West Coast Meander Hiking Trail

About

Hotel Hiking Trail

This unique Trail offers you the opportunity to walk a section of the magnificent Wild Coast. The area that the hike covers is a nature lover’s paradise, with access so limited that the only way to see the majority of the coastline is to hike. You will encounter long lonely beaches, river estuaries teeming with marine life, river fauna, and majestic views. Experience peaceful tranquillity that is unsurpassed. Not only is the scenery unbelievably beautiful but this remote area of the country remains relatively untouched by the trappings of civilisation

This 5-night 6-day trail allows you to walk, swim and explore the coastline during the day and spend every night in comfort at one of the Wild Coast Hotels, where you can enjoy the wonderful cuisine and warm hospitality.

Carry only your personal items (clothing and toiletries, etc.) and a picnic lunch, which will be provided by the hotels.

The Trail covers a distance of about 55km.

The trail is adaptable and can be extended or shortened to suit your requirements. For instance try a 6-night trail, spend an additional night at any of the 5 resorts and use the extra day to put your feet up and enjoy the facilities available. A popular choice is to spend an extra night at Wavecrest Hotel after the 21km hike.

The Trail itself offers some interesting and challenging aspects yet river crossings are done by ferry, hiking over headlands, beach walking and crossing the Kei River on a pontoon. As the daily distances are very average and the terrain relatively easy, no great level fitness is required. Anyone reasonably fit and able can do this Trail. Children are welcome so this is an ideal back to nature family holiday. They use locally trained guides, all of whom are friendly and eager to share their knowledge and love of the land with you. This provides a valuable source of income for the rural areas.

The package includes:

• Transfer from E.L. Airport, or other venue in East London, to Kob Inn. This journey takes about 3 hours, and involves a tarred road with a bumpy and dusty gravel section. (Please note departures from East London are mornings only, no later than 09h30).
• Accommodation in the following hotels with all meals provided;
  Day 1 Kob Inn
  Day 2 Mazzepa Bay Hotel
  Day 3 Wavecrest
  Day 4 Trennery’s
  Day 5 Morgan Bay. ( dinner bed and breakfast only)
• Road transfer back to E.L. from Morgan Bay Hotel
• Service of a community guide whilst walking the Trail.
• Bed levies & vat

Should you wish to spend the night prior to your trail or on completion in East London, we can offer you accommodation at our Meander Inn, a B&B especially designed to accommodate the hiking groups on the night before their trail. The groups can enjoy a social get together, braai, and will be briefed with maps and photographs on the trail. Alternately we can arrange for you to stay at any other venue of your choice.

The Trail is available from Mid-January until early December. (Excluding March/April school holidays and Easter weekend Dec/Jan school holidays,)  Arrangements can be made with ourselves to leave any excess luggage and valuables in safe keeping for you.

Proposed Itinerary

Day 1

Transfer by road to Kob Inn beach resort- set on the rocks, refreshments will be provided on the bus and a lunch will be arranged on arrival at Kob Inn. Afternoon at leisure, retire to the bar for evening drinks and snacks before enjoying a scrumptious dinner.

OPTIONAL EXTRA

Canoe quietly on the river taking in the prolific bird life. Quad bikes are available for hire.

Day 2 (6km)

Today hikers can take their time swimming and sunbathing en route or Lunch can be enjoyed at Kob Inn. Please inform the hotel the previous night, which option you, prefer.
Arrive Mazeppa Bay in the afternoon. Relax in this beautiful tropical setting and enjoy any number of the interesting sights e.g. Visit the island attached to the mainland via suspension bridge. Or enjoy a beautiful forest walk.

Day 3 (22km)

After an early breakfast depart for Wavecrest. This day takes you along grassy banks adjacent to the coastline with many natural springs and long sandy beaches fringed with palms and many indigenous trees. Although the route is long, the terrain is flat.

OPTIONAL EXTRA

Enjoy a booze cruise up the Nxaxo River. Bird lovers might consider paddling up the river in one of the many canoes to view the wonderful bird life for which Wavecrest is renowned. Unwind at the Wavecrest spa.

Day 4

Today’s hike is about 14 km and entails a river crossing via a canoe. Around lunchtime you should reach the wreck of the Jacaranda. This is a good spot for a picnic lunch and bathing. At the Qolora River you arrive at Trennery’s Hotel where you overnight. Spend the evening relaxing – exploring the area and enjoy a mouth-watering dinner.

Day 5

After an early breakfast a visit to the scenic gates on the Qolora River can be included (there is an extra charge for this trail) Thereafter depart for Kei Mouth, a 6km stretch along the beach will bring you to the Kei River. This used to be the border between the Transkei and S.A. The river crossing is made on the pontoon, which is one of the last remaining working pontoons in the country. The Trail then takes you around the village of Kei Mouth to Morgan Bay.
Arrive at Morgan Bay late afternoon and after a relaxing shower enjoy a superb dinner. The pub is always an interesting place to visit with locals telling new & old stories.

Day 6

After a late breakfast hikers will be collected from the Hotel and transferred back to East London. If you would like to spend the morning and only be collected later, just inform us.

Should groups wish to continue the trail it can be extended into the Wild Coast Amble, which ends at Areena River side resort, we can therefore offer 6, 7 or even an eight night trail. This hike is flexible and you can spend additional time at each or any resort thus turning it into a real holiday and allowing you to enjoy the facilities on offer. A quote will be issued for this, on request.

The Meander Trail has been awarded Green Trail Flag status, this accreditation is done independently and means we acknowledge the need to be environmentally responsible, have high safety standards and ensure user satisfaction.

Malaria: This is a Malaria Free area.
Crime: We cannot guarantee that the area is crime free as in every country in the world it is a factor, but there have been no incidents with tourists along this route. We have selected a safe route and a local guide will accompany you.

Please note hikers either carry their own backpacks. Or porters can be hired on a daily basis to carry back packs, we encourage hikers to use porters as this provides much needed employment to the local communities. Inquire re daily costs.

The price is per person and costs are determined by number of persons.

Rates inclusive of:

• 05 Nights accommodation (Kob Inn, Mazeppa, Wavecrest, Trennery’s, Morgan Bay)
• Transfer from East London to Kob Inn on day one
• Transfer from Morgan Bay to East London on day six
• All meals from lunch on day one to breakfast on day six
• Daily local guide from Kob Inn to Morgan Bay
• Bed levies and 15% VAT