Hikes: 1. Umtamvuna Nature Reserve

50m from Vuna Valley Ventures entrance is the start of x 7 clearly marked hiking trails ranging from ½ hr / 1hr to 3-5 hr trails, passing alongside the river, through forests and up to the Gorge View Deck with the most magical and spectacular views.

The Umtamvuna Nature Reserve is an international botanist hotspot as there are more rare trees found here than in any other conservation area in South Africa.

Abundant small game ranging from small mammals like blue duicker, reed buck, samanga monkeys, porcupine and the calls of 259 resident bird species with the favorite Fish Eagle.

·      Maps are available at VV reception and the guard hut. Entrance to the Reserve is R15pp

HIKE 2. Pondoland Wild Coast Fossil Hike.

A  +- 2 -3 hr  guided beach hike with Bennie Nkosinathi Mbotho, along a stretch of long white beach with clear rock pools and hidden gems lurking in sea caves between the Wild Coast Sun and the Mzamba River mouth which is locally known as the Petrified Forest. It abounds in large petrified tree trunks, ammonites (which lived and became extinct at the same time as the dinosaurs), inoceramus or extinct GIANT clams) and a host of other fossils. Mzamba is the oldest recorded Upper Cretaceous fossil site and the area has been nominated to be declared a heritage site, as it is crusial to preserve the site not only from a scientific point of view but also as a national heritage site for the public to observe a glimpse of life about 82 – 84 million years ago. R40pp

WILD COAST PONDOLAND HIKE.  1-5 night guided coastal hike where you walk the most famous and pristine coast of the Wild Coast in Pondoland/Transkei experiencing the wonderful knowledge of the coast with your guide and the lifetime experience of being hosted with a coastal village community and tented camps .The hikes include dinner/bed /breakfast and a packed lunch, prepared by your community host family creating lifelong memories and experiences to talk about, PLUS you support a sustainable living for this coastal community who are knowledgeable and passionate about sustaining and conserving the richness of The Wild Coast.

HIKE 1- 3day hike. PORT EDWARD – MTENTU -MKAMBATHI

Day 1 Arrive at VVV . Dinner/bed/breakfast/and packed lunch/fresh water for the next days hike. Terry and Dave will brief you on your hike. Should you arrive earlier enough you may take the canoes and gently paddle up the Umtamvuna Nature Reserve Gorge river,Mtamvuna, or visit a neighboring coffee farm and taste their brands and visit the Gorge View deck to take pictures of the spectacular views.

Day 2 VVV will transfer you to the beach to meet your guide at +- 08h00am. You will walk long stretches of sandy but firm beach through the fossil beds known as the Petrified forest, with sightings of extinct ammonites, giant clam shells in caves and more dependant on the tides. After walking about 2.5klm you will cross the Mzamba river by ferryman. A further 10klm hike and you will reach and cross the Mnyameni river. A swim in a beautiful natural pool know locally as Phushungwane. You are almost there and hike a further 3klm to be greeted by your VBA  hosts. Your accommodation, 10 min from the sea, is in village huts with mattresses and blankets provided. Dinner/breakfast/packed lunch provided.

Day 3 After breakfast you start your hike and pass Stone Age Artefacts and continue a further 10klm to cross the Skombie River and hike to Mtentu community tented camp. Dinner/breakfast/packed lunch. This area is famous for the Pondo Palm which is found nowhere else in the world and the estuary is the breeding ground in the summer months for the Kingfish. Dependant on availablility and time you may canoe down the Mtentu river estuary with breathtaking vistas.

DAY 4 – This last day hike is splendid and you have sightings of Shipwrecks and of course the Mkambati River that cascades into an impressive waterfall into the sea. There are only a few rivers in the world that cascade into the ocean. Stay in fisherman rondovals. Dinner/breakfast/

Day 5 – VVV will collect after breakfast and transfer you back to Port Edward which is roughly a 2.5 -3 hr drive. Either stay over at VVV for a further night or head off to your next destination

HIKE 2 – PORT EDWARD  - MBOTYI

HIKE 3 – PORT EDWARD – PORT ST JOHNS

(Tailor made packages available for the above hikes)

·      Minimum x 2 people and maximum 10-12 people.

·      Special hike dates/packages arranged. Speak to Terry