The Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape provides unspoiled natural beauty. Guests travelling to the Wild Coast can explore the area by foot, 4x4, or horseback. Kim Emmanuel looks at what’s on offer in this coastal region.
The Wild Coast comprises 300 kilometres of coastline between East London and Port Edward. The disappearance of many ships and vessels along the rough coast gave rise to the area’s name. The name, Wild Coast, also complements the area’s scenery of untamed splendour and cliffs, which in two places feed waterfalls directly into the ocean. The climate of the Wild Coast is tropical in nature, with mild to humid temperatures.
How to get there
The closest airports are East London Airport and King Shaka International Airport in Durban. The N2 highway leads to the Wild Coast. The drive from East London Airport to Chintsa West is about 46 kilometres. Port Edward is located about 196 kilometres from King Shaka International Airport, about a two hour drive. The road between Umtata to Hole in the Wall is particularly bad due to stretches of gravel.
Where to stay
Prana Lodge, located in Chintsa East about a 40 minute drive from the East London airport, offers eight individually designed suites.
Six of the suites are surrounded by indigenous gardens and feature their own private, walled patio and plunge pool, while the diamond villa is nestled in the dune forest overlooking Chintsa Beach. The forest suite is located among the natural dune forest with views over the tree tops.
Children are accommodated strictly by prior arrangement with management only and subject to availability.
Facilities include Prana Lodge Wellness Spa with a variety of treatments on offer.
Hole in the Wall Hotel and Holiday Village is situated 9 kilometres from Coffee Bay. The 28 self-catering chalets at Hole in the Wall are located on top of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Each chalet contains from one to three private bedrooms, a living room, bathroom, and kitchenette. Each chalet also has its own private braai area.
The beach is directly in front of the resort. Other facilities include a spa, restaurant, swimming pool, and a volleyball facility.
Travel time from both King Shaka and Port Elizabeth International Airports to Hole in the Wall is about 6 and a half hours.
What to do
Drifters Adventours offer guests hiking and mountain biking along the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape.
Guests are accommodated in the Greenfire properties that extend from Port St Johns in the south to Mkambati Nature Reserve in the north. There are four adventure camps located at Msikbaba, Luphuthana, Manteku and Ntafufu and a lodge located at Port Grosvenor. The adventure camps can accommodate up to 24 people in twin en-suite tented units. Greenfire Lodge Wild Coast comprises six rondawels accommodating a maximum of 24 guests in twin bedded en-suite rooms.
“This section of coastline offers guests exceptional beauty with a multitude of paths for hiking and biking,” said Christiaan Steyn, Marketing Manager. Guests can either book a 3 day trip or a 5 day trip.
Other activities guests can enjoy around the Wild Coast include horse riding trips on the beach, fishing (fishing permits are required), and canoeing.
Due to its natural beauty the Eastern Cape's Wild Coast is ideal for hiking, but a multitude of 4x4 trails allow for those who prefer travelling in comfort. Water activities such as snorkelling and diving can also be enjoyed in the area.
Nearby attractions
Hole in the Wall is an archway of rock formation set just off the Wild Coast, south of Coffee Bay in the Eastern Cape. This landmark was created millions of years ago through the restless action of waves against sandstone and shale.
The distance from East London to Coffee Bay is just over 200km, but the road from Umtata to Hole in the Wall is particularly bad and travellers should set aside four hours for the drive. From Durban the distance is around 521 kilometres.
Silaka Nature Reserve, located south of Port St Johns, covers a total of 400 hectares, and features grassland and indigenous coastal forests along the coastline. Bird watchers will enjoy sightings of the Knysna turaco, cinnamon dove, half-collared kingfisher and grey cuckooshrike, while water enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the area’s marine life in the tidal rock pools and estuaries.
Other activities on offer in the reserve include diving, fishing, game drives, hiking, horse riding, nature walks, and swimming.
The Nelson Mandela Museum is situated on the N2 highway. It offers a cultural experience that gives insight into the life of former South African president, Nelson Mandela, with guided tours and a heritage trail that follows his in his footsteps.
