Page 273 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

THE WILD C O AST , DR AKENSBERG AND MIDLANDS  271

the northern bank, is one of the
leading resorts on the Wild
Coast, and is renowned for its
food and service. There is a lovely
sandy beach and the rugged
coastline extends south to the
cliffs that are known in isiXhosa
as Ndluzulu, after the crash ing
sound of the surf.
Mkambati Nature Reserve
Road map E4. Off R61 N of Port St
Johns. n Eastern Cape Parks, 079 496
7821. ∑ visiteasterncape.co.za
Wedged between the Mzikaba
Traditional Xhosa huts dot the hillsides of the Eastern Cape and Mtentu rivers, Mkambati is
the Wild Coast’s largest nature
eastern banks of the Mbashe There are a number of superbly reserve. Apart from conserving a
River is the Cwebe Nature sited hotels set above the sandy 13-km (8-mile) long strip of
Reserve. The adjoining reserves beaches. A prominent detached grassland and unspoiled, rocky
conserve 60 sq km (23 sq miles) cliff, separated from the coastline, the reserve is known
of dense forest, home to mainland by erosion, has been for its endemic plants such as
bushbuck and blue duiker, as well named Hole in the Wall; it is a the Mkambati palm, found only
as coastal grasslands inhabited by cons picuous landmark located on the north banks of the rivers.
eland, harte beest, wildebeest and 6 km (4 miles) south along the Cape vultures breed in the
zebra. A hiking trail follows the coast. Many centuries of swirling Mzikaba Gorge. Large grazing
entire Wild Coast, but the section wave action have carved an arch herbivores such as eland, red
from Mbashe to Coffee Bay is the through the centre of the cliff. hartebeest, blue wildebeest and
most spectacular. blesbuck have been introduced
Umngazi Mouth into the grasslands. The Mkam-
Coffee Bay Road map E4. 25 km (16 miles) S of bati River flows through the
Road map E4. Off the N2. * 500. Port St Johns. n Umngazi River reserve in a series of water-falls,
n Ocean View Hotel, Main Rd, 047 Bungalows & Spa, 047 564 1115. of which Horse shoe Falls, near
575 2005/6. ∑ oceanview.co.za ∑ umngazi.co.za the sea, is the most striking.
Allegedly named after a ship An idyllic estuary framed by Accommodation ranges from
carrying coffee which was forested hills, the Umngazi offers a stone lodge to cottages. An
wrecked at the site in 1863, superb snorkelling, canoeing added attraction is that the
Coffee Bay is popular for fishing, and board-sailing. Umngazi River reserve is near the Wild Coast
swimming and beach walks. Bungalows & Spa (see p388), on Sun Resort (see p292).

The Xhosa word for Hole in the Wall, esiKhaleni, means “the place of sound”

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