South Africa Wild Coast Hike

Wild Coast, Eastern Cape, South Africa · South Africa

Moderate7 daysAfrica~£600 est.

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Overview

The Wild Coast is South Africa's Eastern Cape at its rawest: green hills dropping into the Indian Ocean, Xhosa villages of turquoise rondavels, empty beaches walked mostly by cattle. The classic hiking stage runs south from Coffee Bay along cliff paths and river mouths to Hole in the Wall — the wave-cut arch the Xhosa call esiKhaleni, 'the place of sound', for the boom of swell through the gap. Multi-day versions continue village-to-village with nights in community-run huts and family homestays, or take the hotel-to-hotel comfort of the Wild Coast Meander further south. River mouths set the itinerary: several crossings are wade-or-swim jobs, so time them for low tide, keep valuables in a dry bag, and hire a local guide — it puts money in the right hands and the unmarked paths make far more sense. Winter (May-August) brings dry days, whales, and in June-July the sardine run offshore. It is superb value: guided village-stay hikes run about £600 for a week including meals; getting to Mthatha or Coffee Bay is the long part.