Summers are hot and humid, with rain. Winters are warm and sunny. Winter is prime surf time.
- Chintsa-East
Supposedly named after the "crumbling" banks of its river during floods, the small town of Cintsa is split into two by the river and as it's one of the last towns before the Transkei starts, it already has some of the Wild Coast feel and beaches that run for miles and miles. We think that it's a lovely stop.
- Morgan's Bay
Morgan's Bay has some of the most dramatic high cliff scenery anywhere south of the Transkei Wild Coast.
- Hole in the Wall
The Hole in the Wall has formed through millennia of crashing waves and constant erosion.
- Coffee Bay
Unspoilt and undeveloped, Coffee Bay is a backpackers paradise with most people stopping off here on their trip up the coast. All you need is time…
- Mpande EC
Mpande is surrounded by exquisite scenery, wild walks and a warm little rural village.
- Mthatha Eastern Cape
Mthatha had a former name of Umtata, Mthatha is the Wild Coast's biggest city.Mthatha is a great place to get your shopping and banking needs if you are going to spend a bit of time on the Wild Coast.
- Port St Johns
Once a busy trading port, Port St Johns nestles on the banks of the Umzimvubu River. Many people arrive planning on spending just a few days, and end up leaving months later. It's called Pondo Fever and it's a pleasure.
- MbotyiEC
A wild gem on the wild coast.
Wild Coast
The Wild Coast is a wilderness where man is a part of the landscape, nor it's unordained boss. Rolling green hills are met by sky-sized bursts of cloudbreak and patches of brilliant blue, the hillsides littered with sheep, goats, cows and pin pricks of mud huts. There are some of the countries best backpacking lodges found here.
Where time stands still.
Welcome to rural Africa where day to day life is unhurried and there’s always time for a path-side chat. Thatched huts weathered by the sun perch on grassy hillsides, dusty black pigs snuffle alongside the road and wide smiles greet passing travellers… Sit up and smell... Kick off your shoes... Get ready to eat with your fingers... You’re getting close to Africa. Sailors’ tales gave the Wild Coast its name. Merciless storms and huge waves used to wreck ships on its coastline. The rare survivors braved a rocky wilderness cut by rivers and waterfalls to reach ports where they could be rescued. Even now ships need to be wary - the 20 metre high freak wave that is marked on present-day maps still claims victims. The wave is preceded by a hollow trough that the ship goes down into. The wave then either swallows the ship or breaks it in half. Difficult to imagine when you’re basking on the beach in paradise.
Welcome to rural Africa where day to day life is unhurried and there’s always time for a path-side chat. Thatched huts weathered by the sun perch on grassy hillsides, dusty black pigs snuffle alongside the road and wide smiles greet passing travellers… Sit up and smell... Kick off your shoes... Get ready to eat with your fingers... You’re getting close to Africa. Sailors’ tales gave the Wild Coast its name. Merciless storms and huge waves used to wreck ships on its coastline. The rare survivors braved a rocky wilderness cut by rivers and waterfalls to reach ports where they could be rescued. Even now ships need to be wary - the 20 metre high freak wave that is marked on present-day maps still claims victims. The wave is preceded by a hollow trough that the ship goes down into. The wave then either swallows the ship or breaks it in half. Difficult to imagine when you’re basking on the beach in paradise.
Inland on the N2 the wildness seems far away, taxis, buses and hitchhikers go about their day to day life, stopping only for the cows that cross the roads or forget that they were crossing the road. The roads that lead to the sea weave through undulating hills sprinkled with bright huts. On the coast rivers meander into lagoons fringed by forests, sparkling blue waves wash onto sandy beaches, the wilderness has become a paradise. There are five coastal reserves in the Transkei. Birdlife is prolific and the flora diverse – anything from proteas to mangrove swamps and dense forests.
Hiking
There’s a great hiking trail from Port St Johns to Coffee Bay or vice versa. Check it out and plan in advance, there are river mouths that can only be crossed at low tide.
There’s a great hiking trail from Port St Johns to Coffee Bay or vice versa. Check it out and plan in advance, there are river mouths that can only be crossed at low tide.
Green Peace/Pipes/ WACKY TABACKY
There’s a lot of it, and it’s cheap. But be warned, Pondo fever is highly contagious and it...it...it, er, what was I saying?…
There’s a lot of it, and it’s cheap. But be warned, Pondo fever is highly contagious and it...it...it, er, what was I saying?…
A message from Mother Earth
Scarce natural resources are being pillaged to feed seafood hungry tourists. Sadly local people desperate to earn cash don't care about the long-term effects of out of season fishing and how it’s affecting our oceans. Please don’t buy under-sized or out-of-season crayfish/seafood. Rather support local crafts that not only develop skills, but help to create sustainable futures and enrich tradition. Conservation laws are there for a good reason and if we don’t protect our ocean now, there will be no ocean left to protect.
Scarce natural resources are being pillaged to feed seafood hungry tourists. Sadly local people desperate to earn cash don't care about the long-term effects of out of season fishing and how it’s affecting our oceans. Please don’t buy under-sized or out-of-season crayfish/seafood. Rather support local crafts that not only develop skills, but help to create sustainable futures and enrich tradition. Conservation laws are there for a good reason and if we don’t protect our ocean now, there will be no ocean left to protect.
Driving Miss Daisy mad - A full length feature
Dust and potholes are the Main Feature on any trip. And they’re a doubly bad hazard at night so try to drive during the day. Pedestrians and animals offer an entertaining side-show. Just don’t expect them to get out of the way and remember that they hurt when they’re hit.
Dust and potholes are the Main Feature on any trip. And they’re a doubly bad hazard at night so try to drive during the day. Pedestrians and animals offer an entertaining side-show. Just don’t expect them to get out of the way and remember that they hurt when they’re hit.
Places to Stay
- Mthatha Backpackers and Tours
Mthatha backpackers in Mthatha offer many exciting things to do in the capital of the Wild Coast. Do not leave town without a visit to Mandela's birthplace.
What to do
- African Heartland Journeys
Four and six day adventures through the Transkei.
- Amadiba Adventures
This is an amazing trip into the heart of the Wild Coast. Their office open daily from 7am to 10pm.
- Amapondo Children's Project.
A children's volunteer project in the heart of the Wild Coast.
- Pondoland Hiking Trail
Possibly one of the best hiking trails in the world.....
- Swell Tours South Africa
Surf, Game and Adventure tours throughout South Africa
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Get in on the surf action.
(Muizenberg and Kalk Bay,Cape Town)
This Riverdal backpackers / guest house overlooks the mountains and is on the edge of town.
(Riversdale,Overberg )
Cape St Francis backpackers is located just off the beach. The town of Cape St Francis will give you some of the best surf breaks in South Africa.
(Cape St Francis,Sunshine Coast)
Ashanti backpackers is one of Cape Town's biggest hostels. They are a Cape Town backpackers which is busy, organised and knowledgeable and have a great building in a good location near the city centre of Cape Town.
(Cape Town City Bowl,Cape Town)
Go bushwalking, safari-ing, braaing or just hang out at the pool.
(Hazyview,Mpumalanga)
This Cederberg backpackers is close to the mountains and hiking trails it is a good base for exploring the area.
(Citrusdal,West Coast)
The Oude Molen Eco Village provides an interesting alternative to regular city living.
(Observatory,Cape Town)
This is Cape Town's longest running travel centre.
(Cape Town City Bowl,Cape Town)
An awesome way to spend your day. Lose yourself in the oceans and meet the denizens of the deep.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
Close to the border between Swaziland and Zululand, on the road to Big Bend, Nisela is a game lodge with numerous species of wild game.
(Eastern Swaziland,Swaziland)
