In the Eastern Cape of South Africa, lies a stretch of land with a fascinating history. A former Bantustan in Apartheid days, the Wild Coast remained largely untouched as infrastructure was denied to this part of the country. Steep ravines, not particularly fertile soil, and a strong traditional base, has precluded much in the way of development since. From the Umtamvuma River in the north, to Kei River in the south, the Wild Coast is a tapestry of rolling green hills, steep-sided ravines, pristine estuaries and golden miles of sandy beach.
Traditional amaXhosa lifestyles are still the norm; with colourful huts decorating the hillsides as Nguni cows graze their way down to the beaches where they can enjoy a quiet afternoon of wave gazing. Fishing and surfing are popular drawcards on the Wild Coast, but it is the miles of hard-pack beaches, jeep tracks and curvaceous hills that make the area a mecca for mountain bikers and hikers. Passing aloes and sisal as you rise and fall with the terrain; dolphins, whales and sea birds are sure to keep you company along the way.
Spending time on the Wild Coast is really about relaxing into its own special pace, a pace at which hidden secrets reveal themselves, from dramatic waterfalls to fresh feasts on local mussels and crays.
The Wild Coast is a hiker's paradise. Starting from Port Edward in the north all the way down to Cintsa, Active Escape's offers a full spectrum of hiking & slackpacking trails to suit all levels of fitness, budget and time constraints. From hotel-hopping to overnight's in traditional village homestays, we'll tailor-make a hiking trip to suit your needs and interests.
The Pondo-Pedal MTB is the perfect trip to cut your teeth on, if you looking for a whetting of wild coast trail riding over a long weekend. Starting at the Wild Coast casino, you'll cycle to Mtentu Lodge. A free day can be spent paddling up the gorgeous Mtentu estuary, or swimming under forgotten falls in Mkambati, before cycling back to the casino via a different route. We'll cycle a beach route one way and an inland route the next - stopping at local villages for a cold quart or a plunge in one of the natural pools along the way.
There's no better way to appreciate the diversity of this wild coastline than from the vantage of your saddle, as you wind your way from cliff-top to sandy bay, across grassy plateau and up forested tracks, passing friendly villages along the way. Following the popular route of the Imana Wild Ride, our supported tours offer more days to do the distance, making it as much a holiday with friends as an Epic MTB adventure.
Running along miles of sun-kissed beach, following local fishermen paths up and over the rocky headlands, you too can run wild with Active Escapes. Any of our Wild Coast hikes can potentially be arranged as a trail-run, but the lower wild coast with its well positioned hotels and network for luggage support, makes for an easy weekend of trail running, flying in and out of East London.
If your idea of a hiking holiday is as much about the chilled wine, comfy bed and seafood dinner, then look no further than the Lower Wild Coast Hotel-Hopping trails. Starting at Kob Inn and finishing at Cintsa, we have 3-7 night options.
With accommodation in a friendly homestay, community and private lodge, and catering all the way - this hike packs an authentic mix of experiences, and can also potentially be arranged over holiday periods.
3 or 5 night Wild Coast Pondoland Trail Options: either fully-supported & catered (the Pondo-Hopper) or a self-catered version (the Pondo-Explorer), sleeping in tented camps nestled up against a dune or along a pristine estuary.
This 5 day hiking voyage from Port Edward to Mbotyi, packs an authentic mix of experience along a diverse route. Overnighting in a village homestay, eco-lodge, tented camps and Mbotyi River Lodge.
This trail is along the same route as the Pondo-Explorer, but is a fully supported and catered trail. Lugagge support and catering is provided by our trails team. It's a great option for groups who'd like to have their planning <em>and</em> logistics all taken care of.
Walk the Wild Coast, 2hrs from Durban. Our 3 Night Mtentu-Explorer takes you to private beaches, forgotten falls and pristine estuaries. Overnighting in a homestay the first night and a joint-venture eco-camp the next two– your stay bolsters the local economy, much needed in the fight against mining.
Past the iconic 'Hole in the Wall', down to the beautiful Bulungula estuary, overnighting in friendly backpackers and village-homestays along the way. Guided, with porter-support as an option, you need not worry about catering or bedding on this slackpacker trail.
From Coffee Bay, past Hole in the Wall, beyond Bulungula and finishing at the lovely Haven Hotel bordering Dwesa Nature reserve and the Mbashe river. This is a varied trail with a mix of accom from backpackers and family-friendly hotels.
