Wild Coast Walk

Wild Coast Walk is for those wishing to experience the Wild Coast on foot but wants to spend each evening in the best hotels or lodges along the route, selected for quality and convenience. The Wild Coast of South Africa is one of the country’s most remote and beautiful coastlines. It is a prime hiking area with dramatic landscapes, unspoilt beaches, high dunes, wave-lashed rocks, shipwrecks, rolling hills and meandering rivers.

Overview

Itinerary

Price

FAQs

Map

Overview

The Wild Coast Walk is in an unspoilt natural environment- magnificent coastal setting, beaches, bush and sunshine. Enjoy whale and dolphin watching, birding, swimming, canoeing, fishing and excellent accommodation. Guides and porters from local Xhosa communities accompany hikers.

Highlights

The scenery is spectacular. Empty white-sand beaches are separated by steep green hills, dramatic cliffs and rocky headlands. Sunrises and sunsets of breathtaking beauty.
Pristine beaches offer secluded and quiet spots for swimming or to visit and enjoy. You will also have opportunities for birding, fishing, canoeing, whale and dolphin-watching
The suspension bridge linking Mazeppa Bay mainland to an island. It is a favourite fishing spot. The Jacaranda shipwreck near Trenney’s Hotel The boat pont river crossing at Kei mouth.
Every year, between May and July, many millions of sardines travel north from the cold southern oceans of South Africa as they make their way up along the coastlines of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in what is commonly known as the annual Sardine Run
Spend every night in the comfort of coastal resorts, known for unique settings and warm hospitality
Guides and porters from local Xhosa communities accompany hikers every day, sharing their local knowledge, customs and culture with you.

Day 1 :

East London to Kob Inn (Drive 215 km- 4 hrs)

Transfer by road to Kob Inn. Lunch will be arranged on arrival. Afternoon at leisure, evening drinks and snacks before enjoying a delicious dinner close to the ocean.. Optional extra: Canoe quietly on the river taking in the prolific bird life.

Day 2 :

Mazeppa Bay (6 km)

An easy introduction to the trail. Hikers can take their time swimming and sunbathing en route, or lunch can be enjoyed at Kob Inn. Arrive Mazeppa Bay Hotel in the afternoon. Relax in this beautiful tropical setting and enjoy any number of the interesting sights. Visit the island attached to the mainland via a suspension bridge, or enjoy a beautiful forest walk.

Day 3 :

Wavecrest Hotel (22 km)

After an early breakfast depart for Wavecrest. This day takes you along grassy banks adjacent to the coastline with many natural springs and long sandy beaches fringed with palms and many indigenous trees. Although the route is long, the terrain is flat. Optional Extra:  Enjoy a booze cruise up the Nxaxo River. Bird lovers might consider paddling up the river in one of the many canoes to view the wonderful bird life for which Wavecrest is renowned. Unwind at the Wavecrest spa.

Day 4 :

Trennery's Hotel (14 km)

Today's hike entails a river crossing via a canoe. Around lunchtime you should reach the wreck of the Jacaranda. This is a good spot for a picnic lunch and bathing. At the Qolora River you arrive at Trennery’s Hotel where you overnight. Spend the evening relaxing - exploring the area and enjoy a mouth-watering dinner.

Day 5 :

Morgan Bay Hotel (12 km)

After an early breakfast a visit to the scenic gates on the Qolora River can be included (there is an extra charge for this trail) Thereafter depart for Kei Mouth, a 6 km stretch along the beach will bring you to the Kei River. This used to be the border between the Transkei and South Africa. The river crossing is made on the pontoon, which is one of the last remaining working pontoons in the country. The Trail then takes you around the village of Kei Mouth to Morgan Bay.  Arrive at Morgan Bay late afternoon and after a relaxing shower enjoy a superb dinner. The pub is always an interesting place to visit with locals telling new and old stories.

Day 6 :

Day of departure

After a late breakfast hikers will be collected from the Morgan Bay Hotel and transferred back to East London. If you would like to spend the morning on the beach, and only be collected later, it can be arranged.

Day 7 :

Extra nights

Should groups wish to continue the trail it can be extended to 6, 7 or even an eight-night trail. This hike is flexible, and you can spend additional time at each or any resort thus turning it into a real holiday and allowing you to enjoy the facilities on offer. A quote will be issued for this, on request.

FAQ's

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When to go

Bookings can be made throughout the year between 15 Jan and 15 Dec but not during school holidays March/Apr, Dec/Jan and Easter weekend. The best time is from March to June and from September to November. The weather on the Wild Coast is very variable but during winter it is usually better from a rain perspective but cold fronts are possible. Be prepared for hot as well as cool and wet conditions throughout the year.

Climate

The area has a comparatively high average rainfall, with the coastal and mountain regions receiving over 1 000 mm per annum. Snow is not uncommon at high altitudes in winter, but the remainder of the country is temperate with high sub-tropical temperatures along the coast in summer. The summer rainy seasons are sub tropically warm and pleasant, while the winters are mild and fine (and pleasant). High temperatures in January (mid summer) reach about 28 degrees C, and in June (winter) about 21 degrees, with lows of 17 and 9 degrees respectively

What to take

Comfortable, well ventilated clothes as well as a thick windbreaker/jacket, raincoat, swimming costume, comfortable walking shoes and hiking sandals. For your daily needs, you are advised to have a day-bag, a plastic bag to waterproof your day-pack as well as ziploc bags for wet weather and river crossings as protection for electronic equipment, sun-hat, sunglasses, sun block, a water bottle/camelback, personal first-aid kit, camera, batteries, binoculars, torch and headlamp, and mosquito repellent.

Luggage

Please note that a porter will carry the luggage and that it is not transferred by vehicle. Luggage will therefore have to be in a backpack and a weight restriction of 12kg applies. Backpacks must have shoulder and waist straps. Ensure that you have the correct change for porter fees. Refer to “Includes/Excludes”

Grading

The Wild Coast Walk can be done by anyone who is reasonably fit and enjoys rambling. There are no serious challenges other than the river crossings. When river levels are high after heavy rains, a ferry will be arranged. Overall rating: “Easy”. You do not need to be ultra-fit but if you choose to do the walks you should be able to walk between 10 and 20 km per day. The route takes you along the coast and on paths.
See Walking grades for more details about “Easy” rating.

Getting there

Getting to East London

For international visitors:
Fly to East London Airport.
By car:
Route from Johannesburg: 970 km with N1 and N6 via Bloemfontein
Route from Cape Town: 1 050 km via the N2 along the coast
Route from Durban: 660 km with N2

Insurance

We recommend that you arrange appropriate holiday insurance giving you cover against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for any reason.

Reviews

For details, go to Reviews

Area information

Wild Coast Walk is a high quality guided walking holiday in an unspoilt natural environment. For more information about the area, go to Read more