4 Barnard St, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700

Call Craig: +27 82 091 7983 | Email: craig@southernafricantours.com

Call Bianca: +27 74 957 0355 | Email: bianca@southernafricantours.com

OVERVIEW

The Wild Coast, known also as the Transkei, is a 260 km long stretch of unspoiled coastline that stretches north of East London along sweeping bays, footprint-free beaches, lazy lagoons and rocky headlands. The region is the home of the Xhosa nation. It is also the birthplace of South African statesman Nelson Mandela. Hikers, surfers and nature lovers navigate the coastline, bathing in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, which on a busy day usually has one or two locals and a few Nguni cows.

Tour Summary

  • You’ll go to South Africa South Africa
  • You’ll visit Chintsa (Village), Coffee Bay (Town), Silaka Nature Reserve, Mkambati & Oribi Gorge
  • This tour starts in East London (South Africa) & ends in Durban (South Africa) – Getting there

Activities & Transportation

  • Activities: nature hikes/walks
  • Game drives: self-drive
  • Getting around: self-drive
  • Clients collect and return their self-drive vehicle at the airport
south africa map

Day 1

Cintsa Start of the Wild Coast

On arrival in East London you will be met by a representative from Southern African Tours who will go through your tour in detail, providing you with brochures, vouchers and detailed maps of the region.

Your adventure starts here. You make your way to Crawford’s Beach Lodge, which is literally situated on the beach. Time to relax around the pool, hike along the coastline and swim in the warm Indian ocean.

Dinner is usually a buffet with various dishes to choose from.


East London to Cintsa 55 km.


Main Destination:

  • Chintsa

Accommodation:

  • Crawfords Beach Lodge
  • Mid-range lodge located in or near Chintsa

Meals & Drinks:

  • Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 2-3

Hole in the wall

Coffee Bay is magic, known for it’s breathtaking views and beaches. Here you can also find some of the best surf this country has to offer, and the freshest seafood most only dream of. Coffee Bay and the Hole in the Wall are virtually synonymous – mention the one and you picture the other – and one cannot describe the full extent of the beauty of this area of the Wild Coast without including the incredible natural phenomenon.

The hole is quite literally a geographical marvel and only 3 km from Coffee bay.

Depending on your itinerary a visit to Mdumbi is a phenomenon; it is what makes this coastline so special. Although voted one of South Africa’s most beautiful beaches, it still holds its secluded, untouched allure. Spending the day on the beach with almost no one else is not a rare occurrence.


The fabulous Restaurant & Bar is the perfect place to enjoy a drink & something to eat while sitting back and enjoying the magnificent view of Coffee Bay.


Crawfords to Coffee Bay 300 km.


Main Destination:

  • Coffee Bay

Accommodation:

  • Ocean View
  • Mid-range hotel located in or near Wild Coast

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast & dinner (Lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included

Day 4-5

Port Saint Johns

Silaka Nature Reserve covers a total of 500 ha, featuring grassland and magnificent indigenous forests along a dramatic coastline. This beautiful coastal reserve lies in a forested valley south of Port St Johns, and stretches from 2nd Beach to Sugarloaf Rock

Each of the self catering bungalows has a view of either the forest or ocean. You must bring your own provisions. Although the shops in Port St Johns will have everything you need. 8 km back.

Trails lead through the evergreen forest and provide the opportunity to view elusive birds such as Knysna Loerie, Cinnamon Dove and Grey Cuckooshrike. The Gxwaleni River flows through the indigenous forest where Giant forest trees are home to Blue Duiker and Bushbuck.

Facing the sea are grassy hills where the stately Aloe ferox blooms in winter. Blue Wildebeest and Burchell’s Zebra graze the palatable grasses.

The shoreline is very rugged, with a sandy beach at the mouth of the Gxwaleni River


Coffee Bay to Port st Johns 135 km.


Main Destination:

  • Silaka Nature Reserve

Accommodation:

  • Silaka Nature Reserve
  • Mid-range bungalow located inside the park

Meals & Drinks:

Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)

  • Drinks not included

Day 6-8

Mkambati Nature Reserve

The reserve is situated in Pondoland. It is dotted with magnificent forested ravines. Large numbers of Eland and Hartebeest have been introduced.

The scenic Mkambati Nature Reserve, arguably the highlight of your trip has a rugged, rocky coast, offering you unspoilt nature and wildlife. Other scenic features include a swamp forest and splashing waterfalls (including one of very few in the entire world that falls straight into the sea). Of the many streams running through the reserve, the Mkambati is perhaps the most beautiful with its crystal clear pools and series of spectacular waterfalls. The Horseshoe Falls are most impressive as they drop down over the terrace in a wide arc, the stream then tumbling over another waterfall before dropping into the ocean.

Breathtaking views of the Msikaba gorge can be obtained by walking through the grassland above the river.


Of historical importance are two famous shipwrecks, the Sao Bento(1554) and the Grosvenor (1782) lying in Lambasi Bay.


Main Destination:

  • Mkambati Nature Reserve

Accommodation:

  • Silaka Wildlife Reserve
  • Mid-range chalet located inside Mkambati

Meals & Drinks:

  • Meals at own expense
  • Drinks not included

Day 9

Oribi Gorge

One of KwaZulu-Natal’s most spectacular natural settings, the scenic Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve lies some 25 km inland from Port Shepstone. The Reserve lies snugly at the head of a magnificent river gorge lined with dense coastal bush and forests. Carved out of ancient sandstone over millions over years. The breath-taking scenery along the Umzimkulwana River Gorge makes this a photographer’s and nature lover’s paradise. Oribi Gorge has a wealth of smaller wildlife species and visitors have occasionally seen leopards. Oribi Gorge is a wonderful birding destination with more than 250 species.

One of the main highlights for guests staying at Lake Eland Game Reserve is to walk across our 90 m Suspension Bridge. Not only is it exhilarating to walk across the Suspension Bridge, but it is quite an achievement for many of us who are fearful of heights. The views from the Suspension Bridge are breathtaking and you will be inspired by the magnificence of the Oribi Gorge

Mkambati to Oribi 190 km.


Main Destination:

  • Oribi Gorge

Accommodation:

  • Lake Eland Game Reserve
  • Mid-range guest house located inside Oribi Gorge

Meals & Drinks:

  • Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
  • Drinks not included


Day 10

Oribi Gorge to Durban

This morning you depart for Durban. It’s a 2 hour drive. Travelling along the beautiful Hibiscus Coast You can stop for a beach walk and snack at any one of the beautiful coastal towns along the way. Depending on your flight departure time, there are many optional activities and worthwhile sights in and around Durban. If you have more time, I would recommend an extra day here, staying in uMhlanga which is 15 minutes outside Durban on the Northern KwaZulu-Natal coastline.


Oribi Gorge to Durban 144 km


King Shaka international airport is 25 km North of Durban.


Main Destination:

  • Durban

Accommodation:

  • No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

  • Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
  • Drinks not included