DAY 1 - AMADIBA ADVENTURES OFFICE, MZAMBA RIVER TO
KWANYANA CAMP
Upon arrival at the Mzamba Craft Centre, the visitor is
accompanied by a local guide for a 2.4km hike to the
Mzamba River, and then escorted across the narrow waters by
canoe. Once across the river it is time to ??saddle-up??
and enjoy a four-hour horse ride (perfectly suited for
beginners) along unspoilt beaches and undulating hills
dotted with Pondo settlements. The first camp, Kwanyana,
is set by a river and local caterers provide good quality
meals in a superb environment. Accommodation is in small
dome tents (mattresses, duvets & bedding provided) and
facilities include a pleasant bush toilet and hot shower. | |
DAY 2 - KWANYANA CAMP TO MTENTU CAMP
With rested horses and rested bodies, the visitors begin
the second stage of the trip. The route from Kwanyana
takes you through thick dune forest to the
spectacular ??red sands??- a phenomenal landscape which is a
marked contrast to the green valleys and the blue sea.
The horse ride continues over long sandy beaches, rugged
outcrops and hills of green, to arrive at the second
campsite.
Mtentu is a campsite with a difference: the complex
reflects the project??s sensitivity towards the
environment. The kitchen, dining facilities and the
ablution amenities merge with the local environment.
Accommodation is provided in high wall tents on wooden
platforms. The afternoon is free to explore the natural
surrounds or swim at a nearby fresh water rock pool. | |
DAY 3 - MTENTU CAMP, MTENTU ESTUARY, MKAMBATI MINIATURE
COCONUT PALMS, MSIKABA RIVER
The third day is dedicated to a canoe trip up Mtentu
estuary. Mtentu is undoubtedly one of South Africa??s most
beautiful estuaries and is famous for the unique Mkambati
miniature coconut palm that grows along part of its south
facing bank and on the banks of its southern neighbour,
the river Msikaba - and nowhere else in the world. The
riverbanks are lined with thick forest and after about 1km
the paddlers leave the main river for a short paddle up a
tributary to the base of a large waterfall. Further up the
river, an optional activity is a short scramble through
the thickly forested gorge to a cave used by sangomas.
After about 4km of blissful paddling, the party alights
from the canoes at another tributary and departs on a
boulder-hopping hike up the gorge to a spectacular set of
waterfalls for lunch. A further paddle follows this to the
ebb and flow of the estuary before heading back to camp. | |
DAY 4 - MKAMBATI RESERVE, MKAMBATI RIVER, STRANDLOPER
FALL, MTENTU CAMP
After breakfast the party crosses Mtentu River by canoe
for a hike into the Mkambati reserve. The route takes the
visitors initially on the beach and then into the
grassland, where it is possible to view a large variety of
antelope among other wildlife. From here the trail takes
the party to a shipwreck from the 70s. After exploring the
wreck the visitors head on the Mkambati River that
cascades in an impressive waterfall into the sea. Set
further back in the forest is another spectacular
waterfall called the Strandloper Fall that derives its
name from a cave on the edge of the deep pool at the base
of the waterfall. After lunch in the cave and perhaps a
swim, the party returns along a more inland route back to
Mtentu Camp. | |
DAY 5 - MTENTU CAMP TO KWANYANA CAMP
The morning offers a choice of alternatives that could
include a forest hike, a visit to local homesteads or
simply sunbathing on the beach. In the afternoon the party
is back on horses for the return trip to Kwanyana camp,
stopping at a hill above the magnificent Sikhombe estuary ??
ideal for viewing dolphins and whales in winter (usually
from late June to late October). | |
DAY 6 - KWANYANA CAMP, MNYAMENI RIVER, MZAMBA RIVER TO
MZAMBA CRAFT CENTRE
The final day takes visitors on an alternative route back
towards the Mzamba River. After crossing Mnyameni River,
the trail heads inland to a spectacular series of
waterfalls and natural pools where a break is made for
lunch. From there, it is back to the beach for the final
leg back to Mzamba River.
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