4-6 Persons
Pondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
Keen to hike the most rugged and pristine section of Wild Coast, but don't feel like the schlep of planning and preparing meals, or bringing little more than your tekkies and a beach towel? Provided your hike is planned for outside the peak school holidays, we can offer a fully supported and catered version of the 3 & 5 night Pondo-Explorer trail.
You will overnight at the same East African style tented camps, but all bedding will be supplied. Your main kit bags will be transferred from camp to camp by vehicle, so you need only hike with a light daypack. Dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch for each trail day, will be provided by the tented camps and your third night is spent at Mbotyi River Lodge.
- Trip Duration3 or 5 Night Std Hike Options
- Daily DistancesDay 1: 16km Day 2: 18.5km Day 3: 11km Day 4: 10km Day 5: 13km
- Trail Grade3 / 5 - Fitness. Easy gradient for first 2 days but higher daily distances. More hills on Day’s 3 & 4.2 / 5 - Technicality. Limited scrambling. Some sheer sections for viewpoints (optional).
- Trail TerrainCoastal Trail - traversing grasslands with deep forest ravines and gorges, rocky headlands, sandy beaches and passing through friendly Pondo villages.
- AccommodationTented Camps - twin bedded safari tents with ensuite ablutions & hot shower. Central kitchen & dining boma.1 Night at Mbotyi River Lodge
- Logistic SupportThis is a fully catered and vehicle supported hiking trailBedding and towels will be providedPath-finder included on all trails
- Group SizeMin 4 persons for the 5N HopperMin 2 persons for the 3N Hopper.Maximum of 24 persons/group.
- PricingOn a group of 4-6 persons: R8,400/pp for the 5 Night Hopper
At a Glance
Overnighting in the same East African style tented camps as the pondo-explorer, but with all bedding supplied. Your main kit bags will be transferred from camp to camp by vehicle, so you need only hike with a light daypack. Dinner, breakfast and a packed lunch for each trail day will be provided by the tented camps and your third night is spent at Mbotyi River hotel.
The tented camps all have superb locations - sheltered under the milkwoods overlooking an estuary, or perched on a hillside offering panoramic sea views. This fully supported hike is a fantastic trail to do with a group of friends looking for a hike that is within reach of the average hiker and with enough activities - like canoeing up the estuaries, fishing and swimming, to keep the Duracell bunnies entertained.
- Day 1Arrival & Transfer Day
- Day 2Hike Day 1: Msikaba to Luphuthana Camp (16km)
- Day 3Hike Day 2: Luphuthana – Mbotyi River Lodge (18.5km)
- Day 4Hike Day 3: Mbotyi River Lodge - Manteku (11km)
- Day 5Hike Day 4: Manteku – Ntafufu (10km) (Breakfast, packed lunch & dinner)
- Day 6Hike Day 5: Ntafufu - PSJ (13km / 4.5-5hr hike)
1 Night DBB at Mbotyi River Lodge – Riverview Chalets.
2 / 4 Nights Tented Camps - twin bedded safari tents on wooden platforms under thatch boma's with ensuite ablutions & hot water gas shower. Central kitchen & dining boma where meals will be served.
Breakfast at Ntafufu Tented Camp
Mbotyi River Lodge -Estuary & Seaview
- How do I get to the start of the trail?
- What is the best time of year for this trail?
- What type of footwear is appropriate?
- Do you cater for vegetarians and other dietary constraints?
- What about drinks?
- Can this hike be shortened or lengthened?
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
- Wild CoastPondo-Hopper Hiking Trail
5 Night/ 5 Day Pondo-Hopper
Group Size | Price (PP) | |
---|---|---|
R8400/pp | ||
9-10 Persons | R7800/pp | |
11 or more | R7600/pp |
3 Night / 2 Hike Day Pondo-Hopper
Group Size | Price (PP) | |
---|---|---|
2 Persons | R7900/pp | |
3 Persons | R7500/pp | |
4-5 Persons | R6400/pp | |
6-8 Persons | R6100/pp |
Whats included in this tour
- Transfer from Port St Johns (or Mbotyi) to Msikaba trail head
- 3/5 Nights Accommodation: 2/4 nights in tented camps, 1 night at Mbotyi hotel
- Full Catering: DBB + Packed Lunch from all the tented camps & Mbotyi hotel
- Daily Luggage transfers
- Bedding and Towels provided
- Local Guide / Pathfinder for all hike days
- Reserve Permits & Trail Fees
- Canoes – available at Msikaba & Manteku Camps
- Emergency Support Service