Nestled in the most north-eastern corner of South Africa lies Utshwayelo Kosi Mouth Lodge & Camp. The lodge offers superb Kosi Bay accommodation and is just a stone’s throw from the pristine beach, where the blue waters of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site flow into the Indian Ocean at the mouth of the Kosi Bay estuary system near the Mozambique border.
 
From en-suite luxury tents to en-suite rustic chalets, tented camps and private campsites, our lodge provides the kind of Kosi Bay accommodation you are looking for – and is easily accessible by motor car.
 
Wade among the iconic traditional Tsonga fish traps from which the lodge takes its name, snorkel in the estuary teeming with tropical fish, go hippo spotting on a scenic boat trip on the lakes or hike through the unspoiled bush.  And when your day is done, unwind under the magnificent ancient Umdoni trees next to the pool or enjoy a sundowner at the Fishtrap bar and plan your adventure for the new day.


About Utshwayelo:

Utshwayelo Kosi Mouth Lodge & Camp takes its name from the 800-year-old fish kraals celebrating the traditions and culture of the Thonga people. It is a community partnership project of skills sharing and a life of purpose.
 
The lodge provides an income to the community in the form of rental, job opportunities, and involvement and assistance with projects. Local reeds, grass mats, and other handmade articles are used for building materials. 
 
Utshwayelo has been in existence since 1992 as a community campsite. In 2010 the current management took over and has grown Utshwayelo into the successful lodge it is today.
We have it all – experience life with us in paradise!


Accommodation:

Tusker Luxury Suites, en-suite:
5 available (Sleeps 2, can take 2 x extra beds)
These luxury tented units are en-suite with a private WC. They are well appointed with a seating area, walk-in dressing room and have 2 x 3/4 beds which can be converted into a deluxe hollywood bed. One can opt for full/half board or a self-catered option. The tents are luxurious and situated in a private and tranquil setting amidst Umdoni (Waterberry) trees.
Each tent has a covered outside veranda area. They have fans and hair dryers. A covered outside shower adds to the bush experience. All tents are fully serviced. Each unit has 24-hour electricity supplied from our solar power system. A fully equipped communal kitchen with stoves, ovens, and fridges is available for the self-catered guests.
 
Hippo Chalet, en-suite:
6 available (Sleeps 2, some units can take an extra bed)
Our chalets are rustic luxury, constructed from wood and reeds and situated in a private setting under big waterberry trees. They have ceiling fans and a queen bed or two single beds in each chalet. All beds have mosquito nets and are fully serviced.
Our chalets are all en-suite and sleep two people each (an extra single bed can be added to some units). They are rustic and luxurious, constructed from wood and raffia palms and are situated in a private wonderful setting under big Umdoni (Waterberry) trees. Each chalet has an outside sitting area with a braai.

Turtle Tent, en-suite with kitchenette:
5 available (Sleeps 2)
This is a large permanent tent, erected on a wooden deck with an en suite toilet and shower, a kitchenette and a veranda in a private secluded area. It has two single beds with linen and is fully serviced.

Turtle Tent, Shared Ablutions
2 available (Sleeps 2)
They are large permanent tents erected on wooden decks, each with a veranda in a shaded area.  They have two full size single beds with linen and are fully serviced. The ablutions are shared between two tents with hot showers.


Camping:

All our campsites are private. They are enclosed in reed fencing and shaded under Waterberry trees.  Our campsites vary in size and some can accommodate up to 12 people per site. Each site has a braai drum (grids available at reception), an electrical plug point (220V, peak times), a light and water tap (with drinking water). Our electricity is run predominantly on solar energy and we ask campers to cook on gas and fire as high energy devices electric stoves, kettles etc. trip the power.  There are large, serviced ablutions with hot and cold water.  We have a communal boma/kitchen area with a swimming pool, braai facilities, and lounge. 

 
Activities:
Tailor-made Hikes for the family and for the more seasoned hikers

Kosi Bay Mouth is a beautiful part of the world for hiking, offering spectacular scenery, cultural insights, very diverse vegetation and incredible birdlife.  Our qualified guides will take you through marine forests, over swamps, past hippos, around the Kosi lake system, up sand dunes and along deserted, unspoilt beaches. Some hikes include a boat trip on the lakes as well as snorkelling. 
 
Hikes can vary from 1 to 4 days using Utshwayelo Kosi Mouth as a base camp. Hikes can be custom made to suit the group requirements.


Example of tailor-made hike:

4 Night / 5 Day Slack Pack Basecamp Trail:

Day 1:
Arrival Day: self-drive to Utshwayelo, Kosi Mouth Lodeg (5hrs from Durban, 8hrs from JHB)
Check-in and dinner

Day 2:
Hike down to Lake Kalu Inlet, wade through the kosi lakes and cross over estuary to eKovukeni peninsula – hike along mangal shoreline & dune ridge through to Kosi mouth – option to do the dune forest – stopping at Kosi Mouth for snorkelling hike back up to lodge.
Hike Distance: +/- 15km // 4-5hr hiking time.
(Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner)

Day 3:
Self drive to the boat launch site at lake 3. Boat ride up to Ruffia forest. Guided walk through the raffia forest return to the boat where you will enjoy the 3 lake boat cruise. You will be taken on a cruise through the 3 lakes system of Kosibay and through the channels. There is an excellent opportunity to view birds, hippos and flamingos. the boat will stop at one of the mangrove forests if anyone wants to snorkel (equipment provided). The boat is a large pontoon style with a canopy so there is enough space to move about. You are welcome to bring something to eat and a cooler box. remember to pack costumes and cameras. 
Hike Distance:  +/- 3-4km // 5-6 hr
Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner

Day 4:
Hike Lake Zilonde Circular Loop – You will hike the 5 biomes of Kosi Bay, up and
over a 60m high dune and down onto a private deserted beach where few have been before.
Hike back along the beach to Kosi Mouth. Option to snorkel at the mouth before heading
back up to the lodge.
Hike Distance: 10 – 15 km. Approx 4-5hr
Breakfast, packed lunch dinner

Day 5:
Departure Day:
Breakfast & then depart in own vehicle


Pertinent Information:

We do swop around the hike days – weather & logistics permitting
We have a communal boma/kitchen area with a swimming pool, braai facilities, and lounge. 
You can reach us in a normal sedan vehicle and caravan.
Due to the sandy roads a 4×4 (or 2WD with Diff) is required to reach the beach via vehicle. We do however encourage our guests to take the 2km hike down to enjoy the scenery.
We also offer transfers on request.


Rates:

Activity Rates:

Meal Plan Rates:

Breakfast:

R130.00 – Full Breakfast – Adult

R70.00 – 0 – 6 years

Lunch:

R130.00 – Lunch – Adult

R70.00 – 0 – 6 years

Dinner:

R243.00 – Adult

R130pp – 0 -6 years

Meals

Meals are freshly prepared using the best ingredients. We offer a set menu based on the best ingredients available. Meals are to be pre-booked when making accommodation booking.

• Breakfast is a full breakfast including fruit salad, yogurt, cereal, coffee and tea followed by a cooked breakfast.
• Lunch can be ordered to enjoy at the lodge or as a packed lunch to take down to the beach. This will normally be something like a chicken salad and homemade mielie bread, quiche and salad or lasagna. A packed lunch includes sandwiches, fruit, juice and a few other snacks.
• Dinner is a 3 course dinner with a freshly made soup for starters followed by a hearty mains along the lines of Roast Lamb, Beef Fillet Roast or Anna’s famous Chicken Curry. To finish off is desert maybe Red Wine Poached Pear, Peppermint Crisp Tart or something else yummy.

Admin Fee:

• R55.00 once off per reservation