The Wild Coast is like no other location in South Africa. Far from the turmoil of the cities, it's a place where backpackers mingle with Xhosa villagers, devoted surfers and new-age hippies far away from the rest of the world. You'll know you've reached the Wild Coast when the highway gives-way to a rough dirt track, and you begin to see more roaming livestock than cars on the roadway. Psychedelic green hills, crested with essential mud rondavels dominate the landscapes then part to expose a huge and endless coastline framed beneath an incredible sky.
Scattered along this shoreline you'll discover a few of South Africa's finest backpackers. The vibes are transmittable, the setting amazing and there are enough activities on offer to keep even the most passionate adventurist busy. Here are 30 reason's why you'll wish to include the Wild Coast to your next South African schedule, and why it may simply be the best location to be a backpacker worldwide!
1. Finding your own secret beach
The wild coast offers some 300 km of uninterrupted shoreline. Sheltered from view by soaring cliffs, there are unlimited bays, coves and secret spots ripe for discovery. And other than for the grazing livestock, you're almost guaranteed to have them all to yourself.
2. Eating the freshest seafood you have actually most likely ever tasted
Wander the coastline and you make sure to encounter village children gathering oysters and mussels, or a local anglers returning with his early morning catch. Treat yourself to the best seafood picnic you'll ever have right there on the beach.
3. Watching an ideal sunset over the ocean (from a cliff, with a free sundowner).
The whole time the Wild Coast you will have your choice of cliffs offering best 360 panoramas of the sundown What could be much better? How about the free sundowners provided by the Coffee Shack as you sit on a hill overlooking the ocean, or the complementary flight approximately Port St. John's old airstrip by the Amapondo group for unparalleled view of the entire coast.
4. Discovering to browse with the cheapest lessons on the coast.
With large sand beaches and browse catering to all levels, the Wild Coast is the perfect location to pick up a board. The hostels use some extraordinary deals on newbie lessons, with 2 hours group lessons for just 50 Rand. Multi-day programs are also available for those wanting a more extensive 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 lovely coastal lagoons. Hire a canoe and direct anybody of these waterways travelling through deep ravines, and taking in the colorful villages where the local kids will greet you with a smile.
6. Free, yes FREE seafood!
Free sundowner sounded pretty awesome? Well how about complimentary seafood? The Coffee Shack loves their giveaways. From welcome drinks, to totally free nights' lodging they have a long list of incredible incentives that will have backpackers remaining longer than prepared. My favorite? The piping hot bowls of fresh mussels served complimentary at the bar each night prior to dinner. Yum!
7. Cliff leaping.
Adrenaline addicts will like the opportunity to throw themselves off the Mpuzi cliffs into the breaking waves into the azar blue waves below. Located between Coffee Bay and Mdumbi the cliffs provide incredible views. It's a nice day hike, so even if you're not inclined to start, it's the perfect place to pull up with a picnic and chill by the sea.
8. Slim dipping on Chintsa beach.
Chintsa has one of the majority of fantastic beaches I've ever visited. Soft great sand stretches around a cove so big that when the sea breeze begins being available in you can't even see the other side. It's the best location for a long walk, a romantic picnic or to get a bit cheeky and take that nudie dip.
9. Experiencing a regional taxi.
We have actually all seen the crazy mini bus taxi's blasting music and swerving precariously around Jo' burg and Cape Town. In the Wild Coast the regional taxis are a whole different experience and a fantastic way to get a sense of genuine community life. Flag down a transformed bakkie as it rattles on down a dusty road, and join the school child, chickens and chattering girls scrambling for area on their way to the market. It's going to be a rough ride, but will likely provide the most long lasting impression from your whole trip.
10. Taking part on an unscripted video game of beach soccer.
Everywhere on the Wild Coast you'll be greeted by smiling school child 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 demonstrate their really outstanding skills.
11. Riding a horse down miles of untouched beach.
Simply when you believed you couldn't find a more romantic sort of location, Bulangula lodge offers sunset horse rides along their stunning stretch of unblemished beach. What a fantastic way to end an ideal day!
12. Minimizing your footprint.
The Wild Coast is just that: wild, rugged, undiscovered, beautiful. Protecting this paradise is the principles of the majority of hostel owners here and can be seen in every aspect of their operations. Constructed using sustainable methodologies and running partially or totally off the grid, these places use solar energy, rocket shows and locally grown produce to provide you with all your comforts while maintaining the paradise that surrounds them. Check Out the Wild Lubanzi to discover their imaginative and funky environment-friendly restorations, and sleep under the stars.
13. Discovering to play the drums.
Nights are a chance to listen to some unbelievable local music as skilled young villagers pull-up around the campfire and fill the night air with regional rhythms. Get a drum and see if you can maintain. Or sign-up for among the drum making workshop in the village and discover to play your custom made drum.
14. Listening to the noises of the ocean from your camping tent.
Outdoor camping is a terrific budget plan option for backpackers and the Wild Coast has some of the best sites I've encountered on my travels. The wide open spaces imply you will not have to stress over that noisy intoxicated backpacker lumbering through, trying to find the loos, so the only sound you'll require to worry about is the lapping of the waves.
15. Participating in a moon party at the famous Coffee Shack.
A night on the Wild Coast is usually invested star gazing or around the fire listening to the rhythms of local drummers. Once on a monthly basis things are taken up a notch as travelers come from near and fare to experience the Coffee Shack's legendary moon parties. Don't expect to get much sleep!
16. Getting lost treking.
The wild coast provides an incredible network of coastal tracks stretching all the method from Port Saint John's to Bulangula. From day walkings to week long experiences, there is something for everybody and it is sure to take your breath away. Trails pass through regional villages, green pastures and swelling shoreline. Be prepared to cross rivers, find unblemished beaches and ask instructions from friendly villagers when you get a little lost.
17. Consuming Umbako (conventional Xhosa bread).
There is seriously nothing better than the piping hot Xhosa bread found all provide the wild coast. Baked in a poitjie over the fire, this mealie bread is thick and scrumptious. With a dob of butter it is simply divine.
18. Spending a night around the campfire.
I can't think of a much better way to end up a day than bring up to a roaring fire under the stars. Weather allowing, you're practically ensured to find a fire pit crackling at each and every backpackers. What better location to loosen up, break a beer and swap stories about the days occasions.
19. Digging into common dinners.
A big part of being a backpacker is fraternizing similar tourists as you pick up the best suggestions on where to head next. The common dinners used at many Wild Coast hostels develop the ideal setting. Food is in your area grown and just tasty. Think huge portions, fresh produce, and conventional Xhosa recipes. Make certain to join one at Bulangula or the Wild Lubanzi.
20. Understanding that you are returning.
Most of the backpackers on the wild coast are partially or completely neighborhood owned, and all work closely with their local villages to safeguard cultural stability and enhance education and services. This means you can spend your dollars guilt free understanding it's going to individuals who require it most in a region with some of the lowest education and work rates in South Africa.
21. Experiencing Bulangula's rocket showers.
Being off the grid doesn't imply you have to sacrificing on comfort, and no place shows this better than Bulangula! Their piping hot outdoor showers run a locally designed lp rocket chimney. Sounds remarkable? It is!
22. Visiting the Hole in the Wall.
The Hole is the Wall is one of those places where nature truly flaunts. Here, where the Mpako river fulfills the coast, the Indian Ocean's remarkable power is exposed in the exceptional tunnels and caverns sculpted into the rock. Hole in the Wall can be checked out on a nice day trek from Coffee Bay or Wild Lubanzi, however likewise hosts a backpackers, a resort and a spectacular strip of beach if you choose to stay. The river provides fantastic swimming for those desiring a break from the browse, and its shady banks are the perfect