Mtentu hike proves magical, life-giving
I had joined some of the crew from Box360 in Ramsgate who had escaped for a long weekend to this untamed paradise.
For a moment it felt like I was in Thailand, exploring Phi Phi islands (Koh Phi Phi) located 40km south of Phuket.
I wasn’t, though, rather I was paddling the magical Mtentu River in the Eastern Cape, which is not too far from our southern border, Port Edward.
It’s a hop, skip and a jump from the Wild Coast Sun Casino and Holiday Resort, not more than 50km away.
I had joined some of the crew from Box360 in Ramsgate who had escaped for a long weekend to this untamed paradise.
It provided the perfect location for group of young and fit aspiring boxers to spend three days enjoying an adventure in nature.
This involved hikes to a series of waterfalls, diving into icy cold crystal-clear rock pools, trail running, kayaking, sun-tanning and, of course, a dip in the ocean.
Pristine and breathtakingly beautiful, the Mtentu River is in the heart of the Pondoland Centre of plant endemism.
Its banks are also home to the Pondoland coconut palm, which grows only on the northern banks of the lower Msikaba and Mtentu rivers. The fruit resemble miniature coconuts.
It is a river filled with a high diversity of fauna, including a variety of endemic animal and bird species.
I have paddled a lot of rivers, like Mzimkhulu and Mtamvuna, and this one is up there among my favourites.
A highlight of the paddle – it was almost surreal in some ways – was seeing a turtle pop its head up out of the water, then have a fish leap out of the water nearly into my boat, all the while watching a fish eagle circle majestically, eyeing out its next meal.
If you cross the Mtentu River by canoe and you enter the unspoiled Mkambati Game Reserve, flanked on either side by the forested ravines of the Msikaba and Mtentu rivers.
Mkambati Nature Reserve, is a botanical hotspot, one of the most important centres of plant diversity and endemism in Africa, with a 7720-ha coastal reserve with open grasslands, dotted with indigenous forest patches and swamp forests.
About two years ago, I was fortunate enough to walk the coastal stretch from the Wild Coast Sun to Mtentu.
It was the first leg of a eight day hike with tour guide Sinegugu Zukulu, a dynamic and passionate social and environmental activist, who’s also an author of more than 10 books including Medicinal and Charm Plants of Pondoland.
This roughly 24km walk along the coast is highly recommended as is a visit to the Mzamba fossils and petrified forest about 2km from the Wild Coast Sun.
The beauty of Mtentu is that it is off the beaten and bumpy track and it’s highly recommended to go in a 4×4 vehicle.
Untamed, unique and magical, it’s not surprising Mtentu has gained the reputation of being one of the most unique travel destinations.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
