Hiking The Wild Coast

The hiking options around Bulungula are plentiful and range from a little stroll to day- or week-long hikes along the Wild Coast. If you made Bulungula your base and would like to stretch your legs a bit, go for a walk through the village. Enjoy the beautiful views over your home for now and see how the local people are living around here. Should you have more time and wish to go on a little hike along the coast, which we highly recommend, try and find the secret beach. Not to worry though, despite its name, it can’t be missed! Cross the Bulungula river and follow the beach and the coastline, until you reach a beautiful, unspoiled beach that we call the secret beach. You will most likely only have to share it with a couple of friendly cows. Once you arrived, enjoy the delicious home-made packed lunch the mamas prepared for you.

Another beautiful way to explore the Wild Coast is to go on a hike for several days and stay at our Backpacker friends in Lubanzi, Coffee Bay and / or Mdumbi. This hike can be done individually or with one of our knowledgeable local guides.

In either case it will take you along the coastline and through colorful villages to Lubanzi or Coffee Bay. It takes 4 hours to Lubanzi, where you can sleep over at Wild Lubanzi or Mbolompo Homestay, and another 4 hours from Lubanzi to Coffee Bay. It is possible to walk to Coffee Bay in one day but it is a tough 8 hour trek. If you would like to continue to Mdumbi, that will be another 3 – 4 hours from Coffee Bay.

This Wild Coast hike boasts stunning views over rolling green hills and endless ocean. Marvel at indiginous plants and the wildlife. Cows on the beach are a guranatee, dolphins in the ocean if you’re lucky! As you pass through the Xhosa villages, you will meet friendly locals going about their way. Make sure to stop for a little chat as they love meeting the people who are visiting their land. You will pass the beautiful Mpame indigenous forest, one of the largest forests in the region.

To make things easier, the lodge can arrange for your bags to be shuttled so that all you need to carry is a day bag with water, lunch and camera. Please speak to us in advance to check that the shuttle is running on that day. We also provide a shuttle service from/to Mthatha should you wish to leave your car there.

Although Bulungula is just as perfect to kick-off your hiking adventure along the coast, we’d recommend you end your trip here – put your feet up, relax and experience our local village and culture at our cultural experiences – all planned and organised by community members. Another advantage of starting your hike in Mdumbi or Coffee Bay is that this way, you will hike with the sun in your back instead of in your eyes!