The Wild Coast resembles no other destination in South Africa. Far from the chaos of the cities, it's a location where backpackers mingle with Xhosa villagers, devoted internet users and new-age hippies far away from the remainder of the world. You'll understand 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 road. Psychedelic green hills, crested with quintessential mud rondavels control the surroundings then part to expose a large and endless coastline framed underneath an incredible sky.
Scattered along this shoreline you'll find some of South Africa's finest backpackers. The vibes are contagious, the setting amazing and there are enough activities on offer to keep even the most avid adventurist hectic. Here are 30 factor's why you'll want to include the Wild Coast to your next South African schedule, and why it may just be the best location to be a backpacker in the world!
1. Finding your own secret beach
The wild coast provides some 300 km of undisturbed coastline. Sheltered from view by skyrocketing cliffs, there are unlimited bays, coves and secret spots ripe for discovery. And other than for the grazing cattle, you're practically ensured to have them all to yourself.
2. Eating the best seafood you have actually probably ever tasted
Wander the coastline and you make sure to run into town children gathering oysters and mussels, or a regional anglers returning with his early morning catch. Treat yourself to the best seafood picnic you'll ever have right there on the beach.
3. Seeing a perfect sunset over the ocean (from a cliff, with a free sundowner).
All along the Wild Coast you will have your choice of cliffs using best 360 panoramas of the sundown What could be much better? How about the complimentary sundowners offered by the Coffee Shack as you rest on a hill overlooking the ocean, or the complementary trip up to Port St. John's old airstrip by the Amapondo group for unequaled view of the entire coast.
4. Discovering to browse with the cheapest lessons on the coast.
With large sand beaches and surf catering to all levels, the Wild Coast is the perfect location to pick up a board. The hostels offer some extraordinary offers on newbie lessons, with 2 hours group lessons for as low as 50 Rand. Multi-day programs are likewise available for those wanting a more intensive experience, or merely rent a board and set out on your own.
5. Canoeing down the Wild Coast's pristine rivers.
The Wild Coast is blessed with a bounty of rivers ending in gorgeous seaside lagoons. Work with a canoe and direct anybody of these waterways going through deep ravines, and taking in the vibrant villages where the local kids will greet you with a smile.
6. Free, yes FREE seafood!
Free sundowner sounded quite awesome? Well how about totally free seafood? The Coffee Shack loves their freebies. From welcome beverages, to free nights' lodging they have a long list of unbelievable rewards that will have backpackers remaining longer than prepared. My favorite? The piping hot bowls of fresh mussels served complimentary at the bar each night before dinner. Yum!
7. Cliff jumping.
Adrenaline addicts will like the opportunity to throw themselves off the Mpuzi cliffs into the breaking waves into the azar blue waves listed below. Located between Coffee Bay and Mdumbi the cliffs use spectacular views. It's a good day hike, so even if you're not inclined to take the plunge, it's the perfect location to pull up with a picnic and chill by the sea.
8. Slim dipping on Chintsa beach.
Chintsa has one of most fantastic beaches I've ever gone to. Soft great sand stretches around a cove so huge that when the ocean breeze starts coming in you can't even see the opposite. It's the perfect place 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 insane mini bus taxi's shrieking music and swerving alarmingly around Jo' burg and Cape Town. In the Wild Coast the regional taxis are an entire different experience and a fantastic way to get a sense of real community life. Flag down a converted bakkie as it babbles down a dirty roadway, and sign up with the school child, chickens and chattering women scrambling for area on their way to the market. It's going to be a bumpy ride, however will likely offer the most lasting impression from your entire journey.
10. Taking part on an unscripted video game of beach soccer.
All over on the Wild Coast you'll be welcomed by smiling school child fishing, swimming or making their way to and from school. As night sets in unscripted games of soccer break out every where. The town kids will be more going to take you on and demonstrate their really 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 rides along their gorgeous stretch of untouched beach. What a terrific method to end an ideal day!
12. Minimizing your footprint.
The Wild Coast is just that: wild, rugged, undiscovered, beautiful. Maintaining 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 methods and running partly or absolutely off the grid, these places utilize solar power, rocket programs and in your area grown produce to offer you with all your comforts while preserving the paradise that surrounds them. Go To the Wild Lubanzi to find out about their innovative and cool environment-friendly renovations, and sleep under the stars.
13. Learning to play the drums.
Evenings are an opportunity to listen to some extraordinary regional music as gifted 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 one of the drum making workshop in the town and learn to play your custom made drum.
14. Listening to the sounds of the ocean from your tent.
Outdoor camping is an excellent spending plan alternative for backpackers and the Wild Coast has a few of the best websites I've encountered on my travels. The broad open spaces indicate you won't have to fret about that noisy drunk backpacker lumbering through, searching for the bathrooms, so the only noise you'll need to stress over is the lapping of the waves.
15. Participating in a moon party at the legendary Coffee Shack.
An evening on the Wild Coast is generally invested star looking or around the fire listening to the rhythms of local drummers. But once every month things are used up a notch as tourists originated from near and fare to experience the Coffee Shack's legendary moon celebrations. Don't anticipate to get much sleep!
16. Getting lost hiking.
The wild coast offers an incredible network of coastal tracks extending all the way from Port Saint John's to Bulangula. From day walkings to week long experiences, there is something for everyone and it makes sure to take your breath away. Paths travel through local villages, green pastures and swelling shoreline. Be prepared to cross rivers, find untouched beaches and ask instructions from friendly villagers when you get a little lost.
17. Consuming Umbako (conventional Xhosa bread).
There is seriously absolutely 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 tasty. With a dob of butter it is merely magnificent.
18. Spending a night around the campfire.
I can't think of a better way to finish a day than bring up to a roaring fire under the stars. Weather condition allowing, you're practically ensured to find a fire pit crackling at each and every backpackers. What better location to relax, break a beer and swap stories about the days events.
19. Digging into communal suppers.
A big part of being a backpacker is fraternizing similar tourists as you pick up the very best ideas on where to head next. The common suppers used at most Wild Coast hostels develop the best setting. Food is locally grown and just delicious. Believe huge portions, fresh produce, and traditional Xhosa recipes. Be sure to join one at Bulangula or the Wild Lubanzi.
20. Understanding that you are giving back.
Most of the backpackers on the wild coast are partly or totally neighborhood owned, and all work carefully with their local villages to protect cultural stability and improve education and services. This indicates you can spend your dollars guilt totally free understanding it's going to individuals who require it most in an area with some of the lowest education and employment rates in South Africa.
21. Experiencing Bulangula's rocket showers.
Being off the grid doesn't mean you need to compromising on convenience, and no place demonstrates this much better than Bulangula! Their piping hot outdoor showers run a locally designed gas rocket chimney. Sounds incredible? It is!
22. Going to the Hole in the Wall.
The Hole is the Wall is one of those locations where nature really flaunts. Here, where the Mpako river satisfies the coast, the Indian Ocean's amazing power is revealed in the remarkable tunnels and caverns carved into the rock. Hole in the Wall can be gone to on a nice day trek from Coffee Bay or Wild Lubanzi, but also hosts a backpackers, a resort and a spectacular strip of beach if you decide to stay. The river uses excellent swimming for those wanting a break from the browse,