Kosi Bay Nature Reserve
Kosi Bay Nature Reserve
4.5
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Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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4.5
40 reviews
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9
Average
2
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These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.
Geraldine P
Cape Town Central, South Africa2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
This is an extremely beautiful area with pristine beaches. A good place to take time out and just revel in the African coast at its natural best away from the crowds. We stayed in the 5 bed chalet at the Ezemvelo Kosi Bay Bay KZN Wildlife resort. Booking was easily done on the KZN Wildlife website. A 4x4 vehicle,preferably, one with very high ground clearance is essential to get into and around Kosi Bay reserve. We hired a Nissan X-trail 4x4 i Durban, but wished we had taken a Hilux Bakkie. The Kosi Bay estuary can only be reached on powdery sandy, narrow roads. You need good driving skills. But this means that the area is pristine, breathtakingly beautiful and definately uncrowded. Access to the Kosi Bay Mouth (estuary) requires getting a permit from the KZN KB resort office. The locals provide tours with 4x4 vehicles and there is accomodation outside the reserve.
Our 5 bed chalet was old but maintained, comfortable and serviced everyday by a wonderful woman . There was satelite TV and intermittent cell phone signal. It is a high risk malaria area and all beds had mosquito nets covering them. Staff are wonderfully friendly and helpful. There are are two well secured, manned access gates to the resort accomodation.
Turtle tours and lake tours are offered by locals. Enquire at the office,or check the internet
We spotted a juvenile Palm Nut vulture from the lake at the resort.
The closest town to buy supplies is Mangusi. Do this before coming in to the resort. If you like chicken on your braai, you need to buy it further south. We found no fresh chicken at any of the towns heading up to Kosi Bay.
Our 5 bed chalet was old but maintained, comfortable and serviced everyday by a wonderful woman . There was satelite TV and intermittent cell phone signal. It is a high risk malaria area and all beds had mosquito nets covering them. Staff are wonderfully friendly and helpful. There are are two well secured, manned access gates to the resort accomodation.
Turtle tours and lake tours are offered by locals. Enquire at the office,or check the internet
We spotted a juvenile Palm Nut vulture from the lake at the resort.
The closest town to buy supplies is Mangusi. Do this before coming in to the resort. If you like chicken on your braai, you need to buy it further south. We found no fresh chicken at any of the towns heading up to Kosi Bay.
Written 10 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hallwolves
Buderim, Australia65 contributions
Oct 2019
The lake system is a world heritage site and as you cruise from one to the other you can spot flamingos, hippos and crocodiles.
We swam in the deeper sections using the snorkelling equipment provided and also went in at the end of the lake section near the flamingos. An interesting and worthwhile relaxing half day on the water.
We swam in the deeper sections using the snorkelling equipment provided and also went in at the end of the lake section near the flamingos. An interesting and worthwhile relaxing half day on the water.
Written 1 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alant889
Durban, South Africa71 contributions
Feb 2021
As we had visited the reserve on previous occasions we opted to make another visit to this picturesque spot on the Kosi lake system. The birding was excellent and we also managed to encounter a Samango monkey on our walk around the reserve. The only negative aspect was the lack of courtesy exhibited by the Ezemvelo Wildlife staff at the access gate. They also do not accept SANParks Wildcards.
Written 7 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lindy Sinclair
Johannesburg, South Africa10 contributions
Oct 2021
It was very windy so perhaps that affects my overall impression of the reserve. I was disturbed by the amount of litter including glass bottles and shards, along the lagoon. There were local fisherman spearfishing on the reef which I found off. Day visitors came to the lagoon every day playing loud music and drinking excessively and littering. One person came with their dog and let it run around freely along the estuary. I feel there is inadequate control of what people get up to in the reserve. No ablutions.
Written 1 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CocoJolie3
Hamburg, Germany395 contributions
Nov 2024 • Couples
We stayed at Utshwayelo Lodge, which we highly recommend. The best food of our 2-week trip to South Africa. The mouth is really breathtakingly beautiful. Without 4x4 you have to park in front of a small wooden bridge & walk the rest (about 15 minutes). Snorkeling at low tide is also really great!
Automatically translated
Written 28 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William T
Bryanston, South Africa128 contributions
Great place, bring a boat. Excellence is a great guide, call him on 0713255222. Great with kids , good knowledge of birds and all the channels and 4x4 drives
Written 13 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debbie L
Beau Vallon, Seychelles22 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
What a lovely rustic camp hot water clean ablutions beautiful campsites among trees . If you are a birder it’s paradise an easy walk to the beach . The camp is run by the community so you’re also supporting the locals .
Written 21 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
A L
Ashtead, UK286 contributions
Jan 2019 • Family
Kosi Bay is one of SA's hidden gems. Still, after all these years, it hasn't been developed and offers a unique African experience. Be aware:
1. You must budget to hire a boat to get on the lake.
2. Its incredibly hot from December to February.
3. There are lots of Mozzies and its a malaria area - Be prepared.
1. You must budget to hire a boat to get on the lake.
2. Its incredibly hot from December to February.
3. There are lots of Mozzies and its a malaria area - Be prepared.
Written 28 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
wanderlust119
San Francisco, CA39 contributions
Jun 2014 • Couples
We spent one night camping in Kosi Bay. It cost 100 per person per night. The campsites were very nice, each block came with a tap, and a braai area. The ablutions were extremely well kept and there were power points inside. There was hot and cold water. The camp was located on a lake and you could walk right down to the water. We had a lovely stay and would recommend the camp to anyone.
Written 10 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arnold M
Durban, South Africa65 contributions
Oct 2021
Kosi Bay is a well preserved ecosystem that is still pristine and a MUST visit for anyone who loves the outdoors and nature
Written 26 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can anyone recommend the 2 bed cottage at Cosy Bay Nature Reserve?
Written 14 July 2017
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