It is that time of year again, the students are taking over the beach at Kosi Bay – although, as it is winter the locals aren’t really swimming anyway… (but the water is still warmer than some of our UK students are used to!).
beach
Beachtime!!
A beach day at Kosi bay!
Stephanie was more than a little happy at this prospect, although in truth we all were. It was hot, and the mere thought of swimming was making us all eager to get to the beach.
Even Tommy was eager to get to the water!
![guide at kosi bay Kosi bay, nature tour, african safari](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2tommypose-225x300.jpg)
The visit to the fishtraps is first. this sustainable fishing method is as much a part of conserving the area as preserving the traditional Tsonga culture.
Elmon explained how the fish trap worked to us and gave us spear fishing lessons to show us how hard it is, then it was time to walk/splash out to the fishtraps to take a look for ourselves.
![Spear fishing demonstration at kosi bay kosi bay, south african safari and nature tour](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2elmonspear-225x300.jpg)
![kosi bay spear fishing african safari](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2stephpractice-225x300.jpg)
![kosi bay tsonga fishtrap african safari at kosi bay](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2intrap1-225x300.jpg)
![practicing spearing on the 'leaf- fish' at Kosi Bay kosi bay african safari nature tour](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2practicespear-225x300.jpg)
We were in luck, one of Elmons fishtraps had bream, grunter, mullet and even kingfish! So we got to test our wits against that of the fish and try our hand at spearing dinner.
![kosi bay thonga fish trap traditional fishtraps at kosi bay mouth](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2stephadrianpeek-300x225.jpg)
![in the fish traps at kosi bay kosi bay african safari nature tour](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2intrap-225x300.jpg)
Stephanie speared her fish on the first try… Sleep with one eye open Adrian…!
![spearfishing at kosi bay amangwane kosi bay spearfishing](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2stephfish-225x300.jpg)
![speared fish at kosi bay south african safari, nature tour](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2adrianfish-225x300.jpg)
We all emerged from the handmade cage triumphant. We would have a feast tonight!
But no time for smugly posing with our catches…
…oh, ok then just a little…
![spear fishing success at kosi bay african safari](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2succes-300x225.jpg)
![todays catch at kosi bay amangwane african safari, nature tour , kosi bay beach](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2adrian-225x300.jpg)
![fish traps at kosi bay african safari, nature tour, kosi bay](http://umkhumbilodge.co.za/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2groupft-300x225.jpg)