Wild Coast Meander Hiking Trail

About Wild Coast Meander Hiking Trail

Start: Qora River Mouth
Finish: Kei River, Morgan's Bay
Duration: 56 km over 5/6 days
Fitness: moderately fit
Our tip: if you can, spend more than one evening at each stop of the journey to explore the coast

This five day slackpacker trail meanders from family-owned seaside hotel to hotel over 56 km of the wild Coast, covering terrain that is as much splendid as it is isolated and undeveloped.

Along the way your local Xhosa guide imparts snippets of information about the area, and his customs and culture whilst the wildness of the coastline - its precipitous cliffs, rolling grasslands and myriad waterfalls - works its magic.

Tiny villages set atop hills, thatched and brightly painted huts, and cows on the waters edge are the only signs of life. For the most part it is you and the rugged scenery.

The route leaves Qolora River Mouth and heads up to Mazeppa Bay and then to Wavecrest right along the coast, including sandy beaches and dune forest with an optional canoe trip up the Nxaxo River once you've reached your destination.

Your next overnight is Trennery's Hotel via a crossing over the Qobonqaba River, and then the last day skirts the village of Kei Mouth (the landscape changes quite dramatically after crossing the Kei) and on to Morgan's Bay.

You can combine the Meander with the Wild Coast Amble (Qolora to Glen Garriff). The Amble has more beach walking and offers road transfers for those in the group who don't want to do the walk.

Or, if you don't have the time, the Mini Meander is a three-day version of the Meander.