As I have mentioned I love the bush and the sea, how awesome, today I had both. While not having seen any big game, other couples we spoke to had been more lucky; a big ellie had come into the camp the night before and another couple had seen a wild dog kill and a cheetah with her cubs.
After having breakfast at the ‘Rhino Dino’, we took an easy drive out the park and stopped at the Umkhuze Spar. From there we took the road between the Jozini Dam and the Ubombo Mountains, through Jozini and crossed the dam wall. This was a main tarred road in excellent condition.
We used to travel this road regularly 30 years ago, back in our scuba diving days. We would pack up Grays old Honda with our diving and camping gear and head off after work on a Friday evening for Sodwana. This mountainous road was a dirt track back in the day, treacherous in the rainy season. I can remember sliding down it more than once. We would return along it after our Sunday morning dive, to be back at work on Monday. The stupidity of youth.
Jozini used to be a small town, with a police station and a general dealer. Now it is a bustling hive of activity.
Gray had said we would be camping at Kosi, not having packed a tent, I wasn't sure what to expect. Certainly not the en-suite luxury safari tent, enclosed in its own garden. Thanks Panda, again you have found us gem accommodation. There is a central kitchen for self catering. The lodge is run by the local people, who therefore have a vested interest in keeping the place running well.
Utshwayelo Lodge is the further most north eastern place to stay before entering Mozambique. It is at the entrance to the Isimangaliso Wetland Park and Kosi Bay Mouth and Estuary, a World Heritage Site. The name Utshwayelo takes its name from the fish kraal, celebrating the culture and traditions of the Tsonga people.
This afternoon, we took a drive up to the view point, overlooking the 4 lakes and joining channels of the Kosi estuary before it enters the sea. Clearly visible were the reeded areas that encase the nets used by the local fishermen of the area.
The last time we stayed at Kosi Bay, was in a big Parks board hut that we shared with 10 other people (the extended Morrison and Thorburn Families), Gareth was 6 weeks old. I remember getting up every time he peeped, in case he woke anyone up – again how stupid were we. I have pics of him in his back on the beach and he was too tiny to see over the top of it.
From the view point we drove down a beach sand track, through the dense Natal bush and palms. We parked the car on the edge of the estuary and waded through 3 tributaries and crossed 3 sand banks before I could my dip my toes in the warm Indian Ocean.
We spent a leisurely hour, swimming and sun bathing before returning to the lodge for a well deserved G & T, watching the setting sun. Who says life is tough in Africa.
We braaied in the central pool, dining area. Our dinner guest, was Monty, the jack russell, he reminds me so much of Spud, our old jack russ. The kids would love it here.
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