traditional hikes

Port St Johns to Coffee Bay Backpacker Hike

The 60km stretch of Wild Coast from Port St Johns to Coffee Bay is well suited to the more
budget-conscious traveller looking for an authentic Wild Coast Experience. On this 5 day
hiking trail you can chose between friendly village-based homestays, chilled-out backpackers,
or a combination of both.

You'll pass some impressive natural phenomenans, along the undulating terrain through
which this hike traverses.

From the fascinating Table Mountain sandstone cliffs of Port St Johns; to the arched bays of
Mpande and Mdumbi (voted one of SA's top three beaches and surfing hotspot); the
impressive dolerite intrusion at Brazen Head and the fabled landmark, Hole in the Wall, where
the roar of ocean through this hollowed cliff, has earned the Xhosa name “esiKhaleni”( place
of sound).
From the lush coastal forests of Silaka to the peppered hills of Hluleka, the PSJ to Coffee Bay
walking trail navigates rocky seashores, mangrove-clad estuaries, across sandy bay and
through evergreen forests.

Our Standard 5 Day PSJ - Coffee Bay Hike Itinerary is:

Day 1 : Arrive in PSJ (86km from Mtata).

Overnight: at a friendly Backpacker, B&B or Lodge

Day 2: Hike 3rd Beach PSJ– Mngazana Estuary. 5hrs walk. Overnight: Village-based
homestay with dinner, bed & breakfast included OR Private Holiday Cottage (self-catered)

Day 3:Hike Mngazana - Mpande. 4hrs walk.

Overnight: Backpacker or Private Holiday Cottage (avail & no's dependent)

Day 4: Hike Mpande - Hluleka. 6hrs walk.

Overnight: Hluleka Nature Reserve (self-catered) or village-based homestay (DBB)

Day 5: Hike Hlukela - Mdumbi. 6hrs walk.

Overnight: Mdumbi Backpackers or Village Homestay (DBB)

Day 6: Hike Mdumbi-Coffee Bay. 4hrs walk.

Overnight: Treat yourself to a stay in the Ocean View hotel or drum the night away at Bomvu
or Coffee Shack backpackers.

Day 7 :After a hearty breakfast & walk up sugar-loaf hill, a shuttle will pick you up to return
you to back to PSJ where your vehicles await. Bon Voyage
Hiking, Hikes
umThombe Kei River Lodge
umThombe Kei River Lodge is situated on a 160ha private nature reserve along the banks of
the Great Kei River. Self-catering accommodation is offered in rustic thatched chalets: one 6-
sleeper and three 4-sleepers. Each chalet has a fully equipped kitchen and a braai area.
Camping is provided in grassed sites.

There are several hiking trails on the nature reserve, ranging from relaxed strolls through
riverine forest to more serious hill-climbs, with rewarding views of the sea and Kei Mouth. Or
be adventurous and explore the magnificent forests on the other side of the Kei River. We can
provide maps and direct you to the best natural features, including Picnic Pool, Gxara Falls,
the wreck of the Jacaranda and The Gates. Over 140 species of birds have been recorded.

Please note: The lodge is situated on a remote private nature reserve. Road access can
sometimes be difficult, especially after rain, and is recommended for 4x4 vehicles only.

Equiries: foz@lantic.net
www.umthombekei.co.za
Telephone: 043 841 1164
Fax: 043 841 1164
Postal Address: PO Box 67
Kei Mouth
5260
Physical Address: Dunneden Nature Reserve
Kei Mouth
Eastern Cape

Port St Johns to Coffee Bay Backpacker Hike

The 60km stretch of Wild Coast from Port St Johns to Coffee Bay is well suited to the more
budget-conscious traveller looking for an authentic Wild Coast Experience. On this 5 day
hiking trail you can chose between friendly village-based homestays, chilled-out backpackers,
or a combination of both.

You'll pass some impressive natural phenomenans, along the undulating terrain through
which this hike traverses.

From the fascinating Table Mountain sandstone cliffs of Port St Johns; to the arched bays of
Mpande and Mdumbi (voted one of SA's top three beaches and surfing hotspot); the
impressive dolerite intrusion at Brazen Head and the fabled landmark, Hole in the Wall, where
the roar of ocean through this hollowed cliff, has earnt the Xhosa name “esiKhaleni”( place of
sound).

From the lush coastal forests of Silaka to the peppered hills of Hluleka, the PSJ to Coffee Bay
walking trail navigates rocky seashores, mangrove-clad estuaries, across sandy bay and
through evergreen forests.
Our Standard 5 Day PSJ - Coffee Bay Hike Itinerary is:

Day 1 : Arrive in PSJ (86km from Mtata).

Overnight: at a friendly Backpacker, B&B or Lodge

Day 2: Hike 3rd Beach PSJ– Mngazana Estuary. 5hrs walk. Overnight: Village-based
homestay with dinner, bed & breakfast included OR Private Holiday Cottage (self-catered)

Day 3:Hike Mngazana - Mpande. 4hrs walk.

Overnight: Backpacker or Private Holiday Cottage (avail & no's dependent)

Day 4: Hike Mpande - Hluleka. 6hrs walk.

Overnight: Hluleka Nature Reserve (self-catered) or village-based homestay (DBB)

Day 5: Hike Hlukela - Mdumbi. 6hrs walk.

Overnight: Mdumbi Backpackers or Village Homestay (DBB)

Day 6: Hike Mdumbi-Coffee Bay. 4hrs walk.

Overnight: Treat yourself to a stay in the Ocean View hotel or drum the night away at Bomvu
or Coffee Shack backpackers.

Day 7 :After a hearty breakfast & walk up sugar-loaf hill, a shuttle will pick you up to return
you to back to PSJ where your vehicles await. Bon Voyage

For more information about this hike, contact:

Sarah Drew (Active Escapes)

 Tel: 084 2407277 or 033 2344367

 Email: sarah@active-escapes.co.za
 Website: www.active-escapes.co.za

Pondo-Explore Hike
Venture where only a fortunate few have passed. The northern Pondoland section of the Wild
Coast, stretching from Mtamvuna river in the north (Port Edward) to the mighty Umzimvubu in
the south (Port St John's), is undoubtedly the least accessible, dramatically rugged and

breathtakingly pristine section of the Wild Coast.

Passing through traditional xhosa villages, rolling green hills, rocky headlands and sandy
bays. Pass amazing waterfalls, freestanding rock stacks and pristine estuaries on your
journey. The skeletal remains of numerous shipwrecks along the shore bear testimony to this
high-energy coastline, whilst schools of dolphin and whales are a familiar sight.

Details of Pondo-Explore Hike:

Day 1: Drive to Port St Johns. Leave vehicles there in safe parking and get transferred to
Msikaba at 2pm.

Afternoon Activity: Take the canoes up the Msikaba Estuary, visit the Cape Griffon Vulture
colony or visit the waterfalls in Mkambathi Nature Reserve
Overnight: Msikaba Camp (s/cat)

Day 2: Hike Msikaba – Luphuthana. 16km.

Overnight: Lupatana Camp (s/cat)

Day 3: Hike Luphuthana – Mbotyi. 14km.

Overnight: Thatched rondavels at Mboyti Community Camp Site or upgrade to the Mbotyi
River Lodge for an additional

Day 4: Hike Mbotyi – Manteku. 10km.

From Mbotyi south, the gradient of terrain increases – hence the shorter daily distances.
Overnight: Manteku Camp

Day 5: Hike Manteku – Ntafufu. 9km.

Overnight: Ntafufu Camp

Day 6: Hike Ntatfufu – PSJ. 11.5km.

Tour ends in the afternoon in Port St Johns – collect vehicles.

Accommodation in PSJ can be organised at the beginning &/or end of this hike.

All camps comprise 12 x twin bedded safari tents (under thatched bomas, nestled amongst
milkwoods to keep cool) – each tent has its own ensuite toilet & hot water shower.
There is a central dining/ kitchen boma with all cooking & cutlery facilities provided - including
a small fridge for perishable food items. Or, if your group is large enough – you can chose the
fully catered hike option.

For more information, about this hike, please

CLICK HERE:

or Contact:

Sarah Drew
Tel: 033 2344367
Cell: 084 2407277
Email: sarah@active-escapes.co.za

Add new comment | 155 reads | Tags: Active Escapes, adventure, backpacking,
Environment, Hikes, Mbotyi, Pondoland Walks, slackpacking, Wild Coast Walks

Morgans Bay Backpackers

Situated only 30 steps from the Indian Ocean, Morgan’s Bay Backpackers offers something
for everyone looking to get away from the bustle of the city. Stroll along the shoreline
exploring rock pools or laze on the beach.

 Email: morgansbaybp@gmail.com
 Telephone: +27 43 841-1224
 Fax No.: +27 43 841-1224
Looking down on Morgans Bay and its lagoon

Crested Cranes: Enjoy watching more

than 200 species of birds Exhilarating

Horse Rides

Add new comment | 111 reads | Tags: Accommodation, Backpackers, bar, bird
watching, Hiking, Horse riding, horses, Morgans Bay, restaurant, Surfing, Tours
Wild Coast Hiking (Guided hikes from Port St
Johns to Coffee Bay)

The Best way to experience the beauty of the Wild Coast is to take the 5 day hiking trail run
by Jimmy and Mbuyi. Please visit their site for more information, rates and details at
www.wildcoasthikes.com.

The Port St. Johns to Coffee Bay Hiking Trail goes through some of the most beautiful hiking
landscape in South Africa. The trail hugs a stretch of coastline along the former Transkei
homeland, and is unspoilt and barely touched by development. You will walk along rolling
grassy hills dotted with colourful huts, idyllic beaches, estuaries flanked by thick coastal forest
and cliffs with stunning sea views. Hikers sleep in hikers’ huts and village accommodation.
You will also learn a little bit of Xhosa Language and experience the Xhosa food. If you’re
hiking at the right time of the year, you will most likely see dolphins and whales.

The duration of the hiking trail is five days with four overnight stops.

Your guides are Dreadlock Jimmy Selani, and Mbuyi Mangala:

Check their site for some reviews on the hike. www.wildcoasthikes.com

Add new comment | 1021 reads | Tags: adventure, Hiking

Red Dunes of Xolobeni - the curse of the black
dirt
Wed, 2009-06-03 13:24 | jeff

Simon Max Bannister has compiled a brilliant photo essay of his hike around Mzamba and
Xolobeni.

Do yourself a favor and follow this link: simontothemax.blogspot.com and see for yourself the
unspoilt beauty of the threatened area.

Better yet, contact Benny Mbotho on 079-1985 975 / or through Sonya on 074-336 7862 - for
a guided day-trip, or longer hike.

Also do check the rest of Simon's Blog which features some of his fascinating "recycled"
artwork.
 jeff's blog | Add new comment | 1065 reads | Tags: Environment, Hikes, Hiking,
photos, xolobeni

Mzamba, Xolobeni, Port Edward and the South

Coast
Xolobeni, Mzamba, and finally Port
Edward, mark the Northenmost
boundary of the Transkei Wild Coast,
and fall into the famous Pondoland
Center of Endemism.

New tourism ventures will be springing

up in this area that is being threatened
with strip mining for titanium.

For up to date information on the

mining saga:
www.wildcoast.com/xolobeni

If you want to explore the threatened

area from Mzamba to Xolobeni, passing the Cretaceous Deposits and Petrified Forest at
Mzamba River, Benny the Tour Guide can be contacted on 079-1985 975 / or through Sonya
on 074-336 7862 - for a guided day-trip.

We will be adding further links as they become available.

In the meantime, if you're coming to the Wild Coast and you're looking for a detour along the
way, or perhaps you've visited us and are on your way North towards Durban and
Mocambique; here is a helpful link to some tourism destinations on the KZN South Coast:
www.gosouthcoast.co.za

Add new comment | 4714 reads | Tags: Hikes, Hiking, xolobeni

Hiking the Wild Coast

Really experience it:

Hike along the pristine stretch of coastline from Port St Johns to Coffee Bay, and stay along
the way in traditional Xhosa huts.

Contact: Jimmy Selani, the Tour Guide from Mtumbane (PSJ) on 082 507 2256 (+27
international dialing code), or check their website for more info: www.wildcoasthikes.com.

Jimmy was voted South African Tourism's 'Best Emerging Guide of the Year 2004'.
Charismatic and fluent in English, he's a fount of information on the area and its people - the
perfect chaperone.

UPDATE: There is now an official website: www.wildcoasthikes.com

A walk on the wild side

By Fiona McIntosh (http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/article.php?page_id=2031)

Trekking between local settlements along the wave-bashed Wild Coast, Fiona McIntosh finds
deserted beaches, shipwrecks and a very warm welcome.

Anyone for a beer?" inquired Jimmy, holding up a plastic carton. Even in the dim light of the
mud hut the milky brew looked vile.

Read more
Add new comment | Tags: adventure, Hikes, Hiking

Pure Pondo Adventures

 Step into the magic world of rural Africa
and experience the traditions of the amaMpondo people in the sub-tropical hills of the
Transkei. Witness African shamanism as it is still lived today. Trance-dance into the night to
the beat of Ancestral drums.

Ntombemhlope

Contact Chris:
chris@purepondo.co.za
072-302-9489
+27-72-302-9489
www.purepondo.co.za

Add new comment | 1599 reads | Tags: adventure, Hikes, Hiking, Port St Johns

Map of the Wild Coast

MAPS FOR AFRIKA have detailed and accurate maps covering all the major scenic routes in
South Africa available for online order at www.themaps.co.za .

Wild Coast Map:

The fully detailed, GPS-compatible, waterproof map of the entire Wild Coast, from which this
inset is taken, is widely available from bookshops and sports stores in most major centers,
and Wild Coast Holiday Association resorts.

The retail price is around R75 (around $10) and can be purchased on-line at
www.themaps.co.za.
"Your Wild Coast map - it's magnificent" -Don Pinnock, Editor, GETAWAY Magazine.

"Truly an excellent map..." -Jeff Pieres, Historian.

"A MUST-HAVE for travellers in the area" -Janna Cooper, Strandloper Ecotourism Board.

Retail and trade enquiries for the Eastern Cape and KZN: phone Gavin Stewart at 083 708
2719... or email morstew@iafrica.com

(Click here or directly on the map to see a sample of the fully detailed map.)

Contact:

 Email: issues@themaps.co.za
 Phone: 021-788 4545
 Fax: 086-508 28175

11 comments | 23420 reads | Tags: Hiking

Wild Coast Walk

Bookings for the "hotel-hopping" Wild Coast Walk between Kob Inn (north) and Cintsa (south)
can be made through SA Adventure Trails. Phone Paul Colvin on 033-343 1217 or email him
at info@wildcoastwalk.co.za

The 5 day 4 night trail covers 60km+ of pristine coastline : wide, shell-filled beaches, rocky
headlands, coastal forest, estuaries and river mouths. Walk between 15-20 km per day with a
guide while your luggage is transferred round to the next hotel in the chain. Stay overnight in
comfortable hotel rooms with good food and company and leave next day after a hearty
breakfast. After your last night stay you will be picked up and taken back to your start point
where your cars will have been safely parked or driven round to East London airport to catch
your return flight.

Read more
Add new comment | Tags: Hiking, Lifestyle

Hiking Trails
Bookings for the 5-6 day hiking trail between Port St Johns and Coffee Bay, and Kei Mouth to
Coffee Bay should be made through DEAT:

Tel: 047-5311191

1 comment | 1429 reads | Tags: Hiking

Hiking
Hiking info:

"Slack-packing"

Wild Coast Meander (http://www.wildcoastholidays.co.za)