ENDLESS ACTIVITIES ON OFFER IN THIS WILDERNESS...

Both vast rivers offer endless activities with an extraordinary variety of bird-life. Take a canoe and enjoy travelling down the river, totally at peace but for the sound of a Fish Eagle or Loerie. Have a swim in “Home Pool” – natural “pool” formed by the estuary, or spend the day angling or exploring the interesting flora on the river’s edge.

The shoreline here is exactly what has made the Wild Coast legendary; long white beaches edge the blue waters of the Indian Ocean as far as the eye can see. There is sea-edge life to explore as well; rock pools, extraordinary sea shells and fish in the shallow waters of every shape and size, with fishing being a major drawcard.

Dolphins can be seen all year round. Humpback and Southern Right Whales, migrating from the Antarctic, are seen daily between June and November. Orcas have also been spotted off the Wild Coast.

Nqabara Eco River Lodge pristine waters of Transkei
Nqabara Eco River Lodge whales
Nqabara Eco River Lodge fishing

Hiking north or south will reveal a variety of scenic splendour, perfect for budding photographers or amateurs alike. Nqabara Eco River Lodge is perfectly situated.

Central to The Haven Hotel & Kobb Inn making it the perfect halfway stop on spectacular longer hikes through the Dwesa Reserve. The walk from Kobb Inn is quite easy as it is flat, while the walk from the Haven includes a couple of hills/krantzes. Catering for hikers can be done (booking in advance), alternatively hikers can book in for the night. If you are keen on something shorter and local you can enjoy a guided walking trail and learn about the myriad of birds in the area.

Nqabara Eco River Lodge boating
Nqabara Eco River Lodge landscape
Nqabara Eco River Lodge cycling

Nqabara has double and single canoes for hire and guided trails with a qualified Ranger can be arranged. If exploring on bicycle, you can cycle for miles in any direction, over whatever terrain takes your fancy. If culture and history are your interest, the area is full of willing storytellers.

Nqabara Eco River Lodge woodpecker
Nqabara Eco River Lodge birding

DWESA - CWEBE NATURE RESERVE
Eastern Cape Birding Route

The Dwesa & Cwebe Nature Reserves flank either side of the Mbashe River and together, provide protection to 6 050ha of vast lowland coastal forest, moist coastal grassland patches, mangroves and 20 km’s of pristine coastline, with a phenomenal variety of birdlife to list just a few...

Spotted ground-thrush

African black oystercatcher

Knysna woodpecker

Mangrove kingfisher

African emerald cuckoo

Black cuckoo

Trumpeter hornbill

Narina trogon

Knysna turaco

Chorister robin-chat

Grey cuckooshrike

White-starred robin

Brown scrub-robin

Blue-mantled crested-flycatcher

Olive bush-shrike

Swee waxbill

Forest canary

Mountain wagtail

Half-collared kingfisher

African crowned eagle

African wood-owl

Barratt’s warbler

Forest canary

Southern tchagra

Olive & Grey sunbird

Red-backed mannikin

Croaking cisticola

Grey-crowned crane

Swamp nightjar

Denham’s bustard

Southern ground-hornbill

Plain-backed pipit

Wailing cisticola

Broad-tailed warbler

Yellow-throated longclaw

DOWNLOAD FULL NQABARA BIRD LIST

Mammals in the reserve include: Eland, Blue wildebeest, Red hartebeest, Warthog, Cape clawless otter and Cape buffalo.