Wild Coast

Read more about the article Crossing the Great Kei River by Pont
Firefly the Travel Guy

Crossing the Great Kei River by Pont

Crossing the Great Kei River by pont into what used to be the old Transkei has always been on my South African bucket list. That was until I got to do it about 6 years or so ago.  Since then I've had the opportunity to do it a couple of times and I always look forward to it.  It's nothing fancy or out of this world, but it is special because there are so few ponts left in South Africa.…

Comments Off on Crossing the Great Kei River by Pont
25/01/2021
Firefly the Travel Guy

Wild Coast lighthouses – Cape Morgan Lighthouse

The Wild Coast isn't called the Wild Coast for nothing.  It may be paradise but it can get rough out there if it wants.  So with that in mind, it's nogal strange that there are only three lighthouses (some websites say four but I'm not sure which the 4th one is) along this whole piece of coastline, Cape Morgan in the South, M'bashe roughly in the middle and Cape Hermes at Port St Johns in the North.  Out of the three…

Comments Off on Wild Coast lighthouses – Cape Morgan Lighthouse
07/03/2018
Uncategorized

Hole in the Wall – an icon of the Eastern Cape

The Hole in the Wall near Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast truly is one of the iconic sights (and sites) of the Eastern Cape and South Africa and recognised worldwide. Hole-in-the-Wall was named by Captain Vidal in 1823.  Vidal was captain of the Barracouta and was sent by the British to survey the coastline between the Keiskamma River and Lourenço Marques (present-day Maputo). He took his ship as close as 800m from the coast and described the phenomenon of a…

2 Comments
04/12/2017
Uncategorized

The views of Coffee Bay

At the bottom of the beach in Coffee Bay is Bomvu Hill offering stunning views of both Coffee Bay to the north side and Bomvu Bay to the south. The village is located to the left just out of the picture next to the Nenga River. Looking at the Coffee Bay view the white building at the top of the beach is the Ocean View Hotel where I have now stayed twice already.  Comfortable accommodation, great dinner buffet, direct access to…

Comments Off on The views of Coffee Bay
28/11/2017
Uncategorized

I finally got to visit Hole in the Wall

One of my absolute travel highlights during 2017 is the fact that I finally got to visit the Hole in the Wall near Coffee Bay on the Wild Coast.  It was somewhat of an embarrassment to be somebody promoting and marketing the Eastern Cape but having to say that I have never been there. It's not the closest destination to where I live in Port Elizabeth though so it's not like I could just pop up to go and see…

Comments Off on I finally got to visit Hole in the Wall
22/11/2017
Uncategorized

Going surfing in Coffee Bay

One of the very popular activities to do when young international backpackers visit Coffee Bay is to learn to surf.  Most of the backpacker lodges in the area offer surf lessons and there is always somebody walking around with a surfboard either heading for the waves or out of it.  This young lady just finished her surf and was making her way back to where her friends were waiting for her. Now surfing is something I have never tried and…

1 Comment
08/11/2017
Uncategorized

Black Oyster Catcher nest on the Wild Coast

The Wild Coast is all about the rugged coastline, beautiful beaches, rolling green hills, dramatic waterfalls, spectacular river mouths, friendly and hospitable people.  So in fact that many visitors often miss the little things.  And y'all know how I can go on about not just looking at the bigger picture when you are travelling.A little while ago I was staying at Wavecrest Hotel and took an early morning walk down to the river mouth.  It was raining all night and…

2 Comments
12/04/2017
Uncategorized

Beaches around Kob Inn on the Wild Coast

The Wild Coast is famous for it's magnificent coastline which can be explored in various ways ranging from hotel to hotel slack packing, spending time with locals or while staying at one of the excellent family hotels along the coast.  I spent a night at Kob Inn at the Qora River mouth and got to have a quick look around the coastline bordering the hotel.  I can just imagine spending a few days there in summer exploring these beaches.   Qora River…

1 Comment
24/08/2016
Uncategorized

Sunset at the Qora River Mouth

Don't let the name of the Wild Coast put you under a wrong impression.  The Wild Coast isn't all rough and tumble with storms and shipwrecks.  It's also a place of beauty, untouched pieces of coastline, stunning river mouths, beautiful beaches, villages on rolling hills overlooking the sea and Nguni cattle on the beach.  I really wish I had the opportunity and time to go and visit it more often to see more of it than the two or three…

Comments Off on Sunset at the Qora River Mouth
30/06/2016
Uncategorized

Qora River at Kob Inn

The Wild Coast is famous for it's beautiful and rugged coastline and one of my favorite aspects of it is all the rivers that flow through the area and into the sea.  I got to discover another one for myself when I stayed at Kob Inn recently.  The Qora River Mouth is located only two or three hundred meters south of the hotel.  To cross the river you have to make use of a local in his boat and unfortunately…

2 Comments
02/06/2016