National park · South Africa
Kosi Bay Nature Reserve
Enter Kosi Bay for R150 per adult (check), hike the 5 km (3.1 mi) Kosi Bay Loop early in the dry season (May–Oct, best), and stay in nearby Manguzi lodges.Enter Kosi Bay for R150 per adult (check), hike the 3.1 mi (5 km) Kosi Bay Loop early in the dry season (May–Oct, best), and stay in nearby Manguzi lodges.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
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Area
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
approximate
Established
1990
Best months
May–Oct
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive befor…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Southern Africa ↗A rental car may leave its home country only with the rental company's cross-border letter, the registration papers and paid road taxes at each post; driving into Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique or Angola without them ends at the border.
- Southern Africa ↗Across the subregion, plan every road leg to arrive before sunset: livestock, wildlife, pedestrians and unlit trucks make night driving the main cause of serious visitor accidents.
- South Africa ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Department of Home Affairs or a South African mission before booking; exemptions depend on nationality, and the new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is optional for most visa-exempt visitors in 2026.
- South Africa ↗Travelling with children: accompanied foreign children no longer need a birth certificate, but unaccompanied minors, South African children and some passports that omit parents' names still do; check with Home Affairs and your airline before you fly.
- South Africa ↗Driving is on the left. If your licence is not in English or has no photo, get an International Driving Permit before you travel; rental companies also check it.
- South Africa ↗National park gates open and close at fixed times; you must be inside your camp before the gate closes, and speed limits in parks are enforced.
At a glance
- Country
- South Africa
- Area
- 200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²)
- Exact size varies by source; roughly 200 km² of land and water combined (check).
- Established
- 1990
- Best months
- May–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, at the northern tip of KwaZulu‑Natal, protects tidal lagoons, mangrove forests and savanna, offering canoeing, birdwatching and moderate hikes within iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2019Part of iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Size and age
200 km² (77 sq mi)77 sq mi (200 km²) · national park since 1990
Exact size varies by source; roughly 200 km² of land and water combined (check).
Why go
- Explore a network of tidal lagoons and mangrove‑fringed lakes.
- Spot African lungfish, kingfishers and occasional leopard.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanRainy, high water.
- FebRainy, hot.
- MarRainy, possible floods.
- AprTransition, less rain.
- MayDry, cooler.
- JunDry, ideal for walking.
- JulDry, warm.
- AugDry, warm.
- SepDry, pleasant.
- OctDry, start of warm season.
- NovIncreasing rain.
- DecRainy, hot.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African lungfishAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Kingfisher speciesApr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| ElephantAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Kosi Bay headquarters | Visitor centre, parking, and trailhead for short walks. | Open with entry fee. |
| Lagoons and mangroves | Network of tidal lakes, ideal for canoeing and birdwatching. | Accessible via marked trails and boardwalks. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the reserve.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | ZAR 150 (≈ US$9) | person | Check latest rate on Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife site. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only permitted in designated campsites; no wild camping.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided braais where allowed.
- Crocodile safety
- Do not swim in rivers or estuaries; keep a minimum 30 m distance from any crocodile sighting.
Where to stay
Near the park
Manguzi lodges
Basic rooms and bungalows a few km from the reserve gate.
In the park
Kosi Bay campsite
Designated site with ablutions, requires reservation.
Safety
Crocodiles high
Heat medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor centre reachable by car; short boardwalks are wheelchair‑accessible.
- Longer trails have uneven ground and are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay in locally‑run lodges; support community tourism.
- Do not feed wildlife; follow the ‘leave no trace’ principle.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kosi Bay Nature Reserve?
Adult entry is R150 (check the latest fee on the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife website).
What are the best hikes in Kosi Bay Nature Reserve?
The 5 km Kosi Bay Loop is the most popular moderate trail; for longer walks arrange a guided trek with the reserve staff.
When is the best time to visit Kosi Bay Nature Reserve?
May to October offers dry weather and cooler temperatures, ideal for walking and birdwatching.
Can I camp inside Kosi Bay?
Camping is allowed only in the designated campsite; wild camping is prohibited.
Is swimming allowed in the lagoons?
Swimming is not permitted due to crocodile risk; use designated safe swimming areas if available.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Kosi Bay Nature Reserve
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