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UK: 01473 890499Rating: Mid-range
Kosi Forest Lodge is the only private lodge in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve -an unspoilt wilderness in the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site. The 16 bed lodge offers comfortable accommodation, fine cuisine and caters for a range of estuarine, beach and wilderness activities. Guests can explore this unique ecosystem by guided canoe, boat trip on the lakes, raffia forest walks or day excursion to nearby coastal beaches.
The 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. All are on raised wooden decks and have ensuite, open-air bathrooms. There is also a honeymoon suite, offering privacy and in these lovely surroundings. A massive Zulu Podberry tree is the focal point of the main lodge with the lounge, dining room and bar all opening onto a large, wooden deck around the tree. Meals are served alfresco, weather permitting, on the deck or under large Albizia trees. A swimming pool, built into the deck, at the lake''s edge allows guests to cool off while enjoying views of Lake Shengeza.
Open: Kosi Forest Lodge is open all year.
Location: The lodge is on a lake system just south of the mouth of Kosi Bay, near the coast in northern KwaZulu Natal.
Rooms: There are 8 rooms, including 2 family units which have 2 rooms sharing a bathroom. The rooms are simple wood and reed structures with green netting for windows. There are lights in the room, but you wouldn't say it was well-lit. There is a wall-fan, and mozzy netting over the beds. There is also a safe, and kettle. The bathroom has an indoor and outdoor shower, and an outdoor bath. There is no door between the indoor and outdoor part of the bathroom.
Activities: Two activities are included in your stay - a walk in the raffia palm forest, and an easy canoe trip on part of the lake system. These are both short activities (about 2 hours). At extra cost you can also take an excellent day boat trip out onto the lakes including swimming and snorkelling, seeing the traditional fish traps, watching local bird life and walking up over the sand dunes to the Indian Ocean coast (where you can spend time on the beach if you want). This trip depends on local weather conditions as it's not possible if it's too windy. You can also take a drive to the mouth of Kosi Bay about 1 hour drive away (again at extra cost). Great views of the lake system, snorkelling (tides permitting), and seeing the traditional fish traps. If you just want to hit the beach, you can reach Bangha Nek and other stunning wild, empty beaches within about 1 hour's drive. Be aware that currents can be very strong here. Turtle season is mid-November to Mid-February Whale season is generally May to November
Facilities: There is a lovely swimming pool overlooking a lake. Otherwise, this place is all about either relaxing or taking trips to enjoy the local area.
Dining: The meals are set. There is a cooked breakfast, lunch and 3 course meal each evening. Drinks are all extra. Meals are very good, such as soup followed by steak, potatoes and vegetables and a desert.
Children: Children of any age are welcome but young children should be supervised at all times. Canoeing is not for young children, and not all activities can be offered to young children.
Health: This is a low risk malaria area. This is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues. All paths are sandy (some quite deep sand), and all activities require walking through sand and forest to get to to boats etc.
Communication: There is Wi-Fi in the main area, but it's not fast and a little unreliable. Mobile signal is available, but not very strong on the whole.
Notes: February can be very hot. It can be quite rainy from Dec to March. This is usually in form of storms, though a few days of rain can happen. It is not for people who don't like bugs!
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National Park
Historic site
Place of Interest
UNESCO heritage site 
If you're looking for a mix of history, wildlife and scenery with the added freedom of your own car, this holiday is an ideal choice.
Explore the Battlefields and the scenic Drakensburg and is some exciting game viewing and finish up relaxing on the beach, this is the perfect holiday whether you want to self-drive or be driven.
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0"Kosi makes a wonderful place to come for a few days of rustic simplicity and a back-to-nature experience. I loved the day boat trip on the lakes we did, which included going to the beach, snorkelling in the lake system, a picnic lunch ... The guides were great fun. I'd happily spend two or three days here after a safari perhaps. It's not luxurious, and perhaps not for people who can't cope with bugs, but it is really friendly and laid-back. It would make a good alternative to a beach stop for anyone who's not particularly into just sitting on a beach, but wants time in a coastal area. "
Tribes Travel, The Old Dairy, Wood Farm, Ipswich Road, Otley, Suffolk, IP6 9JW. Office hours: Mon - Fri: 9am to 5.30pm Telephone: 01473 890499
