GweGwe Beach Lodge
- Mkambati Nature Reserve
- 9 Rooms
- R7,050 — R14,500 per night
Mkambati Nature Reserve runs along a spectacular coastline, where calm inlets offer respite from the huge crashing waves typical of South Africa’s “Wild Coast”. Grasslands roll down to the shores, and are dotted with eland and hartebeest, which you’ll often see against the blue backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
This Wild Coast gem offers a rare spectacle: zebras grazing as dolphins and whales breach offshore.
Secluded beaches, rolling grasslands and crystal clear rivers adorn the scenic reserve. Deep gorges reveal hidden pockets of dense forest. But the true stars are the waterfalls – 21 in total. The crown jewel? Mkambati Falls, cascading directly into the ocean.
Offshore lies a marine sanctuary, stage for nature’s grand spectacle. Here, the annual sardine migration draws countless predators, creating one of Earth’s most massive feeding frenzies.
Situated on the Eastern Cape’s “Wild Coast” between Port Edward and Port St Johns, Mkambathi Nature Reserve is highly regarded for its stunning scenery, biodiversity, and rich marine life.
Offshore, the vast Pondoland Marine Protected Area hosts the spectacular annual sardine run, a prime example of nature’s grand predation events
This malaria-free reserve spans 7700 hectares, with GweGwe Lodge occupying the private 5000 hectare northern sector.
Mkambati is at very heart of the Maputaland-Pondoland area – one of the world’s 34 most important biodiversity “hotspots” that contain most of the earth’s ecological richness yet are threatened. Mkambati is one of only two protected areas within the Pondoland hotspot.
The leached sandstone soils which occur in this part of the Wild Coast and a warm climate have contributed to the high diversity of plant life.
Habitats include the rich coastal waters and shore, grasslands dotted with patches of indigenous forest, rivers and forested ravines.
Mkambati is situated along the “Wild Coast” in the Eastern Cape between Port Edward (30 km to the north east) and Port St Johns (59 km to the south west).
Access to Mkambati is either by air, road, helicopter or boat. The reserve has a 1,500-metre grass runway that is suitable for a Pilatus PC12, Cessna Caravan and certain King Airs.
Approximate travel times:
A warm sub-tropical climate makes the area a year-round destination for outdoor activities.
Summers are warm with average daytime temperatures ranging from 25°C to 30°C (77°F to 86°F). Rainfall is more frequent during these months, often in the form of afternoon thunderstorms
Winters are mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 22°C (50°F to 72°F).
Sea temperatures climb to between 24°C to 27°C in summer and are a very pleasant 19°C to 21°C in winter.
Mkambati sits at the heart of the Maputaland-Pondoland area; one of the world’s 34 most important biodiversity ‘hotspots’ which contain most of the earth’s ecological richness, yet are threatened.
Here the landscape is defined by lush grasslands that stretch down to the coast to create an unforgettable scenic backdrop. On nature drives and walks through the reserve guests can look forward to spotting herds of eland, red hartebeest and zebra… perhaps with humpback whales breaching in the distance!
These grassy hills are punctuated by dramatic rocky outcrops and deep gorges filled with ancient forests; a glimpse into the untouched wilderness of Pondoland. Mkambati’s plant life is certainly diverse: there are more than 2000 species here, many of which are endemic to the region. Iconic red milkwoods stand resilient against the coastal winds, while the Mkambati palm is a signature endemic found only along the Mtentu and Msikaba rivers.
These rivers join the Indian Ocean in dramatic fashion, spilling over waterfalls or forming wide estuaries crucial for healthy fish stocks in the region. Offshore the seas have been designated a Marine Protected Area since 1981, and teem with marine life. Each winter, visitors can witness the world-renowned Sardine Run, where vast shoals of sardines migrate up the coast, attracting marine predators in a spectacular feeding frenzy. Humpback whales make seasonal appearances along the coast, often breaching just offshore from GweGwe, while dolphins regularly arrive in the bay where the GweGwe River flows into the ocean.
The birdlife of Mkambati is equally captivating. Grasslands attract species such as the jackal buzzard, marsh harrier, and the endangered southern ground hornbill, while secretary birds and black-headed herons are often seen hunting for prey in the marshy lowlands. In the forested river gorges, thick canopies provide refuge for trumpeter hornbills. The reserve’s position along the Pondoland coastline also places it at the edge of the range for African grass owls and hosts a small population of swamp nightjars, marking one of the southernmost sightings of this species. Determined birders may also catch a glimpse of the elusive black-rumped buttonquail, an endangered species sought after by twitchers.
