Pondoland paradise
Experience the untamed beauty of the Eastern Cape coastline on a guided self-drive tour with go! and Bhejane 4x4 Adventures.
DAY 1: We meet at Mbotyi River Lodge, where we will spend the next two nights. The lodge is a nature lover’s delight and the perfect place for relaxing away from the everyday stresses of life. The facilities include a swimming pool, mountain bikes, canoes and plenty of sunny decks.
DAY 2: After coffee and rusks there will be time to walk along the beach or go for a paddle on the Mbotyi estuary. Our day trip will take us to a Cape vulture colony, where more than 170 birds nest on the cliffs of a gorge. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch along the way. After our visit to the vulture colony, we’ll follow meandering jeep tracks along the coastline. (Please note, we will only make use of existing tracks and will never drive on the beach.) Next up is a visit to the Grosvenor shipwreck. Over the years, people have attempted many treasure-hunting tactics to get to her alleged bounty. We return to the lodge in the late afternoon in time for sundowners on the beach.
DAY 3: After breakfast we make our way to beautiful Coffee Bay and our next lodge, Ocean View. Our route takes us into the heart of the rural Wild Coast as we drive through a number of spectacular river gorges. Today is a fairly long drive and we will enjoy a picnic lunch en route. After a day on the road, Ocean View will be a welcoming home for the next two nights.
DAY 4: Today is more laid-back. We enjoy a late breakfast and some time on the beach, then head out to the mouth of the Mthatha River. Weather permitting, there’s time to go for a short canoe trip or cast a line. Lunch is at the White Clay restaurant, known all along the Wild Coast for its good food. After lunch, you can relax some more and enjoy the Coffee Bay area before dinner at Ocean View.
DAY 5: After breakfast, we pack up and head out down the coast to our last destination, The Haven Hotel. Along the way, we’ll visit the popular and iconic Hole-in-the-Wall landmark. We’ll again stop for a picnic lunch somewhere and then enter Dwesa-Cwebe Nature Reserve. The Haven is on the beach within this protected area.
DAY 6: Today we’ll enjoy the nature reserves on foot. There are a number of hikes you can do depending on your level of fitness. The Bhejane guide and staff from the hotel will be able to assist. Other activities at the hotel include horse riding and canoe trips. Our last day is celebrated with a seafood banquet!
DAY 7: After one final breakfast together, we say our goodbyes. It’s about a 90-minute drive back to the N2 near Mthatha.