Waterfall Bluff

This is a hike that should be on every South African’s bucket list!

The full hike starts at Mbotyi beach and is not for the faint hearted as it requires a full day and totals 30km. For anyone who manages the distance, the memory is one which you will not easily forget.

There is also a shorter option where we can take a 40-minute drive to a starting point which will reduce the hike to roughly 12km. This is highly recommended for people who are not hiking fit or are not up to spending a full day on their feet.

The full hike leaves from Mbotyi beach heading northwards, along the coast. After 3km we will cross the picturesque Drew’s Camp Beach which has a dramatic backdrop of indigenous forests, hidden lagoons and a cascading waterfall.

At the end of Drew’s beach we reach the sandstone escarpment which we will climb up the back of the iconic “Sugarloaf”. Once at the summit, a look left shows grasslands which stretch inland, dotted with Nguni cattle which are herded there to graze at certain times of the year.

This marks the starting point for the shorter, alternative hike.

From here one will work one’s way along cattle paths and cross over several, crystal clear streams until reaching the beautiful Mamba Pools. This is a great spot to stop for a swim.

The route continues through the grasslands until dropping down in front of the cliffs to approach the beautiful Waterfall Bluff. It is here that one can enjoy a lunch break and take in the dramatic scenery as the fresh water falls directly into the turbulent sea below.

After refuelling, the journey home begins. In the afternoon sun, the grasslands turn a beautiful amber hue and provide a great opportunity to take a few timeless snapshots to remember the journey.