Qolora Accommodation

Qolora Mouth is a small seaside hamlet that offers wide-open beaches, interesting trails, good fishing and friendly, relaxed and affordable holiday accommodation to boot.

The Qholorha (meaning steep place) River takes its name from the gorge it has carved on its way to the sea. The river forms a pretty lagoon at the mouth as it is held back by a wide beach, frequented by herds of cattle that go there to sleep, relax and chew the cud. Towards the south, a series of rocky fingers point out to sea and provide ideal spots for fishermen to cast out their lines.

Trennerys Hotel

Imagine a place where treasured memories are made... Situated at Qolora Mouth just north of East London, Trennerys Hotel still maintains its Old World charm and is unique in its old-fashioned hospitality.

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Trennerys Hotel

Seagulls Beach Hotel

It's your Transkei Hotel on the beach... The Seagulls Beach Hotel at Qolora is the perfect family getaway spot for that Christmas party or function!

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Seagulls Beach Hotel

Trevors Trails, Qolora

Take a thoroughly enjoyable walk with Qolora locals Trevor Wigley and Siphiwo Nkonki to such interesting sites as "The Gates" or Nongqawuse's "Pools of Prophecy". Their knowledge of the local fauna & flora and the area's history will astound you. They can also arrange a visit to a local Igqirha (Traditional Spiritual Doctor) or take you for a sundowner cruise on the river.

Beach Walks, Qolora

Take hike only the beach to the Jacaranda shipwreck, it's a one and half to two hour walk each way. The beach is wide and empty, your only company a few cows relaxing and chewing the cud.

Canoeing, Qolora

The Qolora River is held back at the mouth by the large beach and forms a tranquil lagoon for you to enjoy. Take an easy paddle to the upper reaches, while admiring the fish eagles and kingfishers along the way. From there a path leads up along the river and through the riverine forest towards The Gates Waterfall.

Qolora Beach

Road to Qolora

The Gates

The Jacaranda Shipwreck

The Jacaranda was a 2000-ton Greek-owned coaster, which ran aground on the night of September the 18th, 1971. She was not laden with any cargo and her engines failed as she negotiated the windy seas. She ran aground on the beach, about an hour's walk north of Qolora Mouth and the captain, his wife and 14 crew members abandoned ship using a rope ladder which they strung from the ships prow to the nearby rocks. Successive storms have taken their toll on the stranded ship and today only the bow remains.

The wreck is an hour-long walk north along the beach from Qolora

The Gates Waterfall

Gxara Falls

Police, Qolora

Activities include fishing, golf, swimming, canoeing and walks to such interesting places as the Gates waterfall, the Jacaranda shipwreck of 1971, and the pools on the Gxara river where Nongqawuse had her disastrous visions. For day trips, head for the Great Kei viewpoint or the picturesque Khobonqaba River, a few kilometres beyond the Jacaranda Shipwreck, home to the southern-most mangrove community in Africa.

Qolora (Qholorha) Mouth is one of the few coastal hamlets in the Transkei that is easily accessible with an average family car. It is only a 16km drive across the Kei River from the pontoon ferry, which means its less than a two hour drive away from East London.

Directions from East London:
On the N2 from East London, take the Kei Mouth / Morgan Bay turnoff at Mooiplaas and follow the R349 for 44km into Kei Mouth. A few hundred metres past the petrol station, turn left and take the gravel road to the pontoon ferry. Cross the Kei River on the ferry and drive 10km and turn right at the T-Junction. From there it is a further 6km to Qolora.

Directions from Durban:
Route 1 (tar + 25km dirt road): At Butterworth take the R409 to Centane. From Centane drive along the dirt road to Trennerys / Seagulls for 25km.

Route 2 (tar + ferry + 16km dirt road):
31km past the Kei Bridge take the Kei Mouth / Morgan Bay turnoff at Mooiplaas and follow the R349 for 44km into Kei Mouth. A few hundred metres past the petrol station, turn left and take the gravel road to the pontoon ferry. Cross the Kei River on the ferry and drive 10km and turn right at the T-Junction. From there it is a further 6km to Qolora.

Route 3 (tar + ferry + 38km dirt road):
15km past the Kei Bridge turn left onto a dirt road at the Kei Mouth / Morgan Bay turnoff. 22km later at the T-Junction, turn left and drive another 22km on the tar road into Kei Mouth. A few hundred metres past the petrol station, turn left and take the gravel road to the pontoon ferry. Cross the Kei River on the ferry and drive 10km and turn right at the T-Junction. From there it is a further 6km to Qolora.

Qolora Accommodation and Activities