WILD COAST SUN TO MKHAMBATHI NATURE RESERVE

Day 1: Wild Coast Sun → Mpondo Village Homestay

Your adventure begins at the Wild Coast Sun, where you’ll park safely in the underground day-visitor parking. Here you’ll meet your Voli Travels guide at 09:30, ready to set off by 10:00.

The trail wastes no time delivering excitement (depending on a low-tide) we begin with the petrified fossil forest then you’ll cross the 153-metre Mzamba suspension bridge, swaying high above the gorge with unforgettable views. The route then hugs the coastline toward your first river crossing at the Mpahlane River, where many hikers choose to slip off their shoes and feel the sand and surf underfoot.

By mid-afternoon, you’ll arrive at your cultural homestay in Xolobeni village. Expect a warm welcome with tea and freshly baked Mpondo bread, followed by a hearty home-cooked dinner shared with your hosts. Accommodation is simple but comfortable, offering a bucket shower, clean toilet, and a cosy mattress in a traditional rondavel.

Day 2: Homestay → Xolobeni Red Dunes → Nyavini village

After a village-style breakfast, your guide leads you across the Mnyameni River before climbing into one of the Wild Coast’s greatest natural wonders—the Xolobeni Red Dunes. Often called the “smallest desert in the world,” these deep ochre dunes glow beautifully in the morning light. It’s a surreal, historic landscape where each step feels like walking back in time.

From the dunes, you return to the coastline, cross the Sikombe River, and continue toward the village based accomodation.

Meals are included throughout your stay. End the day with a wholesome dinner and unwind around the fire in the boma, always a highlight for hikers.

Day 3: Mtentu → Mkhambathi Nature Reserve → Return to homestays

Your final day begins with a hearty breakfast before setting out on a scenic loop into Mkhambathi Nature Reserve. A short ferry ride across the Mtentu Estuary starts the day, followed by an easy 4 km walk into the reserve.

Along the route, you’ll pass the site of the shipwreck, a poignant reminder of the Wild Coast’s dramatic maritime history.

The heart of the day lies at the waterfalls—spectacular natural wonders found nowhere else on earth:

• Strandlooper Falls, spilling elegantly into the gorge
• Mkhambathi Falls, plunging directly into the Indian Ocean

This is your time to swim, explore, relax, and enjoy lunch with panoramic views you’ll never forget.

By late afternoon, you return to the homestay for your final night. Dinner is served with your choice of wine, beer, or cider, ending the day with a crackling fire under the stars—an unforgettable Voli Travels tradition.