Adventures & Activities

MbotyiOnline is a community-centric eco-tourism enterprise located in the stunning Pondoland area of the Wild Coast, dedicated to conservation and sustainable development. Emphasizing the importance of eco-tourism, MbotyiOnline offers a range of customizable hiking experiences that cater to various skill levels and interests, from serene forest walks to multi-day coastal treks. Their approach allows visitors to explore the unique beauty and cultural richness of the Wild Coast responsibly, promoting environmental stewardship and enhancing local livelihoods.

Each hike is thoughtfully planned to provide an immersive experience, highlighting the untouched landscapes and biodiversity of Pondoland. Guests enjoy inclusive services such as daily meals focusing on fresh local seafood, comfortable accommodations in authentic beach cottages, and the convenience of having their baggage transported to each day's destination. Local guides, deeply knowledgeable about the region's ecology and culture, lead the expeditions, enriching the journey with their insights and ensuring a safe and memorable adventure.

The Xhosa months of the year are poetically named after stars and seasonal plants of Southern Africa. The Xhosa year traditionally began in June and ended in May, when Canopus, the brightest star visible in the Southern Hemisphere, signalled the time for harvesting. In urban areas today, anglicised versions of the months are used, especially by the younger generation. But in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape – the old names still stand.

• January - EyoMqungu (month of the Tambuki Grass)
• February - EyoMdumba (month of the swelling grain)
• March - EyoKwindla (month of the first fruits)
• April - uTshaz'iimpuzi (month of the withering pumpkins)
• May - EyeCanzibe (month of Canopus)
• June - EyeSilimela (month of the Pleiades)
• July - EyeKhala (month of the aloes)
• August - EyeThupha (month of the buds)
• September - EyoMsintsi (month of the coast coral tree)
• October - EyeDwarha (month of the tall yellow daisies)
• November - EyeNkanga (month of the small yellow daisies)
• December - EyoMnga - (month of the acacia^§ thorn tree)

^§ Update: December was listed incorrectly as the month of the mimosa thorn tree. But as mimosa is not indigenous to South Africa, and only would have arrived here a few hundred years ago from South America; December should actually be the "month of the acacia thorn tree". Oxford English-Xhosa Dictionary backs this up. 

~Jeff - Oct '16