FORESTS, BUSH & BEACH
6 Nights Self Drive Tour
PRICES START FROM R 10,860.00 per person sharing for the 6 Nights
INCLUDED
Kosi Forest Lodge – 2 nights’ accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, teas and coffees, canoeing on Lake System, walk in Raffia forest, transfers to and from pick up point in Manguzi.
Thonga Beach Lodge – 2 nights’ Forest View Room upgradeable to Ocean View or Deluxe Ocean View, meals, teas and coffees, use of snorkeling equipment, guided walks, cultural tours, kayaking and sundowners at Lake Sibaya and
nightly turtle walks (Nov – Feb)
Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge – 2 nights’ accommodation on a Safari Room, all meals and game drives. Drinks and park fees are excluded. Bush walks available at additional cost. Each guest is entitled to 1 of the
following on an evening game drive: glass of wine, local spirits, local beer, cider or soft drink.
Valid For South African Residents only
EXCLUDED
Park Fees, drinks, laundry, transfers, gratuities and items of a personal nature.
Day 1 – Kosi Forest Lodge – iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu Natal
Kosi Forest Lodge is a 4.5 hour drive from King Shaka International Airport, Durban. For those guests travelling in 2×4 vehicles you will leave your vehicle in a secure parking area in the nearby town of Manguzi from where you will enjoy a complimentary 20 minute transfer to the lodge. Remember to keep a hat/cap and warm jacket out as the transfer will be in an open 4×4 vehicle.
Kosi Forest Lodge is situated in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve. This 20-bed wilderness lodge offers the unique opportunity of exploring a pristine wetland environment by vehicle, guided canoes and boats.
DAY 2: Kosi Forest Lodge
You wake up in the morning surrounded by beautiful trees which are a haven for prolific bird life. Decide where you would like to explore that day over a hearty breakfast.
One of Kosi’s highlights is the canoe trip on the Kosi Lakes. The best time for this activity is in the early morning and lasts for approximately 2 hours. Guides escort you by canoe along the Sihadla channel where the bird life is very rewarding and the scenery peaceful and breathtaking.
You will return for a delicious lunch and a siesta before embarking on your afternoon activity.
In the afternoon you can enjoy a walk through magnificent Raffia Palms, the tallest in the world! Home to the Palm Nut Vulture and Pels Fishing Own, the area can be explored by birders at their leisure.
When you return from your afternoon activity you will have time to freshen up before coming through to enjoy a delicious meal on either the main deck or in the Boma. The Lodge is charming as the pathways and eating venues are lit by lanterns and create a warm atmosphere to enjoy the sounds of the night.
DAY 3 & 4: Thonga Beach Lodge – iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu Natal
After your breakfast and morning activity you will check out of Kosi Forest Lodge and return to the pickup point at Manguzi. You will continue south to the Coastal Forest Reserve and continue along the sand road to the Coastal Cashew Factory where you will be met by a Thonga Beach Representative and transferred to the lodge. Remember hat/cap and a warm jacket for the 1hr transfer in open 4×4 to the lodge.
On arrival you will be welcomed with a refreshing drink and given a brief orientation of the lodge. After enjoying one of the many activities hosted at Thonga, simply relaxing on the beach or pampering in the sea spa you will have time to freshen up, enjoy a cocktail at the bar before dining under the stars
Activities at Thonga Beach Lodge include SCUBA diving, Open Ocean experiences, kayaking and sundowners at Lake Sibaya, guided snorkeling, seasonal turtle drives/walks, Tsonga Cultural tours and forest walks. Whether you are a walker or a diver, take advantage of the wealth of activities that await you in this beautiful hideaway, or simply relax with a Spa treatment of on the beach deck.
DAY 5 & 6 : Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge
After enjoying your last breakfast at Thonga you will be transferred back to Coastal Cashews where you will collect your vehicle and continue your journey south towards Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park. You may enter either via Memorial Gate in the north or Nyalazi Gate on the eastern boundary. Your safari experience starts now and depending on what animals you spot on the way you could drive through the park between 30mins-1hr before reaching your destination. Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge is the only private lodge within the park with its 4 star accommodation, guests are offered spectacular scenery and excellent safari opportunities within the heart of Big 5 territory.
DAY 7
After a hearty breakfast you will bid farewell to the friendly staff at Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge and continue with your itinerary.