Life on the wild side of paradise, where you can unleash your adventurous spirit
I SAMPLED life in “paradise” during a recent nearly week-long stay at the Wild Coast Sun, which is bursting with 101 things to see, taste and get one’s adrenalin pumping, in and around the idyllic resort.
And it hit the spot.
Its setting on an unspoiled beach, near the edges of the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape borders, is tranquil and picture-perfect.
Glorious sunrises and sunsets, walks on the beach, horse riding on the seashore, and boat cruises on the local Umtamvuna River were a delight.
When the tempo needed to be revved up a few notches, it was game-on with an exhilarating adventure quad bike ride through the many hectares of Wild Coast Sun’s wilderness comprising lush indigenous bush.
For a more sedate spin around the property, riding the segway is an available mode of movement.
The Wild Waves Waterpark was a splash of fun. There are ample water features for young children, while the rest of us could choose from a collection of six nicely laid out slide-rides.
For those with a bit more daring, the Aqua Loop and the Boomerango tube rides with their steep dips and sharp bends were a treat.
My repeated choice was the slide with no overhead covering, but exhilarating.
A rewarding outdoor experience at the resort was a walk through the “Petrified Forest”.
This is no regular forest with a dense thicket of trees and bush. Instead, it's a collection of fossilised tree trunks, clams and other shells from yonks that typify this forest.
The experienced guide, who unpacked this outing, spoke about the fossilised animal and dinosaur fragments that were once discovered there but subsequently moved to museums.
It's best to venture there when the tide is low. That’s when more of the forest’s gems are exposed.
Stunning were the overhangs with caves, which were once the temporary abode for stranded Portuguese voyagers, who were on board a ship that ran aground along the notorious “wild coast”, the bane of seafarers.
In-house, the casino is a hallmark of the resort, which caters for serious punters or those who feel inclined to have a flutter. Peter Tshidi, the Wild Coast’s general manager, said their establishment was much more than a gambling den.
In fact, not even the billing “resort” does justice to its offerings, Tshidi believes.
“It’s paradise!”
That was his rave about the food and fun features under the Wild Coast’s roof.
Their indoor Skypark, known to be the first of its kind in the country, will get you within touching distance of the entertainment area’s ceiling.
The Skypark structure is over 18 metres above the ground, comprising 21 rope obstacles on a sky trail and a built-in zipline, anyone between the ages of seven to 70 can venture there.
If problem-solving, cracking codes and deciphering cryptic clues gets your blood pumping, then escaping from the Break Out Room can be a great team-building adventure for two to eight players.
A state-of-the-art tenpin bowling alley is available in the games area.
Also on the property is an 18-hole golf course boasting stunning ocean views, and the Riverside Aqua Sports Beach Bar.
Cruising down the Mtamvuna River, which provides the border between KZN and the Eastern Cape, on board Dreamweaver, a custom-made boat with features to comfortably wine and dine more than 20 guests, was another excellent way to take in the local scenery.
Kayaking, speed boats, paddle boats, tube rides, water skiing and glamping on board the Baby Blue are some of Riverside's other offerings.
My favourite meals were usually breakfast at Chico's Restaurant. The food was tasty, I had a wide variety of options to choose from and the dining area was set in front of ocean views.
A great way to start the day.
Other food options at the Wild Coast include a few popular franchise restaurants and Maltos, a Greek-themed eatery, which also provides pizza and sushi spreads.
When it was time to rest at the 4-star venue, my room was spacious and provided all the necessary comforts and, of course, a balcony overlooking the sea.
Other attractions nearby include:
The Red Desert
This archaeological wonder with its parched red soil is commonly referred to as the “smallest desert” in the world because it has a surface area spanning roughly seven hectares.
Its history dates back to the Stone Age and is surrounded by lush green flora, some bush bush buck, snakes and various bird species frequent the area.
It's great for hiking, birdwatching, botanists, spectacular views and communing with nature.
Oribi Gorge
It is loaded with spectacular and unspoiled scenery and dotted with various viewing platforms. The waterfall is a sight to behold and the area has an array of animal and bird life.
Amid this setting is the adrenalin rush provided by Wild 5 Adventures with their gorge swing, touted as the world’s highest, at 165 metres off the ground, the 4.5 km long zipline, abseiling, quad bikes, paintballing and a suspension bridge.
Lake Eland Game Reserve
It houses a diverse combination of natural habitats like bushveld, grassland, coastal forest, and a wetland, with roaming wildlife.
Some of the attractions include a self-game drive, a 4.5km zipline, an 80-metre suspension bridge, horse riding, hiking, single-track mountain bike trails, paintball, fishing, picnic sites, 4x4 tracks and an in-house restaurant.
Beaver Creek Coffee Estate
It’s Africa’s most southerly coffee plantation, a short distance from the resort, which came to life in the 1980’s after the owners switched from banana cultivation.
A cup of freshly roasted, estate grown or imported coffee, is always on tap.
Senzi’s Shisanyama
Located in Margate’s town, Senzi’s has the South African favourite pastime; braaied meat, on the turn, hot, tasty and fresh, with all the add-ons.