The Kosi Bay Nature Reserve is located on the Elephant Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It is an unspoilt wilderness forming part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, an internationally recognised World Heritage Site.
Kosi Bay Nature Reserve occupies 11 000 hectares of land and is a tropical paradise of crystal clear water, marshland, coastal forest and swamp. It is home to about 250 bird species. The Lake itself is home to the largest Hippo and Crocodile populations in the country and it is a haven for rare fish, flora and fauna.
Directions to Kosi Bay Nature Reserve
Visitors with a 4x4 vehicle can directly drive to this KwaZulu-Natal nature reserve in South Africa. Other vehicles cannot access the park due to the sandy conditions of the roads. If you are staying at the Kosi Forest Lodge you will be collected.
Driving from Johannesburg (this route takes about 8 hours)
Head to Piet Retief on the N2, pass through Pongola and proceed south towards Hluhluwe (approximately 113km from Pongola). Turn left into the town of Hluhluwe (approx. 4km / 2.4 miles). Proceed through the town until you reach the last traffic circle. Turn left towards Mbazwane / Sodwana Bay and proceed for 0.7km (0.4 miles) and then turn right again towards Sodwana Bay / Mbazwane.
Shortly after turning right you will cross over a railway line. Proceed for 87km (54 miles) bypassing Mbazwane on your right. Proceed straight through the circles following the signs to “Coastal Forest Reserve” and pass. Proceed for 46km (29 miles) after Mbazwane (passing the Mseleni turn-off) and turn right at the circle Kosi Bay / KwaNgwanase sign.
For guests staying at Kosi Forest Lodge
For non 4x4 guests
Drive to KwaNgwanase (Manguzi), through the town and near the end look out for a Total Garage on your left hand side. Advise the kiosk that you are a guest of Kosi Forest Lodge and they will tell you to park your car against the far wall. This service station has 24 hour multi camera surveillance and is also open 24 hours a day.
For guests with a 4x4 vehicle
Guests who own a 4x4 can proceed directly to the lodge. Just before the town of KwaNgwanase (Manguzi), turn right onto the D1843 (look out for the police station emblem and the big telecommunications tower further up from the corner). Follow the signs straight through to Kosi Forest Lodge for 9km (5.59 miles).
Driving from Durban (this is about a 5 hour journey)
Proceed on the N2 North out of Durban, bypassing Richards Bay, Empangeni and Mtubatuba and head towards the town of Hluhluwe. Turn off the N2 towards Hluhluwe, proceeding through the town until you reach the last traffic circle. Turn left towards Mbazwane / Sodwana Bay and proceed for 0.7km (0.4 miles) and turn right again towards Sodwana Bay / Mbazwane.
Shortly after turning right you will cross over the railway line. Proceed for 87km (54 miles), bypassing Mbazwane on your right. Proceed straight through the circles following the signs to 'Coastal Forest Reserve' and pass. Proceed for 46km (29 miles) after Mbazwabe (passing the Mseleni turn off) and turn right at the circle Kosi Bay / KwaNgwanase sign.
Air travel
For scheduled flights, guests can use either King Shaka International Airport, which is approximately a 4-and-a-half-hour drive from the lodge or Richards Bay. Private aircraft can land at an 800 metre landing strip, located 9km (6 miles) from Kosi Forest Lodge.
