walk along sandy pathways, dropping in and out of rural villages, pockets of indigenous bushveld, and small cultivated gardens before the landscape changes once again. The giant Raffia Palms that the area is famous for tower overhead, and views of the tannin coloured Fourth Lake (Amanzamnyama) are visible from the dense forest.
Day two and three of walking moves guests from the mysterious inland pathways of the lake systems to the beautiful wide open beaches further south. Beaches such as Black Rock and Lala Nek are picture-book wedges of white sand, edged by snorkeling paradise.
On the Siyadla river leading into fourth lake
The patchwork of fish kraals resembling a tribal tattoo
Luxury Beach and Bush Camps - all ensuite
Exclusive Canvas, Thatch and Wood
Gourmet Catering
Snorkelling, boat trips, kayaking, turtle trails
Opt A - 4 Nights Luxury (Utshwayelo - Kosi Forest Lodge - Gugulisizwe - Thonga Beach Lodge)
Group Size | Price (PP) | |
---|---|---|
2 Persons | R14 700/pp | |
3 Persons | R13 500/pp | |
4-5 Persons | R13 000/pp | |
6-8 Persons | R12 500/pp | |
9-10 Persons | R12 000/pp |
Opt B - 4 Nights Eco - Utshwayelo - Kosi Bay Lodge - Gugulisizwe x 2 Nights
Group Size | Price (PP) | |
---|---|---|
2 Persons | R11 000/pp | |
3 Persons | R9 800/pp | |
4-5 Persons | R9 100/pp | |
6-8 Persons | R8 200/pp | |
9-10 Persons | R7 800/pp |