Nature Travel South Africa: Private Wilderness Experience Wild Coast
Discover the raw beauty of South Africa’s Wild Coast on this Private Wilderness Experience! Nestled within the Mkambati Nature Reserve, GweGwe Lodge offers a unique escape where untamed landscapes, diverse wildlife, and an endless horizon of ocean and sky converge. This is not just a journey—it’s an invitation to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with nature in its purest form during this joint journey.
Guided by expert naturalists, you’ll explore lush meadows teeming with wildlife, ancient bushlands echoing with birdsong, and coastal cliffs where waterfalls plunge directly into the sea – a true biodiversity hotspot. This south-eastern sector of South Africa is recognized as one of the world’s 34 most important biodiversity “hotspots”—regions that hold immense ecological richness yet face significant threats. Whether hiking remote trails, kayaking through pristine estuaries, or watching whales breach offshore, every moment immerses you deeper into this remarkable ecosystem.
With consciousness at its heart, this experience ensures that your visit directly contributes to conservation efforts and community development in the Mkambati Nature Reserve. Join us for an adventure that will leave you inspired, revitalized, and forever connected to the wilderness – be part of our Private Wilderness Experience at the Wild Coast!
Highlights
- Watch wildlife roam the plains while dolphins glide through the surf.
- Explore untouched landscapes with hikes, cycling, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
- Discover a vital biodiversity hotspot with rare and endemic species on land and sea like the Cape Vulture colony.
- Learn from experts in daily lectures, workshops and excursions.
- Support conservation efforts and the local Pondo community through conscious tourism.
- Savor fresh, locally sourced meals in stunning outdoor settings.
- Disconnect from the digital world and fully immerse in nature and adventure.
Locations
Plan your trip
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Included in the programme fee
- Assistance with travel arrangements
- Assistance with selecting travel insurance
- Assistance with booking flights
- Risk coverage certificate
- Pre-departure information pack
Daniel, your travel agent for South Africa
You would like to learn more about this trip? Don't hesitate to contact me! Our service doesn't end with your departure: I answer all of your questions and support you before, during and after your stay abroad.
Private Wilderness Experience Wild Coast
Experience the breathtaking coast of South Africa at GweGwe Lodge - connect with nature and yourself!
Arrival and orientation in South Africa
Your adventure begins with your arrival in Johannesburg, South Africa. You will catch a domestic flight to Margate, followed by a scenic transfer to the Port Edward harbor. From there, an adventurous boat journey across pristine waters brings you to the untouched shores of GweGwe Lodge. Feel the rhythm of the ocean, breathe in the fresh coastal air, step into a world where time slows down, and get excited for the following two weeks.
Private Wilderness Experience Wild Coast
Tucked deep within the untouched beauty of Mkambati Nature Reserve, this Private Wilderness Experience is for those who crave raw, unfiltered nature—far from the noise and distractions of everyday life. Here, the wild takes center stage, with conservation at its core, ensuring the land remains as pure as it has for centuries. Whether you’re trekking through rugged landscapes, watching the sun melt into the horizon, or simply soaking in the silence, every moment invites a deeper connection to nature, while group activities encourage a sense of shared experience and community in the wilderness.
Activities during the PWE
This wilderness journey offers adventure and a deep dive into conservation. Trek through plains where zebra and kudu roam, explore vibrant marine life by kayak or snorkel, and discover hidden waterfalls on 4x4 excursions or bike rides. Experience birdwatching in a diverse habitat, including rare Cape Vultures. Relax by the campfire under the stars, learning from local guides about the Pondo people's heritage. More than adventure, this journey supports Mkambati’s conservation efforts and long-term ecofriendliness.
Wildlife at the Wild Coast
The reserve is home to plains game such as zebra, eland, and kudu, while its cliffs shelter one of the largest colonies of Cape Vultures. Dolphins are often seen in the waters off the coast and there are seasonal visits from humpback whales - a breathtaking natural spectacle. With over 2000 plant species and a variety of birdlife, Mkambati is a vital sanctuary for rare and endemic species, making it a true natural wonder.
Accommodation at GweGweLodge
GweGwe Lodge is a place where comfort and wilderness meet effortlessly. Thoughtfully built to blend into its surroundings, the lodge offers a quiet retreat with uninterrupted ocean views and spaces that reflect the local landscape and culture. Each of the nine suites is designed for solitude and connection — private pools, airy interiors, and the sound of the waves as a constant companion. Evenings are spent in the main lodge, sharing simple, wholesome meals made from fresh, local ingredients and gathering around the fire to trade stories of the day’s explorations.
Leisure and board at GweGwe Lodge
At GweGwe, savor locally grown produce and freshly caught seafood, crafted into nourishing dishes that capture the essence of the Wild Coast. Dine under the stars, indulge in picnic feasts at scenic spots, or share stories over a beachside barbecue. Between adventures, unwind with a book in your private garden, relax in your plunge pool, or take a peaceful stroll along the untouched shoreline. Every moment here invites you to slow down and reconnect.
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Start
Arrival at the Wild Coast
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Itinerary
Typical Day during PWE
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Location
Mkambati Nature Reserve
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Last Day
Departure from GweGwe Lodge
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1. Mkhambathi Nature Reserve
Mkhambathi Nature Reserve, located on South Africa’s Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape, is a protected area known for its unspoiled natural beauty. Covering approximately 7,720 hectares, the reserve features rolling grasslands, coastal forests, and striking sandstone cliffs that overlook the Indian Ocean. One of its most unique attractions is the Mkhambathi River, which flows through the reserve, creating a series of waterfalls, including the well-known Mkhambathi Falls, which plunge directly into the sea.
The reserve’s diverse habitats support a variety of wildlife, including large herbivores such as eland, red hartebeest, and bushbuck, as well as smaller mammals like chacma baboons and vervet monkeys. Birdwatchers can spot species such as the crowned eagle, ground hornbill, and various coastal seabirds. The marine environment along the rugged coastline is rich in marine life, with dolphins and whales frequently spotted offshore.
Background to the PWE Wild Coast and the Mkambati Nature Reserve
GweGwe Lodge in the Mkambati Nature Reserve not only stands for unspoiled wilderness but also for the rebuilding of community and sustainable conservation. In 1922, the local communities were forcibly removed from their lands to make way for a leper hospital and later a TB facility. In 1977, the seaward portion of Mkambati’s grasslands was designated as a provincial nature reserve, with the old doctor’s house and rondavels at GweGwe being converted into visitor accommodation. At the turn of the century, the Mkambati Land Trust was formed by community members from seven villages to claim ownership of the land they had been displaced from under the Restitution of Land Rights Act. The Trust now owns 18,000 hectares of the reserve and adjacent lands, with the agreement that Mkambati will remain a provincial reserve, managed by Eastern Cape Parks in perpetuity.
The Trust earns 9% of the gross revenue from GweGwe Lodge and benefits from job creation and community outreach programs. In 2024, the first health outreach program provided free eye testing and glasses to local residents, with plans for a mobile clinic underway. Additionally, a unique security initiative, the “Green Griffons” women’s anti-poaching unit, is being established, inspired by the success of similar programs in Kruger National Park. Local amaMpondo staff are hired and trained to support GweGwe Lodge operations, and an organic vegetable farm is in development on the outskirts of the reserve. The collaboration between conservation, community development, and conscious tourism ensures that Mkambati’s legacy continues to thrive, benefiting both the environment and local communities for generations to come.
Conscious Travel with Natucate
Supporting real conservation projects worldwide through individual wilderness adventures – our ambitions, our values, our service.
