14 Day Wild Coast Wildlife… (trip)
14 Day Wild Coast Wildlife Adventure
- South Africa
- Culture & Nature
| from €1,280* per person | 14 Days | Year-round |
| Simple accommodations | Exertion level: 3 | |
| Operator: Tokoloshi Expeditions | 7 people max | |
This expedition is for the wild at heart who have a sense of adventure and enjoy roughing it in style! After exploring the wild reserves of the Eastern Cape including Dwesa, Hluleka, Silaka & Mkambati we finish in Durban with its tropical atmosphere and African Charm...An unforgettable experience! Tented lodging and African Lodges.
Highlights
Small groups - max 8 persons
Exclusive nature reserves
Skills and knowledge of qualified guide
High quality logistics insuring maximum comfort while camping
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Locations visited/nearby
South Africa, Africa
0 testimonials about this trip.
1 testimonial about the provider, Tokoloshi Expeditions:
-
Reviewer: Lucy Edwards
located in
Adelaide,
Australia
Tokoloshi Expeditions
After questioning what a Tokoloshi is and discovering it meant “A mischievous hairy dwarf” who is known in African folklore as something “thwarted by ladders and unable to climb” we would never have predicted the days ahead.
After meeting our wonderful guide, who was on time and greeted us with a friendly “Howzit”, we were driven to a cabin in the Woody Cape Section of the Addo Elephant National Park. A couple of beers, a braai, and early to bed.
We woke early and set off on what seemed to be a gentle stroll through the beautiful Ancient Yellowwood forests. Our guide stopped to show us prints and tell us about plants. The forest which initially sheltered us from the sky, slowly opened to allow swords of light as the sun rose. Some early animal sightings kept us alert but before we knew it we went from forest to foreshore, as small wooden steps led us to the ocean.
Walking along the sand was somewhat mystic as we looked in every direction and could not see a house, a car, or even a footprint. The largest dune field in the Southern Hemisphere is sure not to disappoint. The only thing to cause us grief was the fact that the camera would not do the sights justice… the dunes were bigger, the water was clearer and the scene was more dynamic than we could ever describe.
With the beautiful view below we were told we were staying just around the corner which was technically right but it was a hell of a corner. We shifted from flat sand to slight inclines and then rocks and we hugged ‘the corner’ of massive dune. We knew that there were stairs to take us to the top of the dune but couldn’t imagine how someone could have built stairs all the way out there. And then we saw it. A simple rope. We had to pull ourselves up, eventually hitting the wooden stairs. The top was amazing! Indescribable!
The accommodation was at least 5 stars - not that it had running water, power, or a spa but the fact that it sat under a million stars with a view of hundred dolphins. We were exhausted but somewhat reenergised by our surroundings.
The next day didn’t fail to keep impressing us. Beautiful dunes to farm land and back to the forest. This is not something you can do without the help of a guide and ours at Tokoloshi Expeditions was extremely capable and thankfully neither “mischievous” nor “unable to climb ladders”. If you are spending time in South Africa the Alexandria Trail is a must. Forests, fynbos, fields, foreshores… Unforgettable!
Lucy EdwardsLanguages, Performing Arts, English Coordinator
Balaklava High School
Ph: (08) 88620600
Special information
- This is a custom departure, meaning this trip is offered on dates that you arrange privately with the provider. Additionally, you need to form your own private group for this trip. The itinerary and price here is just a sample. Contact the provider for detailed pricing, minimum group size, and scheduling information. For most providers, the larger the group you are traveling with, the lower the per-person cost will be.
- Family oriented trip.
Itinerary
Day 1: East London airport to Wavecrest
180km (2h45)
Welcome at airport by our local team. Transfer to wavecrest.
Situated on a pristine, mangrove-lined estuary, surrounded by magnificent dune forests and endless expanses of beach.
ACCOMODATION:
Wavecrest Beach Hotel is situated on a pristine, mangrove-lined estuary, surrounded by magnificent dune forests and endless expanses of beach.
Wavecrest Beach Hotel and Spa, on the Wild Coast, offers lovely sea- and garden-facing accommodation.
The family chalets at Wavecrest Beach Hotel all have a second bedroom, which is ideal for the kids to share.
Sea-facing rooms have spectacular views over the river, beach, and ocean.
ACTIVITIES:
Boat cruises - exploring the pristine rivers and mangrove swamps with excellent birding
Day 2: Mazeppa Bay
55km (1h30)
Transfer after breakfast to Mazeppa
Nestled in a beautiful setting of palms and tropical plants, above the broad beach, Mazeppa Bay is characterized by its own Island. Depending on the tide, this is sometimes only accessible by a quaint suspension bridge, which joins the Island to the main beach.
ACCOMODATION:
Coastal lodge
ACTIVITIES:
A walk in the forest is a definite treat, alive with
ancient trees & tropical flowers. The peacefulness can be quite eerie at
times especially for the city folk who are not used to the silence.
After a eventful day bar snacks at 6:00pm will keep the hunger at bay while you
enjoy a sundowner in "The Red Blanket" or "Seaview" Bar
with its romantic view of the Indian Ocean fringed by palm trees.
A visit to the "Island" by means of the quaint suspension bridge is a
must and do not let anyone call you chicken!
Day 3&4: Dwesa/Cwebe nature reserve
80km (3h)
Transfer after breakfast to Dwesa/Cwebe nature reserve
Spanning a unique blend of coastal forest, winding rivers, open grassland and a diverse coastline, Dwesa Nature Reserve offers visitors a range of trails through lush forests and magnificent ocean views in this 3500ha reserve. Situated in the central Wild Coast, Dwesa Nature Reserve is separated by the Mbashe River and bordered by the Indian Ocean on one side, and rugged grasslands of the former Transkei on the other. This is a paradise for avid bird-watchers with 290 species recorded, including the Narina Togon and Mangrove Kingfisher
Accomodation:
Bungalow/chalet type accommodation with all meals prepared by the guide
Activities:
Game drives and nature walks
Day 5&6: Coffee Bay
100km (4h)
Transfer after breakfast to Coffee Bay, then enjoy the many sights of the area including the famous 'hole-in-the-wall' and the magnificent beaches of Mdumbi with Fantastic snorkelling/surfing/walking/fishing/birding opportunities…
Accomodation:
Camping at White Clay Resort with all meals prepared by the guide
Activities:
Scenic drive to Mdumbi with walking and snorkelling opportunity, Optional drum building and lessons at the coffee shack in coffee bay.
Day 7: Hluleka Nature Reserve
80km (3h)
Transfer after breakfast to Hluleka nature reserve
Combining lush indigenous forests, a beautiful rocky coastline, unspoilt beaches and rolling grasslands, the Hluleka Nature Reserve lies along the ancient Wild Coast within the district of Ngqeleni. Hluleka’s rich biodiversity offers visitors a chance to view indigenous animal species such as the blue duiker, elusive eland, zebra and a range of birdlife.
Accomodation:
Bungalow/chalet type accommodation and all food prepared by the guide.
Activities:
Game drives and bush walks with our guide inside the reserve
Day 8: Silaka Nature Reserve
80km (3h)
Transfer after breakfast to Silaka
The primary focus of Silaka Nature Reserve is to conserve the biodiversity of a near pristine example of the Eastern Cape Forest. Bird watchers will enjoy sightings of the Knysna Turaco, Cinnamon Dove, Half-Collared Kingfisher and Grey Cuckooshrike, while water enthusiasts will enjoy exploring the area’s marine life in the tidal rock pools and estuaries.
Accomodation:
Bungalow/chalet type accommodation with all meals prepared by the guide
Activities:
Game drives and bush walks with the guide inside the reserve
Day 9&10: Mkambati Nature Reserve
125km (3h)
Transfer after breakfast to Mkambati Nature reserve
Mkhambathi Nature Reserve offers visitors 7 720ha of open grasslands, dotted with indigenous forest patches and swamp forests flanked by magnificent forested ravines of the Msikaba and Mtentu rivers. Game drives, visits to spectacular waterfalls and finding marine life in the crystal clear rock pools. Birding enthusiasts will find plenty to keep a look out for especially around the water sources of the Mkhambathi Nature Reserve.
Accomodation:
Bungalow/chalet type accommodation
Activities:
Game drives and bush walks with our guide inside the reserve
Day 11: Umtentweni
250km (3h30)
Umtentweni lies at the mouth of the Mtentweni River which is named after a species of grass which grows on its banks. Enjoy ocean sunrises on Tweni Beach, long walks, swim, surf or watch the dolphins go by.
Accomodation:
‘The Spot’ Backpackers accommodation – private rooms with ensuite
bathroom. Cosy double rooms
furnished with a double bed, side
tables, lamps & a fan.
Meals prepared by the guide
Activities:
Grab a kayak and go for a paddle up the Mtentweni river. Paddle up between mangroves where you will get a chance to spot Vervet monkeys and a large variety of birds including the resident pair of Fish Eagles!
Humpback whales appear on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast every year between May and November. During the peak whale season, they pass The Spot almost daily, and all it takes is patience and an eagle eye to spot one.
Bottlenose dolphins also love playing in the surf outside The Spot, sometimes showing off to surfers in the water. During winter, we also get lucky and see pods of Common dolphins from the shore.
If you want a closer look at these marine marvels, we recommend going on a boat-based whale watching trip that launches from Shelley Beach, 20km from The Spot. A one-hour trip includes a trip out to the shark nets and heading out to the spots you’re most likely to see whales and dolphins. (optional)
Alternatively our guide will take you on a guided walk to Lehr’s Falls.
Day 12&13: Durban
150km (2h)
Transfer after breakfast to Durban
The Durban Metropolitan Area ranks second among the most populous urban areas in South Africa, and is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism because of the city's warm subtropical climate and extensive beaches.
Accommodation:
Durban Backpackers accommodation – private rooms with ensuite bathroom and sea views
Activities:
Visit U’Shaka marine world ocean aquirium and local markets in town for curio shopping and Zulu cultural tour.
Day 14: Day of departure
Depart after breakfast for King Shaka international airport
More information from Tokoloshi Expeditions:
- View trip on provider's website
www.tokoloshi.co.za/wild-coast-wildlife-adventure/… - Company profile, experience, and history
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