South African Wild Coast - Xhosa village

Transkei Wild Coast Drive

Take the South African Wild Coast at your own pace

If you decide to drive through the South African Wild Coast, you're in for a very special treat (not to mention a totally different look at the other side of South Africa). The Transkei is the land of the Xhosa and it is also Nelson Mandela's birthplace. When driving through the rolling hills you'll see an occasional thatched hut, grazing herds of goats, and friendly people everywhere you look.

The South African Wild Coast is a great place for travellers who like to take their time, and who enjoy a friendly chat with the locals. The coastline is also especially beautiful here with white beaches perfect if you fancy a spot of surfing on your South Africa holiday. The name Wild Coast eludes to, among other things, the great number of ships that have been wrecked here. If you decide to visit the Transkei Wild Coast, set your senses on high alert to smell, taste and experience this very unique part of South Africa.

This Transkei Wild Coast tour can be pieced together with other South Africa travel modules, please give our friendly travel experts a call if you would like to hear more, or take a look at our South Africa by road itineraries for inspiration.

Duration	5 days, 4 nights	Accommodation	Double occupancy rooms with private bathroom at fine hotels: 2 nights in Coffee Bay, 1 night in Stutterheim and 1 night in Addo (see pictures below). Accommodation category 2-3.
Price	£217 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	Accommodation based on board and breakfast, dinner at Coffee Bay, trail information
Transport	Rental car	Excludes	Car rental, park entrance fees

Day 1: Durban/Umhlanga - Coffee Bay

Total distance approximately 480 km

Today you can expect to travel from Durban or Umhlanga to Coffee Bay. The route to Coffee Bay will lead you from one side of South Africa to the other. First you'll drive approximately 100 km to the hectic, slightly rundown, yet typical African capital city of Umtata (this is a good place to exchange currency if you need to). Then you'll head towards the sea for approximately 80 km until you reach Coffee Bay; one of the most beautiful coastal towns along the South African Wild Coast. Coffee Bay has a long sandy stretch of beach and is idyllically situated between green hills and turquoise sea. The bay was named in 1893 when a ship loaded with coffee beans shipwrecked there. Some of the coffee beans sprouted, however the plants did not survive and there are no coffee bean plants left in the area today. This evening you'll spend the night in a comfortable hotel situated on the beach with pool, perfect for relaxing after a long day driving on your South Africa trip.

Day 2: Coffee Bay

Spend the second day of your South African Wild Coast trip relaxing on the beach or by the pool. Want to unwind from your long drives in a more active manner? How about a horseback ride or a surf? Be sure to visit the Hole in the Wall, a spectacular rock formation which is the result of centuries of waves and erosion (see the picture to the left). If your South Africa holiday falls within dolphin-spotting or whale-watching season it is well worth organising a trip, just ask your travel expert for details. There are also organized township tours that leave from the village. At the end of the day, you'll spend another night in Coffee Bay.

Day 3: Coffee Bay - Stutterheim

Total distance approximately 300 km

Your next stop on your South African Wild Coast trip is Stutterheim, a picturesque town at the foot of the Amatola Mountains. From here you can visit the Mgwali Village and get to know the Xhosa people of South Africa. The language spoken by these people is also referred to as Xhosa, but is better known as the clicking language. The letter x is pronounced with a click. The language is far from easy, but perhaps you can practice Xhosa while you're here on your South Africa holiday. You'll be welcomed by English speaking staff at the guest house. There is also a swimming pool on the property.

South African Wild Coast - Addo Elephant National Park

Day 4: Stutterheim - Addo Elephant National Park

Total distance approximately 200 km

When thinking of South Africa, most people have visions of elephants roaming the land. Well, today you will be able to meet these majestic creatures in Addo Elephant Park, sure to be a highlight of your South Africa trip. This extremely wooded bush reserve is located at the Sunday River Valley, on the Eastern Cape. The park was declared a national park in 1931, when there were only 12 elephants left in the area. These days the eco-system has been restored and you'll find more than 350 elephants, 300 buffalos, black rhino and all kinds of antelopes here (luckily not all in the same spot). There are plans to expand the 164.000 acre park to approximately twice its size. You'll spend the night in a chalet, the national park's own accommodation.

Day 5: Addo

Your South African Wild Coast module ends after breakfast this morning. However, if you want to travel further you can continue your travel across South Africa over the Garden Route, for instance, with one of our Cape Garden Route tours; 'From Garden Route to Table Mountain'.

Along the way you can stop at the beach towns Francis Bay or Jeffrey’s Bay. Later you'll reach the Tsitsikamma National Park, where you can stop for a while and go on one of the many hikes or trails set out through the area.

South African Wild Coast - Basotho woman