Plan your trip
GETTING THERE
Chintsa is 45 minutes from East London on the N2, or about six hours from Bloemfontein via the N6. There is no bridge over the river in the village, so if you’re driving you must head back inland along Chintsa Drive to travel between the west and east sides. Or just walk along the beach between the two.
STAY HERE
Buccaneers Lodge & Backpackers is on the edge of the lagoon in Chintsa West, five minutes’ walk from the beach. Garden cottages are individually decorated and have a private patio with sea views. There is a communal kitchen for selfcatering, plus a restaurant, bar and pool. From R595 pp sharing. 043-734-3012, cintsa.com
Purple Haze Eco Lodge in Chintsa East offers stylish selfcatering in a peaceful location. Each unit has lovely views, a kitchenette, TV and WiFi. The rooftop deck is great for sunrise or sunset; the beach is less than 10 minutes’ walk. R390 pp sharing. 081-820-9920, purplehazeecolodge.com Crawfords Beach Lodge, on the beach in Chintsa East, is a family resort that offers full board, childcare services and activities, a pool and spa. From R1 100 pp sharing DBB, kids from R340 to R550 depending on their age. 043-738-5000, crawfordsbeachlodge.co.za
DO THIS
Join a Soup Kitchen Hike.
The walk is about 10 kilometres along the beach and through forest, with some of the best views I’d seen, to the township. After serving the food, there is time to play with the children before walking back to Chintsa West. R80 pp. 078-491-3262
Do a quad-bike safari at Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, which covers five different biomes. You could see the Big Five on a guided twohour ride. R695 pp, booking essential. 043-734-3234
Take a ride on the wild side on a beach-and-bush horse trail. The horses come from the Newhampshire Rehab Horse Farm nearby and rides last about three hours. R400 pp. 043-738-5141
Ride the waves with Ocean Xtreme on an inflatable boat – choose a ‘mild’ cruise or a ‘wild’ ride over the waves (or a combo of both). Keep an eye out for dolphins and whales in season. From R400 pp for an hour. Trips depend on weather and sea conditions. 083-486-5740 Taste the five local beers made by the Emerald Vale Brewing Co. The beer-tasting tray is R40 pp. There is a childfriendly restaurant on site, with farm animals and a playground, a milkshake bar for teens and The Hops Shop for sweets, jams and the like. Book ahead for a tour. 043-738-5397
Get spoiled at Prana Lodge. This beautiful lodge and spa is tucked behind the beach in a wonderful indigenous garden filled with enormous trees. The 60-minute fusion aromatic oil massage with breakfast/ lunch afterwards is R720 pp. 043-704-5100
EAT HERE
Tea in the Trees is a short drive from Buccaneers in Chintsa West. It’s good for breakfast, lunch or tea and cake (think chocolate or orange drizzle and mascarpone or mixed-berry cheesecake). The bacon, feta and avo open sandwich (R75) is a must. 072-611-2367 Village Bistro, near the beach in Chintsa East, is one of the busiest eateries in town. The staff are helpful and serve you with a smile. Meals start from R50; the coconut bread and soup are delicious. 043-738-5026 The Barefoot Cafe in Chintsa East is a colourful locals’ hangout, good for lunch, drinks or dinner. The ‘Moerse Burger’ (it’s as big as it sounds) costs R125; milkshakes are R32. 043-738-5297
The C Club is a rustic-chic venue with lots of outdoor spaces. It’s good for lunch or dinner, and serves grills and pizzas (from R65). It also does a Sunday lunch buffet for R185 pp. 043-738-5226