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
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.
- Hike DaysTrails can be run all-year round. From November to March there is also the chance of turtle nesting and/or hatchling sightings.
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.
- What are we likely to see?
- What is the quality of the food like?
- What is the best time of year for this trail?
- Do you run scheduled trails?
- Is malaria a problem here?
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
- North CoastEastern Shores Wilderness Trail
3 Nights / 3.5 Days: R8 100/per person/sharing
2 Nights / 2.5 Days: R5 700/per person/sharing
- 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
- 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