Wild Coast 8 days

Wild Coast 8 days

Price: * R 2235 per person in a dorm bed
Price: * R 2833* per person sharing a double room / rondawel or bungalow
* this rate is based on two people hiring a four door sedan with airconditing and unlimited kilometres and including accommodation

The Wild Coast is stunningly beautiful with rolling green hills that drop straight into the anxious Indian Ocean, with long white beaches and dolphins surfing the nearby waves.
It is amazing,( and we are extremely grateful) , that this region is not littered with resort hotels , high rise apartments, shopping malls and exclusive golf estates, because this is a hauntingly beautiful yet rugged coast line that has claimed many ships during fierce storms.
Traditional Xhosa huts lie scattered in family units on the tops of the rolling hills , the unhurried tranquillity washes over you like the tides , here is truly a place to chill !!!!

Highlights:
Hike to Hole in the Wall, Surfing ; Abseiling , Sundowners on a cliff top overlooking the sea, The Sacred Pool walk, Umtata River Canoe Cruise, Nelson Mandela Museum , cultural evening,

This trip can be done in either direction , below is the itinerary starting in East London and ending in Durban

Day 1 – East London to Chintsa , 34 km
Pick up your rental car from East London airport and head east to the small beach town of Chintsa and on to Buccanneers Lodge and Backpackers, here there are several choices of accommodation, excellently positioned to capture the beauty and also offer privacy on 30 acres of wild coastal forest that stretches down to the lagoon and pristine beach.

There's a lovely lively bar which has certainly seen some great revelry in its time. A stunning tropical pool is a buzzy spot in the summer months when a gorgeous poolside cafe offers decidedly decadent refreshments (including divine pizzas!). All meals are offered by Buccaneers and it is wholesome and delicious.
And every day there is some sort of free activity so you can chill and meet the rest of the gang.
And for the quieter ones, Buccaneers is a haven of tranquility and natural delights - quiet beach walks or canoe trips up the Chintsa river or visit the bird hide on the dam.

“We are always being asked why, with one of the best coastal settings in South Africa, we haven't moved into the sophisticated 5 star league. Quite simply - we love what we do. We prefer the whole laid back friendly style, the fact that only first names count and the sense that we're all kindred spirits. We love our type of travellers - friendly, curious about every aspect of our beautiful country, tolerant of some of the shortcomings of the rural scene (power failures!) and so enthusiastic and well informed about life in general.”

Day 2 and 3 – Chintsa
You’ve still got another two days in this stunning corner of the world. You can go surfing or swimming in the warm Indian Ocean, or simply take a stroll down the beach. There is plenty to do : horse riding, game drive in the Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve , or each day there is an activity designed to get everyone together, if they are interested, to play beach volley ball or a booze cruise or a competition on the climbing wall.
Then there's the beautiful tropical pool, there are canoes for the lagoon, and of course the stunning Chintsa beach with its 15km of pristine shoreline and rock pools full of fascinating sea life.

Day 4 – Chintsa to Coffee Bay , 323 km
After three nights at Buccaneers, you are gonna get up when it suits you, then you can walk along the beach or go body surfing in the tempestuous Indian Ocean or take a last paddle up the lagoon , before saying Good bye to all your new friends and heading northwards up the N2 to Mthata, here you should visit the Nelson Mandela National Museum www.mandela-museum.org.za ,
During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people, I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
Nelson Mandela, June 1964.
Rivonia trial before being convicted of sabotage and treason.

From Mthata , you need to head back towards East London for 20 km before turning towards the coast and taking the winding road another 72km to the Coffee Shack at Coffee Bay, here you can really unwind, they have two person huts across the Bomvu river that are stylish and comfortable and look down on to the beach. You will meet all types of people from many different parts of the world at the Babalaza bar and there is always cold beer and excellent conversation available .
Breakfast, lunch and dinner is available at reasonable prices, from the kitchen.

Days 5 and 6 and 7 – Coffee Bay, Wild Coast
Every day there is a guided 9 km hike, leaving around 10am , along the rocky coast line and over the rolling hills until you reach the Hole in the Wall , a well known land mark in the area. The guide is a local who will share with you all his enthusiastic knowledge about this hauntingly beautiful coastline , the local customs and folk stories. Toasted sandwiches, made over the fire, and cool drinks will be awaiting you when you reach the beach at the Hole in the Wall, the Coffee Shack shuttle will take you back.
Canoeing down the Umtata river in two-man canoes with lunch and cool drinks included, the trip includes beautifully secluded areas, winding through pristine mangrove swamps before eventually reaching the ocean.
Abseil down a 45 metre cliff drop virtually into the ocean along side the Hlungunwane Waterfall.
Dave , owner and ex – world champion surfer gives free surf lessons and they also offer a day trip to Umdumbi, an amazing beach with a good point break for accomplished surfers.
Every evening a cooler box, and maybe some oysters, are packed and all interested head to one of the spectacular clifftop locations for sundowners, a local choir often puts in an appearance to round off another perfect day in Africa.

Day 8 – Coffee Bay to Durban , 528 km or East London 331 km
Based on where and what you would like to do , should determine what time you wish to leave Coffee Bay, (check out time is 11am ), but you will no doubt leave with a sore heart promising to return .