Eastern Shores Wilderness Trail

Ever been camping at Cape Vidal and wondered what lies beyond the towering, vegetated dunes? The call of this Wilderness has captured my imagination for many years, and now with a recently granted concession: beckons to be explored.

This is a brand new 2 or 3 night wild-camping trail in the Tewate Wilderness area – on the Eastern Shores of Isimangaliso Wetland Park.

Professional Big-5 Trail Guide’s will lead you across the expansive grasslands, verdant pans and ancient forests of this wild wild terrain. Simple but comfy pop-up camp’s provide your overnight abodes, where meals are cooked over an open-fire, and a warm bucket shower awaits.

As you sip your welcome tea, the outside world fades, replaced by the first evening star and a deep sense of peace, where only the calls of a nightjar or the occasional hippo grunt, breaks the stillness.

As we know, most of our clients prefer to "unburden" their loads, a small trails team will be doing “the carrying and cooking” on this slackpack version of a wilderness trail.

  • Trip Duration3.5 Days / 3 Nights2.5 Days / 2 Nights
  • Daily DistancesVariable based on conditions and animal movements - but averaging around 8-10km/day.
  • Trail Grading2 / 5 - Fitness. The location of the overnight mobile camp, can be adjusted to the fitness of the group.2 - 3 / 5 - Technicality. This is true wilderness, it is not an established hiking trail. You’ll follow game paths and weave around natural obstacles just as a jackal would do.
  • Trail TerrainThe region falls within the Maputaland Coastal Forest Mosaic, an ecoregion characterised by a mix of moist coastal dune forest, woodlands, and wetlands – consisting of fresh-water pans and grasslands.On the 3 night trail – you will also wander the pristine golden-sand beaches north of Cape Vidal.
  • AccommodationFly Camp – Leave NO Trace. 2-sleeper dome tents with camping mats, fitted sheet and pillow provided (just bring your own sleeping bag). "Slackpacker" luxuries of a camp chair and warm shower. Campfire meals prepared for you.
  • Logistic SupportProfessionally guided Big-5 Wilderness trail (2 armed guides / per max 8 trailists) with a porter-chef team providing carrying, catering and camp set-up. Emergency Protocols & Support in place.
  • Group SizeMin 4 - maximum 8 trailists. Min age 14yrs if accompanied by a responsible adult.
  • Pricing3 Nights / 3.5 Days: R8 100/pp
At a Glance

The Eastern Shores region of iSimangaliso Wetland Park is renowned for its rich mosaic of vegetation biomes. This diversity arises from the interplay of coastal, wetland, and terrestrial ecosystems, creating a unique and biodiverse landscape. From a dynamic sandy shoreline across towering vegetated dunes (the highest in the world) to ancient wetland floodplains – diversity and endemism abound in these protected lands.

The opportunity exists to spot elephant, rhino, buffalo, crocodile, hippo, hyaena and leopard, diverse antelope and small game species; whilst also home to the humpback whale and endangered sea turtles. A Wilderness Trail along the Wetland Park’s Eastern Shores is a true bush-and-beach experience.

The trail meet-point is off the Vidal road, approximately 6km from St Lucia village. From here you will set out on-foot towards Lake Bhangazi and its surrounding pampas and forests.

Enquire about our scheduled trails within a particular month, or bring a minimum group of 4 and we will try schedule a trail by your date requests.

  1. Hike DaysTrails can be run all-year round. From November to March there is also the chance of turtle nesting and/or hatchling sightings.

    Hike days are changed up according to season, animal movements, guest interest's & capabilities.

    However on the 2 night trail – both hike days will be spent in the ‘bush’ – exploring the forests and pans between Lake Bhangazi and the coast.

    On the 3 night trail – an extra day of hiking allows for the ‘beach’ connection, with a 3rd night spent in a beach camp, and the opportunity for turtle sightings in-season.

With expansive wetlands, grasslands and forests, the Eastern Shore's is home to most antelope species including the iconic Waterbuck.

A Tent and Tea

This trail offers a back-to-roots 'primitive' experience but with a few appreciated, creature comforts. And most importantly: you don’t have to carry them yourselves!

2-(wo)man hiking tents (with a single option) provide cover against rain, or if you wish to sleep directly under the milky way: using the mesh liners only, to protect against mozzies.

But we also know, how a comfy camp chair is worth its weight in gold out on the trail – so this is another slackpacker luxury, as is a warm bucket shower to freshen-up.

Let our guide and on-trail chef prepare a hearty dinner & breakfast whilst you kick back with a cup-of-tea or Jammie’s around the fire.

The mobile camp set up under the protection of the ancient forest canopy.
A comfy campchair to relax back in after a day on the trail, is one of the 'slackpacker' comforts we have prioritised.
  1. What are we likely to see?

    With its fresh-water pans, swamp forest and grasslands, this area hosts many sought-after avian species such as the pink-throated twinspot, rufous-bellied heron, Livingstone’s turaco, dwarf bittern and Rudd’s apalis. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park boasts four of the traditional Big-5, with a good chance of sighting leopard, elephant and hippo's on this trail. During winter months - migrating Humpback and Southern Right Whales can be spotted breeching along the coast. From mid-November to March, there is also the chance of seeing a Giant Leatherback or Loggerhead female coming ashore to lay her eggs; whilst hatchlings start making their dangerous passage back to the ocean from early Jan.

  2. What is the quality of the food like?

    Our campfire cuisine will nourish your soul and your tum. Delicious, hearty dinners, cooked over an open fire, fresh breakfasts and trail lunches will all be provided.

    You are encouraged to bring your own trail snacks, and a little alcohol can definitely be savoured in the evenings, but no excessive drinking will be allowed for safety reasons and to avoid detracting from the wilderness experience.

  3. What is the best time of year for this trail?

    This is the ONLY Wilderness trail that we offer, that can be offered all year round! The Eastern Shores has a subtropical climate which generally means warm and humid summers, and mild dry winters. From April to September is the ideal hiking time for its mild days (average highs 23–26°C), lower humidity and least probablity of rain. But, if want to add the turtles to your sightings, then February is the most optimal month - as there is a possiblity of still seeing the females laying and the highest frequency of turtle hatchings.

  4. Do you run scheduled trails?

    There are some scheduled dates, so give us your date range, and we'll let you know what's going. BUt also, if you can arrange a minimum of 4 persons (maximum 8) - we will try to schedule a date as per your date request.

  5. Is malaria a problem here?

    The Eastern Shores region of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, including St Lucia and Cape Vidal, is NOT considered a malaria-risk area, but some consider there to be a very low risk . Unless you are a higher risk candidate, most travellers do NOT consider using malaria prophylaxis, but simple mosquito avoidance practices (like using repellant spray) is always recommended - malaria or not!

3 Nights / 3.5 Days: R8 100/per person/sharing

2 Nights / 2.5 Days: R5 700/per person/sharing

Whats included in this tour
  • 3.5/2.5 Day Expert Guided Walking Safari
  • 3/2 Nights in a pop-up bushcamp - Double/Twin hiking tents with camping mats and cover sheet + pillow provided. Just bring your own sleeping bag. Hot water bucket showers & hygienic bush toilets.
  • All meals- from a light lunch on arrival day to breakfast on departure day
  • Limited Soft drinks, tea and coffee - and you welcome to bring small quantities of alcohol if desired.
  • 2 x Experienced Wilderness Trails Guides
Whats not included in this tour
  • Any alcoholic drinks - welcome to bring your own in small volumes
  • Bhangazi Gate fee - approx R150/pp
  • Single Supplement - if you do not want to share a tent - 30% single supp on trail fee