# Kosi Bay

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Group of lakes in Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Kosi Bay Location of Kosi Bay in KwaZulu-Natal Location KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Nearest city Maputo (across border), then Richards Bay, South Africa Coordinates 27°0′0″S 32°50′0″E / 27.00000°S 32.83333°E / -27.00000; 32.83333 Governing body Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Ramsar Wetland Designated 28 June 1991 Reference no. 527[1]

Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park

**Kosi Bay** is a series of four interlinked lakes in the [Maputaland](/source/Maputaland) area of [KwaZulu-Natal](/source/KwaZulu-Natal), [South Africa](/source/South_Africa).

## Ecology

The lakes form part of the [iSimangaliso Wetland Park](/source/ISimangaliso_Wetland_Park), a [UNESCO](/source/UNESCO) [World Heritage Site](/source/World_Heritage_Site). The closest town is [Manguzi](/source/Manguzi), some 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) away from it. Kosi Bay estuary is only 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the [Mozambique](/source/Mozambique) border. It is possible to walk from the estuary to [Ponta do Ouro](/source/Ponta_do_Ouro) in only an hour or so. It is one of the quietest beaches in South Africa. The Kosi River Mouth is known as "the aquarium" because of the clarity of the water and the abundance of fish species.

Bird species in the area include the [palm-nut vulture](/source/Palm-nut_vulture), [Pel's fishing owl](/source/Pel's_fishing_owl), [white-backed night-heron](/source/White-backed_night-heron), and [kingfishers](/source/Kingfishers). [Duiker](/source/Duiker), [hippopotamus](/source/Hippopotamus), [crocodiles](/source/Crocodile) and [bull sharks](/source/Bull_shark) are also present, and [loggerhead](/source/Loggerhead_turtle) and endangered [leatherback](/source/Leatherback_turtle) sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach. The Bay is noted for its aggressive [bull shark](/source/Bull_shark) population. The sharks are locally known as zambesi.[2] [Whale sharks](/source/Whale_shark) and [manta rays](/source/Manta_ray) also visit the area. [Whale watching](/source/Whale_watching) to target mainly [humpback whales](/source/Humpback_whales) and [dolphins](/source/Dolphin) is a growing industry in Kosi Bay region.

The [Kosi palm](/source/Raphia_australis) has the largest leaf of any plant. Endemic species include the [Kosi cycad](/source/Encephalartos_ferox) and [Kosi fern](/source/Acrostichum_aureum). It is one of very few places on earth where five different species of [mangrove](/source/Mangrove) trees are found in one area.

## History

Kosi Bay is the cultural capital of the ancient [Thonga](/source/Tsonga_people) Tembe kingdom. This is the original and natural home of the Thonga people and their [fish traps](/source/Fish_traps). The history of AmaThonga people on this land dates back some 1000 years.[3] Kosi Bay and [Maputo](/source/Maputo) Bay can be considered one land-area, traditionally belonging to the Africans. Kosi Bay was also known as Tembeland or Thongaland, but the name fell into disuse in early 1900s. When [Britain](/source/United_Kingdom) colonised South Africa, Kosi Bay was annexed to [Natal](/source/Colony_of_Natal), while Maputo was annexed to [Mozambique](/source/Mozambique).

		- Fish trap

		- *[Sophora inhambanensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sophora_inhambanensis&action=edit&redlink=1)* on Black Rock beach

		- Pont Ferry

Kosi Bay lakes with fish traps

## Tourism

Several tourism operators offer experiences in the area, including guided or self-sustained hikes along trails that offer the opportunity to experience the ecosystem up close, walking across sand dunes, along pristine beaches and through coastal forest.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Kosi Bay"](https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/527). *[Ramsar](/source/Ramsar_Convention) Sites Information Service*. Retrieved 25 April 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Whales, whale sharks, dolphins are sighted off the coast.[Most shark-infested beaches](http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,,24900627-5011922,00.html) *Couriermail*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Mathebula, Mandla (2002), 800 Years of Tsonga History: 1200-2000, Burgersfort: Sasavona Publishers and Booksellers Pty Ltd.

- ["Kosi Bay Nature Reserve, KwaZulu Natal"](http://www.sa-venues.com/game-reserves/kzn_kosibay.htm). SA-Venues.com. Retrieved 2007-05-06.

## External links

- [Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (previous known as Natal Parks Board)](http://www.kznwildlife.com/)

- [Tholulwazi Uzivikele an NGO in the area working on HIV and poverty relief programs](http://www.tuproject.org/)

- [SANParks](http://www.sanparks.org/)

Authority control databases VIAF

v t e iSimangaliso Wetland Park Lake St Lucia Lake St Lucia Western Shores Eastern Shores Cape Vidal False Bay Mapelane Northern Reserves uMkhuze Sodwana Bay Lake Sibaya Kosi Bay Marine Protected Areas iSimangaliso Marine Protected Area Related St Lucia (town) Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife World Heritage Site Ramsar Sites

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kosi Bay](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosi_Bay) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosi_Bay?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.