On Saturday morning, we woke up bright and early, feeling refreshed after a great night’s rest. We had breakfast at the reception area, enjoying the peaceful start to the day. After breakfast, we met our tour guide, Jeff, who briefed us on what to expect on our hike. The night before, Enoch Tembe, the lodge manager, had already shared fascinating insights about the area, the people in the surrounding villages, and local traditions.
That morning, as we set off, Jeff explained that Utshwayelo means “fish trap” in the Thonga language, a beautiful tribute to the traditional fish kraals still found at Kosi Bay today.
I must admit, I underestimated the hike. It was 6 km each way, and as soon as we started, we entered a lush forest filled with diverse trees. We first passed banana trees, whose leaves are used for weaving bangles and making fishing traps. Birdsong surrounded us as we continued, spotting various species along the way.
Soon, we approached a wetland, and signs warned us we were entering a swamp. Inside, the forest was deep, green, and peaceful, though the ground was wet and tricky to cross.
Jeff guided us carefully through, and we even spotted red spiders in their webs. Being surrounded by nature that morning was such a grounding experience.
After passing through the swamp, we rested under a “groot boom” (huge tree). From there, we could see the dunes, a sign the ocean was near. But first, a challenge: a steep 65-meter sandy climb. We tackled it without wasting time, and at the top, the sound of the ocean greeted us.
It was a sunny day, and the view was breathtaking. The current was strong, so we didn’t swim deep, but we enjoyed splashing in the shallows.
After some time there, we continued our walk to the other side, where snorkeling and canoeing take place. The water here was calmer and shallow, with tiny crabs scuttling around. We swam in the little lakes, took pictures, and soaked in the moment.
As we walked further, we came across coconut trees, and just beyond them was the canoeing area.
It was my first time canoeing, and I loved every moment. We paddled on the lake, passing traditional fish kraals, for about an hour before heading back to the lodge.
Back at camp, we followed our usual evening rhythm: a shower in our glamping tent, a delicious three-course meal at the reception area, then time around the fire, chatting with everyone. Finally, I headed to bed, excited, because the next day, we were off to Mozambique.
Stay tuned for Part Three!