The Wild Coast resembles no other location in South Africa. Far from the turmoil of the cities, it's a location where backpackers mingle with Xhosa villagers, devoted surfers and new-age hippies far 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 livestock than automobiles on the roadway. Psychedelic green hills, crested with ultimate mud rondavels dominate the landscapes then part to expose a huge and unlimited shoreline framed below a staggering sky.
Spread along this coastline you'll find a few of South Africa's finest backpackers. The vibes are contagious, the setting magnificent and there are enough activities on offer to keep even the most passionate adventurist busy. Here are 30 factor's why you'll want 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. Discovering your own secret beach
The wild coast offers some 300 km of undisturbed shoreline. Sheltered from view by soaring cliffs, there are limitless bays, coves and secret spots ripe for discovery. And except for the grazing livestock, you're almost guaranteed to have them all to yourself.
2. Eating the freshest seafood you have actually probably ever tasted
Wander the shoreline and you make certain to face village kids gathering oysters and mussels, or a local anglers returning with his morning catch. Treat yourself to the freshest seafood picnic you'll ever have right there on the beach.
3. Enjoying a best sundown over the ocean (from a cliff, with a free sundowner).
All along the Wild Coast you will have your option of cliffs using perfect 360 panoramas of the sundown What could be better? How about the complimentary sundowners offered by the Coffee Shack as you rest on a hill ignoring the ocean, or the complementary ride approximately Port St. John's old airstrip by the Amapondo group for unequaled view of the whole coast.
4. Learning to browse with the most affordable lessons on the coast.
With broad sand beaches and browse catering to all levels, the Wild Coast is the perfect location to get a board. The hostels provide some amazing deals on novice lessons, with 2 hours group lessons for just 50 Rand. Multi-day programs are likewise on offer 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 beautiful coastal lagoons. Hire a canoe and head up anybody of these waterways passing through deep ravines, and taking in the colorful villages where the local kids will welcome you with a smile.
6. Free, yes FREE seafood!
Free sundowner sounded pretty awesome? Well how about totally free seafood? The Coffee Shack loves their freebies. From welcome drinks, to free nights' lodging they have a long list of unbelievable rewards that will have backpackers staying longer than planned. My preferred? The piping hot bowls of fresh mussels served totally free at the bar each night prior to supper. Yum!
7. Cliff jumping.
Adrenaline addicts will enjoy the chance to toss themselves off the Mpuzi cliffs into the breaking waves into the azar blue waves listed below. Located in between Coffee Bay and Mdumbi the cliffs use incredible views. It's a good day trek, so even if you're not inclined to start, it's the ideal location to bring up with a picnic and chill by the sea.
8. Skinny dipping on Chintsa beach.
Chintsa has among many incredible beaches I've ever checked out. Soft great sand stretches around a cove so huge that when the ocean breeze starts being available in you can't even see the other side. It's the perfect location for a long stroll, a romantic picnic or to get a bit saucy and take that nudie dip.
9. Experiencing a local taxi.
We've all seen the crazy mini bus taxi's roaring music and swerving alarmingly around Jo' burg and Cape Town. In the Wild Coast the local taxis are a whole different experience and a terrific method to get a sense of real neighborhood life. Flag down a transformed bakkie as it rattles on down a dusty road, and join the school kids, chickens and chattering ladies jostling for space on their way to the market. It's going to be a rough flight, however will likely provide the most lasting impression from your entire journey.
10. Taking part on an unscripted game of beach soccer.
All over on the Wild Coast you'll be welcomed by smiling school kids fishing, swimming or making their way to and from school. As night sets in impromptu games of soccer break out every where. The village kids will be more willing to take you on and demonstrate their extremely outstanding abilities.
11. Riding a horse down miles of untouched beach.
Just when you thought you couldn't find a more romantic sort of location, Bulangula lodge offers sunset horse trips along their stunning stretch of unblemished beach. What a terrific method to end an ideal day!
12. Reducing your footprint.
The Wild Coast is just that: wild, rugged, undiscovered, beautiful. Preserving this paradise is the ethos of many hostel owners here and can be seen in every aspect of their operations. Constructed utilizing sustainable methodologies and running partly or totally off the grid, these places utilize solar power, rocket shows and in your area grown produce to supply you with all your comforts while preserving the paradise that surrounds them. Check Out the Wild Lubanzi to discover their imaginative and cool environment-friendly restorations, and sleep under the stars.
13. Learning to play the drums.
Evenings are an opportunity to listen to some incredible local music as gifted young villagers pull-up around the campfire and fill the night air with local rhythms. Get a drum and see if you can keep up. Or sign-up for one of the drum making workshop in the village and discover to play your customized made drum.
14. Listening to the sounds of the ocean from your tent.
Camping is a terrific budget choice for backpackers and the Wild Coast has some of the best websites I have actually encountered on my journeys. The wide open areas indicate you will not have to worry about that loud drunk backpacker lumbering through, looking for 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 famous Coffee Shack.
A night on the Wild Coast is normally invested star looking or around the fire listening to the rhythms of local drummers. Once each month things are used up a notch as travelers originated from near and fare to experience the Coffee Shack's famous moon parties. Don't expect to get much sleep!
16. Getting lost treking.
The wild coast offers an incredible network of coastal routes extending all the method from Port Saint John's to Bulangula. From day walkings to week long adventures, there is something for everyone and it is sure to take your breath away. Paths pass through regional towns, green pastures and undulating coastline. Be prepared to cross rivers, discover unblemished beaches and ask directions from friendly villagers when you get a little lost.
17. Consuming Umbako (conventional Xhosa bread).
There is seriously nothing much better than the piping hot Xhosa bread discovered all use the wild coast. Baked in a poitjie over the fire, this mealie bread is dense and tasty. With a dob of butter it is just divine.
18. Investing a night around the campfire.
I can't consider a much better method to complete a day than bring up to a roaring fire under the stars. Weather condition permitting, you're almost guaranteed to find a fire pit crackling at each and every backpackers. What much better location to unwind, crack a beer and swap stories about the days occasions.
19. Going into communal dinners.
A big part of being a backpacker is socializing with similar travelers as you pick up the best pointers on where to head next. The communal suppers used at the majority of Wild Coast hostels create the perfect setting. Food is in your area grown and simply delicious. Think big portions, fresh produce, and standard Xhosa dishes. Be sure to sign up with one at Bulangula or the Wild Lubanzi.
20. Understanding that you are returning.
Most of the backpackers on the wild coast are partly or completely neighborhood owned, and all work closely with their local villages to safeguard cultural integrity and enhance education and services. This implies you can invest your dollars guilt free understanding it's going to the people who need it most in a region with some of the most affordable education and employment rates in South Africa.
21. Experiencing Bulangula's rocket showers.
Being off the grid does not imply you have to compromising on comfort, and no location shows this better than Bulangula! Their piping hot outdoor showers run off an in your area developed gas rocket chimney. Sounds incredible? It is!
22. Visiting the Hole in the Wall.
The Hole is the Wall is among those locations where nature truly flaunts. Here, where the Mpako river meets the coast, the Indian Ocean's remarkable power is revealed in the exceptional tunnels and caverns sculpted into the rock. Hole in the Wall can be gone to 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 remain. The river offers fantastic swimming for those wanting a break from the surf, and its dubious banks are the ideal place to park