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Kosi Forest Lodge

Kosi Bay, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Royal African Journeys White on Transpar

Kosi Forest Lodge, surrounded by ancient sand forests,  is located within  the iSimangaliso World Heritage Park, South Africa's last unexplored wetland wilderness. Privately tucked within a unique wetland world of lakes and forests. Kosi Forest Lodge’s eight thatched forest rooms are raised up on wooden decks with the open-air, reed-enclosed bathrooms with baths & showers sunken into white forest sand are a highlight with guests. The rustic but comfortable room aesthetic provides an authentic ‘back to nature’ experience.

You’ll wake up in the morning surrounded by the sounds of the forest’s prolific bird life.

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Explore the pristine wetland environment by vehicle, guided canoes and boats and be rewarded by an abundance of birdlife, exciting animal sightings and breathtakingly peaceful scenery. You can also choose to enjoy your privacy, relax by the pool or go on a raffia forest walk. No matter what you do, you’re guaranteed an ‘away from it all' experience that will bring you back in touch with nature.

EXPERIENCES

RAFFIA PALM FOREST WALK

Enjoy early morning or late afternoon guided walks through the magnificent Raffia palm forest. Listen out for the abundant bird calls and perhaps catch a glimpse of the rare palm-nut vulture.

BOAT TRIPS ON THE LAKE

A full day boat trip is a wonderful way to explore the fascinating lakes and channels, learn about fish traps, enjoy a picnic and walk to the pristine Bhanga Nek Beach.

TURTLE TRACKING

From 15 December to 15 January, our guests have the privilege of tracking mother turtles as they return to the beach to lay their eggs. This is an exciting overnight expedition that involves a 4×4 drive along extremely rough roads, climbing over the sand dunes and combing the beach – all in the hopes of encountering the miraculous sight of a female turtle heaving herself out of the water, finding her ideal nesting site, digging a hole, and going into a hormone-induced trance while she lays her eggs. This activity is not suitable for children under the age of eight years.

FAMOUS FISH TRAPS OF KOSI BAY

One of the most fascinating features found in Kosi Bay has to be the traditional fishing traps that are still used by the locals to this day. The unique fish kraals used in the Kosi lakes are passed on from generation to generation and used as an income source for families in the area. Each fish kraal is carefully regulated, and the tribal authority will give each family the right to fish in a specific area. You can view the traps and learn more about them on a guided lake tour.

THE LODGE

MAIN LODGE

A massive Zulu podberry tree is the focal point of the main lodge with the lounge, dining room and bar all opening onto a large wooden deck around the tree.

DINING

Your buffet breakfast and luncheon are served in the covered dining area, where you’ll also find a 24/7 tea and coffee station with delicious homemade biscuits. You’ll enjoy most of our generous and flavourful meals on the outdoor dining deck.

BAR

Our well-stocked bar serves all your usual favourites against the backdrop of the forest and lake.

BOMA

Meals are often served around our wooden deck boma, where a crackling fire is lit in the evenings. Our tucked-away forest boma plays host to extra-special dining experiences.

BIRD HIDE

Kosi Forest Lodge is a bird-lover’s haven. Spend a quiet afternoon in our bird hide nestled in the sand forest, and we bet that you’ll be able to tick some of those lesser-known species off your list!

ACCOMMODATION

Our forest rooms make you feel truly connected with the outdoors, while safe and comfortable. All rooms have both romantic outdoor bathroom bomas as well as en-suite indoor showers.

Formerly known as the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park lies on the north eastern edge of KwaZuluNatal in the beautiful region known as the Elephant Coast.

The incredibly beautiful series of beaches, coral reefs, lakes, swamps, wetlands, woodlands, coastal forests and grasslands that stretch all the way from Kosi Bay, virtually on the Mozambican border, to Cape St Lucia in the south collectively form the first of eight South African UNESCO World Heritage sites.

There is a wealth of diversity of bird and animal life that ranges from whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and incredible waterfowl - such as storks, pelicans, terns and herons; well over 500 South African bird species including the Madagascar fish eagle, the Nile crocodile, South Africa’s largest hippo population, elephant, black and white rhino, giraffe, buffalo and a range of antelope that includes waterbuck, impala and kudu.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park includes Lake St Lucia, the St Lucia and Maputaland Marine Reserves, the Coastal Forest Reserve, the Kosi Bay Natural Reserve and Mkuze Game Reserve – no fewer than 328 000 hectares of pristine natural ecosystems, and the country’s third largest protected land mass.

A considerable part of the park centres on the huge estuary, Lake St Lucia – part of the largest estuarine system in Africa - that runs parallel to the coast line with the world’s highest forested sand dunes sandwiched between the estuary and the sea.

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Your Flight

The nearest local airport to Kosi Forest Lodge is  Richards Bay Airport (RCB).  We operate a varied fleet and your specific aircraft type may vary from city to city.    We offer a range of private jet aircraft as well as turboprops and your Travel Planner will discuss your specific requirements at time of enquiry. 

For short hops in and around Southern Africa we recommend the Pilatus PC12 or Cessna Citation 2.  For long-haul flights from Europe or the United States we recommend the Gulfstream 550/Bombardier Global 6000 or Falcon 800X.

Private flying offers a host of benefits both from a convenience point-of-view as well as health & safety.  To learn more about our Health & Safety Policy and Procedures, please Click Here.

BOOK PRIVATE JET FLIGHTS ONLINE | Click Here

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Pricing

Our Journeys by Private Jet are all tailor-made from an airport near you so please contact us for pricing using the form below. 

We are also able to plan and book your trip without a private jet so if this stunning property ticks all your boxes, do get in touch for a holiday quotation. 

Current Accommodation Rates are below.

Room Type
01 Aug 21 - 30 Apr 22
01 May - 31 Jul 22
01 Aug 22 - 30 Apr 23
Forest Rooms
ZAR 3 580.00 pppn
ZAR 2 800.00 pppn
ZAR 3 720.00 pppn

Rates are per person sharing, per night and are are inclusive of accommodation, meals, guided canoe trip and guided walk in Raffia Forest.

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Hotel Health & Safety Policy

Each of our Accommodation Partners has a distinct Health & Safety Policy in place which can be found below.  Please be advised, though, that this can differ from property to property.

ISIBINDI AFRICA LODGES COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY MEASURES

The health and safety of both our guests and staff is paramount to us and we are putting plans in place to ensure that we adhere to the highest standards laid out by the World Health Organization as well as government and industry standards. We are coming up with innovative ways to ensure that while we maintain these standards we can still give our guests the best possible experience while staying at one of our lodges.

The following procedures will be implemented at all Isibindi Africa Lodges to prevent the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus.

1.         INFORMATION & ORIENTATION

1.1       Orientation & familiarisation of precautions taken for new guest arrivals

1.2       Guest travel and medical declaration as per national guideline

1.3       Recommended precautions will be strictly adhered to

      -  Frequent hand washing (Soap and water/sanitizer)  

      -  Masks / Face screens

      -  Social distancing  

      -  Readily available sanitizers throughout all areas

1.4       Visible signage and information

1.5       Designated responsible person at each lodge introduced to guests on arrival to address any       

             concerns during their stay regarding health and safety

1.6       Lodge & room orientation to contain relevant information regarding specific contact points during

             guests’ stay

 

2.         GUEST ACCOMMODATION

2.1        Stringent sanitization procedures of all guest accommodation and protocols to eliminate          

             contamination risk

2.2       Use of approved sanitization products in all areas to sanitize all surfaces

2.3       Specialised training for housekeeping staff on sanitization protocols and procedures by registered

             service providers

2.4       Luggage to be sanitized on arrival and on departure by our staff

2.         All rooms are free-standing units set at least 10 metres apart. All pathways are open-air and all  

             public areas easily allow for social distancing

 

3.         DINING AND BAR

3.1       Social distancing will be implemented in all dining and bar areas

3.2       Open air dining areas for meals for increased air circulation (weather permitting)

3.3       Private dining areas are available (weather permitting)

3.4       Intensified dining area and furniture sanitization between meals

3.5       There will be no open buffet options. Some meals may be presented on a butler tray per            

             individual table.  Meals will be available in sealed units or individually plated and presented. There

             will be no common or shared utensils

3.6       No sharing of menus between guests and tables

3.7       Utensil & cutlery precautions by improved measures and individual presentation

3.8       Intensive & on-going staff training on new health and safety standards

 

4.         LODGE – RECEPTION, GENERAL AREAS & LOUNGES

4.1       Stringent sanitization procedures of all common guest use areas to eliminate contamination risk

4.2       Hand sanitizers readily available in main areas and main area guest bathrooms

4.3       Furniture and equipment regularly sanitized and placed to allow for social distancing

4.4       Bar, pool and deck set up to allow social distancing measures 

 

4.         STAFF

4.1       Dedicated staff training by registered service providers with specific focus on Covid-19   regulations

4.2       Masks and or face screens (PPE) to be worn by all staff at all times

4.3       Strict hygiene procedures by frequent washing of hands and social distancing measures in all back of

            house and common staff areas

4.4       Temperature and health screening for staff and contractors and deliveries 

4.5       Stock and all equipment to be sanitized at regular intervals

4.6       Keys and devices used by staff to be regularly sanitised

4.7       Daily staff meetings to ensure all health and safety protocols are being strictly adhered to

4.8       One senior member of staff will be designated as a Covid-19 Health and Safety Officer

 

5.         4X4 TRANSFERS

5.1       Transfer vehicles will be thoroughly sanitised before and after each trip

5.2       Guests will be required to sanitize hands before start of transfer

5.3       Guests will be required to wear masks during the transfer

5.4       Hand sanitizers will be readily available during transfers

5.5       Driver to wear facemask / face screen

5.6       Luggage will be sanitized before and after loading into the vehicle

5.7       Lodge staff will not be permitted to park guest cars. Guests will be required to park their own cars in

             designated areas

5.8       Drivers will receive training to ensure health and safety protocols in respect of Covid-19 are       

             adhered to

 

6.         ACTIVITIES

6.1       All game viewing vehicles/boats/kayaks/canoes are open air allowing required social distancing

6.2       Social distancing will be implemented during activities and numbers will be kept to the minimum              required to allow ease of distancing

6.3       Guests will be required to sanitize hands before and after all activities

6.4       Hand Sanitizers readily available during activities

6.5       Refreshment and snack offerings to be offered on an individual basis

6.6       Staff and guests will be required to wear face masks and/or face screens during activities where

             possible

6.7       Vehicles and all equipment will sanitized before and after all activities

 

7.         SPA (Where applicable)

7.1       Improved social distancing measures by therapists

7.2       Sanitizing procedures for guest and therapist to take place before and after treatments

7.3       Staff will be required to where full PPE as per industry standards

7.4       Entire treatment room, all equipment and furniture will be sanitized before and after each

             treatment

7.5       Hand sanitizers readily available during treatments

Our Fly-In Packages are examples of the fabulous journeys we create. 
Contact us to tailor-make your holiday to your
specific requirements
 
Telephone:  + 44 (0) 1565 756 198
or send us an email:

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dream holiday

Fill out our travel form and get a free, no-obligation quotation from one of our

Travel Team!

Why Book with Us?

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  • Over 50 offices worldwide through our "Friends on the Ground" network

  • We're independent so our opinions are unbiased and honest.

  • We use only experienced, vetted, suppliers and expert guides

  • Unique access to unusual experiences through our "Insider Access" program

  • Share our passion for our world with our community and environmental upliftment commitments

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