The Wild Coast resembles no other location in South Africa. Far from the mayhem of the cities, it's a location where backpackers mingle with Xhosa villagers, devoted surfers and new-age hippies far away from the rest of the world. You'll know you have actually reached the Wild Coast when the highway gives-way to a rough dirt track, and you start to see more roaming animals than cars and trucks on the roadway. Psychedelic green hills, crested with ultimate mud rondavels control the landscapes then part to reveal a vast and endless coastline framed beneath a shocking sky.
Spread along this shoreline you'll find a few of South Africa's finest backpackers. The vibes are transmittable, the setting magnificent and there suffice activities on offer to keep even the most passionate adventurist busy. Here are 30 factor's why you'll wish to add the Wild Coast to your next South African travel plan, and why it may simply be the best location to be a backpacker on the planet!
1. Finding your own secret beach
The wild coast provides some 300 km of uninterrupted coastline. Sheltered from view by soaring cliffs, there are endless bays, coves and secret spots ripe for discovery. And except for the grazing cattle, you're almost guaranteed to have them all to yourself.
2. Consuming the freshest seafood you have most likely ever tasted
Wander the coastline and you make sure to run into town kids gathering oysters and mussels, or a regional anglers returning with his morning catch. Treat yourself to the freshest seafood picnic you'll ever have right there on the beach.
3. Viewing a perfect sundown over the ocean (from a cliff, with a free sundowner).
All along the Wild Coast you will have your option of cliffs providing ideal 360 panoramas of the sundown What could be better? How about the complimentary sundowners provided by the Coffee Shack as you rest on a hill neglecting the ocean, or the complementary ride as much as Port St. John's old airstrip by the Amapondo group for unparalleled view of the whole coast.
4. Finding out to surf with the cheapest lessons on the coast.
With wide sand beaches and browse catering to all levels, the Wild Coast is the ideal location to get a board. The hostels use some unbelievable offers on newbie lessons, with 2 hours group lessons for as low as 50 Rand. Multi-day programs are also available for those desiring a more intensive experience, or just lease a board and set out on your own.
5. Canoeing down the Wild Coast's beautiful rivers.
The Wild Coast is blessed with a bounty of rivers ending in stunning seaside lagoons. Employ a canoe and direct anyone of these waterways going through deep gorges, and taking in the colorful towns where the regional kids will welcome you with a smile.
6. Free, yes FREE seafood!
Free sundowner sounded quite amazing? Well how about complimentary seafood? The Coffee Shack loves their freebies. From welcome drinks, to complimentary nights' lodging they have a long list of extraordinary incentives that will have backpackers staying longer than prepared. My preferred? The piping hot bowls of fresh mussels served complimentary at the bar each night prior to dinner. Yum!
7. Cliff jumping.
Adrenaline addicts will enjoy the opportunity to toss themselves off the Mpuzi cliffs into the breaking waves into the azar blue waves below. Located between Coffee Bay and Mdumbi the cliffs provide amazing views. It's a good day hike, so even if you're not inclined to take the plunge, it's the best location to bring up with a picnic and chill by the sea.
8. Skinny dipping on Chintsa beach.
Chintsa has one of most amazing beaches I have actually ever checked out. Soft great sand stretches around a cove so big that when the sea breeze begins can be found in you can't even see the opposite. It's the ideal location for a long walk, a romantic picnic or to get a bit saucy and take that nudie dip.
9. Experiencing a regional taxi.
We have actually all seen the crazy mini bus taxi's blaring music and swerving precariously around Jo' burg and Cape Town. In the Wild Coast the local taxis are an entire different experience and a fantastic way to get a sense of genuine community life. Flag down a transformed bakkie as it babbles down a dirty roadway, and sign up with the school kids, chickens and chattering women scrambling for area on their method to the marketplace. It's going to be a rough ride, but will likely supply the most lasting impression from your entire journey.
10. Participating on an unscripted game of beach soccer.
Everywhere on the Wild Coast you'll be greeted by smiling school kids fishing, swimming or making their method to and from school. As night sets in impromptu video games of soccer break out every where. The village kids will be more happy to take you on and show their extremely remarkable abilities.
11. Riding a horse down miles of untouched beach.
Simply when you believed you couldn't discover a more romantic type of place, Bulangula lodge deals sunset horse flights along their lovely stretch of untouched beach. What a terrific method to end a perfect day!
12. Decreasing your footprint.
The Wild Coast is simply that: wild, rugged, undiscovered, pristine. Maintaining this paradise is the values of many hostel owners here and can be seen in every element of their operations. Constructed using sustainable approaches and running partially or totally off the grid, these locations utilize solar power, rocket shows and locally grown produce to provide you with all your conveniences while maintaining the paradise that surrounds them. Check Out the Wild Lubanzi to find out about their creative and funky environmentally friendly remodellings, and sleep under the stars.
13. Learning to play the drums.
Evenings are an opportunity to listen to some extraordinary regional music as talented young villagers pull-up around the campfire and fill the night air with regional rhythms. Get a drum and see if you can keep up. Or sign-up for among the drum making workshop in the village and find out to play your custom made drum.
14. Listening to the noises of the ocean from your camping tent.
Outdoor camping is a fantastic budget alternative for backpackers and the Wild Coast has a few of the very best sites I have actually discovered on my journeys. The broad open spaces mean you won't have to stress over that loud drunk backpacker lumbering through, trying to find the loos, so the only noise you'll need to fret about is the lapping of the waves.
15. Participating in a full moon celebration at the legendary Coffee Shack.
An evening on the Wild Coast is usually invested star gazing or around the fire listening to the rhythms of regional drummers. Once on a monthly basis things are taken up a notch as tourists originated from near and fare to experience the Coffee Shack's legendary moon parties. Do not anticipate to get much sleep!
16. Getting lost treking.
The wild coast provides an extraordinary network of seaside trails stretching all the way from Port Saint John's to Bulangula. From day hikes to week long experiences, there is something for everybody and it makes sure to take your breath away. Paths pass through local towns, green pastures and swelling shoreline. Be prepared to cross rivers, discover untouched beaches and ask directions from friendly villagers when you get a little lost.
17. Consuming Umbako (standard Xhosa bread).
There is seriously absolutely nothing better than the piping hot Xhosa bread found all offer the wild coast. Baked in a poitjie over the fire, this mealie bread is dense and delicious. With a dob of butter it is just magnificent.
18. Investing a night around the campfire.
I can't think of a much better method to finish a day than pulling up to a roaring fire under the stars. Weather permitting, you're practically guaranteed to discover a fire pit crackling at each and every backpackers. What better location to relax, crack a beer and swap stories about the days occasions.
19. Digging into communal dinners.
A huge part of being a backpacker is socializing with similar tourists as you get the very best tips on where to head next. The communal suppers offered at many Wild Coast hostels develop the ideal setting. Food is in your area grown and simply tasty. Think huge parts, fresh produce, and conventional Xhosa recipes. Be sure to sign up with one at Bulangula or the Wild Lubanzi.
20. Understanding that you are giving back.
The majority of the backpackers on the wild coast are partly or totally neighborhood owned, and all work carefully with their regional towns to protect cultural stability and improve education and services. This means you can spend your dollars regret complimentary knowing it's going to the people who need it most in a region with some of the lowest education and employment rates in South Africa.
21. Experiencing Bulangula's rocket showers.
Being off the grid doesn't indicate you need to compromising on comfort, and no location shows this much better than Bulangula! Their piping hot outdoor showers run off an in your area created lp rocket chimney. Sounds amazing? It is!
22. Visiting the Hole in the Wall.
The Hole is the Wall is one of those locations where nature truly displays. Here, where the Mpako river meets the coast, the Indian Ocean's awesome power is exposed in the impressive tunnels and caverns carved into the rock. Hole in the Wall can be checked out on a great day trek from Coffee Bay or Wild Lubanzi, but also hosts a backpackers, a resort and a stunning strip of beach if you decide to remain. The river offers fantastic swimming for those desiring