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Vacation Station
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THE
WILD COAST - EASTERN CAPE TO KWAZULU-NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA
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The Wild Wild Coast
by Sandy Cosser
The Wild Coast of South Africa
lies along its east coast. It is largely inaccessible and untamed, hence
the wildness. This also means that it has retained most of its natural
beauty and has been unspoilt by developers, which makes it a holidaymaker’s
paradise. Part of its unspoilt, natural charm is that a lot of the roads
are still gravel and full of potholes. It really is best to use a 4 x 4
to get by, although a regular car will suffice. If you don’t own a 4 x
4 though an option is to rent one for the duration of your holiday. That
way you don’t have to risk your car getting stuck on muddy or rocky roads.
It’s probably advisable to go for the insurance option on the rented 4
x 4, that way you won’t have to pay for any damage suffered on the roads.
 Xhosa
is the local language in that part of the country. You will find that not
many of the locals, apart from those in the hospitality trade, speak English.
It would be useful to learn a few basic words to get by and to increase
peoples’ general attitude towards you. A few examples are: Hello – molo;
how are you? – unjani; good bye – sala kakuhle; please – enkosi; thank
you – enkosi kakhulu; yes – ewe; no – hayi.
The Wild Coast has an excellent
climate for holidaymakers. It is neither too hot nor too cold all year
round. It varies slightly from temperate sub-tropical in the south to moderate
sub-tropical further north. In the winter, which is temperate, dolphins
and whales abound in the sea and the weather is ideal for a winter holiday,
as it rarely gets colder than 14 degrees Celsius. In fact, the best time
of year to visit Port St Johns is in April and May, as the seasons change
to winter. Temperatures in the summer months stay cool and comfortable.
The Wild Coast gets its rainfall in summer. You needn’t worries about the
mosquitoes though; despite its tropical climate it’s a malaria free zone.
Some of the towns that you
will encounter as you travel along the Wild Coast are: Viedgesville/Jojweni
– a town that has 2 names depending on the language you speak. You might
find either or both on a map. It’s a well travelled road and is tarred
all the way. Umtata – has many roads leading from it, the most travelled
one being the tarred one to Port St Johns, with beautiful countryside to
look at as one drives. There is also a less travelled road to the Umtata
River Mouth, which is not as good as the Port St Johns road.
Umtata is home to the Nelson
Mandela Museum, which is divided into 3 sections. The central section traces
his life with photos, write-ups and displays and the other 2 rooms display
all of the gifts that have been given to Nelson Mandela from all over the
world. There is also an open-air swimming pool and some craft projects.
Thirty kilometres north of Umtata is a little town called Qunu, which has
the enviable claim of being Nelson Mandela’s birthplace. You can see his
“palace” from the N2. One of the improvements that he has made there is
that he has had a tunnel built under the road so that the school children
can cross the road safely. The Mandela Museum runs free tours of the area
and if you book in advance you will be treated to a traditional Xhosa dinner.
 If
you feel a little bohemian, or artistic or you would simply like to soak
up that kind of atmosphere then Port St Johns is for you. It has the best
selection of accommodation and restaurants on the Wild Coast. It has also
become a haven for backpackers. It has 3 beaches, known very originally
as First Beach, Second Beach and Third Beach. They are each several kilometres
apart and unique in spirit and atmosphere. Quite a popular tourist attraction
is the natural geographical phenomenon – Hole in the Wall. The natural
movement of the sea has pounded a large tunnel through a freestanding cliff.
The area was a good one for
shipwrecks and to this day you have a very good chance of finding traces
of the wrecks that occurred. Beads, coins and pottery shards are often
found in rock pools. The locals have many colourful stories of their ancestors
who came from the ships that ran aground there. The small community of
Coffee Bay, which is not much more than a trading store, a plain camping
site and an old hotel, but is also one of the most beautiful spots on all
of the Wild Coast. The spectacular beach lies between rolling green hills
and the sparkling sea, and the view is simply breath taking. The bay got
its name when a ship full of coffee beans ran aground, some of the beans
took root and started to grow but the soil was too salty and the shrubs
all died. Today no trace of the coffee beans remains.
If you like your coastline
rugged and wild, and your beaches pristine and unspoilt, then the Wild
Coast is the place for you. If you like to work hard to reach your destination
and drive for long hours in difficult conditions and have infinite patience
with gravel and muddy roads, then the Wild Coast is for you. If you like
mountains and rolling hills and rural scenes and dodging farm animals then
the Wild Coast is for you. The Wild Coast is for anyone who likes to have
fun and who likes to relax and if that is not you, then what planet are
you from and where have you hidden the mothership?
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FEATURED
WILD COAST BED & BREAKFASTS, EASTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA
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Grande
Vista, Gonubie, WILD COAST
Within 3 km from the beaches
of Gunobie, Grande Vista has an outdoor pool area overlooking the banks
of Gonubie River. Spacious rooms have king size beds and satellite TV.
All the rooms at the Grande Vista are modern decorated and have a private
bathroom that comes with shampoo and soap products. The Grande Vista hotel
has a large tropical garden with palm trees that surround the outdoor pool.
Guests can relax at the lounge area next to the pool or gather around a
campfire in the garden. The Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, which houses
all the wild animals of the Big 5, is within 30 km of the hotel. |
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Seas
the Day, Gonubie, WILD COAST
Sips
B&B offers you a relaxed secure stay in rural Lusikisiki with comfortable
and affordable accommodation within close proximity to some of our province's
best beaches and attractions in the true essence of mother Africa.
With 32 double en-suite rooms, a conference centre with free wireless internet,
gardens, swimming pool, BBQ / Braai area, our home is a place you can call
home. We offer single rooms, double rooms and family rooms. total of 32
rooms. Offered on accommodation including breakfast. Lunch and dinner available
on request. |
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WILD
COAST GAME LODGES / PRIVATE GAME RESERVES, EASTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA
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Outspan
Safaris, B&B, Safari Lodge, Konga, WILD COAST
With
mountain views, Outspan Safaris is located in Komga and has a restaurant,
a shared lounge, bar, garden and terrace. Complimentary WiFi is provided.
There is a fully equipped private bathroom with shower and free toiletries.
Guests at the bed and breakfast can enjoy a Full English/Irish breakfast.
Guests at Outspan Safaris can enjoy billiards on site, or hiking in the
surroundings. The nearest airport is East London Airport, 81 km from the
accommodation. |
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Premier
Resort Mpongo Private Game Reserve, Lodge, WILD COAST
This
eco reserve has a natural swimming pool and a lodge restaurant serving
game. It is situated in the heart of the malaria-free Eastern Cape, a 30-minute
drive from East London’s city centre. The 3,500 hectare Mpongo Private
Game Reserve offers lodge and chalet accommodation, decorated in a European
style with African decorations. All rooms offer an en suite bath or shower.
The thatched-roof Huberta restaurant provides a charming view of the Mpongo's
property with its swimming pool. There is a traditional boma, a fireplace
terrace, where guest can relax in the evening with a drink. Mpongo offers
a variety of recreational activities, such as game drive safaris. |
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browsing accommodation on the Wild Coast
WILD
COAST GUEST HOUSES, EASTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA
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Cintsa
View, Guest House, Chintsa, WILD COAST
Located in Chintsa in the
Eastern Cape Region, 29 km from East London, Cintsa View features a Jacuzzi,
year-round outdoor pool, and barbecue. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar.
Free WiFi is featured and free private parking is available on site. Both
living areas are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels
and a DVD player. A balcony or patio are featured in certain rooms. Rooms
include a private bathroom with a shower and bath, with free toiletries
provided. You will find a kitchen and shops at the property. You can engage
in various activities, such as golfing and horse riding. The nearest airport
is East London Airport, 36 km from the property. |
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Cloud
9 On George Randall Drive, WILD COAST
High quality, good value
accomodation. Situated a stroll away from the beach, shops and restaurants.
Nestled in large tropical gardens where birds, butterflies and monkeys
are frequent visitors. Facilities include a large swimming pool,
braii area and access to internet (wi fi zone) and fax. Rooms are
all en suite and equipped with fridges, fans, safes, hairdryers, towels,
ironing facilities and hospitality trays. Full delicious breakfasts
are served on the covered verandah with the Indian Ocean as the backdrop.
Other meals are available on request. Special diets are catered for.
Secure parking is provided and the property is fully walled. |
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browsing accommodation on the Wild Coast
FEATURED
WILD COAST HOTELS, EASTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA
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Purple
Haze Eco Lodge, Chintsa, WILD COAST
Situated in Chintsa, within
8 km of Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve and 4.2 km of Emerald Vale Brewery,
Purple Haze Eco Lodge features accommodation with a garden and free WiFi
as well as free private parking for guests who drive. All rooms boast a
kitchenette and a private bathroom. The property provides sea views, a
barbecue and a 24-hour front desk. The rooms are fitted with a flat-screen
TV with satellite channels, microwave, a kettle, a shower, free toiletries
and a desk. Guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. The hotel offers
a sun terrace. Guests at Purple Haze Eco Lodge will be able to enjoy activities
in and around Chintsa, like hiking. |
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Umngazi
River Bungalows & Spa. Port St. Johns, WILD COAST
Set high on the Umngazi
hillside, Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa offers guests breath taking
views of the coast from the banks of the Mngazi River. There is free WiFi
and the spa features a treatment room with a spa bath overlooking the Umngazi
River and Indian Ocean. The hotel has a children's playground and views
of the sea. Featuring an outdoor shower, each guest room is warm and inviting
with touches of bright colours. Each bungalow has a private bathroom fitted
with a bath and complete with complimentary amenities. All rooms are equipped
with a ceiling fan and a safe. Guests of Umngazi River Bungalows &
Spa have beach and river access and can enjoy a variety of activities in
the area |
More
accommodation on the Wild Coast
FEATURED
WILD COAST SELF-CATERING/HOLIDAY RENTALS, EASTERN CAPE SOUTH AFRICA
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Coogee
Bay Unit 12, Holiday Rental Apartment, Gonubie, WILD COAST
Offering barbecue facilities
and sea view, Coogee Bay Unit 12 is situated in Gonubie, 1.2 km from Gonubie
Bird Sanctuary and 5 km from NG Church Gonubie. This beachfront property
offers access to a balcony and free private parking. The apartment features
2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV and a fully equipped kitchen that provides
guests with a microwave, a fridge, a washing machine, an oven and a stovetop.
The apartment features a sun terrace. Gonubie Farmers Hall is 13 km from
Coogee Bay Unit 12. The nearest airport is East London Airport, 32 km from
the accommodation. |
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Fairway
2, Self-Catering Apartment, Gonubie, WILD COAST
Located only 2.7 km from
NG Church Gonubie in Gonubie, Fairway 2 provides accommodation equipped
with a balcony, garden and outdoor pool. The air-conditioned accommodation
is 1.8 km from Gonubie Bird Sanctuary, and guests benefit from private
parking available on site and free WiFi. The apartment comes with 1 bedroom,
1 bathroom, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a dining area, a
fully equipped kitchenette, and a patio with garden views. A barbecue and
a terrace are featured at the apartment. Gonubie Farmers Hall is 12 km
from Fairway 2. The nearest airport is East London Airport, 31 km from
the accommodation. |
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