South Africa
The Eastern Cape: A Luxury Holiday Trekking South Africa’s Wild Coast
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We all have those days when sedentary office life becomes a bit too much and we just want to get away to the peaceful serenity of nature. A week hiking in South Africa is the ideal antidote to cure any city-related stress and will have you feeling fit as a fiddle in no time. South Africa’s Wild Coast, as the name suggests, is a stunning region of secluded coastline in the Eastern Cape that has gone virtually untouched by human hands. From gorgeous empty beaches and fabulous freshwater pools to cascading waterfalls and captivating cliff faces, the Wild Coast is an area of unparalleled natural beauty. We will take you to experience it all in the most intimate way- by hiking it. With our fantastic private guide, Matt, you will get to explore the Mkambati Nature Reserve by foot, as you hike along the cliffs of northern Pondoland and dive for crayfish on a private beach reserved exclusively for you- what better way to dust off those city cobwebs?
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Start PlanningPutting the wild in wilderness
Your South Africa hiking adventure actually gets off to a rather relaxed start and once you’ve arrived in Durban, we will drive you out to the Mtentu River. The journey to the Wild Coast takes about three hours so sit back, relax and have a snooze. In the evening, feel free to explore the Mtentu Estuary and watch your first glorious South African sunset from the beach. Wake up bright and breezy and, after a hearty breakfast, get those hiking boots on your feet and your rucksack on your back and off you go. For your first hike, you will walk 13 km from Mtentu to Msikaba through the Mkambati Nature Reserve. Mkambati really puts the wild in wilderness with its thick swamp forests, sweeping grass plains and crystal clear waterfalls. Before you ask, no, there will not be any cheetahs or leopards hiding in the grass ready to pounce but you will spot majestic wildebeest and an incredible variety of bird life. Tomorrow, you will continue to explore this wonderful nature reserve as you hike 13 km to Luphatana where you will spend the night. Spot the eerie Grosvenor Shipwreck before lunching at one of the freshwater pools where you can take a dip to cool off. Before reaching Luphatana, be sure to make Lambasi Bay one of your rest stops, it is one of the most beautiful beaches on the Wild Coast.
Waterfalls and Fairy Pools
It is time now to move on from the nature reserve and instead set your sights on the cliffs. A slightly longer hike of 16 km (you’re a pro now anyway) will take you from Luphatana to Mbotyi along the top of the mighty cliffs of northern Pondoland. You will visit the unusual Cathedral Rock and the spectacular Waterfall Bluff, one of only two waterfalls in Africa that falls directly into the sea. End your day swimming, or just floating, in the exquisite Fairies Pool before having a well-earned night’s sleep in Mbotyi. Your final day of hiking is full of surprise delights to end your trip on a real high. An easy hike of 11 km south from Mbotyl to Manteku takes you past the notorious Shark Point. At the end of your last hike, give yourself a pat on the back and reward yourself by spending the afternoon at your very own private beach estuary fishing, crayfish diving or just lying flat-out on the sand- you deserve it. In the evening we will prepare a celebratory fresh seafood dinner to congratulate you on conquering the wonderful Wild Coast. In the morning look back through your stunning hiking pictures over a leisurely breakfast before driving back to Durban. If that week in South Africa was not getting back to nature, we don’t know what is.