The wild kei ride

10-day mountain biking journey (9-day ride) traversing the Wild Coast

Fully inclusive 9 day mountain bike ride.

R15,400

/ per person

About The Wild Kei Ride with Singletrack Adventures

Start: Kei Mouth
Finish: Port Edward

This mountain bike ride is both challenging and rewarding for those who are seeking a tough yet enjoyable  experience. It is a 10-day journey (9-day ride) traversing the Wild Coast’s unspoilt and picturesque beaches; coastal forests; rock outcrops and so much more.

There are endless amounts of single-track every day. The trails are technical and mostly natural, created by goats, cattle and local people who use these thoroughfares for their daily travels between villages.

This mountain bike ride should only be undertaken by those who have a good level of fitness and riding skills and are up for a challenge. You must be able to spend long days in the saddle, enjoy some technical riding, hike with your bike, undertake river crossing and be open to on-the-fly changes to the itinerary and route depending the conditions.

Contact us if you would are interested in this tour. We would need a minimum of 8 people to open a tour date and advertise this tour. 

Included
  • All meals provided
  • Snacks for the hike
  • Logistical support during the hike and transfer of luggage
  • 9 nights accommodation
  • 2 professional mtn guides per hike
  • Nature reserve permits
  • Canoe transfer fees
  • River ferry
  • Miles and miles of singletrack awesomeness
Excluded
  • Hotel and Guest House beverages
  • Transfers to start (Kei Mouth) and from the finish (Wild Coast Casino)
  • Accommodation after the ride
  • Medical and evacuation insurance

The Wild Kei Ride Itinerary

  • Day 1: Transfer to Kei Mouth & arrival at Neptune’s Cove

    Meet and greet your fellow mountain bikers over a few sundowners at Neptune’s Cove with panoramic sea views. We will have a braai while being briefed on the route for the 9 Day Wild Kei Ride.

  • Day 2: Kei Mouth to Qora Mouth (Distance 55km | 900m Ascent | Ride time 5.5hrs | Total time 7hrs)

    We depart with the rising sun by ferry over the Great Kei River, an excellent start to the 9 days of adventure riding ahead. The mountain bike ride meanders along the coastal trail, then heading past Nongqawuse Pool, a beautiful waterfall and pool on the Gxara River. We will enjoy miles of beach riding with varied terrain in-between as well as the beautiful KwaGcaleka Forest Trail. We pass the Jacaranda shipwreck near Qolora Mouth - in rusty bits and pieces. During 1971, the Jacaranda, a 1600 ton, Greek-owned coaster, tragically ran aground due to strong winds.

    Accommodation: Accommodation - Kob Inn with all the hotel comforts.

  • Day 3: Kob Inn to Bashee River (Distance 40km | 500m Ascent | Ride time 4.5hrs | Total time 6hrs)

    Enjoy some of the best cattle and goat single track trails, the Wild Coast has to offer. We will also have a chance to spot some wildlife while cycling through the Dwesa Nature Reserve with its untouched indigenous forested valleys. Take a short break while we ferry across the mighty Bashee River on kayaks and finish the day at Haven Hotel, with its old Transkei hospitality.

  • Day 4: Bashee River to Mpame (Distance 30km | 600m Ascent | Ride time 4hrs | Total time 6hrs)

    The start of the ride will take us deep through the Cwebe Indigenous Forest with its towering trees and past the beautiful Xhora River mouth. Today is about resting the legs slightly and enjoying a slightly easier day. There will be time to take a swim at Mpame Beach or just relax.

    Accommodation: Bulls Inn / The Winds (Dependent on availability)

  • Day 5: Mpame to uMdumbi (Distance 35km | 950m Ascent | Ride time 5hrs | Total time 7hrs)

    The coastline begins to change dramatically, and the mountain biking becomes more challenging with some testing climbs. We will cycle past the iconic Hole in the Wall as well as the little Hole in the Wall and enjoy the spectacular views from the top of the jagged cliffs overlooking Coffee Bay. An afternoon walk on uMdumbi Beach is a must after a long day in the saddle.

    Accommodation: Mdumbi Bakcpackers - simple & comfortable accommodation - set in traditional style Xhosa huts, with panoramic wild coast sea views of the pristine Mdumbi beach.

  • Day 6: uMdumbi to iMpande (Distance 35km | 900m Ascent | Ride time 5hrs | Total time 7hrs)

    Enjoy the unspoiled natural beauty of the Hluleka nature reserve, before reaching Umgazana, pristine coastal section with breath-taking views overlooking the Umgazana River Estuary. The coastline is a hive of activity with kilometres of picturesque bush and beach to explore.

    Accommodation: Kraal Eco Lodge, a rare find along the Wild Coast situated in an exclusive cleft between two hills facing the Indian ocean.

  • Day 7: iMpande to Port St Johns (Distance 40km | 1250m Ascent | Ride time 5hrs | Total time 7hrs)

    This is possibly the most populated area we will be riding through with lots of small friendly villages along the route. We journey through the Silaka Nature Reserve, thereafter enjoy some amazing Singletrack descent from Silaka Nature Reserve into Port St Johns. Enjoy a social evening of braaing on the banks of the Umzimvubu River.

    Accommodation: The Pont @ Port St John’s

  • Day 8: Port St Johns to Mbotyi (Distance 45km | 1500m Ascent | Ride time 6hrs | Total time 8hrs)

    This is your toughest mountain biking day with some big portages, testing climbs and some significant river crossings. But with difficulty comes great experiences and it's generally these days we remember above others. Although there are no notable landmarks on this day, the landscape is dramatic and this is one of the most scenic days.

    Accommodation: Enjoy some true Transkei hospitality at Pumla’s Place. Rustic yet comfortable cottages that boast panoramic sea views of the Mbotyi coast.

  • Day 9: Mbotyi to Msikaba (Distance 35km | 600m Ascent | Ride time 4.5hrs | Total time 6hrs)

    The dramatic scenery on this day is simply breathtaking! We will pass many noteworthy landmarks, with highlights including Waterfall Bluff and Cathedral Rock, two remarkable natural phenomena of the Wild Coast. We will predominantly traverse grasslands, wetlands and coastal forest areas with small rivers and streams.

    Accommodation: We will overnight at Vonnie's Rest, which is nestled in a little valley on the bank of the Mbaxeni River. The charming cottages are simply furnished and cosy.

  • Day 10: Mbotyi to Msikaba (Distance 35km | 600m Ascent | Ride time 4.5hrs | Total time 6hrs)

    After crossing the Msikaba estuary and entering the Mkambati Nature Reserve, the mountain bike ride meanders along the coastal trail to Horseshoe Falls, Strandlooper falls (for a swim) then onto Mkambati Falls, where the waterfall cascades spectacularly into the sea. After a short beach ride and river crossing to Sikombe, will head a little inland into the Xolobeni Red Desert. We will break for an ice-cold cooldrink at the local spaza shop before either heading inland or following a beach route, depending on what the tide is doing.

Book This Tour

Minimum 8 people per tour.

WILD KEI RIDE TESTIMONIALS
The Wild Coast lived up to its reputation. We mountain biked from Kei River mouth to Port Edward. We had some beautiful weather, the full moon and beautiful trails, but the tides and weather were not always in our favour, we had to contend with some rain, soft beach sand and crazy tough portages, rocky trails and muddy track. Each of the 9 days were tough, beautiful, challenging and worthwhile. Thank you to the friends and family who we got to share this experience with, to the CT guys who thought they were in for a boys mountain biking holiday and had to contend with a few ‘girls’’ and last but not least, thank you to Gareth, Clint, Siya and Marnus for the guiding, logistics, back up and awesome food along the way.
Renee MitchellSouth Africa
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Singletrack Adventures - Wild Coast guided Mountain Biking and Hiking Tours

Experience the wild and breathtaking coast of South Africa’s Pondoland with hiking and Mountain Bike experiences curated for various fitness levels. Contact us to book your Wild Adventure with Singletrack Adventures.

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