Welcome to Kosi Bay

The Kosi Bay system consists of four lakes connected by a series of meandering channels with fringing wetlands and is one of the most fascinating and beautiful pristine lake systems on the African coast. Kosi Bay Resort is located along the north-western shore of Lake Nhlange, the largest of the four lakes. The Kosi system is home to a large variety of birds and animals including hippo and crocodile. Humpback whales are seasonal offshore visitors, as are leatherback and loggerhead sea-turtles that come ashore to nest on the beaches from November to January. The 11 000 ha Kosi Bay Nature Reserve is a wonderland of clear blue sea, wetlands and lakes. It has the rare Raffia Palm and its concomitant Palmnut Vulture, wild date palms, mangrove swamps and sycamore fig forests all combining to form a home for over 250 species of birds, as well as bushbuck, duiker and monkeys.

Fishing

• The reserve is extremely popular among the angling fraternity. Shore angling is only permitted from within the campsite. Off shore (boat) angling is permitted in the Lake only. It is essential that fishermen provide their own boats. In accordance with SAMSA regulations, only people with valid Sheltered Waters Skippers Tickets may launch their boats at Kosi Bay. The launch register at the launch site must be completed. All boats must be registered and compliant with SAMSA Safety Regulations.

• Fly fishing is becoming more popular among anglers and “tag and release” is encouraged with all anglers. Please be aware of size and bag limits restrictions. Spearfishing is not permitted within the Lake System, including Kosi Mouth.

• A fishing permit is required to fish within the Lake system as well as from the beach in the Maputaland Marine Reserve.

• Fishing and bait collecting permits (for sand prawns) can only be purchased from your local Post Office or from the Manguzi Post Office (16 km from Kosi Bay). Manguzi Post Office opening hours are 08:00 - 16:00 weekdays and 08:00- 12:00 on Saturdays. Permits are not sold from Kosi Bay office.

Snorkelling

• The reserve offers a unique snorkelling experience within a reef, situated inside the mouth of the Kosi system. Vehicle access is only possible with a 4x4 and only with a permit which may be obtained from the reception office. A sedan or 4x2 can be driven to the access gate and from there you can walk (in the company of a guide/gillie) to the mouth which is a distance of about 2 km to the beach. This walk from the access gate is down a very steep dune and is not recommended for the very young and elderly.

Turtle tours

• Turtle tours are offered from November to January. Please book with the registered concession holders. Enquiries can be made at Kosi Bay reception office. It is an offence to disturb the turtles or any scientific equipment that you may come across on the beach.

• Visitors may check-in after 12:00 on the day of arrival and must vacate by 10:00 on the day of departure.

• Petrol, diesel, FNB, ABSA and provisions are available at Kwangwanase/Manguzi, 13 km from the reserve.

• Gate opening times: 06:00 - 18:00 all year round.

• Due to the presence of crocodile and hippo, swimming is prohibited in the Lake system.

• Firewood is not sold in the reserve, but can be purchased outside from the local communities.

• Good relations between visitors to the area and community members are necessary. Do not photograph the community without prior consent and do not interfere or visit any of the fish traps without prior consent from the local community.

• Fishing nor any other type of activity is not permitted in the Marine Sanctuary from Beacon No 8 at Bhanga Nek south to Beacon No 9 at Dog Point.

• All boats using the interconnecting channel between Lakes 2 and 3 must travel dead slow with the engine just idling while keeping to the right, close to the channel bank. This is to prevent erosion of the banks. Failing to do so will result in the offenders being asked to leave the reserve. Access is denied to 4th Lake (Amanzamnyama).

• No generators are permitted.

• Firewood may not be gathered within the Park.

• No person may pump sand prawns unless in possession of a general bait licence or if the holder thereof is in attendance. A daily limit of 50 sand prawns is permitted.

• No waterskiing, yachting, jet-skiing or other water sport is permitted.

• No holes or rain trenches may be dug in campsites.

• Pets are not permitted.

• No person is allowed to visit Kosi Estuary, Bhanga Nek, Black Rock, Rocktail Bay or Lala Nek without a valid permit.

• Permits to visit Kosi Mouth, Bhanga Nek and Black Rock, available from the reception office, are issued on a first come first served basis. A limited number of permits are issued daily. Only 4x4 vehicles have access.

• Littering is an offence and offenders will be prosecuted. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is proud of maintaining a high standard of environmental cleanliness

• It is an offence to pick, damage or remove any plant from the Park or to disturb, kill or remove any animal from the Park.

• Portable radios must be kept to a low volume.

• The lighting of fires is permitted in designated fire places only. Please also extinguish cigarettes properly and place them in proper receptacles. Do not throw them out of windows.

• Speed limit in the resort is 15 km/h.

• Firearms must be declared on arrival.