Frequently Asked Questions

The Mtentu Ramble is a moderate hike with 10-17 km daily walks, sometimes on sand with river crossings. Reasonable fitness is recommended but prior hiking experience is unnecessary.

Day 1: 14-17 km, Day 2: 10-13 km, Day 3: 15-17 km. Day 4 is transfer only back to the starting point.

It depends on the tide. There are two routes across the Mzamba River on Day 1, and your guide chooses on the day. At low tide you cross on the beach and walk past the 80-million-year-old Mzamba fossil beds. At high tide, or when the river is running, you cross the 153-metre Mzamba suspension bridge instead. The fossil route adds some distance, which is why Day 1 varies between 14 and 17 km. Both routes are worth doing, and the tide cannot be booked in advance.

All guiding, accommodation (3 nights), daily meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), safe parking, permit fees, ferry fee, and the return transfer on Day 4. You also receive a branded cap.

Alcoholic/soft drinks beyond what's provided, personal snacks, guide tips, Wild Coast Sun parking fee (~R20), the optional luggage transfer (R200 per person, cash only) and an optional porter (R250 per day, one week's notice).

Unfortunately we do not prepare halaal (also spelled halal) food, but we do have vegetarian options available instead. Just let us know when you book. The vegetarian food is genuinely good, and it is what most of our observant guests choose.

Two. The Mtentu Ramble includes two waterfalls, both on Day 3 in Mkhambathi Nature Reserve: the Strandloper Falls and Mkambati Falls, which tumble straight into the Indian Ocean, and you can swim at both. There are a number of other waterfalls in the area if you would like to see more, such as Leopard Rock, Pushengunwe and Swallowtail Falls upriver. They are not part of the four-day hike, so speak to Kelly about her other hikes and trips, or read our guide, Waterfalls Along the Mtentu River, for the full picture.

Night 1 is at a local homestead. Nights 2 and 3 are at the Hiking Shack Dormitory.

The homestead has a toilet and bucket shower. The Hiking Shack has a flushing toilet, gas-powered shower, and washbasin.

Yes, bedding is provided at both the homestead and the Hiking Shack.

Yes, both of your overnight stops now have electricity, so you can charge phones, cameras and power banks each night. The homestay has recently been connected, and the Hiking Shack has electricity throughout. There is no power out on the trail during the day, so a power bank is still worth packing for photos on long days.

Yes, three meals daily are included, plus local specialties like freshly baked Mpondo bread.

Vegetarian and vegan meals are no problem at all, and we handle most common allergies. Please tell us when you book. We are a long way from the nearest town, so anything that needs specially sourced ingredients is harder, and it is always worth carrying a few snacks of your own for the first night at the homestead.

Safe drinking water is available at all overnight stops.

Essential items include: hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, hiking shoes, rain jacket, flashlight/headlamp, beach towel, wet wipes, 3 nights of clothing, first-aid/medications, ziplock bags, and a phone charger.

Comfortable hiking shoes or boots with good grip are recommended. Barefoot sections on the beach are optional.

Absolutely! There are chances to swim at waterfalls and in natural pools along the route.

The hike starts and ends at Wild Coast Sun parking facility. Safe underground parking is available for ~R20 for 3 days.

Meet your guide at 09:30 AM at Wild Coast Sun. Hiking begins at 10:00 AM.

On Day 4, we provide transport back to Wild Coast Sun where your vehicle is parked.

Signal is limited on the trail. Better coverage is available at Wild Coast Sun and on higher elevations.

Straight to the Hiking Shack, where you sleep on nights two and three. You hand your bag over at the Wild Coast Sun on the morning of Day 1 and collect it when you arrive at the Hiking Shack at the end of Day 2. Please note it does NOT go to the first night's homestay, which is the single thing guests most often get wrong. Pack your daypack for two days of walking and one night at the homestay, including a change of clothes, medication and toiletries. The transfer costs R200 per person, cash only.

Yes, porters are available on request at R250 per day, subject to availability. You only need a porter for the first two days, so the usual total is R500 per person: on Day 3 you walk a loop into Mkhambathi and come back to the Hiking Shack, so your bag stays put. We need at least one week's notice because porters are arranged from the local community. A porter can carry up to 15 kg and it must be a backpack, not a suitcase. One porter carries for one hiker only, so a couple who both want their bags carried will need two porters. Porters are cash only, handed to Kelly or to the driver collecting the luggage at the Wild Coast Sun on the morning of the hike, the same as the luggage transfer. Draw the cash in Port Edward, as there are no ATMs beyond it.

Book via WhatsApp (079 517 9954) or through our booking form. We'll confirm availability and provide next steps.

Yes, a 50% deposit secures your booking. The remaining balance is due 30 days before your hike date.

It depends how much notice you give. More than 60 days before departure, moving to another date costs you nothing at all; if you would rather have your money back we refund it less a R500 administration fee. Between 30 and 60 days you forfeit the 50% deposit, between 14 and 29 days the charge is 75%, and under 14 days it is 90%. You can also transfer your place to someone else free of charge up to 7 days before. If you cannot travel because of death or hospitalisation, there is no charge at all and you are refunded in full. See our Terms and Conditions for the complete policy.

If we cancel a departure for any reason, including weather, flooding or safety concerns, you choose between moving to another available date or a full cash refund of everything you have paid. We will not hold your money as credit unless you want us to. We cannot reimburse separately booked flights or accommodation, which is why travel insurance is required.

Yes, it is a condition of joining the hike. Your policy needs to cover medical treatment, emergency evacuation, and trip cancellation, and you should check that multi-day hiking is not excluded. The trail is remote and the nearest hospital is about 90 minutes away. Insurance also protects you financially if you have to cancel late, as most policies reimburse an unavoidable cancellation charge.

Yes! We welcome solo hikers as well as small groups. You'll join other adventurers on your chosen date.