Hiking Trail
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Hole in the Wall Characterised by swathes of sandy beaches criss-crossed by estuaries and mangrove swamps, majestic cliffs and grassy hilltops - this guided and portaged trail offers a new dimension to coastal hiking.
The adventure starts at the pretty seaside village of Presley's Bay. From here the first 12.5 km day covers some of the most stunning scenery along the Wild Coast. Hikers will need to cross pristine estuaries and a mangrove swamp at Mdumbi. The beach here is particularly beautiful.
From Coffee Bay, the undulating route offers magnificent panoramas. Guides take you to a series of caves in the dolerite cliffs. If you’re feeling brave you can climb down to the cave where ANC cadres stashed arms during the liberation struggle. Cliff-top vantage points offer excellent dolphin and whale spotting opportunities.
On the final day the magnificent and iconic sight of the Hole in the Wall rises to greet you. During the annual Sardine Run, the entire route presents dazzling views of frenetic activity in the ocean. Sharks, whales, dolphin, game fish and thousands of Cape Gannet jostle to feast on the sardine shoal, described as the greatest migration on earth.
Things to do near
Hole in the Wall
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Beaches
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Coffee Bay (6.9 km from Hole in the Wall) Coffee Bay Beach stretches from the mouth of the Nenga River and is backed by dramatic cliff faces and grassy hills. The coastline is fanastic for day walks, hiking and horse riding trips. One of the most popular trails takes hikers to the spectacular ‘Hole in the Wall’ offshore rock stack.
Beaches
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Wild Coast (15 km from Hole in the Wall) Mdumbi Beach is a quiet and extremely secluded beach located on the Wild Coast of South Africa. You can catch some of the best surfing waves here and learn about the Xhosa culture from the local Pondo people. The beach is surrounded by rolling green hills and milkwood trees indigenous to the region.
Beaches
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Wild Coast (16.8 km from Hole in the Wall) Bulungula is situated on the Wild Coast of South Africa. This spectacular and absolutely breathtaking location was Lonely Planet's 2012 'Pick of the Wild Coast'. It is surrounded by pristine beach, forests, rolling hills, traditional African rondavels, a magical lagoon, and millions of shooting stars grace the sky every night. It is not an easy drive reaching this secluded location, so if you plan on visiting Bulungula Beach make sure that you can stay over for a few days.
Beaches
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Wild Coast (22.1 km from Hole in the Wall) Lwandile Bay is a secluded and unspoilt beach that forms part of the Transkei's Wild Coast which stretches for 300 miles. It has an exposed point/river mouth surf break that works mostly during winter. The warm Indian Ocean water is ideal for swimming, snorkelling, fishing, and whale and dolphin watching.
Nature Reserves
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Hluleka (30.8 km from Hole in the Wall) Hluleka Nature Reserve is a hiker’s paradise offering a network of immaculate footpaths suitable for day walks. Trails meander along the rocky coastline, sandy beaches and through beautiful forests of Stink Ebony adorned with delicate climbers and creepers.
Burchell’s zebra, blue wildebeest, eland, impala, red hartebeest, blesbok, spotted genet and bushpig roam the forests and grasslands. Prolific birdlife offers numerous opportunities for spotting green coucal, African finfoot, fish eagle, Cape parrot, osprey, ground hornbill and Knysna loerie.
Nature Reserves
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Hluleka (30.9 km from Hole in the Wall) Lying 20 kilometres south of Port St Johns, Hluleka Nature Reserve is one of the Wild Coast’s best kept secrets. This tranquil reserve showcases a diverse range of eco systems – rocky seashores, golden beaches, lagoons and lush forests of quinine, coral, stink ebony and Natal fig trees – home to an abundance of wildlife.
Meandering paths lead through the forests to open hilltops offering spectacular dolphin and whale watching. Hluleka's main attraction to naturalists is the incredible birdlife. Look out for the rare green coucal, Cape parrot, osprey, fish eagle, ground hornbill, African finfoot and Knysna turaco. Wildlife you may encounter include bushbuck, eland, Burchell’s zebra, blue wildebeest, impala, blue duiker, rock dassie and bush pig.
Nature Reserves
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Cwebe Dwesa (36.7 km from Hole in the Wall) Revitalise your soul and get far from the crowds in the lovely sister reserves of Dwesa and Cwebe.
The two fairly small nature reserves of Dwesa and Cwebe lie on each side of the Mbashe River on the Wild Coast. This awesome setting is bordered on one side by the forest-fringed shores of the Indian Ocean, and on the other by the undulating sourveld grasslands of what was formerly the Transkei.
Dwesa and Cwebe conserve one of the largest swathes of indigenous coastal forest in the Eastern Cape. Another important function is to protect the sensitive inter-tidal and marine environment.
The birdlife is incredible with over 290 species of birds recorded. Birds to spot includes rarities such as the Narina Trogan and Mangrove Kingfisher.
Cape buffalo, eland, zebra, blesbok, blue wildebeest, warthog and crocodiles have been reintroduced. Look out for the Cape clawless otter in the lagoon.
Beautiful trails with amazing views enable hikers to explore the forests, estuary, mangroves, beach and grasslands of Dwesa and Cwebe on foot.
Nature Reserves
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Port St Johns (60.1 km from Hole in the Wall) Just six kilometres south of the chilled seaside town of Port St Johns is a gorgeous protectorate of Eastern Cape Coastal Forest.
Stretching from Second Beach to Sugarloaf Rock, the 400-hectare Silaka Nature Reserve might be small in size but a river flows through it and the entire place is imbued with exceptional scenic beauty. The Silaka River meanders within the reserve to become an estuary meeting up with the stunning beach.
Nature lovers have no shortage of beautiful spots to explore from the tidal rock pools, estuary, forest and grasslands. Keep an eye open for Cape clawless otters on the beach and in the estuary.
Twitchers can experience phenomenal birding including sightings of Knysna turaco, Cinnamon dove, Half-collared kingfisher and Grey cuckooshrike.
Bars Nightclubs
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Mthatha (60.9 km from Hole in the Wall) The So What Lounge is a spacious upmarket party venue that accommodates up to 500 patrons comfortably in a club setting. It is situated in a non-residential area so the parties continue until morning. Facilities include pool tables, a dance floor, a bar, and private lounge areas.
Shopping Malls
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Mthatha (61.1 km from Hole in the Wall) This small shopping mall has anchor stores, smaller shops and food stores. Here you will find Game, Edgars, Checkers, Musica, Clicks, Wimpy, Steers, Debonairs, as well as a fish and chips shop.
Galleries and Museums
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Mthatha (61.4 km from Hole in the Wall) Take an inspiring tour through the life of former President and international icon Nelson Mandela.
Loved and esteemed throughout the globe for his determined energy to uplift life for everyone, ‘Madiba’ insisted that the Nelson Mandela Museum should not be dedicated to him. His vision is that it will be a stimulus for the enrichment and development of the locals of Qunu.
The Museum officially opened in 2 000, ten years after his release from prison in 1990 and incorporates three sites – the Bhunga Building in Mthatha, the spiritual Mvezo where Mandela was born, and Qunu, his childhood village.
Bunga Building, Nelson Mandela Dr & Owen Street, Mthatha
+27 (0) 47 532 5110
Monday to Friday 09:00 to 16:00
Saturdays and Public Holidays (except Workers Day and Good Friday) 09:00 to 12:30.
Shopping Malls
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Mthatha (61.7 km from Hole in the Wall) Circus triangle is a busy shopping mall and a popular place for Mthatha’s youths to hang out (too popular - scholars have been banned during school hours!)
Bars
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Port St Johns (61.8 km from Hole in the Wall) Amidst the tranquil setting of the rainforest, Second Beach allows guests to feel like they are truly in the wild and rugged African coast line.
With soft sand and spectacular views, Port St John's Second Beach is a great place to walk the resident dogs, play beach cricket, or go for your run.
Hiking Trail
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Port St Johns (62.3 km from Hole in the Wall) The Bulolo Waterfall Hike is a guided three to four hour hike through dense jungle surrounding the Amapondo grounds to a secluded waterfall that cascades into a small swimming hole. You can jump into the pool from three platforms, the highest of which is 11 meters.
Popular Attractions
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Port St Johns (64.5 km from Hole in the Wall) Come and enjoy a hike through the Silaka Nature Reserve, rugged 3rd Beach, and end off with a traditional Xhosa meal in Mtumbane Village.
This 5 hour guided hike which explores the serenity of Silaka Nature Reserve. You’ll pass through jungle surroundings, over a ridge line with stunning views of the coastline and Port St. Johns. The hike along 3rd Beach traverses rugged coastline onto 2nd Beach, and then up into Mtumbane Village where you will feast on delicious home-cooked Xhosa food whilst chatting to a local family. Sign up for the trip at Amapondo Backpackers bar.