The KTA exist to ensure that the public receive the best possible service from Members.

 

+27 727273079

 

Or send post to
KOSI TOURISM ASSOCIATION
PO Box 859
KwaNgwanase
3973
South Africa

 

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Culture

o Respect the local community. Be polite and courteous. Respect traditions.

o If you are uncertain about something, ask before you do it!

o The Tonga fish kraals at the mouth is a must see. For centuries these kraals gets handed over from father to son.

* The wider region is blessed with 21 different bio systems (spheres) such as - dune forest, sand forest, wetlands, savannah, etc.

 

 

For the adventurous, there are numerous activities and excursions. 4x4 vehicles are recommended for travelling to most attractions and activities.

 

• o Beaches
• o Snorkelling
• o Boat cruises
• o Hiking - Guided Tracking
• o Turtle Tours
• o Visits to Tembe Elephant Reserve
• o Canoeing/kayaking
• o Climbing
• o Birding
• o Whale Watching
• o Diving
• o Rock and surf angling - Valid fishing permits are required at all times in all areas. Please make arrangements in advance.
• o Cultural Activities

• o There are three luxury lodges in the region, two resorts with swimming pool, restaurant and pubs, various self-catering chalets and camping sites.
• o The location of most places means that there are no supermarkets nearby. Provisions can be bought in Manguzi 10-20km away depending on where you stay. The town has grown tremendously over the last 3 years and you can shop for most things there.
• o Because of the unique diversity in culture and nature (marine and on land) this region is a protected area and you will find that most accommodation establishments are located far from the beaches where development is not allowed. The Park Authority has earmarked some developments to be built inside the Park but they still need to be finalised with all role players before building will start. Most camps are situated outside the Park. There are some developments inside the Park but they have been developed without the proper environmental research and permissions.
• o The traditional tourism to the region is one of getting into your car and exploring different beaches and lakes every day.
• o Make sure your accommodation establishment can take you where you want to go if you do not have a 4x4 to drive everywhere.
• o Accommodation establishments are further grouped around two areas - North and South of the Lakes. Tourists have to travel through town to go from north of the lakes to the south side of the lakes. The distance is only 30-40km but it generally takes an hour or more to travel round the lakes.
• o The North Side have better access to the lakes and the most known attraction the Kosi Mouth.
• o The South Side have access to more attractions and beaches, more remote bush but access only to the freshwater lakes.

• o Kosi Bay, Manguzi, eManguzi, KwaNgwanase are all different names for the same place. Manguzi is the community in which the town is settled and KwaNgwanase is the district name.
• o The name Kosi is said to be derived from the word Nkosi which means king. Ngwanase is the name for the Thonga King who fled from the Portugese Colonists in Mozambique. The original king was Mabhudu which the Portugese and English colonists mispronounced and misspelled respectively to Maputo and Maputa. The region is still known as Maputaland.
• o The region is also known as Thonga Tembe Land. Historically this region was the orphan of South Africa and none of the previous governments made any effort to develop this region. Maputaland was/is completely self-governed by the Thonga people. The current king is Mabhudu Israel Tembe. Even today the Tembe Tribal Authority retains power and oversees everything regarding everyday life.
• o The fact that the region have a King and chiefs, Local government, various other state bodies who have interests here and that large parts of Maputaland are national borders, world heritage area, state forest land, marine sanctuary and conservation areas do not make it easier to manage and purposefully develop Maputaland.
• o In Maputaland first world dreams are conflicting with third world tranquillity and existence more than anywhere else. The stage was set when the Portugese and English colonists clashed in these regions during 1875 and asked the French prime Minister to arbitrate. With typical heavy handedness he drew a line on a map that divided the Thonga tribe in two.