Kosi Bay is in the most North-eastern part of South Africa, on the Indian Ocean and the border with Mozambique. It falls within the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa's first World Heritage site.
Visitors leave with clear memories and imprinted images
of the intriguing fish traps that can be seen when approaching Kosi Bay Mouth,
as well as the beautiful beach and snorkelling opportunities at the mouth. But
this is only the estuary, a small section of the 18,550 hectares that was
declared as a wetland of international importance on 28 June 1991. The complete
Ramsar site consists of 4 circular lakes interlinked with narrow, twisting
water channels. From the South, these lakes are named as Amanzimnyama (“dark
water”), Nhlange, Mpungwini, Makhawulani, and then the estuary that ends in a
wider channel leading to the Indian Ocean close to the Mozambique border.
The estuary
and mouth are the most accessible areas of Kosi Bay. Snorkelling is very
popular and rewarding in the water channels leading to the mouth which is
generally open to the Indian Ocean throughout the year with a width of 20 – 50
m and 3 m deep. Kayaking is possible on the shallow waters of the estuary with
its dense set of fish traps. Due to steps taken by the conservation authorities
to discourage other methods of fishing in the area, these fish traps contribute
to a vibrant fishery operated by the younger generation of the local
communities.
About 10
kilometers South from Kosi Bay Mouth, on the Western side of the biggest of the
4 lakes (Nhlange), is the Kosi Bay Camp Site, managed and operated by Ezemvelo
KZN Wildlife. This is the only other access point to the wetlands and lakes.
Water sports, including motorised boats for fishing, can be launched from the
jetty in the camp site. We camped here over a weekend in March (out of season),
and it was clear that this is a popular spot for fishermen from all over KZN
and Mpumalanga. All the chalets were occupied as well as the camp sites
surrounding the jetty.There are two roads leading to Kosi Bay. The most travelled road is the R22 from the N2 that leads to kwaNgwanase, the well equipped town about 10 kilometers from the lakes and less than 20 kilometers from the border post to Mozambique.
The other
road is much more adventurous and exciting, but it requires a 4x4 vehicle. That
is the D1843 Coastal Forest road, a sandy jeep track leading from Sodwana Bay
in the South all along the coast, over and through dense vegetated sand dunes
and forests. The road goes past other attractions such as Lake Sibaya, Island
Rock, Lala Nek, Rocktail Bay, Black Rock, up to Bhanga Nek. Although it is only
80 kilometers in distance, it will take you between 4 and 6 hours to complete. If
you have a 4x4 and time, do not miss out on this road.
Kosi Bay
supports a rich and diverse fish life – up to 133 different species of which 85
are marine species. Birding is also prolific with 247 recorded species of which
85 are water or estuary birds. Amongst these birds are some rare species,
notably the Flufftail, Whitebacked Night Heron and the Crab Plover.