Cintsa, Wild Coast

The quaint little seaside village of Cintsa (or Chintsa), lies just 45 kilometres north east of East London. It is often mistakenly regarded as part of the Wild Coast, and though it lies very close to it, manages to fall just outside. Nonetheless, this part of the coast is reminiscent of all things wild, and the beauty of the surrounds is the reason so many seek out this peaceful spot that claims its name from the river on which it lies, meaning ‘crumbling banks’ in Xhosa.

Two little villages in fact lie on the banks of the Chintsa River and estuary - Cintsa East, which paradoxically lies on the north shore of the river and is the more developed of the two, and Cintsa West, on the south. This is a beautiful part of the world. That it has been described as a little piece of paradise is no wonder, and to its residents and return summer visitors, Cintsa offers a haven in a tranquil setting, surrounded by lush indigenous forest and thicket, and an amazing bird life.

The lagoon predominates, and sand dunes and a wonderfully long stretch of beach, entice one to stay. Most of the holiday homes lie behind coastal bush, and the added draw card of beaches that are relatively unspoilt and not as busy as the beaches of East London make Cintsa an attractive place to stay - particularly as the sea is mostly flat with small waves, ideal for children; and rock fishing, although it has dwindled over the years, is still a popular pastime.

Other highlights include canoe rides up the river at high tide, walks to Cefani Mouth or a ten minute drive to the Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, where you can see rhino, giraffe, zebra and a variety of buck.