Kwelera, Amatola

Kwelera has always been on the travel itinerary of those who live in and around Port Elizabeth. Virtually enfolded by the river of the same name, which snakes around the little town, farmers in days of old used to head here to the coast for the holidays. It is a beautiful part of the world, there is no doubt, heavily endowed with coastal forest as it is, the village, though now a lot more popular, manages to maintain its unspoilt air of barely there.

In early 2009 a fishing expedition placed the village of Kwelera and the river firmly in the news when a youngster discovered a flying fish, wings and all, in the Kwelera River, thought to be a two-wing flying fish, the exocoetus monochirrus. Whilst not necessarily front page news, this does indicate the quality of the fishing opportunities in this part of the world.

Despite looking on a map as though it lies fairly far inland, Kwelera is only 40 minutes from Khamanga Bay and because of its elevated position has spectacular views of the coast. For this reason people are buying up holiday and retirement homes here and, particularly those right on the river mouth, are much sought after and guest cottages here are a wonderful getaway from it all. It helps that the very popular seaside town of Cintsa is moments away, and a rather popular camping spot lies on the banks of the Kwelera river.

The coast here is beautiful and has a large element of the Wild Coast about it - at the river mouth coastal sand dunes are grown over with vegetation, rocky beaches are littered with tidal pools dashed by the waves and the wind that provide not only breathtaking views but hours of beachside entertainment.