Africa Deluxe Tours Wild Coast cattle on the beach

Transkei

While the former Apartheid homeland called, Transkei does not exist anymore the region is still known by that name. It includes the region to the north of the Kei River up to the Northern border of the Eastern Cape. Mthatha (previously called Umtata) is the main town with Butterworth the second in size. The small village of Qumbu has the claim to fame of being the birthplace of Nelson Mandela.

The Wild Coast lies along the north-eastern coastline of the Eastern Cape province and is part of the Transkei. It is indeed quite "wild" with little infrastructure and almost no commercial development. This is the region's greatest attraction as well as its greatest drawback.

The easiest accessible areas are also the most commercial and include the Wild Coast Sun (beach hotel and casino resort) and the town of Port St. Johns. The most accessible of the rest of the Wild Coast is Coffee Bay from which you can visit the nearby Hole-in-the-Wall. Venturing into the rest of the region on your own is not advisable, unless you do so with the help of a reputable travel establishment,in which case it could make for a truly unique experience in a beautiful pristine coastal paradise.

Tours that include Transkei

Table Mountain and The Twelve Apostles

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Private guided tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R63,000 per person sharing - for group between 2 and 2. (±US$ 4,542 )
R40,800 per person sharing - for group between 4 and 6. (±US$ 2,941 )
R33,500 per person sharing - for group between 7 and 14. (±US$ 2,415 )
R15,500 single supplement (±US$ 1,117 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


Discover the main things to do, see and experience in South Africa, including beautiful winelands, majestic mountain ranges, rolling wheat and sugarcane fields, caves, beaches and rocky shorelines, forests and pristine wilderness areas. Explore by game drive vehicle, hike in beautiful environs and enjoy our beloved country’s rich cultural diversity.

Highlights: Cape Town , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Oudtshoorn , Route 62 , Garden Route , Knysna , Oudtshoorn ostrich farms , Cango Caves , Sunshine Coast , Wild Coast , Transkei , KwaZulu-Natal , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , St. Lucia , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Panorama Route .

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Scheduled tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R32,500 per person sharing (±US$ 2,343 )
R10,900 single supplement (±US$ 785 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


The German-guided version of our tour that covers the highlights of South Africa (link to English tour provided as well). It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Scheduled tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R32,500 per person sharing (±US$ 2,343 )
R10,900 single supplement (±US$ 785 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


This tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Blyde River Canyon

Duration: 16 days, 15 nights
Tour Type: Private guided tours
Luxury Level: *** / ****
Price: R57,500 per person sharing - for group between 2 and 2. (±US$ 4,146 )
R38,500 per person sharing - for group between 4 and 6. (±US$ 2,776 )
R30,700 per person sharing - for group between 7 and 14. (±US$ 2,213 )

Valid dates: Nov 2017 - Oct 2018


This private guided tour covers the highlights of South Africa and is ideal for first time visitors to the country. It provides a mix of cities, countryside, historical sites, scenic drives, nature, wildlife, culture and people. The southbound tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Cape Town.

Highlights: Panorama Route , Blyde River Canyon , Kruger National Park , Swaziland , Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Game Reserve , St. Lucia , iSimangaliso Wetland Park , Transkei , Garden Route , Storm’s River Mouth , Knysna , Cango Caves , Route 62 , Cape Winelands , Stellenbosch , Paarl , Cape Town .

Transkei attractions

A Xhosa intiate with white clay on his face, a traditional blanket and spear.

Pondoland

Pondoland, the traditional homeland of the Xhosa speaking Pondo people lies next to the northern part on the coast of the Eastern Cape, south of the province of Kwazulu Natal. But for the Wild Coast Sun Hotel, casino and resort, the rest of Pondoland is underdeveloped in terms of catered accommodation.

Hole-in-the-Wall near Coffee Bay on South Africa's 'Wild Coast'.

Coffee Bay

The small town of Coffee Bay is situated on the Wild Coast in the Transkei, South Africa. It is deep rural and traditional Xhosa country. The surrounding countryside is spotted with traditional 'rondavels' (round shaped huts). But for Port St Johns, Coffee Bay is the only town on the Wild Coast to be reached by tarred road.

The Valley of Desolation in South Africa's Cambdeboo National Park outside Graaff-Reinet.

Eastern Cape

The Eastern Cape has an extremely beautiful ±820 km coastline with long stretches of deserted sandy beaches interspersed with rocky and sandy cliffs. Huge shifting dune fields are found in some areas and vegetated dune fields in others. It is a diverse Province with natural scenery ranging from barren semi-desert Karoo landscapes to rain forest covered mountain ranges.

Nelson Mandela, the first president of a fully democratic South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (1918-2013) was the first President of the “new” democratic South Africa (1994-1999). The key role he played in South Africa’s peaceful transition can never be overestimated. He was a remarkable diplomat with a wonderful ability to win over his harshest critics. His sense of forgiveness and spirit of reconciliation was remarkable.

A typical stretch of coastline on South Africa's Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape's Transkei region.

Wild Coast

The Wild Coast covers the north-eastern coastline of the Eastern Cape province and is part of the former homeland of Transkei. It is indeed quite "wild" with little infrastructure and almost no commercial development. This is the region's greatest attraction as well as its greatest drawback. Facilities for tourism is limited.

Ladies at Lesedi Cultural Village in tradtional Xhosa dress as a bride and family member.

Xhosa people

A person who has isiXhosa as home language is referred to as a Xhosa. IsiXhosa is one of South Africa's eleven official languages. It is in fact, in terms of home languages, South Africa's second largest language group (17.9%) after isiZulu (22.9%). The language falls in the Nguni-language group.