Lakes & Beaches – Self-Drive or Guided – 5 Days Kosi Experience

Get the real feel of Africa as we explore Northern Zululand and Maputaland. Wildlife, Beaches and Oceans. This is “Africa at it’s Very Best” in the Unique iSimangaliso World Heritage Site as well as exciting optional daily excursions in some of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas

DAY 1
Arrive Amangwane Camp at Kosi Mouth

Amangwane Camp is located in the far northeastern corner of South Africa with direct access to the pristine beaches and lakes of the Kosi Bay area. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site, manages and protects the fauna & flora of this large undisturbed coastal and marine reserve. The camp is only 4.5km from the Kosi border gate into southern Mozambique.
Overnight Amangwane

 

DAY 2,3,4
Kosi/Amangwane Activities and Excursions

Explore the pristine Kosi lake system on a 3-hour lake cruise viewing Hippos, Crocs, and the magnificent birdlife.
Experience and understand the old tradition of the Kosi fish traps.
Snorkeling and kayaking in the estuary.
Turtle tracking in season.
Walking through magnificent fern forests and seeing the rare Palm Nut Vultures.
Community visits and local school interaction is also encouraged as the camp is located within a large
community area.
Overnight Amangwane

DAY 5
Depart Amangwane Camp

Breakfast, pack and depart for the next leg of your tour.
OR extend onto the next leg of your Southern African experience…

BON VOYAGE…

Note: for those who would like to do some scuba diving on some of the southernmost coral reefs in the world we can extend from Day 5 and head off to this pristine diving location. Add 2 extra nights and expect to do 2 dives per day while at this location.

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Terms & Conditions Apply:

All tours are quoted in ZA Rands and subject to change without notice until full payment of tour price is received
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required within 48hrs of making this booking to secure
The 2nd 50% deposit is due 4 weeks before arrival unless otherwise stated
Cancellation 0 – 7 days prior forfeit 100% of the accommodation total
For bookings made less than 30 days prior to stay, full payment must be received within 48 hours after which your booking will be confirmed.  All accommodation must be prepaid.
For bookings made 7 days before check-in, we require payment in full, on the day of confirming the booking
Deposits are non-refundable
All bookings are subject to the terms and conditions and conduct rules of the resorts and airline concerned
Tony shall not be liable to any guest for any injury, loss, accident, delay caused by any act, omission or incident whatsoever involving the resort, lodge or operator concerned
By confirming and paying for your reservation, it is understood that you have read and accepted our terms and conditions
Date changes requested within 3 weeks prior to travel date will be subject to an administration fee of R500 and subject to accommodation being available for the new dates requested
All pricing and itineraries subject to final confirmation
Tony acts as agents for the numerous accommodation suppliers on the itineraries and does not take responsibility for changes to the respective lodge’s offerings
Tony or any of their employees do not accept responsibility for any losses or inconveniences by whatever cause including power failures or acts of God
Parents are to supervise their children at all times, especially around swimming pools, rivers, and the ocean.
Tony is not liable for any errors or omissions

*This tour is also offered as a fully guided tour. Minimum 4 guests for this guided option*

 

 

What to Pack

Clothing

Sun hat
Golf-shirts and/or T-shirts – preferably with a sleeve to protect your shoulders from the sun
Long-sleeved cotton shirts
Shorts and/or skirts
Long trousers/slacks
Good closed walking shoes and a pair of (preferably closed) sandals
Swimming costume
Lightweight jersey for summer
Warm jersey or fleece for winter
Light rain gear or jacket for summer & winter

Equipment/Other

Good quality sunglasses
Personal toiletries (basic amenities are supplied by most establishments)
Insect repellent for body application, e.g. Tabard
Basic medical kit – aspirins, plasters, Imodium, antiseptic cream and antihistamine cream
Malaria tablets (if applicable)
Moisturising cream and suntan lotion
Antihistamine tablets if you suffer from any allergies
Torch, binoculars & camera equipment including spare batteries, chargers, flash cards, memory sticks
Adaptor for charging appliances
Dive card and log book (if applicable)
International driver’s license if applicable
Visas, tickets, passports, money, credit cards, travel insurance details and any other relevant documents

Let’s Rock at Rocky Bay

Since our last trip was north we decided to explore the South Coast and did we find the perfect spot? It was end March and we wanted to spend a last summer break at the beach and were not disappointed. We camped literally on the beach with uninterrupted views.

After an easy drive we turned off at Park Rynie and arrived at Rocky Bay and checked in. Our campsite was perfectly situated directly on the beach as we were able to select our site from an availability list and layout of the resort before booking so were assured of getting exactly what we wanted. The camp ground was in pristine condition and surprisingly well occupied with an assortment of friendly campers and caravaners around us.

The days were hot with little wind and just perfect. We swam in sheltered coves, walked along clean beaches, had sundowners in tune with the sunset and lit a friendly fire each evening for that typical “braai”. The rocks are covered in mussels and oysters with rock pools teaming with fish, anemones, crabs and molluscs at low tide. A marine paradise to explore for young and old. The regulars were out each day with their long rods and tackle throwing their bait out and hoping to entice the elusive fish prowling the outer fringes of rocks and reef. However and unfortunately for them the fish were definitely being elusive and not much was caught during our stay.

However don’t despair as the south coast has become world renowned for the once a year phenomenon aptly named the “Sardine Run” and boy do they run. Shoals of sardines in their multitudes arrive each year during June/July followed closely by every predator in the Indian Ocean it seems. Whales, dolphins, sharks, gannets and everything looking for a marine feast is on the prowl hunting the sardines as well as one another. Even Orcas or Killer Whales have been seen on the hunt during this time.

The South Coast also has some really good scuba diving on our coastline as has become well known for the amazing diving on Aliwal Shoal a little way north of Rocky Bay. Shark encounters are also enjoyed by the more adventurous and experienced divers and getting up close and personal with Tiger Sharks in open water can only be described as deliriously exciting. And if you think Hermanus is the place to see Humpback Whales you are mistaken as the humpbacks migrate regularly each year along this coast as they make their way north to calve and then head home again to the frigid Antarctic waters with their young in tow and there are numerous charter boats offering Whale watching tours in the area.

Apart from all the fun and excitement around the ocean Rocky Bay also offers really cool MTB trails. There are 3 different trails and all of them begin and end at the entrance to the resort. We rode the 19km trail on 2 occasions and enjoyed it immensely. Jeep track, single track, cane fields, indigenous forest highlight the offerings on these trails and they can be enjoyed by registering at the gate and paying a nominal day fee to ride. Way to GO…

It’s always great to explore and experience new places and Rocky Bay was impressive to say the least. With clean ablution blocks, clean camp sites and a setting of note we will definitely be returning to swim, fish, ride, braai and enjoy the secure and exclusive camping on offer.

Cape Vidal Camping

It was January and it was hot and balmy but we were camping in the dune forest at Cape Vidal. And it was good.

The drive of around 35km from St Lucia took us through the iSimangaliso Wetland Park where animals roam free. We stopped along the way to enjoy the views over the bush with the lakes in the distance. And sadly there was not much lake to see as the drought has taken its toll. iSimangaliso have however not taken this lying down and have now implemented a plan to get fresh water back into the lake system from the Umfolozi River just a little south of the estuary mouth.

iSimangaliso means “a miracle” in Zulu and it certainly is very apt as it spans 280kilometres of coastline from the Mozambique border to Mapelane south of St Lucia and covers 3,280 km² of various ecosystems. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in December 1999 at a ceremony where Nelson Mandela was guest of honour. It is also proudly South Africa’s 1^st World Heritage site.

We arrived at the Cape Vidal resort, checked in and began setting up camp. We were warned about the monkeys who are undoubtedly, as we were soon to realize, very tuned into the comings and goings of campers at this facility. They were there to welcome us and certainly got our attention by attempting to steal anything and everything that looked like food be it inside the vehicle or elsewhere. We soon learned to secure all our food out of sight at all times. We even prepared supper after dark once they had all wandered off to the treetops for their bedtime. And this was only after having our potatoes stolen off the fire while having an early evening braai and I guess concentrating more on our wine glasses rather than the braai fire.

Anyhow back to the good side of Cape Vidal. We actually had an amazing time. The beaches are endless, the sea is turquoise blue and warm. The snorkeling inside the reef at low tide can be just so amazing and of course the fishing can also be very rewarding. Don’t forget your fishing license. Between Cape Vidal and Sodwana Bay in the north is 70 kilometres of undisturbed beach. We had the privilege of driving this stretch of beach many years back before the beaches were closed to vehicle traffic. In those days the road from Vidal to St Lucia was a corrugated dirt road which has now been tarred making for much easier access. A normal sedan can do the trip easily so no need any longer to have a hefty 4×4 to get you there.

We took evening drives into the park and were fortunate to see Buffalo and Kudu on a very short drive. The area is covered with iLala palms from which locals draw sap to male to potent palm wine which could leave you slightly loose lipped and bleary eyed to say the least. There are scenic drives to places like Catalina Bay where the British had a base for the amphibious aircraft during WW2 and definitely take a trip down to Mission Rocks and visit the Crocodile Centre at the entrance to the reserve.

Cape Vidal offers camping with clean ablution blocks, electric point and taps. Don’t drink the water so bring your own or buy from the local supply store in the camp. There are also self-catering log cabins for hire as well as a bush camp for groups. The beach is a designated ski-boat launch site and the car park has a fish cleaning area.

Hats off to the iSimangaliso and Ezemvelo who manage the park. It is so good to find places which are not overdeveloped, over-run and abused by rowdy tourists as places like this more than often attract tourists looking for a wilderness experience and getting back to nature to enjoy its serenity and peacefulness.