The coast between the towns of Port St Johns and Coffee Bay is renowned for many beautiful lagoons, and one of the loveliest of the Wild Coast’s many parks - the Hluleka Nature Reserve. The beaches are punctuated with extraordinary rocky outcrops shaped into strange formations by the wind. In winter the indigenous forest is ablaze with the scarlet blossoms of the coral tree (Erithryna lysistemon).

The reserve has accommodation in wooden chalets on stilts overlooking the sea. From the balconies you should be able to see hundreds of dolphins lazily dipping through the surf. There is a small shop.

The reserve itself is a wanderers’ paradise, with hundreds of little meandering paths. You could encounter blesbuck, zebra and wildebeest. On the beach you will find the tracks of otter. The forest is rich in incredible bird- life reverberating through the trees – sunbirds, canaries, herons, and the jewel in the crown: the fabulous, elusive narina trogon.

You will need a permit to fish – this permit can be obtained when you make your booking through the Nature Conservation Office in Umtata.

Many operators run hiking trails along this stretch of coast, with accommodation in local guest homes.

To get here, travel from Umtata towards to Port St Johns. At Libode take a right turn and travel through Ntibane to reach the Hluleka Nature Reserve.

Tel / Fax : +27 (0)47 531-5290