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Kosi Bay Tourism
Here you can find important information about the Kosi Bay Area. The sights locations and relevant information about the rules and regulations of the parks.

Our local town is Manguzi named after the abundant wild mangoes that occur in the area. Its a typical bustling little African town with a vibrant flair and co lour. Most necessities can be purchased in town. The shops include a Spar well stocked with most of the things you would expect. A Boxer store that is also well stocked. The Corner Shop and the store at the Kosi Bay Total garage may just surprise you not only with their prices but selection too. The Corner Shop has a good fishing tackle section as well as supplying branded clothing and curios. There are two filling stations in town a number of PEP stores. ATMS are available at the Engen Garage the nearby ABSA branch and at the FNB branch next to the SPAR. There is also a Metro Cash and Carry on the way out of town and a liquor store next to the Metro. ICE AGE in the same complex will supply you with all the ice you may need. There are also a number of workshops should you find that you have car or boat trouble. There is a local hospital in case of emergencies.

Kosi Bay Nature Reserve part of The Isimangaliso Wetland Park

The nature reserve encompasses all of the coast line in our area as well as the lakes and surrounding areas. It is a Ramsar World Heritage park. The park was proclaimed as part of the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park, now known as the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The Kosi area is a diverse eco-system consisting of beaches, lakes and sand forest areas. The area is vast and planning needs to be done to visit the local sites. Most beaches warrant a full day including the traveling time in the bush to get there. Motor cycles and quad bikes are banned inside the park. It is now a requirement to be in possession of a valid vehicle permit and visitor permits for all visitors to the park. Monitoring points have been set up to check on compliance. Failure to produce the required documentation could result in having to turn around and then drive to the nearest Parks Board Office to obtain permits. For visitors entering the park for a number of days the Gold Rhino Card could be an option to save on costs of daily entry. Valid fishing permits are required for KZN, these can be obtained at Post Offices and the Parks Board Offices.

The Lakes

The four lake system consists of 4th Lake fresh water. 3rd Lake sweet water. 2nd and 1st Lakes salt water. Fish species from fresh to saltwater will be found in the system. All of the lakes are interconnected and thereby connected to the ocean directly and indirectly. Boating is allowed on the lakes and requires a skippers ticket for inland waters and all the relevant safety equipment on the boat. Jet skis and any sail craft are banned from the lakes. Fishing can be very good on the lakes depending on your knowledge of the lakes and fishing them. Local gillies are available to help you with your fishing experience. Hippo crocodiles and sharks are all found in the lakes and its advisable to remember this at all times when on and around the lakes.

The Beaches

Our beaches are probably the least developed in Southern Africa. They are bathed in the warm tropical Indian Ocean and the water is normally crystal clear. This is due to the lack of rivers flowing into the sea in the area.

Kosi Mouth probably the most popular beach to visit as it includes the traditional fish traps that are found in the Kosi system. The mouth requires a permit to allow access by 4x4, the permit is available from the park authority and only 20 are issued per day. The lakes all empty via the mouth into the sea. There is safe snorkeling within the estuary system where there is no wave action do be aware that there are stone fish found in the snorkelling area. There is also snorkeling around the rocks north and south of the mouth depending on the tide and how rough the sea is. This beach is about 25Km from Kosi Moon