Wild Coast Jikeleza Route and Information

The Wild Coast Jikeleza Route boast magnificent scenery, pristine ecosystems, affordable family accommodation, superb culinary offerings, malaria-free Big 5 game viewing and adventurous leisure activities for the whole family.

Named after the isiXhosa expression "To go around" the Jikeleza Route is East London's premier tourism route and also its best-kept secret. Situated just 10km northeast of the city, the Wild Coast Jikeleza Route runs along the old Schafli Road (East Coast Resorts Road) and stretches from Sunrise on Sea to Cefane. The Jikeleza Route is now the official start of South Africa's Wild Coast, a stretch of rugged coastline sprinkled with some of the best beaches in the world.

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Hikes and Walks, Cintsa

The 5-day Strandloper Hiking Trail passes along the village's 17km long beach and past the wreck site of the Atalaia, which sunk in 1647 between Cintsa and Cefani. The Portuguese vessel broke up long ago and is no longer visible; however some cannon were retrieved from the wreck and can now be seen in the East London Museum.

Cintsa Horses

Imagine cantering down the beach with the ocean on one side and magnificent dunes on the other, a pod of dolphins diving through the waves, that's what you can experience.

Our trails vary from a 2 hour trail incorporating beach and bush and some of the most scenic views from above Buccaneers Backpackers at Cintsa looking back toward Morgan Bay and Kei Mouth.

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Cintsa Horses

Wild Coast Jikeleza Festival

Take a drive and stay a while to enjoy all that the Wild Coast Jikeleza Tourism Route has to offer. The highlight of the route is the annual Wild Life Jikeleza Festival - an incredible weekend of sport, entertainment and wildlife. Described as the "best family-fun festival in the Eastern Cape", the Wild Coast Jikeleza Festival takes place in the fabulous grounds of the Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve, 30km from East London on Saturday and Sunday 30 – 31 July 2011. Gates open at 9am and tickets cost R20 an adult, R10 an adult; kids 5 years and under are free.

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Wild Coast Jikeleza Festival

Surfing, Yellowsands

This exposed point runs out just south of the Kwelera River mouth and is one of the top rated surf spots in the area, with a perfect right hand break. The beach break is more consistent, with hollow lefts and rights, depending on sand around the mouth. The beach also handles strong southwest winds. The point needs solid, long-period south or southeast groundswell, pushing high tide and glassy or light northwest winds, otherwise it can be fickle, and you end up chasing shadows. On a good day, wedgy take-offs and long tubing sections along the rocks. Getting caught on the inside is tricky.

Surfing, Queensberry Bay

The relatively short ride at Queensberry Bay is made up for by its quality. The wave walls up along a shallow rock shelf, then bends around into deeper water and fades. In glassy conditions, it can be classic. The bigger the swell, the deeper you take off and the longer the ride. A south to southeast swell of 6-8 feet in light land breezes is best. Sensitive to wind. There is an inside left on the far side of the bay that gets good in east swell. Quiet during the week.

The River, Yellowsands

The Kwelera River estuary forms somewhat of a protected shallow lagoon creating a safe place for the youngsters to swim. The river is safe for boating, and is both wide and long enough for water skiing, wake boarding and tubing. The river is able to be traveled by boat as far as 5km inland from the river mouth providing excellent fishing, stunning scenery and bird watching opportunities.

The Beach, Yellowsands

Long walks on the beach, rock pools with abundant fish life, bathing and shell collecting are just a few of the beach activities most spend their time doing.

Cintsa

Cintsa beach

Cintsa view

Glengariff

Inkwenkwezi Game Reserve

Tucked along South Africa's breathtaking Wild Coast, Inkwenkwezi is a world-class big five game reserve with an emphasis on luxury and thoughtful details. Inkwenkwezi's prime location in the malaria-free Eastern Cape of South Africa offers many unique opportunities, as it encompasses five different regional ecosystems (biomes) and a tidal estuary. This rich diversity of landscape offers unparalleled wildlife viewing. The reserve is just five minutes from magnificent beaches and a short, convenient drive from the East London airport.

The Beach, Cintsa

Cintsa boasts a magnificent, 17-kilometre long, beach.

Kwelera Conservation Area

Kwelera has an abundant variety of bird life and even some wildlife for those keen outdoor enthusiasts. Knysna Lourie, Fish Eagles, Herons and Kingfishers are just a few of the many birds you should be able to spot in the surrounding areas. Blue dyker, bush buck and vervet monkeys are some of the more commonly seen wildlife.

Petrol, Jikeleza Route

Shop, Cintsa

Ski Boat Launch Site

Accommodation can be found all along the Wild Coast Jikeleza Route and ranges from bed and breakfast and self-catering establishments, to backpackers and caravan parks. All offer well situated, quality accommodation, with many having excellent views of the beaches and warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

Places along the route:
Chefane, Cintsa East, Cintsa West, Glen Muir, Glen Eden, Queensberry Bay, Glengariff, Yellowsands, Kwelerha, Sunrise on Sea and Rainbow Valley.

Directions from East London:
Drive along the N2 towards Mthatha. About 5km past the Gonubie turn-off, take the Brakfontein turnoff. At the top of the bridge, turn right (crossing the bridge over the highway) and continue down the road for about 2km. Turn left at the "Schafli Road" and East Coast Resorts sign. You are now at the start of the Jikeleza Route.

Directions from Durban:
Drive along the N2 towards East London. About 41km past the Kei Bridge you will find the turnoff to The Jikeleza Route / Cintsa / East Coast Resorts on your left. It is about 15km from East London.

Wild Coast Jikeleza Route Accommodation and Activities