South Africa
EASTERN CAPE
Ranging from the semi-arid Great Karoo to the forests of the Wild Coast and including 800 km pristine coastline lapped by the Indian Ocean, Eastern Vape offer a remarkable natural diversity. The contrasting coastline, with its perfect waves, its challenging wind and its particulary splendid beaches, is a paradise for water sports entuhsiasts. The forests and hilly grasslands are home to private game reserves and national parks offering sanctuary for a many species of wildlife. The area is known for the traditionnal Xhosa villages, sitting on the rolling hills and adding magical colors and shapes to the landscape.
/ Eastern Cape
The remoted village of Coffee Bay is a real beachcomer especially known for its coastal hike "The Hole in the Wall". Coffee Bay is one of the key destinations of an itinerary on the Wild Coast. With its rustic lodges, its numerous bars and its sublime beaches, Coffee Bay has the reputation of "the place to be" for backpackers...
Located 70 km north of Port Elizabeth, Addo Elephant National Park is Africa's third largest national reserve. As its name suggests, it is a sanctuary for one of the densest African Elephant populations on earth. The park was prochaimed in 1913 and, at this time, it was a home to only 16 elephants. Today, there is more than 500...
Sport addicts, the Eastern Cape coastline will be your paradise. With its big swells and a sublime coastal scenery, this coastine offers some of the best surfing spots in the world. Beginners or hardcore surf junkies, everybody found his perfect waves. However, surfing is from far the only sport experience you can find on...
Oudtshoorn, the "Ostrich Capital of the World", is a town located in the Western Cape (We put this article in the Eastern Cape section beause it made sense regarding to our itinerary, we don't try to invente a new geography in South Africa). The town counts many farms and activities dedicated to the animal. Leather, feathers...
OUR EXPERIENCE IN EASTERN CAPE
Our itinerary was going from Drakensberg to Coffee Bay, our first stop on Eastern Cape. The road is quite long (630 km, 8 hours) so we stopped for a night break in Kokstad, a grey city along the way. Here are the distance between our different stops in the area :
Coffee Bay → Port Elizabeth : 630 km / 8 hours
(Addo Elephant National Park is 40 km from Port Elizabeth)
Port Elizabeth → Jeffreys Bay : 80 km / 1h10
Jeffreys Bay → Oudtshoorn : 290 km / 3h10
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We spent one week in the Eastern Cape but if you are a watersport addict you can easily enjoy more time on the coastlne, especially in Jeffreys Bay. Oudthoorn wasn't really a "must", so if you don't have much time it's better to focus on other place. We were two days in Coffee Bay, one day in Port Elizabeth, one day in Addo Elephant National Park, two days in Jeffreys Bay and half a day in Oudtshoorn.
COFFEE BAY
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There is many backpackers lodges, guesthouses and camping in Coffee Bay. But the popularity of the place made the price more expensive. We spent two night in "Sugerloaf Backpacker" in a african rondavel (double room) and it cost us 550 ZAR (36€) for a night. It was pretty expensive compared to other accomodations we had earlier, especially for the value for money. However, if you are young and you like sport, especially surfing, this place is made for you.
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Sugerloaf Backpacker
7 Scotston Road, 3257 Underberg | sugarloafbackpackers.com
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Here is a list of other accomodation in Coffee Bay : www.wildcoast.co.za
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PORT ELIZABETH​
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There is many types of accomodations in Port Elizabeth for every budget. We stayed in "The Hippo Backpackers", a beautiful big house in the city with every facilities you need. We payed 380 ZAR (28€) for a double room.
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The Hippo Backpacker
14 Glen Street, Port Elizabeth | +27 41 585 6350 | thehippo.co.za
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JEFFREYS BAY
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Jeffreys Bay is full of gueshouse and lodges, most of them are dedicated to board sport and more particularly to surfing. The general atmosphere in the city is really young and festive. We stayed in "Cristal Cove", where we sharded a really modern and full equiped little appartment with an american surfer. We payed 380 ZAR (28€) for a night.
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Cristal Cove
49 Flame Cres, Jeffreys Bay | +27 42 293 2101 | cristalcove.co.za
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