Wild Coast Amble

This exciting hiking trail along the southern section of the Cape Wild Coast takes you along a beautiful coastline over headlands and along sandy beaches with breathtaking views. Enjoy a wide variety of bird & marine life whilst collecting shells along pristine stretches of beach. The terrain is moderate and the distance covers 56km over the 5 days. Each night you will be comfortably accommodated at unique venues along the way.

Day 1
Hikers will leave from East London and be transferred by road to Trennery's or Seagulls Hotel, via a pontoon across the Kei River, where they will arrive early afternoon. After lunch at the resort hikers will enjoy a visit to a cultural village, not a commercial one, and meet with the local Xhosa people. This is a unique experience for South African and foreign tourist alike. Spend the night at either of these two hotels, enjoying true Wild Coast hospitality.

Day 2 (14km)
Walk 6 km to the Kei River accompanied by a local, trained guide. Arrive at the river at 11.30 am, to board a barge type boat for a 3 hour cruise up the mighty Kei. A finger lunch will be served on board and there will be a bar facility available. On your return, you will amble the last 7 km to Morgan Bay, or we can arrange for a horse ride part of the way. (This is an optional extra.) Here you will be accommodated in private houses next to the hotel or in the hotel, with your every wish catered for.

Day 3 (14km)
The trail from Morgan Bay to Haga Haga is one of the highlights, affording you magnificent views, a river crossing, grassy headlands and long, shell-covered beaches. Spend the night in a private cabana at the Haga Haga Hotel, or in the hotel with all meals catered, sip a cocktail whist you watch the waves break only meters from the resort. The river crossing on this day could entail a swim if the tides are not in your favour. Hikers must be prepared for a little swim.

Day 4 (16km)
Another day of magnificent coast awaits you. The first section is along a rocky shore with small bays and gullies, with the last 7 km along a wide sandy beach. During the rainy season some of the rivers here may be open and entail a crossing, most of the year round they are closed, forming lagoons. Spend the night in luxury cabanas in a very pleasant private resort with lovely views and plenty of privacy. Your dinner will be served to you in the very interesting, quaint, local pub, some 300 meters up the road where you will experience the warmth and friendliness of the local folk.

Day 5 (12km)
This day's walk is mostly along sandy beaches; you will pass Cintsa Bay where you can stop off for cold liquid refreshment. The trail takes you past many small resorts most of them tucked behind a belt of coastal forest, so you may not even see them. This night is spent in wonderful seaside apartments at Glengariff only a few metres from the sea, where the only disturbance will be the roar of the ocean. Your meals will be served in a small clubhouse behind the apartments, where you will once again meet the hospitable Eastern Cape people.
You should arrive at your apartment around 2pm. At 2:30 pm you will be collected and taken to a wonderful resort, where you can enjoy a 2 hour canoe trail.

Day 6
Hikers are collected after breakfast and transferred back to EL or we can arrange a game drive at nearby Inkwekkwezi, a private game reserve. Prior notice essential.