Exploring the Wild Coast (UK)

TThe Eastern Cape has always been known for being the end of South Africa’s famous Garden Route and for its malaria-free private game reserves and national parks, however drive further east and you’ll find even more beauty.

South Africa’s Wild Coast has long been a secret among local South Africans in search of adventure. The route has opened up substantially to international visitors in recent years and offers a mixture of natural beauty, active adventure and Xhosa culture.

The route can be explored as an add-on to the Garden Route, however it can also be meandered separately by flying into Port Elizabeth and exploring this coastal section of the Eastern Cape before flying out of Durban.

CCrossing the Kei River into the former Transkei, via the Xhosa village of Qolora, you can explore Trevor’s Trail from Trennerys Hotel. It combines a river cruise and a trek in indigenous forest. It’s great for birders, and a guide can talk about the flora and traditional medicines. Finally, you take a boat through the Transkei Gates Gorge where you can do cliff jumping

This region of wild and rugged cliff-lined beaches, valleys, forests and undeveloped wilderness also stretches inland, covering rolling hills and beautiful landscapes. Coffee Bay is one of the world’s most remote and wild beaches. It’s long been a popular surfing spot, particularly for beginners, because of the gentle gradient of its main beach.

TTake a day trip to the much-photographed Hole in the Wall, an amazing geological feature carved out of rock by the crashing of waves. Morgans Bay is a pretty, tranquil resort near East London, surrounded by natural beauty. Sheer rock cliffs, covered in wild flowers, plunge down to the sea.

Head for Double Mouth for fishing, and to search for chips of porcelain and beads from the 17th-century shipwreck of the Santo Espirito, a Portuguese vessel carrying Ming china and Carnelian beads that sank o shore. Port St Johns is approached along a steaming river surrounded by jungle. The vibrant small town is known as the Jewel of the Wild Coast, and is an excellent place to experience Xhosa culture. Dense bush surrounds the town, and it doesn’t take long to reach silent forests or secluded beaches.

Follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Tag #MeetSouthAfrica to share your pics with us, or subscribe to our newsletter to get our latest updates sent directly to your mailbox.

Choose your country and language:

Africa

Americas

Asia Pacific

Europe

Product updates, media centre & trade events

Exploring the Wild Coast

Useful links

Explore