HIKING ALONG THE WILD COAST

5-Day Scheduled Lodge Hiking Tour

The name Wild Coast invokes images of a romantic, pristine coastline far removed from the rest of the world. A secluded place where one can still find the true beauty of nature and the peacefulness of solitude. Located along the shore of the warm Indian Ocean, South Africa’s Wild Coast delivers all this and much more. It is the ideal place to get active with long, comfortable walks on beautiful sandy beaches and over the green hills of the former Transkei. With an experienced guide at your side and plenty of evenings spent around the campfire, it is the perfect recipe for those who want to slow down and get back to nature.

Don’t be intimidated by the long hiking distances and the sometimes-long hiking times. Many of the longer Wild Coast hiking trails do not have any significant elevation and the hiking times have been calculated according to a comfortable and relaxing walking pace.

 

Wild Coast River mouth

Highlights

Day 1-5; South Africa

  • Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve: Optional hike in a beautiful landscape
  • Wild Coast: Secluded, sandy beaches, untrampled hiking paths and evenings spent around the campfire, hike to the Msikaba Estuary, hike to the impressive Waterfall Bluff and to the Cathedral Rock

Facts

Scheduled safari:
Hiking along the Wild Coast
Tourcode: SAEXP05HIK
From: Durban
To: Durban
Min. number to guarantee tour: 2
Max number of participants: 10
Departure day: Monday, every four weeks from April until October
Price: from
Single Supplement: from

 

Itinerary

Day 1 | Durban – Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve

Driving distance approx. 180 km; driving time approx. 2 hours

Arrive at the King Shaka International airport around lunch time and your guide will be there to meet you with a smile. Alternatively, if you would rather arrive a day earlier, your guide can gladly pick you up from a lodge near the airport too. Please get in touch with us if you would like us to assist you with the booking of any pre-tour accommodation. Then, all set and with great anticipation, you start your journey and travel through the magnificent KwaZulu-Natal province, hugging the Indian Ocean coastline along the way. The first destination on your Wild Coast Hiking tour today is the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve and soon after arriving, you can set out on your first hike. A beautiful, self-guided hiking path leads you to an impressive lookout point from where you can marvel at the view surrounding you. Back at your accommodation, your guide has in the meantime been preparing a delicious dinner to round off a great start to your tour. You spend the night at the Oribi Gorge Camp.
Dinner

Day 2 | Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve – Wild Coast (Pondoland)

Driving distance approx. 200 km; driving time approx. 5-6 hours

Today, you journey to the magical Wild Coast. The Wild Coast delivers on that which its name suggests and more. What awaits you is a region of pristine beauty and an immaculate coastline. As you make your way through the former homeland Transkei, you pass through little villages, set on green hills overlooking the Indian Ocean. Once settled at your accommodation, you will be only a stone’s-throw away from a beautiful and undisturbed beach. Take off your shoes and go far a delightful walk on the beach. Take a deep breath of fresh ocean air and if you like, go for a swim in the shallow waters. In the evening and after a delicious dinner, you can sit around the campfire and watch as thousands of stars light up the night sky and listen to the crashing of the ocean’s waves in the background. You will spend the night at the Lambazi Lodge.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 3 | Wild Coast (Pondoland)

Hiking distance approx. 18 km, hiking time approx. 6-8 hours and hardly any elevation

If you are an early riser then what could be better than a sunrise-walk on the beach. Follow up your walk with a hearty breakfast, pack your daypack and you will be all set for today’s hike. Sections of today’s hike will be along the beach, while others will take you over beautifully green hills and along the same paths local fishermen and livestock have used for generations. The romantic coastline seemingly stretches on forever and is framed by river mouths, ragged cliffs, blue skies, and blue ocean waters. Be sure to also ask your guide about the Grosvenor, a ship which sank on this stretch of the Wild Coast in 1782 and has a fascinating story to tell. You continue your path until you reach the Msikaba Estuary, where you can take some time to admire the splendid views and the magnificence of nature. In the afternoon, you return to your lodge. A tasty dinner awaits you and a cosy evening exchanging stories, while sitting around the campfire. You overnight once more at the Lambazi Lodge.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4 | Wild Coast (Pondoland)

Hiking distance approx. 23 km; hiking time approx. 7-8 hours and hardly any elevation

Another scenic day at the Wild Coast lies before you. So have a satisfying breakfast before you set out on today’s hike. Allow your thoughts to wander and drift as you slowly proceed through the beautiful landscapes. It really can have a very calming effect on both your body and soul. Then a striking natural sight awaits you ahead, the Waterfall Bluff. Out of the cliff face sprouts a waterfall which descends approximately 80 metres towards the ocean. A little further still is Cathedral Rock, another impressive landmark. Watch as the ocean’s waves crash against the shaped rock and the water engulfs it from all sides. After enough time to admire your magnificent surroundings, it will be time to continue. As you reach the shore you might come across an unfamiliar sight, cows on a sandy beach. They seem to enjoy the cool sea breeze and can sometimes even be spotted knee-deep in the water. What works for them could very well work for you too, so why not take off your shoes and walk barefoot through the shallow water to your lodge for tonight, the Mbotyi River Lodge.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5 | Wild Coast (Pondoland) – Durban

Driving distance approx. 350 km; driving time approx. 5 hours

Have a relaxing start to the day and revel in the tranquillity of the Wild Coast once more. Walk down to the lagoon and maybe even go for an invigorating morning swim. You are in no rush today. After breakfast, it will be time to begin your return journey, your Wild Coast hiking tour is coming to an end. The road taking you back will at first be bumpy, but soon it will level out and on your drive you can contemplate all the wonderful memories you have of the Wild Coast: of its beautiful beaches and stunning hiking trails. Back in Durban, you say farewell to your guide and your tour with us comes to an end.
Breakfast

Please don’t book any flights from Durban before 4pm.

Alternatively, you can extend this wonderful journey by going on a self-drive tour from Durban onwards or by joining a safari in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park. Speak to one of our experienced South Africa Travel Experts for more information.

Includes

  • Transport in an air-conditioned minibus
  • Professional guide
  • 4 Nights’ stay in lodges, rest camps and guesthouses (depending on availability, accommodation of a similar standard will be booked
  • Meals according to the itinerary
  • Activities as per itinerary
  • All national park fees

Excludes

  • Flights (international and domestic)
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Optional activities
  • Tips
  • Personal expenses
  • Visa fees
  • Travel insurance

Map

Hiking along the Wild Coast map

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