Weekend in the Wild Coast

We took a short weekend holiday break to Kei Mouth which is located about 1 hours drive north of East London and is effectively the start of what is known as the Wild Coast. We took the N2 route out of East London heading towards Mthatha before turning off right towards Kei Mouth. From the N2 turn off it is approximately a 30km drive down to Kei Mouth.  The road down is surprisingly very good with tarmac all the way down that takes a scenic route through rolling hills before you catch sight of the coast.

We were staying at a place called Whispering Waves which is a very apt name as our rustic cottage overlooked directly onto the waves breaking on to the beach below us. Kei Mouth has a few shops, post office and supermarket, restaurant and a garage and is well geared up to serve the holiday makers that come here to stay - many on a self catering accommodation basis.

It is advisable to travel to this area in a 4x4 as there are lots of off-road dirt tracks where you can drive and explore this rugged coastline. We took a drive down to the Kei River Mouth on the Saturday afternoon and tried our hand at fishing off the rive bank. Sadly although the fish were biting we only caught barbel and not the cob which we were after. The weather over the whole weekend was lovely but rather chilly in the evenings which is to be expected in late May.

On the Sunday morning we took the river crossing (only R120 per car return trip) over the Kei River to explore the coast further up and visited the Trennerys Hotel which is a lovely hotel set high up overlooing the Indian Ocean. The Trennerys is a popular holiday resort with lovely accommodation, swimming pool and tennis court plus play areas for the younger ones. They have a very nice bar with full size snooker table and DSTV. From the hotel you can walk down to the lagoon and beach below. The beach stretches for miles with several coves and inlets visible and it is not uncommon to see the odd cow roaming around on the beach. After our walk we enjoyed a nice cold refreshing drink at the hotel before setting off to enjoy a picnic beside the Kei River. The locals wander about from early morning selling locally made crafts and will even make things to order if they dont quite have what you are looking for.

It really was a delight enjoying braais in the evenings whilst chatting and watching the waves breaking in the ocean below our cottage. The whole Wild Coast stretches for a long way northwards from here and is worth exploring. There is a good choice of accommodation from the basic and simple to the luxury end of the market. We recommend you add the Wild Coast to your South Africa Holiday itinerary.

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Weekend away in Hogsback

Hogsback Village is located halfway between Alice and Cathcart in the Amatola Mountain range in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. We decided on a last minute weekend away to the village of Hogsback leaving our house in Port Alfred and travelling on a route that took us through Bathurst, Grahamstown, Fort Beaufort, Alice and finally into Hogsback. We arrived at our accommodation - Maylodge Cottages - located in a wonderful setting just off the main street. There were six of us staying for the weekend in a delightful thatched cottage (Heron House) with extensive gardens surrounding the house. Our two miniature schnauzers had come along and immediately explored the gardens and took an interest in the monkeys high up in the trees.

The cottage accommodation comprised three bedrooms and three bathrooms with a lovely open plan living area with a fireplace as the centrepiece. Hogsback is surrounded by mountains and a hikers paradise. Its elevated position also means that you do get snowfall in the winter months on the mountains and occasionally in Hogsback village itself. In July they even have what they call "Christmas in July" when the village usually buzzes with people relaxing over a long weekend around log fires.

On our first morning in Hogsback we took a short drive down Oak Avenue which is just off the main high street. We parked and then set off through the Arboretum and up to The 39 Steps Falls. The leaves on the trees are turning beautiful colours and the walk up to the waterfalls is a gentle one. Look out for the huge Giant Redwoods dotted about in the forests.

In the afternoon we took a drive out down Oak Avenue again but this time turned up Forest Drive and then stopped off to walk the hike up to the Kettlespout Falls. This is a longer hike and more strenuous up some steeper steps and inclines but the view is worth it when you reach the top. From the top you can see the waterfalls cascading down and enjoy the views that stretch for miles on a clear day.

Later that day we drove out on the R345 to visit St Patrick on the Hill church which really is quite beautiful. From there we continued on past the Little Candle Factory and onto the Labyrinth - follow the signs for The Edge. Here we stopped and walked around the Labyrinth beofre enjoying a well earned coffee and cake in their cafe/restaurant. After a long day we returned home to enjoy a log fire and scrummy food.

The next morning we sat out by our cottage enjoying the sunshine and views and then headed off down Wolf Ridge Road along a dirt track enjoying the views and then stopping off to have our picnic by the dam. Sadly it was now time to head for Port Alfred and we decided to take a different route home taking the dirt track route to Seymour and then onto Fort Beaufort. This route is recommended for 4x4 vehicles only as the roads are very rough in places and a good clearance is needed.

All in all we had a very relaxing break in Hogsback and it is easy to see why many people from East London and Port Elizabeth visit here for weekend breaks. The air is clean and it is lovely and quiet a real getaway from suburban life. The picturesque village of Hogsback is approximately 1.5 hours from East London.

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Tsitsikamma National Park in the Eastern Cape

Tsitsikamma National Park is a popular national park found along the famous Garden Route of South Africa. The word "Tsitsikamma" actually translates from Khoi to mean "place of abundant and sparking water" and this is a very apt description of this area. The Tsitsikamma Forest is home to beautiful indigenous trees such as the Yellowwood, the Stinkwood amd the Ironwood to name just a few. The patch of coastline along the Tsitsikamma National Forest is rocky and wild and where the Storms River meets the Ocean is a must see spot. From here you can watch the huge waves crashing against the rocks or perhaps eat at the Tigers Eye restaurant that overlooks the river mouth. There is also a boat trip from here which takes you into the gorge itself or you can take the short walk along the Mouth Trail which leads up to Strandloper Cave and the suspension bridge and vantage point.

The Tsitsikamma National Park is well served with places to stay such as Lodges or Log Cabins providing everything from luxury accommodation to self catering accommodation for those on a budget or travelling as a family or group. The area really is a haven of activities for everyone from Bungee jumping off the Bloukrans Bridge to canopy tours and ziplines through the forests. If trail walking is your thing then you must try the famous Otter Trail which is a spectacular hikng trail leading from Natures Valley to Storms River. The Otter Trail hike takes you past hidden coves and caves along paths where sometimes you can feel the spray from the waves breaking. Keep an eye out to see for dolphins and whales which depending upon the season you may well see.

Tsitsikamma National Forest is well worth a visit and you should set aside a day or 2 as part of your Garden Route trip.

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Marloth Park in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Marloth Park can be found towards the southern edge of the famous Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Visitors to the 3,000 hectare Marloth Park can find some of the best game viewing conditions in South Africa and excellent accommodation to stay in. No fences are allowed around Marloth Park creating a natural environment for the abundance of animals to be found here.

Visitors are spoilt for accommodation in Marloth Park with some wonderful lodges offering everything from self-catering to luxury boutique style hotel accommodation. It is very common to find animals like nyala and kudu wondering around the accommodation in Marloth Park. Other animals to be found here include giraffe, lion, rhino, buffalo, warthog and zebra.

For families on a budget then self-catering accommodation offers an affordable holiday option with a chance to share the thrill of game viewing.  Marloth Park sits on the banks of the Crocodile River which is a haven for many different types of birds. For the adventurous types you can even enjoy a micro-light flight and observe the wild animals from the skies. In the evenings the skies in Marloth Park come alive with stars creating a majestic night sky. You will often find accommodation in Marloth Park with balconies so you can sit in the evening and watch the glorious sunsets while sipping on your sundowner.

From your Marloth Park accommodation you can easily explore the wonders of Kruger National Park or even take a day trip to the beaches of Mozambique. For other accommodation in South Africa visit Where2Stay-SouthAfrica.

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Less than 2 weeks now to the Splashy Fen Festival 2014

With less than two weeks to go before this year’s Splashy Fen Music Festival there is as you can imagine a hive of activity on site at the tranquil Underberg Farm in South Africa’s Southern Drakensberg. Splashy Fen Festival starts on Thursday April 21st through to Monday April 25 and there will be over 90 acts performing over the two stages which means there really will be something for everyone’s musical tastes.

The site is very busy at the moment with a host of skilled tradesmen putting the final touches together to ensure that the festival is ready for the thousands of music fans who will attend this popular event.

New fields are being cleared ready for the camping sites, new fences are being erected and of course those all-important toilet and washing facilities are being prepared. Even the cellular networks are being upgraded especially for this event.

As always Pedro Carlo, the festival organiser, is making sure that music fans will have even more to look forward to than last year. This year there will be more bars, more food stores, a new comedy tent and an all new Freestyle Tribal Village. For festival fans coming as a family there is a separate family campsite area which is perfect for those with younger ones in tow. The Children Centre will put on a full programme of childrens activities as well as providing a child minding service.

As usual all profits from the festival’s main bar, run by Sani 152 Round Table, will go to helping out deserving causes and community upliftment projects.

At this year’s Splashy Fen Festival you can expect to see acts like Vusi Mahlasela, Boo!, Goodluck, Karen Zoid, Ard Matthews, The Rudimentals, Valiant Swart, Holiday Murray, City Bowl Mizers, Madala Kunene, Wrestlerish, Dan Patlansky and former Tree63 frontman, John Ellis, among many others.

Supported by East Coast Radio and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Splashy Fen was established in 1990 and is the longest-running music festival in the country.  Tickets cost R500 at Computicket and selected Game stores.  The price includes camping for the entire festival.  For more information and the full programme, visit www.splashyfen.co.za or contact 031 563 0824. For news on other events across South Africa visit South Africa Events Page.

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Formula 1 returns to South Africa in 2014

Formula 1 Racing is returning to South Africa at the famous Kyalami Race Track on 20th November 2014. Due to the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix earlier this year there was a gap in the schedule that needed to be filled and South Africa has won the race to host the replacement. This is great news for South Africa and the economy as it will bring a real boost to local businesses and tourism around the Kyalami Grand Prix track.

David Coulthard recently drove around the Kyalami Race Track to test its suitability and gave the race track a ringing endorsement with just a few minor changes required to ensure a safe and successful race. The last time South Africa hosted a Grand Prix at Kyalami was back in 1993 when the likes of
Alain Prost was racing.

The Grand Prix at Kyalami will be followed by a huge concert with big acts such as U2, Shakira, Beyonce and Usher all playing. Kyalami Grand Prix Race Track is in Midrand in Gauteng Province, South Africa.

Gauteng Province has excellent self-catering accommodation, guest house accommodation, hotels and Bed and Breakfast accommodation to ensure your visit to this Grand Prix is an enjoyable one.

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Things I love about South Africa

Having moved to South Africa last year I thought it was time I shared my top 03 things that I love about living here. Living very close to the Indian Ocean on the Eastern Cape the deep sea fishing is fantastic. Sadly I cant go as often as I would like because of work but every time I go its always great fun. Generally there are three or four of us that go deep sea fishing off of the Port Alfred Coast. We normally leave early around about 6h30am and fish for about 6 hours or so depending upon how lucky we are at catching ! Of course there is nothing better than the taste of freshly caught fish cooked that evening.

Second on my list is walking our dogs on the endless sandy beaches. Our miniature schnauzers absolutely love running up and down the enormous sand dunes and then playing in the waves. Dudley, the grey one in the photo, generally tires himself out so much that we some times have to pick him up on the way back. The best time of day for a walk is first thing in the morning or late afternoon. You can't beat paddling along in the waves while your dogs wears themselves out. Walking back home watching the sunset infront of you is just pure delight and a perfect end to any day.

Third on my list is the view from our offices which overlooks Port Alfred Marina. You never tire of staring out across the marina on a sunny day watching the boats come and go. The marina even has its very own seal - Sammy the Seal - which can be seen frequently playing in the marina. Just the other week a dolphin was even spotted swimming around the waters. The marina is a real tourist attraction in Port Alfred with a number of charter boats taking people up the Kowie River or out to sea to fish.

Next up is the traditional Braai - of course where I came from it was known as a BBQ but to be honest a Braai is a very traditional and social activity in South Africa. We often get together with family or friends to enjoy a Braai. I have to say that the quality of meat on offer here is of a much higher quality than I was used to in the UK and our local butcher supplies excellent steaks, sausages, boerwors and ribs. Its just lovely to sit together outside enjoying a few drinks and the amazing smells coming from the Braai.

South Africa is a country rich in wildlife with an abundance of Game Reserves with a range of accommodation options. There are Game Reserves to be found all over South Africa and not just in provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga. The Eastern Cape now has some of the best private Game Reserves in South Africa. Its great to be able to just plan a short trip to stay on one of these as we did recently at Pumba Private Game Reserve situated between Grahamstown and Port Elizabeth. I never seem to tire of seeing the magnificent Big 5 in their natural surroundings and feel very lucky to be able to do so.

South Africa is a country full of natural wonders such as Table Mountain, the Drakensberg Mountains, Cape Point, the Garden Route, Cape Winelands and many more. Its a joy and a pleasure to be able to visit these wonders and to share these with friends and family that visit us. There are many great hiking trails and walks that pass through some of the most beautiful countryside and include some spectacular views.



For more travel advice on where to stay, what to do and what to see in South Africa visit Where2Stay-SouthAfrica.

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Kosi Bay in the St. Lucia Wetlands

Traditional Old Fishing Nets still be used today in the lakes of Kosi Bay

The name Kosi Bay is actually quite misleading as there isn’t a ‘bay’ here. Kosi Bay, KwaZulu-Natal, is made up from an intricate system of rivers, lakes, an estuary and mouth, running parallel to the beach. The entire Kosi Bay area, falls under the protected St Lucia Wetlands area which forms part of a World Heritage Site.

The beach at Kosi Bay is considered to be one of the most pristine estuarine lake systems in Africa. There are actually four inter-connected lakes that are fed by the Siyadla and Nswamanzi Rivers from the south and west respectively. The “aManzamnyama” or “Black Water” Lake is also known as Fourth Lake, and is home to many hippos and crocodiles.  This lake drains into Nhlanga Lake which is also the largest lake in the system. .The four lakes form part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the KwaZulu-Natal Province of South Africa.  Kosi Bay estuary is actually only 2 kilometres from the border of Mozambique.

Kosi Bay beach is amazingly quiet and the River Mouth is referred to locally as ‘the Aquarium’ due to the clear waters and the wide variety of fish living here. One of the reasons Kosi Bay is famous is because of the traditional fish-traps that are still used today to catch fish as they swim in and out of the estuary. The mouth of the estuary is a popular spot to snorkel at and where you can often see a variety of tropical fish including the Moray Eel and Stone Fish.

Many people come to the area to experience the diversity of wildlife that lives here including the loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles that come here annually to lay their eggs on the beach. The waters here are also home to crocodiles, duiker and Bull sharks.

In order to preserve this largely unspoilt and beautiful area it is important to understand how to get about. Many of the roads are pure sand and become very rough during dry conditions, while others are filled with building rubble or gravel by the community and surrounding lodges in order to provide easier access for most 2 wheel drive vehicles. Cars that are low to the ground are not recommended, as the 2 wheel tracks on the sandy roads often leave a centre bump in the road that can damage the underneath of your vehicle. The use of 4x4 vehicles on roads here is recommended as the sand can often be very thick in places. Getting to the Kosi Bay Mouth, Black Rock and other beaches, including driving around in Mozambique are best explored in a 4x4 or 4WD vehicle.

Quad Bikes are not allowed as they are off road vehicles and not licensed to be driven on a public road.  The roads that lead to the lakes, the lodges and private dwellings in Kosi Bay are accessed by the public and are therefore considered a public road.

KwaZulu-Natal is a popular hosliday destination in South Africa both for locals and for international visitors. The wonderful beaches along the coastline of KZN as well the wide range of KwaZulu-Natal holiday accommodation has people coming back year after year.

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